Ernest Heldermon's Obituary
Ernest Leroy Heldermon, son of John Franklin and Mary Cathryn Smith Heldermon, was born December 2, 1921, in Bridgeport, Oklahoma. He departed this life Monday, April 3, 2006, in St. John’s Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-four years, four months, and one day. On July 27, 1939, he was united in marriage to Charlene Ramsey, and to this union one son and two daughters were born. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Frank, Tommy, and Prentis Heldermon; and a sister, Oneta Sisco. Ernest is survived by his loving wife of sixty-six years, Charlene, of the home; a son, John Heldermon, and his wife, Pauline, of Eldridge, Missouri; five daughters, Mary Mills, and her husband, Bob, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Nancy Johnson, and her husband, Bob, of Lebanon, Missouri, Shirley Shattuck, of the home, Mary King, and her husband, Kenny, of Ozark, Missouri, and Sherry O’Dell, of Lebanon, Missouri; sixteen grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. He was born and raised on the family farm in Oklahoma, and then continued to operate the farm for the next few years. After he and Charlene were married, they moved to Phoenix, Arizona where Ernest worked as a building contractor for several years. The family then returned to the Lebanon area and made their home in the Eldridge community. Ernest once again became a farmer and stockman, in addition to working as a contractor. Ernest made his profession of faith in Christ early in his life and was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Lebanon. Throughout the years, Ernest and Charlene were foster parents to over sixty children, and were honored by the Governor of Missouri as the State Foster Parents of the Year. In his spare time he enjoyed making wood toys for children, and building clocks and gadgets of all kinds. He liked being outdoors where he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was musically talented and enjoyed singing and playing the harmonica. He also liked a good story or joke and enjoyed reading western novels. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren. Ernest was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the memories he made for his family and friends. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 5, 2006, in the Hillcrest Baptist Church, Lebanon. Burial will be in the Hinton Cemetery, Hinton, Oklahoma. Friends may call at the funeral home at their convenience. Memorial contributions to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association may be made through the funeral home. Services are uder the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri.
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