Cyril J. 'Ernie' Ernest, 90

Cyril J. "Ernie" Ernest, 90, died on Nov. 9, 2020.

He was born in Ashland, Wisconsin, to Joseph and Mary Ernest.

After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and became a cryptographer. When the Korean War began, he was sent to Japan where he worked at Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s headquarters across from the Imperial Palace grounds. As the war intensified, he was dispatched to Korea, and when China entered the war he was evacuated back to Tokyo.

While in Japan, he met and married Towako Machida. They had one child, Theresa A. Ernest.

During his 40 years in Japan, he established a number of punched card communication facilities, which became the standard for other military services.

He was preceded in death by his wife Towako, and daughter Theresa.

He is survived by his nieces, Susan McKoy and Julie Butchko; nephews, Greg and Michael Semanko; and cousin, Thomas Ernest; and several grandnieces and -nephews and cousins throughout the U.S.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 12:10 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Kalispell on Dec. 1.

Graveside committal will be in Lexington, Kentucky, at a later date.