Highley, Earnest R. 'Earnie'

Earnest R. “Earnie” Highley, a resident of Higley Mansion, died Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. Funeral Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 25, Clark Funeral Home in Neosho, Mo. Family will greet friends one hour before the service at the funeral home. Burial: Howard Cemetery, Goodman, Mo. Local arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion.

Survivors include his siblings, Roy (Evelyn) Highley of Cedar Rapids, William (Jane) Lonergan-Highley of Central City, Nadine Davis of Neosho, Mo., Nelda Barnes of Anamosa and Donna (Jim) Anthony of California; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Charles Highley; sisters, Viola VanAmberg and Bernice VanAmberg; sister-in-law, Muriel Highley; and brothers-in-law, Ken Davis, Barney Barnes, John VanAmberg and Bruce VanAmberg.

Earnie was born Sept. 27, 1925, in Anamosa, the son of Ernest and Daisy (Clark) Highley. He enlisted in the United States Navy on Dec. 8, 1941. He served during World War II, the Korean conflict and part of the Vietnam War, retiring in 1962. In his time of service, he was onboard ship in Antarctica during the expedition of Admiral Byrd and Sir Edmond Hilary. He was also at the North Pole during the expedition of the Nautilus. He was a caregiver for his father and mother until their death.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Higley Mansion Care Center, 860 17th St. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403; or Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, 315 18th Ave., Hiawatha, IA 52233.

Please sign the online guest book for Earnie at  under obituaries.