Richard Edward Ernst, 90, Siberia

Richard Edward Ernst, 90, of Siberia, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, December 8, 2025, at Serenity Spring at Northwood in Jasper. 

Richard was born on April 19, 1935. The last child of Francis “Leo” Ernst and Clara Jasper. His siblings were Perline Schaefer, Victor Ernst, Rita Gogel, Lucille Hendricks and Mary Lee Quinlin. 

Richard was born with a cleft palate, and his father traveled three days by buggy to Indianapolis to have it fixed. Three days after they were home, it reopened. Unfortunately, his mom was very ill at the time, and they were unable to make the trip back to Indianapolis. 

Richard went to school until the 8th grade, but could not communicate very well.

He was placed in a group home in 1986 after his parents both died. It was later determined he had Fragile X Syndrome, which was passed down through a gene on the Jasper side. 

Richard loved watching the fireman from his swing at the group home. They gave him the nickname “Ernie”. 

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at St. Martin of Tours Cemetery in Siberia at 1:30 p.m. CDT. Richard will be laid to rest alongside his parents. 

Online condolences may be shared at www.becherfuneralhome.com.