Ernest Royce Brantley

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Ferron: Ernest Royce Brantley, age 72 passed away to be with our Heavenly Father along with his wife of 50 years on Nov. 23, 2012. Ernest was born March 13, 1940 in Joinerville, Texas to Ernest Valentine and Sadie Pilkington Brantley. He married Dianne Louise Schmidt on Dec. 2, 1961 in Las Vegas, Nev.
Ernest spent his childhood years in Texas and at the age of eight he moved with his family to Fresno, Calif. Ernest learned the value of hard work at a young age. He picked cotton and grapes in the Fresno Valley at a young age to help support his family. Ernest graduated from Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe Springs, Calif. in 1959. He met his future wife shortly after high school and they were blessed with two special daughters, Julie Lynn and Sheri Denise. At the age of five Julie Lynn was involved in an auto pedestrian accident and passed away. This event had a lasting effect on both Dianne and Ernest. Ernest was and avid sportsman he had a great love for hunting and the outdoors, he always loved sharing his stories with anyone that was willing to listen, he also loved to visit and share the beauty of Yosemite Valley and Sierras. He was a jack of all trades and did a lot of the work on his home in California, Ernie was a rock and all that knew him loved him.
Ernest worked for over 32 years for Jefferson-Smurfitt-Stone Containers in Vernon, Calif. where he retired from in 2001. Ernest couldn’t wait to be close to his sister after retirement so he moved to Ferron in 2001. He will be remembered as a honest hardworking man who loved and cared for his family till the end.
My Dad fought the B-Cell Lymphoma as much as he could. Dad, I’m sorry you couldn’t beat it, but thank you for trying for CJ and I. Rest in peace now. We will miss you always.
Ernest is survived by his daughter and grandson Sheri Denise Brett and Christian “CJ” James Brantley both of Ferron and sister, Phyllis (Ralph) Johnson of Ferron. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Sadie, daughter, Julie Lynn and wife, Dianne Louise.
Graveside services were Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 at 2 p.m. at the Ferron City Cemetery. A Viewing was held Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Fausett Mortuary, 720 N. Center St., Castle Dale. Services are in the care of Fausett Mortuary. Family and friends may share memories and sign the guest book for Ernie at www.fausettmortuary.com