ERNEST YACKLEY

Ernest Eugene Yackley. 86, of Durham, Mo. died February 24, 2020 in the Manatee Hospital in Bradenton, Fl. Ernest was born in Oakwood, Missouri on September 18, 1933 a son of Harry Oliver and Katherine (Lugena) Yackley Dilts. Ernest met Dorothy R. Kneib in Jacksonville, FL while he was stationed there in the Navy. They were married on October 27, 1956 in Jacksonville. Ernie was employed by Gardner-Denver from 1951 to 1994, retiring after 43 years. He had already started work for the company when he was called to serve in the U.S. Navy.

He was in the Navy during Korean War from 1953 to 1957. He was named Honor Man, which was an award voted for by the men in his boot camp. Ernie achieved the rank of Yeoman and served on the U.S.S. Bennington. This ship was damaged by fire and explosion on May 26, 1954.

Ernie attended college while working at Gardner-Denver, he then graduated from Quincy College. He was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ewing, MO.

Ernie had an outgoing personality, and he loved to make you laugh. He made friends everywhere, He also enjoyed farming, his John Deere, hunting and fishing.

Survivors include his wife Dorothy, daughter, Katherine Watts and husband Duane of St. Louis, MO: grandsons, Daniel Watts and wife Madeline of Ellisville, MO and Thomas Watts of St. Louis. A sister-in-law Joann King of St. Joseph, MO and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Harry O. Yackley, sister Iona K. Slates.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held March 4, 2020 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Ewing, MO.

Interment in Apostolic Church Cemetery, Taylor, MO.

Memorials may be made to Quincy University