Ernest “Ernie” Eugene Fought of Warsaw went home into the arms of Jesus at 11:56 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at his residence at the age of 83. 

Ernest “Ernie” Eugene Fought

He was born on Oct. 27, 1935, in Albion, to Winifred Irene (Nelson) Fought and Ernest Owen Fought. On June 5, 1976, he was married to Wilma (Brandt) Snyder Fought, who survives.

Fought enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1954 and served until his honorable discharge in 1958. He attended International Business College for two years and worked as an accountant and office manager for Farm Bureau Co-Op for 33 years.  Ernie kept active and worked at Walmart for 16 years. He moved to Warsaw in 1963 where he was a longtime member of Winona Lake Free Methodist Church and a member of the American Legion Post #49 in Warsaw. Fought was an avid Cub’s fan, a Warsaw sports enthusiast and enjoyed being a member of the Men’s Prayer Breakfast at the church. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. 

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 42 years, Wilma Fought, Warsaw; son Phillip W. (Sara) Fought, Chevy Chase, Md.; two daughters Teresa A. Kirby, Fort Wayne, and Melissa (Mike) Reichard, Fort Wayne; and his step-daughter Celestra Snyder, Wichita, Kan. Also surviving are four grandchildren Cory, Tyler, Becca and Corey; sister Erma Buckles, Columbia City; and two brothers Bryon (Marilyn) Fought, Ligonier, and Harold (Sallie) Fought, Ligonier.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, two sisters and his step-son.              

Visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 24, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. There will also be calling an hour prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday, March 25.

His funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 25, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and officiated by Pastor Rick Hurley.  Burial will follow with a 2 p.m. graveside service at Oak Park Cemetery in Ligonier with military rites conducted by members of the American Legion Post and active duty members of the Air Force Honor Guard.

Memorial donations in Ernie’s name may be directed to Winona Lake Free Methodist Church, 902 College Avenue, Winona Lake, Indiana, 46590 and would be appreciated by the family.