SANTA FE – Mr. Ernst Hermann Werner, Sr., passed from this life Friday evening, September 14, 2007, at his home.
Born February 18, 1920 on Galveston Island to Adolf Werner of Kolzig, Schlesien, Germany and Emma Grunicke of Rottaer Weinberg Sachen, Germany, he worked on his family’s dairy until the age of 10, when he went to work for the Galveston County Club. At the age of 16, he went to work as an optician’s apprentice for Kruger Optical Company. He did not truly start his life until the age of 20, when he married his greatest love, Elsie Jeannette Fremont of Galveston. He took an eighteen month leave of absence to tour Europe with the 106th Army, serving in Army intelligence as an interpreter, receiving the World War II Victory Medal, EAME Campaign Medal with 2 bronze stars and the Good Conduct Medal during his career. He returned from Europe and, in 1948, he left the optician business for the last time to become an operator for Union Carbide. He worked at the Texas City Union Carbide Plant until his retirement in 1982. He spent his retirement enjoying his family, eating oysters on toast, potato pancakes, schnitzel and being ornery in general. He was an honest, hard working man who did his best to instill his convictions into those he loved.
He is survived by his dedicated wife of over 67 years, Jeannette Werner; his children, Ernst Werner, Jr. and his wife, Gloria, Richard Werner and his wife, Marie-Claire; Roxanne Baker; his grandchildren, Lisa Clements, Ernst Werner, III, Michelle McClane, Christine Welsh, Karl Eric Werner, Aaron Michael Werner, Tanya Baker, Thomas Baker, Jr., Tyra Baker, Richard Werner, Jr., Martine Werner, Annette Werner and great grandchildren, Paige Clements, Tristan Clements, Schuyler “Rocky” Reidel, Miranda Reidel, Jacqueline McClane, Forrest McClane, Justin Welsh, Erica Werner, Erin Werner, Meridith Werner, Grant Werner, Mallory Werner, Marie-Noelle Werner, Etienne Werner and Rolande Werner. Regardless of relation, he considered each and everyone his own child. He is preceded in death by his brothers, William Werner and Adolph Werner; sister, Anna Murray and grandchild, Daniel Werner. In the end, his greatest wish was that everyone “smile and be friendly”. He will be greatly missed.
Funeral services will be conducted 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 18, 2007, in the chapel of Hayes Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Galveston Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation with the family present will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, 10412 Highway 6, (409) 925-3501.
