Maynard J. Ernst, 86, of Tatamy, formerly of Riegelsville, died Monday, September 8, 2008 at Lehigh Valley Muhlenberg, Bethlehem. He is the husband of Kathleen M. (Mitman) Millheim Ernst and the late Betty K. (Schlicher) Ernst.

Born in Williams Twp. on July 3, 1922, he is the son of the late John W. and Emma Fayetta (Ruch) Ernst. Maynard worked as an Electrician for 30 years at the Bethlehem Steel Company until retiring in 1982. He had also co-owned and operated a Dairy Farm in Riegelsville for 30 years. He served his country honorably during WWII and the Korean Conflict in the US Army. He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ, Riegelsville; Confident & Past Noble Grand of #1133 Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Past Chief Patriarch, Past District Deputy Grand Patriarch and Scribe of Bushkill Encampment #55; Past Grand Patriarch and Grand Treasurer of Grant Encampment of PA; Patriarch Militant and Past Captain of Canton #39 - Allentown; Past Department Commander, Rank of Major General for Department of PA ; Past Grand Patriarch of Heradius Santorum #144; Registrar of Mid Atlantic State A.M.O.S, Happy Boombadears of the Lehigh Valley.

Survivors: In addition to his wife of 7 years, he is survived by sons: Sheldon D. and his wife Cindi of Riegelsville, Keith D. and his wife Rita of Hellertown, Dwight D. of Hellertown; daughter: Karen L. Ernst wife of R. Bruce Reiner of Palmerton; 8 Grandchildren: Noah, Lincoln, Christy, Mark, Joshua, Julia, Lacey, Levi; 1 Great Grandson: Reed; Step Children: Randall Millheim and his wife Gloria of Tatamy, Rhonda wife of Keith Fries of Pittsburgh, Rochelle wife of Jeffrey Stuewe of West Chester; 6 Step Grandchildren: Erica, Kaitelyn, Brianna, Jared, Cameron, Elyn.

Services: Family and friends are invited to call 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Thursday, September 11, 2008 at the Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc. 326 Main Street - Hellertown, with Lodge Services at 8:00 p.m. The service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Funeral Home with the Reverend Jeffrey A. Wargo, Officiating. The interment will conclude services at Durham Cemetery, Durham.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers memorials to I.O.O.F. Education Fund care of the funeral home, 18055.