Ronnebaum, Ernest George

Ernest George Ronnebaum, of Earlville, died Saturday, March 6, 2010, at the age of 85. He was currently a resident of Lincolnwood Assisted Living in Edgewood. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, March 10, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earlville, officiated by the Rev. Herbert Tegeler. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Clifton-Murdoch Funeral Home in Earlville, where a Scripture wake service will begin at 4 p.m. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Earlville. 

Ernest was born Dec. 25, 1924, in Seneca, Kan., the son of Frank and Mary (Scherbring) Ronnebaum. At the age of 14, he and his family moved to the Edgewood area and later to Earlville. On Sept. 25, 1946, Ernest was united in marriage to Arlene Rose Wulfekuhle at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Masonville. Together, they farmed north of Earlville until semiretirement in 1983. Ernest also worked for Helle Transport and S&R Manufacturing as a dedicated employee. 

Ernest was a member of St. Joseph's Parish in Earlville, Holy Name Society, Earlville Community Club and Knights of Columbus in Manchester. He took great pride in his wife Arlene and for his family of five children, 16 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, looking forward to No. 21 in August.

He will always be remembered for his love of farming and as a Dad and Grandpa that you could count on for anything. His quick wit, excellent memory and numerous stories of years past will be forever treasured and missed.

Ernest will be forever honored by his five children, Ronald (Joan) Ronnebaum, Delbert (Darlene) Ronnebaum, Mary (James, deceased) Langel, all of Earlville, Alice Munz (Dennis Armstrong) of Spirit Lake and Lisa (Joseph) Jaeger of Manchester; his 16 grandchildren and their spouses; 20 great-grandchildren; his sister, Vera (Leonard) Wulfekuhle of Independence; his in-laws, Alberta Ronnebaum, Harold (Marie) Wulfekuhle, Floyd (Helen) Wulfekuhle, Wibur (Erma) Wulfekuhle and Joann Wulfekuhle; and several nieces and nephews.

Ernest was preceded in death by his loving wife, Arlene in 2006; parents, Frank and Mary Ronnebaum; a brother, Matthias Ronnebaum; daughter-in-law, Jeanna (Bockenstedt) Ronnebaum; son-in-law, James Langel; his mother- and father-in-law, William and Katherine (Knipper) Wulfekuhle; and in-laws, Lawrence and Berniece Wulfekuhle and Arnold Wulfekuhle.

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