Ernest F. Kummetz, age 92, of Chicago passed away May 25, 2019. Loving husband of Elizabeth J. “Topsy” , nee Doonan, for 62 years; dear father of Martin J., Christopher, the late Celeste, and Keith D. “Dan” (Nicole); proud grandfather of Luca; fond brother of Beverly A. (Dom) Cappello, and the late Lottie A. (Albert) Cicha, and William E. Kummetz; son of the late Ernst and Adeline, nee Schwentorus, Kummetz; special uncle, great-uncle, and friend of many. Memorial Service 11 am Monday, June 3, 2019 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 6201 W. Patterson, Chicago.
Visitation at the family home Monday 3-7 pm following the Memorial Service. In lieu of flowers memorials to Chicago Lighthouse www. chicagolighthouse.org , Blind Services Association www.
blindserviceassociation.org, or Mary Bryant Home For The Blind www. marybryanthome.org appreciated. Ernest Frederick was born in Essen, Germany to Ernst and Adeline Kummetz on September 12, 1926.
Coming to America at the age of two in 1928 he grew up in Chicago’s South Lawndale neighborhood along with his mother, sister Lottie and grandparents. At the behest of his grandmother Wilhelmina he was enrolled in grade school at Grace Lutheran Church and School. This served to establish his lifelong Christian Faith.
He then attended Farragut High School, graduating in 1944. Progressive retina disease through his childhood let to Ernie’s complete loss of eyesight in his mid twenties. Forced to pursue a new career path he received training in piano tuning and repair at the Illinois Training Center for the Blind.
Ernest’s forty-plus career as a piano technician included employment with The Kimball Piano Co., Lyon & Healy Co., and finally the Chicago Board of Education, retiring in 1991 after 30 years of service keeping Chicago Public School pianos in tune. He was a hard and dedicated worker traveling all over the city, for most of those years by bus and train, visiting his assigned schools About 1954 at a social organization for the blind he met Elizabeth Doonan who he married in a small church ceremony in her hometown of Reynolds, Illinois. Ernie and Liz settled on the far northwest side of Chicago and raised three boys, Martin, Christopher and Dan.
In 1968 he purchased a home in the Portage Park neighborhood where he lived the rest of his life. In 2009 Ernie welcomed grandson Luca Garret, son of Dan and daughter-in-law Nicole into the world. An active member of Messiah Lutheran Church and School he served on the Board of Education and later as a deacon.
The importance of family, friends and neighbors helped set his priorities and drive his principles. His Christian Faith served as a compass which guided him his entire life. His gentle strength, courage, perseverance and good nature was a great inspiration to all those that knew him.
Ernest Kummetz died peacefully at home on May 25, 2019. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ernest F. Kummetz please visit our Sympathy Store.
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