R. Ernest "Ernie" Painter Jr.

Ralph Ernest Ernie Painter Jr., 85, of rural LaHarpe, IL died at 6:14PM, Friday April 25, 2014 at his home.

Ernie was born on July 24, 1928 in LaHarpe, the son of Ernest and Vera Gittings Painter Sr. On August 26, 1950, he married Patricia Whelan at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet, IL. Together, they had three children: Mary Ellen (stillborn) in 1952, Kathleen in 1953, and Thomas Michael in 1955.

Ernie was a 1946 graduate of the LaHarpe High School, where he was active in various activities and sports. In 1950 he graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelors Degree in Animal Science. During college Ernie was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity for 4 years and also spent time judging with the University of Illinois Livestock Judging Team.

Mr. Painter returned home to farm with his dad until he was drafted into the United States Army on January 7, 1953. He was sent to Augusta, GA for basic training (where his daughter Kathy was born), he was then transferred to the Army Veterinary Corp as a food inspector in Rotterdam, Holland. Pat and Kathy joined him there for 9 months. After his discharge, Ernie returned home and resumed farming with his dad, and raising and marketing Polled Herefords.

Ernie was very active in LaHarpes summer baseball program serving as a coach and director. He served on the LaHarpe School board, was active in the LaHarpe Lions Club and taught a GI agriculture class for 3 years. He owned and operated the LaHarpe soil testing lab for 8 years. He also worked at the Disco, IL Elevator and later owned and operated the Disco Farm Supply; selling fertilizer and other farm needs.

He is survived by his wife, Pat and two children, Kathleen (Randy) Faber of Sublette, IL and Dr. Tom (Laurie) Painter of Ozark, MO; four grandchildren, Brad (Cathy) Faber of Chicago, IL, Jesse (Mary) Faber of Pontiac, IL, Dr. Lorie (Kurt) Jones of Terre Haute, IN and Dave Painter of Lincoln, NE; three step-grandchildren, Andrea (Jon) Erdman of Louisville, KY, Anna McGeehan of Morristown, NJ, Doug McGeehan of Rolla, MO; and two great-grandchildren, Ava Theresa Faber of Pontiac, IL and Luke Thomas Jones of Terre Haute, IN.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and infant daughter Mary Ellen.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00AM, Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dallas City, IL with Father Tony Trosley officiating. Burial will follow at the LaHarpe Cemetery, where a flag presentation will be conducted by the LaHarpe American Legion. Friends may call any time after 3:00PM, Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at Banks and Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00PM, with a prayer service beginning at 8:00PM. A memorial fund has been established for the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the LaHarpe Lions Club.