James "Jake" Ernat

James "Jake" Ernat joined his heavenly family on Saturday, April 15, 2017.  James was a longtime resident of Milan and recently was a resident at Senior Star in Davenport.

Funeral services will be at 11 am on Thursday, April 20 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Milan.  Visitation is 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory in Milan.  Burial is at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Rock island.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Milan or to Senior Star, Davenport which will be used because of the family's love for God's creatures for the establishment of an exercise area for the beloved pets of Senior Star residents.

James was born July 11, 1929 in Peru, Ill. to Roman and Pearl Ernat.  James was a part of a large family having four brothers, Raymond, Ronald, Harry and Arthur and three sisters, Leona, Agnes and Bernice.  His parents and four of his siblings, Raymond, Agnes, Bernice and infant sister, Leona, preceded him in death.

On July 15, 1950 James married Marlene Helen Kubow.  During their 66 years of marriage they were blessed with three children, Linda (Marc) Strohschein, David (Barbara) Ernat and Daniel (Dana) Ernat.  They have greatly enjoyed seven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and a large extended family.

James will long be remembered by many families in the Quad Cities for the over 7,000 wedding cakes he made, as well as cakes for many birthdays and other family celebrations.  James retired from John Deere having worked first in food service and later in the maintenance department.

James and Marlene are members of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Milan and have been a witness to their family and community to the importance of one's faith in Jesus Christ.  It is because of that faith that Marlene, her children and grandchildren celebrate the life of their husband, father, grandfather and rejoice knowing that he now lives forever with his Heavenly Father,

Online condolences may be left at wheelanpressly.com.

 Service Information