Ernest Baumbach

Ernest A. “Ernie” Baumbach, 78, a resident of Bettendorf, Iowa died on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at the Clarissa Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf.

His funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at the McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Chapel in Bettendorf. He will be laid to rest at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Pleasant Valley, Iowa where military honors will be conducted. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home. A Masonic memorial service will be conducted at 7:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children or the American Lung Association.

He was born in Davenport, Iowa on December 16, 1933, the son of Otto & Velma (Drummond) Baumbach. In 1953, Ernie enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served with the 2 ^nd Division aboard the USS Cushing. Upon his honorable discharge in 1957, he was awarded the National Defense Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Medal and the China Service Medal.

On December 14, 1957, he was united in marriage to Patricia A. Hambell in Pleasant Valley, Iowa.

Ernie retired on February 3, 1988 as a Tool Crib Foreman at the Rock Island Arsenal after 35 years of federal service. Following his retirement, he worked as a school crossing guard at Hoover Elementary School in Bettendorf.

He & Pat loved traveling and camping in the motorhome for many years. He also enjoyed fishing, playing golf, playing Rolle Bolle and bowling.

Ernie was a member and Past-Master of Hamilton Lodge #664, A.F. & A.M. of Bettendorf.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Pat; his sons, Gary Baumbach of Bettendorf and Mark (Barbi) Baumbach of Pleasant Valley; his grandchildren, Tonya (Jared) Cockshoot of Park View, Iowa and Blake Baumbach of Iowa City, Iowa; his great-grandchildren, Marlayna and Elyse; and many other relatives and wonderful friends.

Ernie was preceded in death by his sisters, Irma Kroeger, Ione Hanne, Ilah Smith and Arlene Krambeck; his brother, Arnold Baumbach; and his parents.