John V. Ernst, of Auburn, was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma on March 2, 1935 and passed away at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika on September 20, 2012. Mr. Ernst was preceded in death by his daughter, Patricia D. Ernst. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Virginia L. Ernst; children, Gene D. Ernst and wife Beverly, Jan Frank and husband Craig, and James Ernst and wife Laura; grandchildren, Chris Collins, Kyle Frank, Sarah Ernst, Anita Frank Jorgensen and husband Chris, Trenton Frank, LeeAnn Frank, Matthew Ernst, Bethany Frank, and Maggie Ernst.