Bernard "Bernie" C. Ernst D.D.S.

Bernard Carl Ernst, D.D.S., age 92, passed away on November 3, 2022, comforted by his loving family on his final journey.Bernie was born in Rockford on December 14, 1929, to Clements and Maria Ernst. He graduated from St. Patrick’s Grade School, St. Thomas High School, and Marquette University Dental School where he met the love of his life, Charlotte Pier. Bernie served in the US Army, married Char in 1954, and then settled in Rockford where he practiced dentistry and she worked as a dental hygienist. They raised four sons and a daughter, enjoyed their wide circle of friends, traveled extensively, and were faithful members of several parishes, including St. Peter’s, Holy Family and St. Rita’s. Bernie played golf up until his final year, and was also a tennis player, fisherman, bridge player, reader and music lover. He provided dental care to the nuns at the Poor Clares Monastery and, in retirement, served as a volunteer at Rockford Memorial Hospital. Bernie is now reunited with Char, who predeceased him in 2013.

Survivors include his son Stephen (Lynn) Ernst and their children, Melissa, Brent, Audrey (Max) and Karl; son Thomas (Michelle) Ernst and their children, Maria and Michael; daughter Helen (Douglas) Brooks and their children, James (Rachel), Peter (Kimi) and William; son Paul (Karen) Ernst and their children Matthew (Annie), Brian (Beth) and Catherine (Andrew); son, David (Melissa) Ernst and their children, Max (Emma), Kate and Lucy; and great-grandchildren Jackson, Avery, Milo, Quinn, Jack and Nate. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon on Friday, November 11, at the Cathedral of St. Peter. Visitation will be held at the church, beginning at 11 a.m., up until the time of the Mass. Entombment in St. Mary/St. James Mausoleum. Memorial gifts to Corpus Christi Monastery of the Poor Clares, 2111 S. Main St., 61102; or the Rockford Rescue Mission, 715 W. State St., 61102.