Irene Ernst

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Irene Ernst, 87, of Canton, Ill., passed away Saturday July 3, 2010 at 11:20am at Graham Hospital, Canton.

She was born Jan. 14, 1923 in Belleville to Josiah Harriss and Elsie May (Rice) Manis. She married Oscar W. Ernst Feb. 1, 1942 in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

He survives along with one son, Larry (Liz) Ernst Sr. and one daughter, Ruth (Bill) Maxson, both of Canton; five granddaughters, Michelle, Angel, Samantha, Gretchen and Sara (Richard) Neuneker and four great grandchildren, Darrion, Rheina, Matthew and Jordan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers; Otto, Robert, Leroy, Leonard and James Manis; three sisters, Betty Lou Biggs, Louise Simmons and Wilma Brock; one grandson, Larry Jr. and one granddaughter, Amy.

She was a homemaker. She was also a volunteer at Graham Hospital at the Gift Shop, working for many years. She enjoyed fishing, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed living in Florida during the winter. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Canton.

There was a funeral service Wednesday July 7 at 11:00 a.m. at the Murphy-Sedgwick Memorial Home, Canton. Visitation was one hour prior. Pastor Keith Jones officiated. Burial was in White Chapel Memory Garden, Canton.

Memorials may be made to the Graham Hospital Hospice or to the First Baptist Church Food Pantry.

To view Irene's memorial DVD or to submit online condolences, you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com.