Richard K. Ernye, Sr.

Richard K. Ernye, Sr., of Dolgeville, New York, a long-time resident of Dolgeville, New York, passed away peacefully Sunday, November 17, 2024. He was 89 years old.

He was born on April 24, 1935 in Glenfield, New York and was the son of the late, Kolman and Zsophia (Dudas) Ernye. Richard was educated at General Brown School in Glenfield, New York.

At the age of 17, Richard enlisted in the United States Air Force on June 27, 1952. During his military career, he was an airplane mechanic as well as serving on the front lines of the Korean War, receiving the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Korean War Service Medal. On June 26, 1956, Richard received an honorable discharge after four years of service. While in the Air Force, he earned a GED and many years later was honored by receiving his diploma from General Martin School.

On November 1, 1958, Richard was united in marriage to Carol Jane Smith at the Dolgeville United Methodist Church Parsonage in Dolgeville, New York. The couple recently celebrated 66 years of marriage together and raised their four children in a loving home.

Richard was formerly employed by the New York State Department of Transportation as a laborer in Herkimer, New York where he worked for 20 years until his retirement on January 1, 1990. Prior to the D.O.T., he worked for St. Johnsbury Trucking and the GLF of Dolgeville, New York.

He was a member of the Dolgeville Fire Department Benevolent Association, Dolgeville Horseshoe Club, Korean War Veterans Association, Mosquitos Unit Association and National Rifle Association. In his younger years, Richard coached Dolgeville Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion Baseball. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing Pinochle cards, was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved the outdoors, and was a passionate gardener who enjoyed sharing his produce with neighbors. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Carol J. (Smith) Ernye at home; his children, Susan Davis and husband, Jeffrey, of Morehead City, NC, Richard Ernye, Jr. and wife, Marie of Fairfield, CT, Sharon Willis of Charlotte, NC, and Shelly Howe and husband, Jeffrey, of Warwick, RI. He was proud of his grandchildren, Donald Willis, III of Charlotte, NC, Katherine Ernye of Fairfield, CT, Jack Howe of Warwick, RI, Darcy (Davis) Marra and family of Albany, NY, Cory Davis and family of Cincinnatus, NY, and Chris Davis and family of Fort Collins, CO. He is survived by a brother-in-law, Raymond Smith and his family of Dolgeville, NY; sister-in-law, Esther Ellis and her family of Dolgeville, NY; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by all of his siblings and their spouses, Helen Levine, Steve Ernye and wife, Lucienne, Margaret Zoeckler and husband, Alan, Andrew Erney and wife, Kathryn, Zaida Valik and husband, Paul, and Bertha Ellis and husband, Gordon, Jr.; sister-in-law, Joyce Smith; and brother-in-law, Robert Ellis.

The family will receive relatives and friends at calling hours on Monday, November 25, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at locally owned and family operated Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, 30 Wolf Street, Dolgeville, New York. A funeral service will be held following calling hours, also on Monday, November 25, 2024 at 12 p.m. (noon) with Pastor Gertrude Ortlieb officiating. Procession will follow to Dolgeville Cemetery where he will be laid to rest. The United States Air Force Honor Guard will accord Richard with funeral honors at the cemetery.

The Ernye family would like to thank Dr. Abraham and Dr. Buch at Tri-County Medical for all the years of care and the St. Johnsville Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for their compassion and care for Richard and his family.

To leave a message of sympathy for the Ernye Family, please visit www.millerplonkafuneralhome.com and sign the tribute wall or share a photo or memory for his online memorial book.

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