Alfred Benjamin "Ben" Ernstes, Jr.

Alfred Benjamin “Ben” Ernstes, Jr., 54, of Shelbyville, passed away peacefully Saturday, April 15, 2017 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was born September 9, 1962, in Shelbyville, the son of Alfred Benjamin Sr. and Joyce “Joy” (Manship) Ernstes. On July 10, 1982, he married Theresa Cavaness, and she survives. Ben is also survived by his mother of Shelbyville; son, Alfred Benjamin “Trey” Ernstes, III, and wife, Jennifer, of Wilmington, North Carolina; granddaughter, Jordyn Lynnae Ernstes of Wilmington; sisters, Barbara Dalton and husband, Bart, of Tacoma, Washington, Alyce Gobel and husband, Mike, and Lydia Phillips, both of Shelbyville, and Joyce Hatton and husband, Aaron, of Morristown; mother-in-law, Rita Cavaness of Columbus; brother-in-law, Bill Cavaness of Shelbyville; sisters-in-law, Dawn McIntyre and husband, Jerry, of Columbus, Elizabeth Brown and husband, Ken, of Greenwood, Barbara McPherson and husband, Bill, of Shelbyville; nephews, B.D. Dalton and wife, Michelle, Jaron Hatton and wife, Sarah, Dallas Phillips and wife, Heather, Justin Marshall and wife, Casey, Zach Marshall and fiancée, Kayla, Kenneth Meal, and wife, Jennifer and Kristopher Meal; and nieces, Breanna Giove and husband, Joe, Jennica Heckler and husband, Dan, Shelly McIntyre, Laci McIntyre and Kylee Meredith and husband, Carl. He was preceded in death by his father; daughter, Katie Lynnae Ernstes on October 10, 2006; and father-in-law, William Cavaness. Ben graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1981 and attended one year of military schooling. He was a veteran of the US Air Force, serving from 1982 to 1994. Ben was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council No. 822. He retired from Knauf Insulation as a machine operator in 2015, with 21 years of service. Ben enjoyed watching the Indianapolis Colts and NASCAR. He was an avid Indiana University fan and enjoyed playing golf. He loved his family and enjoyed taking trips to North Carolina to see his granddaughter. Ben also leaves behind his dogs, Max, Chloe and Lilly. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 20, 2017 at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday, April 21, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 125 E. Broadway St. in Shelbyville. Interment will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, with military graveside rites conducted by the local military committee. Memorial contributions may be made to the Katie Ernstes Memorial Scholarship Fund, in care of, Blue River Community Foundation, 54 W. Broadway St., Suite 1, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176.