Ernest Junior “Ernie” Waffle, 102, of Tekonsha Township, passed away Thursday, November 16, 2023, at his home under hospice care, surrounded by his family.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Union Church UCC, 206 W. Randall St., Tekonsha, MI 49092. Pastor Jennifer Fair will officiate. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Tekonsha.
Visitation will be held Monday, November 20, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Lighthouse of Tekonsha, 616 N. Main Street.
The family will be served by Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation.
Ernie was born on November 8, 1921 to Ernest L. and Dorothy (Aldrich) Waffle in Tekonsha, Michigan. He graduated from Tekonsha High School in 1939 and served honorably in the U.S. Army during WWII.
Ernie lived his entire life in Calhoun County and Tekonsha Township. His career started on the family farm at age 8 years old, and continuing into his 90’s. Ernie held many different jobs in his life, but not limited to the following: hauling milk, carrying mail, and Kellogg’s production worker for 30 years. He held public office as the Calhoun County Drain Commissioner from 1976 through 1984, and this took him throughout the county.
Ernie married Lorena “Billie” (Stein) Smith in 1971. He and Billie co-owned the Triple Delight Dairy Bar in Tekonsha. You might remember seeing the whitetail deer behind the Dairy Bar near I-69.
Ernie and his wife built three homes in Port Charlotte, Florida in the 1980’s, and spent the winter months enjoying the warm sunny weather. They also enjoyed family and friends while in Florida, as quite a few Michiganders had homes in that area.
Ernie enjoyed having coffee in the local restaurant surrounded by friends and family. Most of all he enjoyed his farming on the centennial farm on Aldrich Road in Tekonsha.
Ernie and Billie had a great love for their dogs. Sammy, Max, Babe, Tiny, and Sidney were among the few dogs they had over the years. Some would say he loved his dog more than his kids and this could be the truth. One thing is for sure is those dogs shared his heart. He has gone home to be with his wife of 46 years, to a place where life and time matters the most. Let’s all remember Ernie wearing striped overalls, plowing, planting and harvesting crops on the family farm.
Ernie is survived by his daughter, Yvonne Ortz of Albion, MI, his sons, Michael Waffle of Burlington, MI and Patrick (Lora) Waffle of Rochester Hills, MI, his 10 grandchildren, and his 3 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Lorena “Billie” Waffle, his son Richard Waffle, his brothers Carl “Spark” Waffle, Robert “Bob” Waffle, Richard “Dick” Waffle, his mother Dorothy Waffle, his father Ernest Waffle, Sr.
The Waffle family is large and you know if you were related to Ernie. He was a family man, that loved and was loved by all. He will be missed by all.
A very special thank you to all the family and friends that took extra time to care for Ernie while he was at home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Humane Society of South-Central Michigan, 2500 Watkins Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49015.
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