Ernie Bryant

April 8, 2008, Walter Ernest Bryant, 89, fell asleep in Jesus at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Indianola after a courageous battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for nine years.
His Christ-centered life was a testimony of his strong faith. Faith and family were his life.
Ernie was born October 22, 1918, near Lenox, Iowa, to Glenn L. and Ethel G. (Boltinghouse) Bryant. After graduating from high school in Red Oak in 1936, he graduated from Creston Jr. College and then from Capital City Commercial College in Des Moines where he met his future wife. August 31, 1941, he married Wilma Elaine Krebill of Donnellson. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in India and the South Pacific. Upon returning home after the war, he and his family resided in Clarinda and Red Oak before moving to Indianola in 1951.
For 28 years Ernie and his brother-in-law, Clem Griffiths, owned the B & G Gamble Store in Indianola. He remained in the U. S. Air Force Reserve completing over 25 years of service attaining the rank of Lt. Col. After retiring from the store, he worked at Hamilton’s Funeral Home for many years, spending much of his time at Hamilton’s Southtown where he was considered part of their family. His singing, piano playing and woodworking brought him much joy.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 66 years, Wilma of Indianola; daughters Judy (John) Schneller of West Des Moines and Sandra (George) McJimsey of Ames; granddaughters Jill Schneller (Christian Bohn) of Hannover, Germany, Jane (Ruben) Plaza of Eden Prairie, MN, and Anne (Joel) Feinberg of Chicago, IL.; and great grandchildren Trey and Alexa Plaza, Sophia Feinberg, and an expected great grandchild due in Germany. Others left to mourn include niece Dona Cleveland (George Dockwell) of Belmond and family; nephew Denis (Linda) Griffiths of Braselton, GA and family; and many dear friends and cousins.
Ernie was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Irma and Clem Griffiths.
The family would like to thank Dr. Mark Westberg and his nurse Jan Lovett for their wonderful care, compassion, and friendship; the staff on Powell 3 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center; the staff at John Stoddard Cancer Center; and all his many friends at Hamilton’s Funeral Home.
Visitation will be Friday, April 11, 4 – 8 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in Indianola and the funeral will be at the church Saturday, April 12, 11 a.m. Burial in I.O.O.F Cemetery, Indianola, with military rites will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorials to the John Stoddard Cancer Center, c/o Iowa Health Foundation, 1440 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309, or the First Baptist Church, 200 East First, Indianola, IA 50125.
www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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