Ernest Thunell

We lost a great man on Nov. 4, 2010, Ernest "Ernie" E. Thunell of Quinnesec. At the age of 98, he died peacefully at his home, surrounded by the love of his family. Ernie was born on Feb. 9, 1912, in Hardwood to Erick and Hulda (Erickson) Thunell, pioneer residents of Hardwood, emigrating from Sweden with their daughter, Signe. Ernie and his five siblings, Elmer, Ruth, Lilly, Carl, and Ejnar were first generation U.S. citizens. They all preceded Ernie in death except his youngest brother, Ejnar. During World War II, he served his country as a combat engineer in the African-European Theater from 1942-1945. He was awarded seven Battle Stars along with numerous medals. Ernie was a charter and life member of the Felch Breen Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4803. He served as post commander and held several other offices. He proudly marched in more than 50 Memorial Day Services. Ernie was a hard worker. Besides starting out in his own "truckin' business" at the age of 17 with Model A's, Ernie worked at the Ford Motor Co. before and after World War II, and at Kingsford Chemical. He retired from Lakeshore in 1977 and enjoyed 33 years of retirement. He was a proud member of the United Auto Workers and Steel Workers Unions. Ernie married Evelyn Lagerfeldt Mann and her three children, Jonathan, Bruce Allen, and Marilyn on Aug. 17, 1957, at the Presbyterian Church in Iron Mountain. The family moved to Quinnesec in 1958, where Ernie and Evelyn were blessed with two more children, Barbara and Roger. Ernie was involved with youth organizations when his children were young. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church. Ernie was an avid Packer Fan and a loyal Ford man, owning only Ford cars and trucks. Ernie exemplified the greatest commandment. He was a man of few words, and lived his life with integrity, honesty, and loyalty. He treated everyone with respect and saw the good in everyone. He passed these qualities to his children by example. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Evelyn; his children, Jonathan Mann and wife, Betty, Bruce Allen Mann, Marilyn Reed and husband, Dave, Barbara Thunell, and Roger Thunell and wife, Cherie; his grandchildren, Brian Reed, Jeff Reed, Matthew Mann and wife, Dayna, Erick Thunell, Carina Thunell, and Elijah Thunell and his father, Michael Ward; his great-granddaughter, Ava Reed and her mother, Cherie Shane, and another great-granddaughter, due in January, baby girl Mann; brother, Ejnar Thunell; special nephew, Clarence "Putsie" Baker; a special cousin, Helen Nord Buckel; many nieces, nephews, cousins, good friends and Evelyn's sisters and their spouses, Jeanette "Sis" and George Gillette, Margie and Gene Churchill and Nancy and Gary Steiner. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the church. Rev. Michael March will officiate. Burial will be in Quinnesec Cemetery. Graveside military rites will be accorded by the Felch Breen Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4803. Ernie valued education and his faith, so memorials can be made to the scholarship fund at the First Presbyterian Church. The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care provided by the VA Medical Center staff, especially Dr. Cynthia Gannon and Becky, the R.N. They would also like to thank Ernie's caregivers, Jason, Shelly, and Julie. Condolences to the family of Ernest Thunell can be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.

Ernest Thunell

February 9, 1912 - November 4, 2010