Ernest Lee “Ernie” De Jong was born November 30, 1929, to Cornelis and Goverdena (Klyn) De Jong in Monroe, Iowa.

On September 4, 1953, he was united in marriage to Jeanne Petersen, in the Methodist Church in Panora, Iowa. He was married to Jeanne for seventy years before her passing on September 4, 2023. To this union they were blessed with five children: Deborah, Teresa, Mike, Tom, and Scott.

Ernie was a graduate of Sully High School and attended Central College. He was drafted for the U.S. Army in 1951and served in the Korean War. During the Korean war, his job was part of a transportation unit. When he wasn’t busy driving a transport truck, he worked as a cook. He attained the rank of CPL and was honorably discharged in 1953. He then served in the Army Reserves for eight years.

After returning home from Korea, he worked for a company called Renaud’s Farm Services and was in the animal feed business for thirteen years. His job was mostly to grind feed for livestock. He later purchased his own feed grinder truck and went to various local farms to grind feed for the livestock. When the feed business came to a close, he accepted a job at Vermeer Manufacturing. He worked there for 30 years in the Yard Maintenance Department.

Ernie committed his life as a Christian. He was a member for over 70 years in the Christian Reformed Church, including the First Christian Reformed and Calvary Christian Reformed Churches. Ernie enjoyed traveling and went on short-term mission trips to China, Thailand, Philippines and Korea. He and Jeanne were very involved many years with the New Life Prison Ministry at the Newton Correctional Facility, as long as their health allowed.

Ernie had several interests, including sports (especially football), sponsoring Vietnamese Children, woodworking, volunteering at a local thrift store and participating in Bible Studies. After retirement, he spent much of his time in his woodworking shop making cabinets for many of his children, book shelves, dressers, tables, desks, baby cradles as well as toys, like rocking horses, tractors and doll beds.

Those left to cherish his memory: Deborah De Jong, Teresa and Darwin Van Wyk, Mike and Melody De Jong, Tom and Sherri De Jong, and Scott and Lisa De Jong; grandchildren: Brock and Elissa Maxwell, Bradley and Jessica Van Wyk, Korey and Jennifer Van Wyk, Krystal and Jordan Gowing, Kyle and Alli Van Wyk, Kristin and Jimmy Richtsmeier, Michael and Kristin De Jong, Ryan De Jong, Lindsey De Jong, Tyler and Michelle De Jong, and Collin De Jong; and great grandchildren: Silas James Gowing, Mara Evangeline Gowing, Ezra Lee Gowing, Elliana Rose Van Wyk, Cambria Jean Van Wyk, Eleanor Van Wyk, Zoey De Jong, Evi De Jong, Charley De Jong, Preston De Jong, Avery De Jong, and Lennon De Jong.

Ernie was preceded in death by his wife Jeanne and his parents Cornelis and Goverdena De Jong, brother, Nick De Jong and sisters, Sadie Albright and Dorothy Bokhoven.

A special thanks to the staff at The Cottages and the Wesley Life Hospice team for all of their love and care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to New Life Prison Ministry.