In Memoriam: Ernest Loxley Eighmey, Jr.

Ernest Loxley Eighmey, Jr.; January 1, 1937 – May 18, 2023

Ernest (Ernie) L. Eighmey, Jr. was born in Erie, Michigan on January 30, 1937, the first son of Marjorie M. (Hiser) Eighmey and Ernest L. Eighmey, Sr.  Ernie was 86 years old when he passed away sometime in the late evening hours of May 17 or the early morning hours of May 18.

Ernie graduated from Monroe High School in 1955. As a young man, Ernie had quite the reputation with the ladies at the roller rink. In fact, Ernie met his first wife, Donna (Shimel), at the roller rink. They married and had three children, Bonita (Steele), Christina (Eighmey, now deceased), and Annette (Hoover).

Ernie worked as a draftsman and process engineer for Marvel-Schebler/Tillotson Manufacturing in Toledo, Ohio from June 22, 1956 to February 6, 1976. Ernie was completing a Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering degree at the University of Toledo when, one course short of completing the degree, the auto industry declined and an industry-wide recession was just beginning.

In 1976, Ernie found and accepted a job with the Stihl company in Los Angeles and moved his family to Granada Hills, CA. The family later moved to LaVerne, CA. In the 1980s and 1990s, Ernie worked as an engineer at Kennedy Company and ThermCo, and retired in 2000 after a successful and fulfilling 45-year career.

Ernie Eighmey during his family’s early years with his daughters Christine, Bonita and Annette. Photo provided by Bonita Steele

Ernie and Beryl married and honeymooned in the Hawaiian Islands in 1981. They enjoyed living many years in the foothills in Arcadia, CA. Throughout their marriage, Ernie and Beryl enjoyed traveling the world. They visited Beryl’s family in England. They traveled to the British Virgin Islands in 1989 and enjoyed spending time at California beaches.

Before moving to Canyon Lake, Ernie designed and oversaw the building of their lovely home in Canyon Lake.

Ernie’s design was meticulous; it included the location of furniture, electric plugs, and utilization of wasted space. He prepared a 3D model of the Canyon Lake house design and its furnishings.

Ernie’s hobbies included building and flying control-line and radio-controlled model airplanes, boats, and even a UFO. He made model cars and enjoyed model trains. He was a woodworker and made many things for his children and grandchildren. He made a green step stool, doll houses, a loft bed and a desk. He carved animated characters and trucks and he made cabinets for his children and grandchildren.

Ernie rode motorcycles and enjoyed RVing with his Canyon Lake Roadrunner RV Club friends throughout California and Arizona. Ernie and Beryl lived in Canyon Lake for the past 20 years, participating in community activities such as golf, woodworking, kayaking, dances, and bingo and supported the community bazaar.

Ernie experienced health issues in the last few years and passed away May 17 – May 18, 2023. Ernie is survived by his wife Beryl Eighmey, his sister Mary Holdman, brother Jerry Eighmey, his children Bonita and Annette, his grandchildren James, Donna, and Jaquelyn, Beryl’s children and many cousins, in-laws, and other relatives.

A Celebration of Life will be held in June in or around the Canyon Lake community.

For more information and to RSVP please contact Jaquelyn Coyle at 661-412-1146.