Homer J. Earnest

Homer John Earnest, 86, of Elizabethtown, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 6, 2015 surrounded by his loving family at the Masonic Village Elizabethtown.  He was born Friday, June 1, 1928 in Greenwood Township, Perry County to the late Paul S. and Mildred B. (Philips) Earnest.  He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Shirley Ann (Paul) Earnest.

He enlisted in the US Navy at age 17, served in WWII aboard the USS Laffey, a destroyer now preserved as a National Historic Landmark in Mount Pleasant, SC.  Aboard the USS Laffey, he was a part of the Bikini Atoll nuclear testing project.  He was an active member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, having served as usher and greeter.  He was a skilled craftsman as evidenced by his countless birdhouses and projects that have been shared with family and friends.  He was a gifted handyman with an ability to fix anything on the first attempt, which always amazed his family.  He was an avid reader, particularly enjoying topics of history, westerns and other topics.  Most of all he was a loving family man who will be dearly missed by all.

He is survived by two sons, John W. Earnest and wife Lisa of Pittsburgh, Kenneth P. Earnest and wife Margaret of Red Lion; three daughters, Barbara G. Fielder of Mt. Joy; Crystal L. Mumma and husband John of Elizabethtown, Leslie Habecker of Bath; eight grandchildren, Matthew Mumma and wife Lisa, Ian Fielder and wife Sara, Sivan Earnest and husband Nick, Jason Frable, Carly Meyer and husband Mike, Evan Earnest, Nisan Earnest and wife Lauren, Eitan Earnest and wife Tami; seven great grandchildren; five siblings, Irene Williams, Truman Earnest, Max Earnest, Barbara Smith, Leah Higgins.  He was predeceased by two sons-in-law, Edward J. Fielder and Barry Habecker; five brothers, Harold, Lewis, Wayne, Ray and Arthur Earnest.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, February 15th at 1:30 PM at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 398 North Locust Street, Elizabethtown, PA 17022 with Pastor Skip Davis officiating.  Family and friends will be greeted following the service at the church.  Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.  Miller-Sekely Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 North Market Street, Elizabethtown has been entrusted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to PA Wounded Warriors, Inc., 1117 Country Club Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011 or www.pawoundedwarriors.org .  Condolences and memories may be shared at www.millerfuneralhome.com