Carl Frances Ernstes

Carl Frances Ernstes II passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, after a brief illness. Carl, affectionately called Sonny by family members, was 85 years old. He was born on June 23, 1939 in Anderson, Indiana to Carl and Rita Ernstes.

Carl graduated from Manilla High School, Manilla, Indiana with the class of 1957. He attended Purdue University for a brief period, then worked for several companies in the Indianapolis area, including Fort Benjamin Harrison, where he met the love of his life, Suellen Lowery. Carl then went to work for AT & T for over 30 years prior to retirement.

Carl and Suellen married on July 13, 1968, in Indianapolis, Indiana. They celebrated their 56th anniversary in 2024. Throughout their marriage, they leaned on each other and cared for one another greatly, especially through Carl’s final days.

Carl was an avid golfer, always making time to play a round whenever he could, even on vacation. He was a consummate sports fan and a devoted follower of IU basketball and the Cincinnati Reds. A lifelong dog parent, he and Sue had several good dogs over the years, and often donated food to local animal shelters. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Carl is survived by his wife, Suellen, his brother, Max Jan (Marilyn) Ernstes of Manilla, IN and sister-in-law, Carol Lowery of New Castle.

He is also survived by nephews Chris (Marcia) Ernstes, Kurt (Kim) Ernstes and Nick (April) Ernstes. Great nieces and nephews, Seth Ernstes, Joel (Jasmin) Ernstes, Kristen (Jonathan) Cowan, Jared Ernstes and Paige Ernstes, and several great-great nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law John W. Lowery, great niece Grace Jewell Ernstes and great nephew Kurtly Ernstes.

Services for Carl Ernstes will be held at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Home at 3406 S. Memorial Drive, New Castle, on Friday, April 25, 2025. Friends may visit beginning at 12:00pm and the service, led by Nancy McCombs of First Church of Christ, Science in Connersville, will take place at 1:00pm. Burial will follow at South Mound Cemetery in New Castle. Donations in memory of Carl may be made to the Henry County Humane Society.