Debra Ann (Gottemoeller) Ernst,

Age 67, of Barhorst Road, Fort Loramie, Ohio, passed away peacefully of natural causes at her residence Wednesday morning, June 16, 2021. She was born January 25, 1954, in St. Marys, Ohio, to the late Ivo & Shirley (Poeppelman) Gottemoeller. On November 30, 1974, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Fort Loramie, Deb married Kenneth J. Ernst who survives. Also surviving are five children: Lisa & Bruce Kunk of Fort Loramie, Susan & Jerrod Couser of Troy, Carla Breeze of Versailles, William Ernst (& good friend Jenny Bohman) of Fort Loramie and Stacey Ernst of Dayton; ten grandchildren: Nathan, Darren and Justin Kunk, Julia and Jude Couser, Jenna, Gavin, Lydia, Wesley and Drew Breeze; three siblings, Russell & Rene’ Gottemoeller of Fort Loramie, Lynn & Charlie Ognibene of Santa Ana, CA, and Lori Walker of Troy; brothers & sisters-in-law: Henry & Linda Ernst of Lenoir City, TN, Mary Lou & Tom Klein of Carey, Diane Ernst of Bellbrook, Rich & Jennie Ernst of Fort Loramie, Karen Sue Ernst of Sidney, Jackie Ernst of Lima and Patty & Tony Eilerman of Fort Loramie along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father & mother-in-law, Henry & Mary Ellen Ernst and a brother-in-law, Jim Ernst.

Deb was a 1972 graduate of Fort Loramie High School. A dedicated home-maker and farm-wife, she had also been recently employed several years at Lowe’s in Sidney. She was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church where she had been a CCD teacher for 30 years. She also belonged to St. Ann’s Ladies Sodality, the Fort Loramie American Legion Auxiliary, Shelby County Pork Producers and the Ohio Pork Producers where she had been active in the Ohio Women’s Council. Deb enjoyed flower gardening, vegetable gardening, cooking and canning. She was also proficient at crocheting, knitting and cross stitching.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 9:30 AM, Saturday, June 19, 2021, at St. Michael Church in Fort Loramie with Rev. Steven Shoup presiding. Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery. Friends may call Friday 3:00 to 8:00 PM and Saturday 8:30 to 9:00 AM at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie. Memorials may be made to Wilson Hospice Care or the Fort Loramie Rescue Squad. Private condolences may be expressed at www.gehretfuneralhome.com