Ernest Neill Scheller

ERNEST NEILL “ERNIE” SCHELLER

Ernest Neill “Ernie” Scheller was born on September 29, 1925 in Brush, Colo. and passed on April 7, 2019 in Cortez, Colo. at the age of 93. Ernest graduated from Kersey High School in 1943. After graduating Ernest joined the Navy and served with the Seabees during World War II in the Aleutian Islands. While serving, Ernest’s family relocated to Cortez. Upon receiving his honorable discharge from the Navy he returned to Cortez. Ernest met the love of his life, Bernice Baker in 1947. Not long after they met, Ernest and Bernice were married on January 21, 1948 and they were married for 71 years. Together they began the Scheller Homestead south of Cortez where they raised and cared for Hereford cows for 40 years. In Ernest’s pastime he enjoyed hunting, fishing, working on the farm and being in the garden with Bernice. He most of all enjoyed time with his family, enjoying all the endeavors of his children and grandchildren. Ernest will always be the “Grandpa” of the family. He will be dearly missed. We love you Grandpa.
Ernest is survived by his wife, Bernice Scheller; three daughters, Nancy Rowe, Dixie (Sam) Sparks, and Kris Kelly; four granddaughters, Schelli (Mike) Porter, Alyssa Click, Cassy Rowe and Tracy Rowe; six great-grandchildren, Allison Porter, Byron Porter, Emmalee Trujillo, Aubree Trujillo, Raygen Rowe and Payge Rowe; step-granddaughter, Lisa (Tim) Passell; two step-great- grandsons, Ryan (Zoey) Greene and Rickie (Denise) Green; and two step-great-great-grandsons, Struther and Jude Greene. Ernest was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Lillian Scheller; his sister, Pauline Bonnickson; and two sons-in-law, Jack Click and Barney Rowe.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 20 at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Pastor Marvin Graves will officiate. Interment will follow at Cortez Cemetery.