Thomas “Tom” J. Ernst, 68, of Cortland, IL passed away at home surrounded by his loving wife and family on April 23, 2026. He was born in Rockford, IL on January 29, 1958, to Dr. Bernard C. and Charlotte (Pier) Ernst. Tom graduated from Boylan Catholic High School in 1976 and Northern Illinois University in 1980. He married Michelle Sanchez on September 10, 1994 in Union Grove, WI. Tom enjoyed visiting national parks in the United States and traveling throughout Europe. He became a dual citizen of Luxembourg in 2024. Tom enjoyed golf, hunting, fishing, and coaching youth baseball. He was a lifelong Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Cubs fan. Tom valued time with his family and will be remembered as a loving husband and proud father.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Michelle; children, Maria Ernst (Jair Guzman), Michael Ernst; siblings, Stephen Ernst, Helen (Douglas) Brooks, Paul (Karen) Ernst, David (Melissa) Ernst; and loving family including Lynn Ernst, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Dr. Grace Suh, along with the staff at the Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Delnor and Unity hospice.

A Memorial Mass for Tom will be held on August 1st, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 1243 N Church St, Rockford. Visitation will be held at the church, beginning at 9:30 a.m., up until the time of mass. A luncheon will follow at the Rockford Country Club, 2500 Oxford St, Rockford. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to Fox Valley Food for Health at https://fvffh.org/. To send online condolences and share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.