Ernie Simon, 84, 10-year resident of Coupeville, died Feb. 16, 2003, at Careage of Whidbey.

Mr. Simon was born in Walker, Minn., Feb. 18, 1918, to Bruno and Elsa Simon. He was raised in Bemidji, Minn. Ernie came to Seattle during the 1930s. He entered the U.S. Army and served during World War II, particularly in New Guinea and the Philippines. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Medal. He also spent time in Australia. Returning to Seattle, he and his three brothers worked as carpenters for Teufel Construction Co. for many years.

On Sept. 27, 1947, Ernie married Joy Godfrey in Yakima. They resided in Seattle until 1965, when they moved to Mountlake Terrace. Following his retirement from Teufel Const., he worked in maintenance at Sea-Tac Airport. He was a caregiver for his wife Joy for several years until her death in 1980. Ernie moved to Coupeville in Oct. 1992. He had been a member of the Carpenters Local No. 131 in Seattle.

Ernie is survived by his daughter, Betty U. Jones of Coupeville; two grandchildren, Sharon Biller and husband Joe of Coupeville and Eldridge Jones III and wife Babs of Oak Harbor; six great-grandchildren, Sabrina Huff and husband James of Oak Harbor, Nathan Jones of Oak Harbor, Michelle Biller of Oak Harbor, Jennifer Biller of Seattle, Joe Biller Jr. of Pullman and Amy Biller of Spokane; one great-great-grandchild, P.J. Southerland; one sister, Lottie O’Neil and one brother, Robert Simon, both of Seattle; also, numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Joy in 1980, by one son, Harold Ungemach in 1952, by several brothers, Dave, John and Bruno Simon and by one sister, Amanda McIntosh.

A memorial gathering will be held at Floral Hills Memorial Park, Lynnwood, Saturday, Feb. 22, at 2 p.m. Arrangements and cremation under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.