Ernest S. "Ernie" Jakel

From humble beginnings in Germany, Ernie Jakel was one of six siblings and was caught up in WWII at the tender age of 11. He escaped with his Mother and two younger brothers to Bavaria where they lived out the war until they were reunited with his father through the help of the Red Cross. Having later learned the Americans were the liberators from the Nazi regime, Ernie sought out many books on America, especially about the old west, and devoured them. After learning the trade of Cabinetmaking and reaching the status of Journeyman he told his family he would like to immigrate to America – the land of the free and opportunities for all determined to make a better life for themselves and their families. He shared this desire with his parents who, in time, reluctantly told him of a second cousin Karl who lived in Mississippi. Being a bricklayer by trade, Karl inquired in the neighboring towns if anyone needed the skills of a young but determined cabinetmaker/woodworker recently arrived from Germany. Karl found Ernie a sponsor in the neighboring town of Indianola, Mississippi.

This is where Ernie met Marie, who would later become his wife. He had also declared his desire to become an American citizen as soon as possible in 1955 America. This set him up to be drafted into the armed forces. Rather than the likelihood of being drafted into the Army, he joined the Navy. This allowed him to use his woodworking skills as a pattern maker and got to return to Germany and even visit his family. After his 2-year commitment he continued to serve as a naval reservist. Marie said “California-is-the-place-we-ought-to-be”, so they loaded up their ‘57 chevy and trailer he built in the Navy, and moved to California. They settled in Orange where he sought out woodworking jobs and built cabinets in his garage. Later he decided to expand his talents and became a General Contractor for many decades, to the delight of dozens of customers and even their children years later. He made a good life in Orange and raised two devoted children. A daughter Janet, in whom he instilled the attributes of faith, family and hard work, later married Mike and they have 4 children and 9 grandchildren. All the grandkids & great grandkids lovingly called him Opa – German for grandfather. His son Terry followed in his footsteps as a contractor and also learned to love the outdoors, bicycling, motorcycling and fishing with his dad. Terry married Rita and they have a son who also loved his fun Opa. Ernie was connected to his Church and donated his time and talents to several projects. He and Marie were also square dancers for years and enjoyed the new friends they made. Ernie sponsored his younger brother Werner and his wife to the United States 10 years after he had arrived. Ernie supported a variety of conservative causes and deepened his love of America and the Red, White and Blue as the land of opportunity. He was the definition of a self-made man.

After Marie’s passing Ernie’s sails were a flutter. That was until he met a school teacher when he was doing some home improvements to her house. A couple of years later, Cheryl gladly accepted his proposal to marry. He believed in marriage, in the joy and comfort of married life. Ernie and Cheryl were happily married for 23 years. They travelled the world together. He touched the lives of not just family but apprentice carpenters he trained, fellow barbershop singers he performed with, Church friends, nurses, nieces and nephews and his fellow tradesmen he met along the way. He loved the Lord and shared that with others. He loved to sing his version of Old Man River – as a nod to his Mississippi beginnings in America. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.