PIERCETON – Russell D. Erne, 75, Kosciusko County, died Dec. 2, 2014, at his residence. He was born Feb. 12, 1939, in Columbia City, to Harlo J. and Dorothy Marie Kiger Erne. On July 29, 1961, he married Leta M. King, who survives. They made their home in Charleston, S.C., and Anchorage, Alaska, during his military service. In 1966 they moved to their home east of Pierceton. He attended West Ward School, and graduated from Columbia City High School in 1957 and Indiana Wesleyan College in Marion. His first employment was with Blue Bell. In 1961 he began working at Fort Benjamin Harrison as a clerk, then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was honorably discharged in 1965. He worked for General Telephone in Fort Wayne for three years, then United Telephone in Columbia City and later Warsaw, retiring in 1992 as an outside plant engineering manager. His memberships included American Legion Post #98 and Columbia City Moose. He loved bowling, golf and their travels after retirement, especially Alaska. Also surviving are two children, Brian R. (and Kim Walker) Erne, and Cynthia C. (and Dan) Jedrzejak, Indianapolis; four grandchildren: Joey and Jeffrey Jedrzejak and Nicole and Elizabeth Erne; a brother, Douglas Erne, Columbia City; and two sisters, Bonnie J. Blair, Warsaw, and Marjorie Hougendoubler, Zephyrhills, Fla. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Chelsey Anne Erne; two brothers, Paul and Thomas Erne; and a sister, Evelyn Erne. Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial is in Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton, with military honors. Calling is from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials to Northeast Indiana Cancer Services or Kosciusko County Health & Hospice. Condolences may be sent via www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com
