Ernest W. Austin, Jr., 81
SMYRNA - Ernest W. Austin, Jr. passed away on Sat., Feb. 17, 2024, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was born in Tuscumbia. Alabama on December 19, 1942, to the late Ernest W. and Noreen (Maulden) Austin, Sr.
He was a 1961 graduate of Deshler High School, Tuscumbia, AL. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1965, which brought him to Dover. He retired in 2005 from Dow (Reichold Chemicals) after 39 years.
He enjoyed playing horseshoes, trivia, Scrabble, playing slot machines, doing puzzles, watching NASCAR, Eagles football, and Phillies baseball. He was a devoted fan of the University of Alabama football team (Roll Tide!). He enjoyed hosting an annual 4th of July cookout for many years with family and friends. He enjoyed his trips back home to Alabama and other travel. He particularly enjoyed getting to visit the University of Alabama and its stadium a couple of years ago with his wife, Judy. Most of all, Ernie enjoyed being with family and friends.
Along with his parents; he was preceded in death by his infant son, Eric; his wife of 44 years, Evelyn; his step-son, Earl (Chuck) Ridley, II; and his best friends, Ronnie (Humpty) Tompkins, and Rodney Blanchfield.
Ernest is survived by his wife of five years, Judith Chamberlain Austin; his daughter, Ellen Ann Jensen (Kevin Shepersky) of Vancouver, WA; step-daughters, Linda K. Maderich (Henry) of Glassboro, NJ; and Lori J. Ennis (Steven) of Dover, DE. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Michelle Jensen, and Christina Gay; Jazz Rieth, Jesse Ridley, Shanna Hoffman, Hilary Ennis, Sarah Ennis, and Emily Ennis; and, great-grandchildren: Emilee, Olivia, Connor, Dezmon, AJ, Fran, Bradley, Vivian, and Cora; and, a brother-in-law, Jay Chamberlain (Brandy).
Funeral services will be held Monday, February 26, 2024, at Trader Funeral Home, 12 Lotus St., Dover, DE 19904, where friends may call at 10:00 am for visitation with a remembrance service at 11:00 am. Interment will be at 2:00 pm at the Delaware Veterans Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro, DE 19966.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Ernie's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, or via www.StJude.org.
Letters of condolences may be sent to www.traderfh.com