DeKALB, Ill. -- Ernest Edward Fortner, 80, of DeKalb passed away Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, at DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center.

Ernie was born Feb. 2, 1936, in Osceola, Arkansas, to Lydia and Lonnie Fortner. At an early age, he moved with his family to Southeast Missouri. He married Jean Whitehead on Oct. 11, 1954.

He worked on the family farm before and after serving in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957. He then moved his family to Dallas and lived there for over 30 years, working in the aircraft-parts business. Upon retirement, Ernie and Jean moved back to Missouri.

Ernie enjoyed hunting and fishing in his spare time. In 2012, Ernie moved to Heritage Woods in DeKalb and later to DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center.

Ernie is survived by two daughters, Sandy (Randy) Moseley of DeKalb and Teresa (Ron) Tuttle of Euless, Texas; three grandchildren, Mike (Billie) Wilson of Princeton, Texas, Amie (Trent) Wilson of Nevada, Texas, and Wesley (Christina) Moseley of Byron, Illinois; six great-grandchildren; and sisters, Marie Ellis of Harrisburg, Illinois, and Mamie Hesselbein of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Jean Fortner, in 2003; and three brothers, Leo, James and Elmer Fortner.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Morgan Funeral Home, 602 S. Vine St. in Advance, Missouri.

The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Interment will be at Balch Cemetery at Zalma, Missouri.

The family would like to thank the staff at DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center for its dedication and friendship to Ernie while he was a resident.