Ernest Flegel

Ernest Dean Flegel, age 64, passed away at his home in Ammon Saturday, October 27, 2012 surrounded by his wife and many of his children and grandchildren. He had battled cancer for two years and passed peacefully under the care of Hands of Hope Hospice who provided Ernie and his family with professional care and loving attention for several weeks. Ernie was born November 24, 1947 in Newport Washington to Christian and Irene Marie (Miller) Flegel. His family later moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and later to Rexburg, Idaho. He attended schools in Old Town, Idaho, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. In 1968 Ernie was drafted into the Army. He trained in Ft Lewis, WA and FT. Sill, OK. He served during the Viet Nam war, first in Schweinfurt, Germany and then in Viet Nam as a 155 Howitzer gunner with the 4th Infantry Division. He received an honorable discharge for his service. On May 26, 1971, Ernie married Mary L. Parsons in Rexburg, Idaho. Within a few years they had moved to Ammon, Idaho, where they spent 35 of their 41 years of married life together. In 1980 they were sealed together in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Ernie fulfilled several LDS church callings. He served as executive secretary to the bishop, secretary in the Elder’s Quorum presidency, Elder’s Quorum teacher, primary teacher, and scout master. Ernie spent most of his working years as an auto mechanic, auto parts salesman, auto parts manager, and, for the past 18 years, as a shop foreman and heavy equipment mechanic at A-Core Concrete of Idaho. He was known and respected for his knowledge with all things automotive. In his work at A-Core, he kept the trucks and concrete-cutting equipment in good repair and fabricated many tools to make his work easier. All those who worked with him or had association through the automotive industry appreciated his good humor, his knowledge, and his never-ending willingness to help. Ernie’s hobby was cars. First with his wife, and later with his six sons, he built, modified, fabricated, and refinished several vintage cars and trucks. Ernie and Mary built and raced a 1971 Modified super-gas Vega racecar. Later, when his boys were old enough to help, he built and raced a rear engine dragster. The family spent many happy hours working on the race cars and racing them at Pocatello Raceway. In the final weeks of Ernie’s life, one of his sons, Lance, and several of Ernie’s old racing buddies took a dragster frame that Ernie had kept for 30 years and built a vintage dragster, using their own money, time, equipment, and parts as a gift for Ernie to cheer him in his final weeks. He was pleased and touched by their selfless gift. Ernie was preceded in death by his father, Christian Flegel, and his sister, Sharron Flegel. He is survived by his mother, Irene Flegel, of Ammon, his sisters Delma and Lois Flegel, both of Idaho Falls, his sister Judy Seay of Spokane, Washington, his wife, Mary, of Ammon, and his six sons. Rex of Meridian, Idaho; Randy (Amber) of Idaho Falls; Lance (Brandy) of Idaho Falls; Cody (Mandy) of Marysville, Washington; Spencer (Andrea) of Puyallup, Washington; and Austin “A.J.” (Alicia) of Idaho Falls. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Jeramy, Joseph, Britany, Fancee, Cole, and Wyatt of Idaho Falls, Tim of Meridian; Nic and Logan, of Puyallup, Washington; Kierston, Shantell, McKenzie, and a sister who will be born in 3 weeks, of Marysville, Washington. The family extends their gratitude to the great doctors and nurses who helped Ernie through his final 16 months of illness. Dr. Kenneth Grossmann and his staff at Huntsman’s Cancer Center in Salt Lake City, Utah; Dr. Todd and his staff at Radiation Oncology of Idaho Falls; Dr. Jeffrey Hancock and the staff at Teton Oncology; and most recently, the dedicated and caring staff of Jill Garrett and staff of Hands of Hope Hospice. The family will visit with friends from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on Friday, November 2, 2012, at Woods Funeral Home East Side (casual dress) and at 1:00 to 1:45 pm prior to services. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, November 3, 2012, at Woods Funeral Home East Side (963 S. Ammon Road). Burial will be at the Ammon Cemetery on Sunnyside Road. Military rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard. Arrangements are under the direction of Wood Funeral Home East Side.

Funeral Services -- Saturday

2:00 p.m. ,Saturday, November 3, 2012 Wood Funeral Home East Side 963 South Ammon Road Idaho Falls, ID 83406 Notes: The family will visit with friends Friday from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. and from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. Saturday, both at Wood East Side. Burial will be in Ammon Cemetery.