STEELEVILLE - John Paul Ernsting was born on June 26, 1929 to Raymond and Frieda (Meierhoff) Ernsting in Campbell Hill, Illinois. He was baptized into the Lutheran Church on July 7, 1929 by Reverend H.C. Welp. This same Reverend helped him to further dedicate his life to God at St. Peter's Lutheran Church through Confirmation on April 18, 1943. The verse for this dedication was John 8:31-32. "To the Jews who had believed him Jesus said, If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'" With this verse guiding him, John was married on April 28, 1951 to Norma Fritsche by Reverend W.O. Petzoldt in Jacob, Illinois. In John's early years, he worked for International Shoe Company and then moved to Spartan Printing, from which he retired after 35 years. He served our country in the Army during the Korean Conflict and became a life member at the VFW and the American Legion #480. John and Norma were blessed with four children: Delbert (Denise) Ernsting, Diane (Dana) Bayer, Debra (Jeff) Kaesberg, and Doris (Jerry) Lohman. With these marriages, they were blessed with 10 grandchildren: Dawn (Ron) King, Dacia (John) Foote, Devin (Tim) Garrett, Dara Ernsting, Danette Kaesberg, Deanna (Tom) Bowlin, Dusty Kaesberg, Denny Ernsting, Jeremy Lohman, and Dillon Kaesberg. To date, they have 11 great-grandchildren with one on the way. John has also left behind his beloved dog, Snuggles. He is also survived by two brothers: Howard Ernsting of Inverness, FL and Earl Ernsting of Percy. John was preceded in death by his parents. Throughout his life, John's mechanical skills enabled him to fix anything broken. He restored, collected, and loved old Mustangs. He spent many hours outdoors hunting, motorcycle riding, and traveling with his family. In his later years, John took on the challenges of Parkinson's Disease. While dealing with the limitations of this disease, John used his mechanical abilities and can-do attitude to invent "contraptions" to help him continue to do the things that he loved. All of our family has been blessed to witness true love and dedication. It came through in the way that he took care of his family, and in the way he was cared for during his struggle with Parkinson's. After his needs could no longer be met at home by his family, he was well cared for by the family and staff at the Randolph County Care Center. John's persistence, can-do attitude, and dedication to his family will be missed. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, Thursday, September 13, 2012 at the St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Steeleville with Rev. Dr. Alan W. Janneke officiating. Burial will follow in Paradise Cemetery, Steeleville. Visitation will be at Wilson's Funeral Home, Steeleville, where friends may call from 5 to 8 pm Wednesday with an American Legion Service at 8 pm Wednesday under auspices of Kaskaskia V.F.W. Post #3553. Visitation will also be on Thursday from 7:30 am until Noon at the funeral home then from 1 pm to 2 pm at the church. Memorials may be given to St. Mark's Lutheran Church General Fund.