Erwin "Ernie" Gravelle (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Erwin “Ernie” Gordon Gravelle, son of Francis J. and Myrtle Nordness Gravelle, was born February 20, 1937, in Cherry Grove, Minnesota. He departed this life Thursday, July 24, 2014, in his home, near Grovespring, Missouri, at the age of seventy-seven years, five months, and four days.
On August 4, 1956, he was united in marriage to Rosemarie Skavaril, and to this union one daughter was born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Richard and Donald Gravelle.
Ernie is survived by his loving wife of almost fifty-eight years, Rosemarie, of the home; a daughter, Diana Barker, and her husband, Jerry, of Lebanon, Missouri; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Bob Gravelle, of Fresno, California; a sister, Elaine Schuenke, and her husband, Dick, of Sun City West, Arizona; several nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Cindy Warton, and her husband, Mike, of the State of Texas; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in Minnesota, and graduated from high school there. He entered the military as a young man, and faithfully served his country in the United States Marine Corps from June 25, 1954, until June 24, 1957, during the Korean War. He and Rosemarie then made their home in California for a number of years, and lovingly raised their daughter. Throughout these years, Ernie worked as an electrician and electrical contractor. In 1968, the family moved to Missouri, and lived in Mansfield for a few years, before purchasing a farm near Grovespring, Missouri. Ernie continued to work as an electrician and also operated his farm.
Ernie was raised in the Catholic faith, and stayed a devoted Catholic throughout his life. He was a member of St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church in Lebanon.
In his spare time he enjoyed being outdoors where his favorite activity was fishing for catfish. He possessed a delightful sense of humor and loved to laugh. His family was always very important to him.
Ernie was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them during his seventy-seven years.
Friends may call at their convenience.
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