Ronald E. Ernst 81 of Hanson passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving familyon Friday, October 24, 2014 A retired machinist from TNCO, Inc. of Whitman, Ron was an avid outdoorsman who loved the mountains and lakes of NH. He was a Korean War Veteran, U.S. Army, 2nd Infantry Division ("Indianhead"), recipient of the Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge and a lifetime member of the VFW Post 697 of Whitman. He was born August 31, 1933 in South Weymouth, and was the beloved husband of Jo (Josephine Calcagno). Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Elden Ernst & Cecelia Jones, four brothers, two sisters and one adored granddaughter. He is survived by his brothers Leonard Ernst, Arthur Jones and Kenneth Jones. He also leaves behind seven children; Jeanne Mann and her husband David of Whitman, Robert Power, Jr. and his wife Deborah of Whitman, Daniel Ernst of Orlando, FL, Ronald Ernst, Jr. of Orlando, FL, Richard Power and his wife Susan of Whitman, Julie McBrien and her husband Keith of Oviedo, FL, and Rhonda Lewis and her husband Steven of Hanson. Ron had 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren who treasured their loving Bumpa and will miss him dearly, along with many cherished nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be at the Leighton-MacKinnon Funeral Home, 4 West Washington Street, Corner of Route 58, Hanson, Wednesday, October 29, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Services will be held in the Funeral Home on Thursday at 10 AM . Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend. Burial will take place at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, 12:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ron's memory to Webster Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center Activities Department, 56 Webster Street, Rockland, MA 02370.

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