In loving memory of
Deelite Ernst
April 15, 2003
Deelite Ernst, age 46, of 1030 Ridgewood, Quincy, died Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 10:05 am in Blessing Hospital.
She was born June 30, 1956 in Quincy, Illinois, the daughter of G. Keith and Annabelle Langfahl Cashman. On July 1, 1983, she married Thomas Ernst in Quincy, Illinois. He survives.
Deelite was a 1974 graduate of Quincy Senior High School, where she was a blue devil cheerleader. She attended Western Illinois University for two years. She was a member and chairman of Alpha Sigma Tau social sorority, a cheerleader, and a member of the University Union Board. Deelite graduated from Culver Stockton College with a B.S. in elementary education in December, 1977. She received her MS in reading from Western Illinois University. She taught elementary school in LaBelle, MO for one year, at Irving School for three years, and at Adams School for 20 years. Deelite attended First Union Congregational Church. She was a Sustaining Member and a former board member of Quincy Service League, a member of Adams School P.T.A., and a longtime member of the Quincy Country Club. Deelite played cards with the same group of women for over twenty years. She will be honored posthumously in May with the Margaret McNamara Award for Literacy from Quincy Service League.
Deelite treasured time with her children, and spent many hours walking the golf course watching her children play competitive golf for QHS. Her "other" children were her first grade students. She dedicated herself to their education. The warm hugs and kisses she received daily from past and present students are evidence of her impact on their lives.
Deelite loved life and lived it to the fullest. She would light up a room with her beautiful smile and her hearty laugh. She truly was a delight.
Survivors in addition to her husband are a son, Drew T. Ernst, Culver Stockton College; daughter, Elizabeth D. Ernst, Quincy; her mother, Annabelle Cashman, Quincy; her brothers and sisters, Judge Dennis Cashman and his wife Marianne, Debby Birch and her husband Gary, J. Devin Cashman and his wife Anne, and Denette Kuhlman and her husband Dr. Joe, all of Quincy; nieces and nephews, Kristin Stapleton and her husband Mark, University City, MO; Andrew Cashman and his wife Michelle, Minneapolis, MN; Lance Birch, Champaign, IL; Blake Birch, Katie Cashman, J.D. Cashman, Jake Kuhlman and Kaleigh Kuhlman, all of Quincy; great nephews, Ben Stapleton and Zach Stapleton, University City, MO. Her father preceded her in death.
Funeral Services will be 10:30 am Friday, April 18, at the First Union Congregational Church, Rev. Henry Murray and Rev. Keith Ehresman officiating. Burial in Greenmount Cemetery, Quincy, Illinois. The family will receive friends from 3-7 pm Thursday at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Children's Educational Fund or the Deelite Ernst Literacy Fund for Adams Elementary School.