Ernest Morris, age 91, passed away on March 15, 2015 at the Southeastern Veteran’s Center, Spring City, PA.

He was born June 4, 1923, in Parton, Cumberland, England, to Albert and Mary Jane Graham Morris. The family of four emmigrated to Canada in 1928 and then to Munhall, PA by 1931. He graduated from Munhall High School in 1942 and then went into the military. After serving in the 360th Army Corp of Engineers during WWII in England, Europe, and the Philippines, Ernie returned to civilian life, apprenticing at US Steel Homestead Works as a roll turner. In 1948 he married vivacious red head Esther Marie McCloskey.

Moving to Phoenixville in 1967, he worked for the Phoenix Iron and Steel, and afterward Schuylkill Elementary School and St. Peters Church of Phoenixville until his retirement in 1991. Ernie was always one who enjoyed working with his hands in his gardens or creating his models . He was a master and meticulous at building scale model railroads and model ships, always working from original blueprints. As a result of his passion for railroading and ships, he co-founded the Schuylkill Valley Model Railroad Club and the Valley Forge Model Ship Society. Because of his love for Scouting, he served as Scout Master for troops both in Munhall and Phoenixville.

Surviving are three children, Kathleen (Curt) Kullberg of Minneapolis, Robert Ernest (Dorothy) of Pottstown, and Richard Alan of Phoenixville. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Emma and Tess Kullberg, Jason Morris and Stefanie Ditty, two great grandchildren, Riley and Owen Ditty, one sister, Edith Ward, of Minneapolis, Edgar McCloskey brother-in-law of Elizabeth, PA and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Esther Morris, in 2011.

Ernie departed this life quietly, but in his active days he was an inspiration, a mentor, a friend and a father. Rest in peace.

A memorial service will take place at Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Main Street at Fifth Avenue, Phoenixville, PA on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at 10:00 AM. Burial will take place privately in the Valley Forge Memorial Gardens. A visitation will take place from 9:30-10:00 AM at the funeral home. Condolences may be offered online by visiting www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.