John R. “Crazy” Ernst, age 65, of Edinboro, died unexpectedly of natural causes at his home on Thursday, September 2, 2010. Born in Braddock, PA on January 3, 1945, he was the son of the late Henry and Bessie Lain Ernst. John lived and worked most of his life in the Pittsburgh area town of North Braddock. He was a steelworker for 35 years at US Steel, and after retiring in 2000, he permanently moved and made Edinboro his town.

Ernst, John R. John enjoyed the Edinboro community and was a strong supporter of all the General McLane and Edinboro University sports teams. He was also an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. From 1965-67, John was a medic in US Army serving in Germany, and currently he was a member of the local Edinboro-McKean Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 740. John was a caring and giving individual who had numerous friends who would often visit with him at his permanent corner seat at the Edinboro Hotel.

John only has a small family that survives including his sister, Annette R. Ernst of Pittsburgh; his two god-sons, Bruce D. Pacolay and Glenn M. Pacolay; and his many special friends in Edinboro.

Visiting hours will take place at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home of Edinboro, 306 Erie Street, on Sunday starting at 3:00pm and concluding with a time of remembrance at 5:30pm.