Ernest Casey "Ernie" Schwarze

Ernest “Ernie” Casey Schwarze, 92 of Nampa, Idaho passed away February 10, 2017 at the Idaho State Veterans Home, Boise, ID. Ernie was born August 12, 1924 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to Emil Ernest Schwarze and Aloysia L. Zellner Casey Schwarze. Ernie's mother died when he was 6 and his father died when he was 16. He came to Nampa to live with his half-sister Adeline M. Schwarze Laible and husband Karl. He attended Nampa High School, enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942, serving in the South Pacific. After the war he returned to Nampa, earned his G.E.D. and married Margaret Dolores Wentzel on November 17,1947. In 1950 he was reactivated to serve in the Korean War, interrupting his 39 year career with the Carnation Company. Ernie was awarded a Purple Heart and was honorably discharged November 1952.

Ernie, Margaret and his step daughter Louise enjoyed camping. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and being the cook for hunting camp in Silver City with his nephews. He was a member of the St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Nampa. After retirement Ernie and Margaret traveled in their motorhome, spending their winters in Yuma, Arizona until Margaret's passing in 1994. Ernie was fortunate to meet Dolores R. Kelly and they married on February 9, 1995. They enjoyed retirement in their new home in Nampa with many visits from family and friends. Dolores passed away in 2011.  He was proud of his service to his country and in 2015 went to Washington D.C. with the Honor Flight. Ernie said, "It was the greatest moment in my life."

Ernie is survived by his nephews Karl (Susan) Laible, Jr. and Raymond (Katherine Korba) Laible; great nieces and nephews; sons-in-law Ken Patterson and Jim (Sally) Kelly and their families.

Ernie was preceded in death by Margaret and Dolores; his parents; half-brothers John Casey and Robert Schwarze; half-sister Adeline Laible; nephew Robert (Virginia) Laible Sr.; great-nephew Christopher Laible; and step daughter Louise Patterson.

Memorial donations in memory of Ernie can be made to Honor Flight of Idaho, Veterans of Foreign Wars or Disabled American Veterans. “Semper Fi”

A funeral service will be held at 11:30 AM Monday, February 27, 2017 at the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel. At 10:30 A.M. A viewing will  precede the services. Burial will follow in the Kohlerlawn Cemetery with military honors by the U.S. Marine Corps. An online guestbook is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com

 Service Information