CAMDEN - Ernie A. Stokes, II passed away on Dec. 20, 2013 due to a sudden illness at the young age of 45. Ernie was born in Maine on Oct. 30, 1968, traveling to areas such as Guam, Kansas, Germany, New Mexico, and Delaware, as a child and young man as his father traveled often being in the USAF. His family settled in the place he called home outside the city of Camden, Del. while in the 10th grade, allowing Ernie to attend Caesar Rodney High School, becoming a stand-out trumpet player with a passion for Marching Band; a love that he kept his entire adult life. A charming and outgoing individual by nature, he never missed an opportunity to show his flirtatious and humorous personality. Ernie adored animals of all kinds and loved the thrill of driving muscle cars such as his early Mustangs and convertible Corvette. Above all else, he will be remembered by all as a loving and generous friend. Ernie made his living over the years through restoring antiques, providing lawn care, working as a correctional officer and ultimately settling into his own trucking business and working as a truck driver. Ernie enjoyed working on classic cars, big-rigs and dump trucks alike; making his job in the transportation industry a labor of love. Ernie spent his spare time with his friends enjoying drum-corps, jet skiing, shooting pool, or time alone hunting for treasures with his trusted metal detector, and yearning for a chance to one day pan for gold and to strike it rich. Ernie is survived by his mother, Bernice (Howard) Christianson of Clarksville, N.H.; his father, Ernie Stokes (Sandi) of Hurlock, Md.; brother, Clayton Stokes of Groton, Conn.; sister, Amy Znaniec of Federalsburg, Md.; step-brother, Ricky; and his many nieces and nephews. Friends, family, and colleagues are invited to attend his service to be held on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013 at the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, DE. Gathering will begin at 10 a.m. and services starting at 11 a.m. followed by a reception in celebration of Ernie's life. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made in Ernie's name to the Pippin Funeral home. Letters of condolences can be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com