Earsten Edmonds, Jr. (Ernie) was born in Welch, West Virginia, on Jan. 9, 1936. He was the seventh of eight children and the last of the sons born to Earsten Edmonds, Sr., and Elizabeth Samantha “Mincie” Cooley. He dropped out of school after the eighth grade to help around the house and take odd jobs. He earned his GED before entering the Army in 1954.
He married his sweetheart and the love of his life, Sylvia Dawn Dishman, on Feb. 2, 1956. In December 1957, his first child, Cathy, was born in Bluefield West Virginia. Shortly after her birth, Ernie was sent to Turkey for a year without his family. When Ernie returned home, the family moved to Petaluma, California, where the family was blessed with a son, James Edmonds.
After almost 21 years in the US Army, Ernie retired from service. Ernie had many jobs over the years including pinsetter mechanic at bowling alleys, hotel management, storage unit management, and manager of a long-term living facility.
Ernie and Sylvia have five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. This family is blessed.
In 2005, Sylvia was diagnosed with cancer and passed away early in 2006. Ernie then met Karen Thompson and the two of them spent much time together visiting family and seeing the country. Ernie was adopted by Karen’s family as their own and he loved them as if they were his own.
Ernie will be missed by all his family and friends. Everyone he met became his friend, he was a very kind and gentle man.
Click this link to view additional details about Earsten’s Services, including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/earsten-edmonds
Services are under the direction of McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel and Crematory. Online condolences may be extended at www.caldwellfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/
