He was a graduate of East Huntington High School (1955), where he was active in choir and theater and was best remembered as the high-stepping drum major. He furthered his education at Robert Morris Business School, graduating in 1957. While still in high school, Ernie enlisted in the Army National Guard and served for eight years. God blessed Ernie with many talents, especially his artistic ability. The exquisite glassware which he designed and painted is found in homes all over the world. His career began in 1959 when he was hired by Westmoreland Glass. He would go on to become their head decorator in 1971 and remain there until the company's closing. He followed that with work for Treasured Editions and Rosso Glass. Ernie spent his retirement creating commissioned pieces as a sought-after painter. Glorifying God by sharing his gift of music was Ernie's greatest passion. He most recently served as the organist for Trinity Reformed Church of Christ, and prior to that for 65 years with the congregation at Mt. Nebo United Methodist Church, where he also played the piano and served as choir director. There are literally hundreds of brides who have walked down the aisle and were betrothed to their grooms to the sound of his organ playing. His musical talent was also on display for years as a member of the Hammond Organ Club, where he performed recitals, and with the Westmoreland Choral Society, where he sang baritone.
Ernie is survived by his devoted sister, Shirley Kimball, of Williamsburg, Va., and beloved nieces and nephews, James Swope, Debbi Nebraski, Denise Arison, Greg Brown, Gretchen Hilling, Faithe Scott, Dana Geckle, Darwin Kalp Jr., M. Corinne Myers, Jeffrey Kalp, Amy Herman, Gina Collins, Kari Johnson, Karen Corwin, Kathy Brown, Dwight Brown, Don Kimball, Janice Burns, David Brown, Melanie Komlenic, their spouses, children and grandchildren, his sisters-in-law, Sharon Brown and Jean Miller, as well as countless cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his siblings, Clarence L. Brown Sr., Karl E. Brown, M. Corinne Cunnard, Richard C. Brown, Dwight C. Brown Sr., Dale E. Brown and Dawn Elaine Brown, and nephews, Karl M. Brown, Randall A. Kalp, Richard C. Brown Jr., and niece, Tammy Geckle Radebaugh.
He will be greatly missed by his family, for whom he was the first person they called when something good or bad happened. For never having children of his own, he was constantly attending birthday parties, graduations, weddings, sporting events, concerts and school functions. Ernie spent his entire life in service to others. He was loved by all who knew him.
Personalized arrangements are under the professional supervision of the ROBERT B. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME, 105 Spring St., Scottdale, 724-887-5300, www.fergusonfunerals.com. Family and friends will be received from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home chapel. Additional viewing from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday will be held in Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, where funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Monday with Pastor TJ Lucas officiating. Graveside committal service and interment will be in Scottdale Cemetery next to his late Mother.
Published by Tribune Review on Nov. 5, 2021.
He was a graduate of East Huntington High School (1955), where he was active in choir and theater and was best remembered as the high-stepping drum major. He furthered his education at Robert Morris Business School, graduating in 1957. While still in high school, Ernie enlisted in the Army National Guard and served for eight years. God blessed Ernie with many talents, especially his artistic ability. The exquisite glassware which he designed and painted is found in homes all over the world. His career began in 1959 when he was hired by Westmoreland Glass. He would go on to become their head decorator in 1971 and remain there until the company's closing. He followed that with work for Treasured Editions and Rosso Glass. Ernie spent his retirement creating commissioned pieces as a sought-after painter. Glorifying God by sharing his gift of music was Ernie's greatest passion. He most recently served as the organist for Trinity Reformed Church of Christ, and prior to that for 65 years with the congregation at Mt. Nebo United Methodist Church, where he also played the piano and served as choir director. There are literally hundreds of brides who have walked down the aisle and were betrothed to their grooms to the sound of his organ playing. His musical talent was also on display for years as a member of the Hammond Organ Club, where he performed recitals, and with the Westmoreland Choral Society, where he sang baritone.
Ernie is survived by his devoted sister, Shirley Kimball, of Williamsburg, Va., and beloved nieces and nephews, James Swope, Debbi Nebraski, Denise Arison, Greg Brown, Gretchen Hilling, Faithe Scott, Dana Geckle, Darwin Kalp Jr., M. Corinne Myers, Jeffrey Kalp, Amy Herman, Gina Collins, Kari Johnson, Karen Corwin, Kathy Brown, Dwight Brown, Don Kimball, Janice Burns, David Brown, Melanie Komlenic, their spouses, children and grandchildren, his sisters-in-law, Sharon Brown and Jean Miller, as well as countless cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his siblings, Clarence L. Brown Sr., Karl E. Brown, M. Corinne Cunnard, Richard C. Brown, Dwight C. Brown Sr., Dale E. Brown and Dawn Elaine Brown, and nephews, Karl M. Brown, Randall A. Kalp, Richard C. Brown Jr., and niece, Tammy Geckle Radebaugh.
He will be greatly missed by his family, for whom he was the first person they called when something good or bad happened. For never having children of his own, he was constantly attending birthday parties, graduations, weddings, sporting events, concerts and school functions. Ernie spent his entire life in service to others. He was loved by all who knew him.
Personalized arrangements are under the professional supervision of the ROBERT B. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME, 105 Spring St., Scottdale, 724-887-5300, www.fergusonfunerals.com. Family and friends will be received from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home chapel. Additional viewing from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday will be held in Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, where funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Monday with Pastor TJ Lucas officiating. Graveside committal service and interment will be in Scottdale Cemetery next to his late Mother.
Published by Tribune Review on Nov. 5, 2021.
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