Funeral services for Ernest Lee ‘Ernie’ Bailey, 75, Tonganoxie, will be at 10 am Monday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Mr. Bailey died unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, at his home.
He was born November 16, 1944, in Lawrence, the son of Everett L. and Frances Wilson Bailey. He attended Lawrence schools. He served in the United States Army Reserve. Ernie worked at Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant in DeSoto for five years, and later began working for FMC/ICL in North Lawrence as a pipefitter and mechanic, retiring in 2012 after 37 years of service. In his spare time he enjoyed family dinners, repairing clocks, collecting watches, BBQ, hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, and talking to anyone and everyone!
Survivors include his longtime companion, Sandra Wiehe, of the home; a son, Brian Bailey, Lawrence; three daughters, Sherri Wiehe, Topeka, Stacey Wiehe, Petersburg, Va., and Renea Roth and husband Kevin, Dalhart, Tex.; five grandchildren, Casey Bailey, Keera Bailey, Addisyn Wiehe, Emilee Roth and Jeremey Roth; and one great grandchild, Caydence Roth. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, ‘Bud’ Bailey and Eldon Bailey, and a son, Evan Bailey.
The family will receive friends on Sunday from 4 to 6 pm at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to The Salvation Army, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.
