Ernest Edward Garbe, age 95, of Dieterich, Illinois, passed away at 6:45 AM on Friday, October 30, 2026, in Mattoon, Illinois.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Saint John Lutheran Church, 22775 County Road 700 North, Dieterich, Illinois, with Pastor Dean Herberts, officiating. The burial will be in the Saint John Cemetery with military rites. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, November 6, 2026, at the church and again from 10:00 to 11:00 AM on Saturday, before the service. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich, Illinois. In loving memory of Ernest, memorials may be made to the Lutheran Care Center, KFUO Radio, or the Dieterich Community Improvement Foundation. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich, Illinois.
Ernest was born February 17, 1931, in North Muddy Township, Jasper County, IL, the son of Clarence A. and Myra I. (Pardieck) Garbe. He graduated from Dieterich High School and Effingham High School. He joined the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and served from 1951 to 1955. He was stationed in Alaska, San Diego, San Francisco, and Japan. At sea, he was
usually on a destroyer. Shortly after being discharged as a 1st Class Petty Officer, he experienced love at first sight and married Patricia Ann Kerkhoff on August 7, 1955, at Grace Lutheran Church, Dieterich, IL. He then attended Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois, studying physics and math.
Ernest believed deeply in giving back to the community he loved, dedicating countless hours over many decades to making the area a better place to live. He was often seen with a gavel in his hand, chairing meetings, or a set of building plans for the next project he was working on. He served on the Dieterich School Board, Effingham County Board, Lakeland Jr. College Advisory Committee, Illinois County Elected Officials, Dieterich Community Development Corporation, Dieterich Community Improvement Foundation, South Central Illinois Regional Planning Commission, Effingham County Airport Commission, Illinois Community Bank Board, Dieterich Community Ruritan Club, University of Illinois Extension Board for Effingham County, Farm Bureau Board, a member of the American Legion and a volunteer at The Cross at the Crossroads.
Ernie’s Christian faith was a guiding force throughout his life. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Dieterich, and held many offices in the congregation. He also was elected to the Central Illinois District Board of Directors of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod for 6 years, and 27 years on The LCMS National Board of Directors, the LCMS Board for National Mission, the LCMS Board of Communication Services and KFUO radio and the LCMS Foundation Board. He served as a board member at the Lutheran Care Center, and he was a member of the Lutheran Laymen’s League.
Ernie carried on the family tradition of farming and in his spare time he also prepared tax returns for the Farm Bureau. He was named Effingham County Outstanding Young Farmer in 1965 and received the prestigious Prairie Farmer Master Farmer Award in 1993.
In his free time, Ernie loved to travel. He and Pat traveled to all 50 states and many foreign countries. He took the family on many camping trips to lots of State and National Parks. He was also the keeper of the family genealogy. He enjoyed playing cards, woodworking, and tooling leather, and reading. He was a talented musician and could play the piano, accordion, harmonica, and violin. He also sang bass in the church choir; however, he could not read music.
Above all, Ernest cherished his family. Together, Ernie and Pat raised eight children and shared 59 years of marriage. He was often seen with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, offering guidance, sharing wisdom, lending a helping hand, and, most importantly, teaching them about Jesus’ love for them.
Ernest is survived by his sons; Darrell (Jennifer) Garbe of Old Greenwich, Connecticut; Mike (Gail) Garbe of Dieterich, Illinois and Paul (Kim) Garbe of Edwardsville, Illinois; daughters; Jeanette (David) Worman of Effingham, Illinois; Barbara Fox of Nolensville, Tennessee; Joyce Fauss of Woodlawn, Illinois, Debra (Chris) Bade of Nashville, Tennessee and Karen (Chad) Staman of Nolensville, Tennessee.
Grandchildren; James Garbe, Joshua Garbe, Breanne Worman, Zach Worman, Marissa Brown, Brittany DeVries, Nathan Garbe, Megan Traub, Lauren Garbe, Logan Garbe, Jessica Dalley, Alex Garbe, Justin Garbe, Taylor Fauss, Trevor Fauss, Ethan Fauss, Eli Fauss, Jared Staman, Derek Staman, Morgan Staman, and Caleb Staman.
Great-grandchildren; Joel, Alec, Joanna, Jay, Judah, Jenna, Ryerson, Huxleigh, Wrenley, Harrison, Elsie, Mary, and Dean.
Sister, Norma Wendling; Sisters-in-law, Joan Garbe and Nancy Kerkhoff; Brother-in-law, Larry Kerkhoff and Ernie’s special friend, Hazel Meinhart.
Ernest was preceded in death by his loving wife, Patricia, his parents, Clarence and Myra Garbe; son-in-law, Matt Fauss; brother; Gilbert Garbe; brothers/sister-in-law, Robert J. Wendling, Joseph Kerkhoff, Paul C. Kerkhoff, Harold and Frieda Redicks; and parents-in-law, Rev. Paul E. and Josephine Kerkhoff.
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