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Obituary for Ernest "Ernie" John Baiotto
Ernie Baiotto went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on March 1, 2015. Funeral services will be held 1:30 PM on Tuesday, March 10th at the Valley Evangelical Free Church in West Des Moines. Visitation will be held with family from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 9th at the Earlham Community Center Earlham. A private family burial will be held following. Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Ernie was the sixth child of John and Veda (Clouse) Baiotto, born in the north coal mining camp of Pershing, Iowa on August 23, 1933. He started school in Pershing, continued in Illinois Grove, Zearing and Clemens, Iowa where he graduated in 1950. Ernie attended William Penn College in Oskaloosa, where he graduated in 1954, with a BA. While at William Penn he met his future wife Joyce Anne Holthaus. They were married June 27, 1954 in Colesburg, Iowa. To this union two boys were born.
Ernie’s passion of serving the Lord gave him the privilege of serving as Pastor in many churches: Bear Creek Friends and Earlham Presbyterian – Earlham, Canby Friends - Casey, Fontenelle Christian Church, Dexter Presbyterian, Stuart Congregational and his final church Fairview Community south of Stuart. Ernie and Joyce also attended Earlham Friends Church, Valley Evangelical Free Church, Crossroads Evangelical Free Church, Westkirk Presbyterian and Windsor Presbyterian. Ernie was a Teacher at Earlham Community School where he was a Study Hall Supervisor then taught Biology, Social Studies, Psychology and Family, plus a Junior High Athletics Coach.
In his spare time he helped teach Dale Carnegie classes in west central Iowa and earned Top Salesman. He worked for the development group that started Lake Panorama by holding Dinner Parties at Des Moines restaurants to introduce the new lake project and setup onsite sales visits.
He was a partner in E- J Construction which helped build many local homes pouring concrete, laying block, stone and brick.
In the late 70’s he went to work at Delavan in West Des Moines. As Plant Engineer, he designed and oversaw the construction of Delavan’s expansion building in Carroll, Iowa and retired in 1996.
Ernie also served on many committees and boards: Director of Camp Quaker Heights- Eldora, Started the Earlham Care Program which became Meals on Wheels, Land Committee for Valley Evangelical Free Church and Elder for new church plant Crossroads Evangelical Free Church- Earlham, Chairman of the Delavan Credit Union, Organized Non-Profit Group to build Earlham Swimming plus Construction Manager and Operation Manager, President of Diamondhead Lake Assoc., Lions Club, Door of Faith Des Moines, member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. He was also on the Earlham and Stuart Ministerial Councils.
Ernie was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, Parents, brother Paul, sister Jean Schuler, and grandson Jason Baiotto.
Survivors include Dan (Kathy) of Collinsville, IL., Ron (Clarice) of Dexter. Grandchildren Kristi (Dan) Luechtefeld of Des Peres, MO., Joni (Steve) Horvath of St. Peters, MO., P.J. (Carrie) Perucca of Fenton, MO. , Holly Baiotto of Dexter. Great-Grandchildren Luke, Ellie and Gavin Luechtefeld, Jason and Kailyn Horvath, Francesca and soon-to-be Giuliana Perucca. Sisters Arlene Oberto of Altoona, Margaret (Jim) Dunlap of Zearing, and Gladys McBride of Camanche. Sister-in-law Delpha Mae (Myron) Brockmeyer of Indianola. Many nieces, nephews and friends.
