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Funeral services for Earnest “Earnie” John DeGunia, age 78, of Crawford, NE will be at 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Chadron, NE.

Burial will be at the Crawford City Cemetery in Crawford, NE.

A memorial has been established. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com.

Earnest went to be with his Heavenly Father on September 3, 2018 at home in Crawford surrounded by family and loved ones.

Earnest was born on July 5, 1940 to John Leon DeGunia and Gladys Viola Stetson in Crawford, NE. When he was young he had Rheumatic Fever and was sick a lot of his childhood. He quit school after the 8th grade. He later got his GED.

He grew up going to the water plant with his dad. He enjoyed learning all about the operations of the water plant with his dad. He tried to enlist in the military, but because he had Rheumatic Fever he was not able to. He worked for Marie Sandoz on her ranch. He worked for the railroad for a short time. He later got a job for the City of Crawford as the water plant manager/operator. He worked for the city for 20+ years. The water plant was his life.

He married and had four boys, Ernest, William, Darrold, and Troy.

He thoroughly loved taking his grandkids to the water plant and telling them and showing them how the water plant ran. Earnest had a love for fishing; he especially loved going fishing with his sons and grandkids. He had an extreme passion for working on lawnmowers. He loved when his grandkids would come over and watch western movies with him. That was a special time for him. He had the biggest love for his family. His grandkids will forever hold a special place in his heart.

In August of 1996, Earnest married DeLoris Huggett. With this marriage, Earnest inherited seven kids and a few grandkids. He loved his stepkids like they were his own.

Earnest loved his church and the people in it. He had a strong passion for rocks, and he loved when the grandkids would come over so he could share all of his rock information with them. He loved watching the storms roll in. He loved going for rides and telling whoever was in the car about the history of that area. He always wanted to treat others as he would want to be treated.

Survivors include wife DeLoris of Crawford; sons Ernest DeGunia Jr. and Troy DeGunia of Crawford, NE and Darrold DeGunia of Bennington, NE; stepchildren DeLena Gillam, DeLisa Olson, Travis Huggett, Gordon Huggett, Michaella Huggett, and LyRinda Huggett, all of Crawford, NE, and Shane Huggett of Gillette, WY; 21 grandkids; seven great-grandchildren; special cousin Neva McGregor; and three dogs.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son William (Billy) Lee DeGunia.

Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements for Earnest “Earnie” John DeGunia.