Ronald K. Ernat

 Ronald K. Ernat, 85, of Rock Island, passed away Monday April 15, 2019 at UnityPoint-Trinity, Rock Island.

 Services will be 9:00 a.m. Saturday, April 20, at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 201 E. 4th Ave., Milan. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Rock Island. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with recitation of the Rosary at 6:30 p.m. Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Quad City Animal Welfare Center, Milan.

 Ronald was born March 14, 1934 in Peru, Illinois, a son of Roman and Pearl Jaraczewski Ernat. He graduated from St. Ambrose Academy in 1952. He married Shirley J. Slayden on November 9, 1957 in Rock Island. She preceded him in death on December 22, 1995.

 Ronald joined Bricklayers Local #7, Rock Island in 1955. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958, and resumed bricklaying until 1965. He then became a construction superintendent for a local contractor retiring in 1988. Following his retirement, he resided in Unionville, MO for 20 years.

 Ronald was a talented handyman, and built both of his homes. His favorite times were those spent with family and friends visiting in Unionville. He enjoyed fishing, especially with his sons and friends at Lake Erie. He adored his grandchildren.

 Surviving are his children (and spouses), Mark (Pam) Ernat, Rock Island, Curtis (Debbie) Ernat, Robertsdale, Ala. and Paula Ernat, Rock Island; son-in-law, Doug Watt, Melbourne, Iowa; grandchildren, Dillon Watt, Ankeny, Iowa and Molly Watt, Iowa City, Iowa; step-granddaughter, Kathryn (Eric) Strause-Reyes, Moline; step great-grandchildren, Kierra, Noah and Eva; brothers, Harry (Sandy) Ernat, Moline and Art (Mary) Ernat, Milan; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

Ronald was preceded in death by his parents; wife; daughters, Susan Watt and Laura Lee Ernat; brothers, Raymond and James “Jake” Ernat; and sisters, Agnes Soldati and Bernice Dhaemers Filas.

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