STEELEVILLE, Ernst Mahnken, 95, of Steeleville, passed away at 9:50 A.M. Tuesday, June 09, 2009, at Three Springs Lodge in Chester, IL. Ernst was born September 20, 1913 in Farrar, Missouri the son of John Mahnken and Margaret (Katt) Mahnken. He married Oneida Mueller on April 15, 1945 in Farrar, MO. He was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Steeleville having served as an Elder, Finance Board Nominating Committee member and President of L.L.L. Ernst was also a member of the Randolph County Farm Bureau and a former member of the Steeleville Public School Board. Ernst is survived by his wife Oneida Mahnken of Steeleville; children, Myrna (Wayne) Eldridge of Steeleville, Lois (Myron) Dudenbostel of Steeleville, and Dennis (Sondra) Mahnken of Steeleville; 8 grandchildren, David and Tim Eldridge, Julie Netherton, Brian and Kevin Dudenbostel and Curtis, Christa, and John Mahnken; four great grandchildren, Brittany, Jacob and Robert Dudenbostel and Louisa Eldridge; and one brother, Paul Mahnken of Uniontown, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Lillie Mahnken. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 12, 2009 at 1:30 P.M. at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Steeleville with Rev. Dr. Alan W. Janneke officiating. Burial will follow at Paradise Cemetery in Steeleville. Visitation will be held at Wilson's Funeral Home, Steeleville on Thursday from 5 to 8 pm and on Friday from 7:30 am until 11:30 am and on Friday at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Steeleville from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. Memorials may be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church.