William Ernest Stuart "Ernie", 78, of Rupert, passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at his home.

Ernie was born April 16, 1936, in Rupert, Idaho, to Bill and Myrtle Little Stuart.  He attended Pershing Grade School and Rupert Junior and Senior High schools, graduating with the class of 1954.  He entered the Army in 1954, where he was stationed in Berlin, Germany, for 18 months.  While in Germany he becdame a pen pal with Gertrude Rausch (a friendship forever).  They were married Jan. 19, 1957, at the St. Nicholas Church.  He worked for Andy McRoberts Chevron Station, United Co-op, and Joe Studer's Dairy before working for the City of Rupert and retiring as Parks Supervisor in 1998.  He was a member of the St. Nicholas catholic Church, Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Rupert City Fire Department.  Ernie enjoyed fishing and hunting, gardening and yard work.

Ernie is survived by his wife, Gertrude; children: Thomas Stuart, Colleen (Bob) Dobkins, Julie Bean, Beth Beck and Rose Stuart; grandchildren: Wendy (Sheldon) Stevenson, Benjamin Stuart, Tony (Melissa) Anderson, Rusty Howard, Brent Howard, Savanah (Rob) Traudt, Ann Vincent, Kade Beck and Nicholas Bean; 14 great-granchildren; and brothers, Chuck (Carol) Stuart and LaMar (Missy) Stuart.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Eugene; son, Bill; Wendy Stuart, Marty Bean and Carol Bradford.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 23, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 802 F St. in Rupert. A rosary will be recited 6 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at the church. Services will conclude with burial in the Rupert Cemetery  under the direction of Joel Heward Hansen Mortuary.