Dr. Charles Francis Ernst Jr., 84, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, June 3, 2007, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was loved as Charles, Doc, Pop, Grandpa, Doe, Uncle Charlie and Sonny to his family and close friends during his formative years.

He was the eldest of four siblings, born July 10, 1922, to Charles and Juanita Ernst (deceased) in St. Louis.

He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Marilyn; and three children, Flicky (Dan) Christie of Ballwin, Mo., Sunny (Vern) Dearing of Lacy, Wash., Chip Ernst of Williams, Ariz.; two stepchildren, Kelly Abbott of Jackson, Jeff Cronenbold of Cape Girardeau; five grandchildren, Andrew, Meggan and Laurie Christie, Carly (Brian) Perkins and Christian Ernst; four stepgrandchildren, Kevin and Sarah Cronenbold, Bailey and Nicholas Abbott; three great-grandchildren, Camdyn, Adelle and Brodie Perkins. Two brothers, William (Linda) Ernst of Omaha, Neb., James Ernst of Kirkwood, Mo.; a sister, Meme (Mel) Schantz of Laguna Niguel, Calif., and their children mourn his death.

Dr. Ernst was an optometrist more than 60 years in the Cape Girardeau and Houston, Mo., areas.

Dr. Ernst graduated from Kirkwood High School and Westminster College. He attended Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, and School of Optometry at the University of Chicago.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He was a member of VFW Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau. Dr. Ernst was an active Hero Volunteer Blood Donor for American Red Cross, having donated 280 units through Nov. 10, 2004.

He was a 50-year member of Masonic Lodge 177 AF&AM in Houston, Mo. He served as worshipful master six times. He was a member of Kirkwood Lodge 484, was worshipful master in 1977, district deputy grand lecturer in 48th District from 1999 to 2000; member and past master of St. Mark Lodge in Cape Girardeau.

He taught rapid reading for the University of Missouri-Rolla. He was a member of Hobbs Chapel United Methodist Church, sang in the choir and served on the building committee.

Dr. Ernst married Roberta Eicher in 1948. She preceded him in death in November 1991. He and Marilyn Cook were married in December 1992. Dr. Ernst loved hunting quail, canoeing on the Jacks Fork and Current rivers, bird-watching, golfing, swimming, playing bridge and gardening,

A memorial service, along with a Masonic service, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Hobbs Chapel, with the Rev. Janet Hopkins officiating. Full military honors will be conducted by Missouri Honor Team and VFW Post 3838.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday at Hobbs Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hobbs Chapel United Methodist Church or American Red Cross.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.