Dr. Timothy Ernst

Dr. Timothy Dean Ernst

Dr. Timothy Ernst 57 of Kirksville passed away Sunday, August 17, 2014, at his home. The son of Kenneth D. and Patricia (Quail) Ernst, he was born July 20, 1957, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. On April 10, 1976, in Lake City, Iowa, he was united in marriage to Margaret Mae “Peg” Melody.

Tim is survived by his wife, Peg; son, Sean P. Ernst of Columbia, MO; daughter, Katie Meinen and husband Matthew of Kirksville; three grandchildren, BreAnna Hollingsworth, Aubriana Meinen and Isaiah Meinen; one brother, Sean A. Ernst and wife Susan of Vail, IA; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Karen and Leon Roberson of Franklin, TN, Susan Baker of St. Louis, MO, and Jerry and Barbara Melody of Lake City, IA; 14 nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Patricia Ernst; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ray and Margaret Melody; and one brother-in-law, Byron Baker.

Tim graduated from Rockwell City High School in 1975 and attended one year of college majoring in Ag Business. He farmed for two years with his father-in-law and brother-in-law until moving to Kirksville. He attended Northeast Missouri State University receiving a degree as a Veterinarian Technician in 1980 and a B.S.N. in Nursing in 1983. He worked for Laughlin Hospital as a Surgical Technician and then at KOMC in Critical Care. He attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and graduated in 1990. He did a three year residency in Anesthesiology in Grand Rapids, MI at Metropolitan Hospital. He returned to Kirksville in 1993 and joined the Anesthesiology Department at KOMC. He continued to work at the hospital until the time of his death. He was also an educator at A.T. Still University as well as Northeast Regional Medical Center, where he was active in the residency program and the nurse anesthetist program.

He was a member Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, of the American Osteopathic Association, Missouri Osteopathic Association, American College Osteopathic Anesthesiology, where he was a fellow, Northeast Missouri Osteopathic Association and served as treasurer for many years. He enjoyed traveling, hiking, biking, camping, shooting & reloading, classic cars, running (where he completed many half marathons). Tim appreciated fine food as a member of the Kirksville Gourmet Club. Besides being a master gardener, Tim also enjoyed acquiring fine whiskeys, bourbons and Scotches. He had a great love for his family and his animals. His ties to his Iowa farm roots caused him to take part in many harvests with his family. Tim was a very devoted and honored physician, father, mentor, educator and friend who will be greatly missed.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 20, 2014, at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church with Father Chris Cordes officiating. Burial will be in Park View Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Curtis Roof, Theresa Rickelman, Toni Patterson, Nathan Berry, Ben Schrandt, and Jonathan Easterwood.

Visitation with the family will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 19, 2014, at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home.

Tim’s family will be directing memorials to a fund to be used for Osteopathic Education.