Ernest A. Schumacher

Ernest A. Schumacher age 85, died May 30, 2012, at his home. He was born in Lavalle, on March 24, 1927, to Robert and Erna (Westfahl) Schumacher.

He grew up in the Cazenovia area, going to school in one-room schoolhouses, and later graduating from Gotham school. He farmed until joining the Navy in 1948, training at Great Lakes Naval Center. His career of 30 years took him to both coasts of the U.S., serving as storekeeper aboard the mighty carriers, FDR, Saratoga, Bon River, MD., Quonsett Pt. , RI, Charleytown, RI, Naples, Italy, and Bremmerhaven, Germany, Washington D.C. Cruises consisted of Medeterranean liberties at Spain, France, and other ports. In the south Pacific, his ship spent many hours off the coast of Viet Nam, called “Yankee Station”, along with his oldest son. Ports of interest were Hawaii, Hong Kong and Japan. He retired from NROTC in Madison, WI in 1978, his last duty station. He ran an upholstery business while still in the service. Upon his retirement he started woodworking, a job he loved , and a perfectionist he became. He was a bartender at the VFW in Richland Center for several years, before moving to Lodi, wher he continued his woodworking business.

He leaves his loving wife Kathleen, two sons, Ernest of Manassas, VA, David of Richland Center 2 daughters ; Linda (Mark) Bernstein of San Diego, CA, Cathleen Hoganson of Denver, CO. Four grandsons: Scott Berkebile of San Diego , CA , Mark (Lilly) Berkebile of San Bernardino, CA, Alexander Hoganson of Denver,CO , and John Hoganson of Denver, CO. One great-granddaughter Zoë Berkebile, of San Bernardino, CA , One Brother, David (Barbara) of Ironton, WI. Two sisters: Shirley Cunningham, of Milwaukee, WI and Donna (Jon) Henry , Troy, Ohio. Brother in law, David Tomlison of Jacksonville, FL.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald and a sister Marion.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday June 5, 2012 at the Hooverson Funeral Home, Sauk City, WI with a Military Honor service at 6:00 pm.