NORTH MANCHESTER – Ernest L. Wampler Jr., 86, of Silver Lake, and formerly of North Manchester, died at 12:25 p.m. Aug. 26, 2012, in Miller’s Merry Manor, Huntington.
He was born Sept. 21, 1925, in Allen County, to Ernest L. Sr. and Elizabeth Whitaker Wampler. In March 1945, he married Faith Janet Wall, who died in August 2000. On June 25, 1965, he married Marian R. Wampler, who died Sept. 18, 1988. On March 21, 1992, he married Beatrice Jester, who survives.
He was former owner of Wampler Jewelers, North Manchester, which he founded in 1952. He graduated from Northside High School, Fort Wayne, and attended Elgin (Ill.) Watchmakers School, Elgin. Since 1954, he was a member of Kiwanis Club, North Manchester, and was a past president. He had also served the Kiwanis Club as lieutenant governor of Arrowhead Division of Indiana.
Also surviving are three sons: Steve (and spouse Sylvia) Wampler, Springfield, Mo.; David (and spouse Beth) Wampler, North Manchester; and Jim Wampler, Warsaw; two daughters, Carolyn (and spouse Marvin) Stine, Silver Lake, and Gwen (and spouse William) Huddleston, North Manchester; three stepsons; five step- daughters; and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, two brothers and three sisters.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, with Pastor J.P. Freeman officiating. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester.
Calling is from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. ***** Memorials may be made to North Manchester Kiwanis Club.
