Ernst P. Kieckers
June 25, 1935 – May 26, 2026

Ernst “Ernie” Patterson Kieckers, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on May 26th with his children in Charlotte, NC, where he has lived since 2024. Ernie was born to Ernst W. Kieckers and Lucille P. Kieckers on June 25, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri. He and his family were longtime residents of Creve Coeur, MO.

Ernie graduated from Roosevelt High School class of 1952 and played the trombone in the marching band. He later wrote articles for the Roosevelt High Alumni Newsletter, well into his 80s. He earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in electrical engineering and as a member of Tau Beta Pi from Washington University in 1956 and was enrolled in the ROTC program there as well as playing the trombone in the marching band. Upon graduation he enlisted in the Army and received a 2nd Lieutenant commission stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso Texas.

Ernie spent most of his working life (37 yrs) at Bell Labs in New Jersey and Southwestern Bell Corp. headquartered in downtown St. Louis. At Bell, Ernie met the love of his life, Carolyn Marie Dunn, and the two were married in 1960. They raised a family in Creve Coeur and enjoyed their life together until Carolyn’s passing in 2007.

Ernie started a second career at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in Physician Services as a liaison between the hospital and physicians.

Ernie loved people! He loved going to see musicals with friends and family and listening to music of Andre Rieu, Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, and show tunes. His humor was compared to that of Bob Newhart. He loved a good prime rib, loaded baked potato, and milkshakes (and many other sweets). Ernie was a lifelong Cardinal fan and shared stories of his many trips to Sportsman Park as a kid to watch the redbirds play.

Some of his favorite trips were to England, many beach vacations to Sanibel Island, annual trips to Los Angeles, CA, for the Jeanette MacDonald Fan Club festival, and going to see shows in Branson, Missouri.

He is survived by daughters Suzanne Kieckers and Sandra Hoffman (Dave), granddaughters Lauren Hoffman and Lindsay Hoffman (Rex), sister Jane Hornung (Tom), and niece Phyllis Peacock (Chris) and grand-niece Julia Peacock.

Friends are encouraged to join family on Sunday, June 7, 2026 for a Celebration of Life service for Ernie at Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home, 12444 Olive Blvd, Creve Coeur, MO 63141. Visitation from 2-3:30 pm with service at 3:30 pm. Ernie will be laid to rest at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Monday, June 8 at 9:30 a.m. Procession will leave the funeral home at 9 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ernie's memory may be made to any heart related charity or veteran organization.

Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home
www.osfuneralhomes.com