Ernest Dillon Martin departed this life August 27, 2020, at St. Anthony Hospital, OKC, at the age of 69. Ernest was born on December 12, 1950, to the late Buron Dillon and Ellen Mintie (Clark) Martin of Paint Bank, Virginia.
Ernest was a 1969 graduate of New Castle High School. A year after graduation he joined the US Army serving as a helicopter door gunner in Vietnam. After being honorably discharged, he worked at various jobs before meeting the love of his life, Beverly Schumaker of Sweet Springs, West Virginia. They were married June 9, 1974, and had 46 wonderful years together.
In 1981, Ernest and Beverly moved to Canton, OK, where he worked in the oilfield. During this time two beautiful daughters, Kristy and Lori, were born. When the oilfield went down he and Beverly worked at various jobs to provide for their family until in 1985 he was hired at the US Army Corps of Engineers, Canton Lake as a maintenance worker.
In 2000 he was transferred to Keystone Lake where he worked until his retirement in 2011. On the last day of work, he packed up his camper and returned to Canton and his family saying “I’m done with camping…7 1/2 years is long enough!” and promptly sold the camper.
Ernest always had a smile and a laugh for everyone he met and his grandchildren loved him dearly and he loved them. The grandchildren loved spending time with him whether it was fishing or just hanging out. He loved hunting and fishing and being outdoors. Everyone loved his “onery-ness” and he never met a stranger. He will be greatly missed by his family.
Ernest was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law James Schumaker, and an infant grandson, Dillon Bryer Denton. Ernest is survived by his wife, Beverly of the home, Kristy Michele (Denton) and husband Adam, Isabella, OK and Lori Marie (White) and her husband Chris, Longdale, OK; five grandchildren: Keylea Shae’ and Adam Brody Denton, Grady Coe, Corbin Gunner, and Briley Paige White; four brothers and sisters, Connie (Rich) Knepp, New Castle, VA, Buron Deane and his companion Sandy Mays, Elliston, VA, Brenda (Deane) Tickle, Roanoke, VA and Fred (Janet) Martin, Boone Mill, VA.
As per his request, Ernest has been cremated and a memorial will be held at a later time. Condolences may be made online at www.piercefuneralhomes.com.
