Ernest "Ernie" Fowler

Ernest "Ernie" Fowler, 92, of La Grande, died June 26 at a local care center.

Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Fourth Ward Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Island City. Burial will be in Pocatello, Idaho.

Ernest was born Feb. 7, 1916, to Guy and Martha (Seymour) Fowler in Mt. Grove, Mo. He married Elsie Vera Ormond in Pocatello Oct. 27, 1937. They had four children. Elsie died in 1973. He then married Dorothy Statler in 1975 in La Grande. She died in 1995. Dorothy had one daughter.

Ernest retired from the Union Pacific Railroad in 1977. He greatly enjoyed dancing at the senior center, and was a member of the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, Junior Old Timers, Kiwanis International, Eagles and Elks. He helped start the Toastmasters group in La Grande and to fulfill a community service project for the group he set up a charter of Vision Northwest, a support group for people and their families with limited vision.

Ernie was on the steering committee for the construction of the Union County Senior Center. He served on the board of directors for many years. He also served on the Governor's Advisory Council for Senior Citizens and a second council for people with disabilities and independent living.

Ernie played Santa Claus at the mall for a number of years and was involved in the Big Brother program in Union County. He was involved with EOU's international student host family program, hosting students from Taiwan and Iran and opening his home for students to stay during the holidays when the dorms were closed.

He was a rancher at heart and enjoyed helping friends on their ranches whenever possible. This led to an interest in leather work, making chaps and saddles. He attended auctioneer school and was a local square dance caller who helped establish square dance groups throughout Union and Wallowa counties.

Ernie was an original member of the Knot-heads. He donated his time to a number of local churches to help with building and service projects. He also traveled to all 50 states and several countries. Over the years he was recognized many times for the service he gave to the community and his various talents.

He is survived by his children, Carolin and her husband, Jim Godown, of Glendora, Calif., Norma and her husband, Gilbert Scovill, of Hoffman Estates, Ill., and Jean and her husband, Kevin Rogers, of La Grande; stepdaughter, Sheila Criswell; 14 grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren. Ernest was preceded in death by his siblings, Seth, Margaret, Mary, Martha, Roger and Twila Fowler; an infant daughter, Martha May Fowler; and an infant granddaughter.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Union County Search and Rescue.