Ernest K. “Ernie” Sickles

By | February 12, 2021

Ernest K. “Ernie” Sickles, age 66, of Wellston, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, from Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe, from complications of COVID-19.  He was born Sept. 16, 1954 in Gallipolis, Ohio to Ira Clifford Sickles and Judith Eileen Parks Sickles. 

Ernie was a 1972 graduate of Jackson High School.  He retired from Montgomery Trucking Company, where he was employed for 26 years.  Ernie was a Godly man who was a faithful member and first elder at Rt. 327 Holiness Church in Ray.  He always enjoyed going to local nursing facilities and visiting with and singing to the residents.  Ernie was also a diehard Ohio State Buckeyes fan.  He was a kind and caring person who never met a stranger and would always light up any room with his smile when he walked in.  To know Ernie was to love him. 

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Debbie (Bartlett) Sickles; mother, Judy Sickles of Jackson; daughters, Nikki Sickles and Natasha Sickles, both of Wellston; brothers, Ronnie Sickles and Clifford Sickles (Linda) of Wellston, and Charles Sickles of Jackson; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Pam Pittenger (Dean), Danny Bartlett (Linda), Tom Bartlett (Rhonda) and Terry Rinehart, all of Wellston; along with several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  Ernie was also blessed with Godchildren, Shane Barney, Daniel Caudill, Andrew and Krista Carter, Emileigh Bapst and Evan Dunn. 

Ernie was preceded in death by his father, Ira Sickles; grandparents, Jacob and Laura Sickles and Orville and Nellie Parks; brother, Paul Edward Sickles; sisters, Shirley Wilson and Trish Sickles; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Danny and Marlene Bartlett; sisters-in-law, Janet Sickles, Donna Sickles, Margie Sickles and Angie Rinehart; brother-in-law, Tony Bartlett; nephew, Danny Lee Bartlett III; great-great-niece, Kaydence Merrill; as well as several aunts and uncles. 

Calling hours will be Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home in Wellston.  Funeral service will be Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, at 1 p.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home with Pastor Brian Carpenter officiating.  Burial will follow in the Byer Cemetery. 

For those who choose to attend the services, facial coverings are required inside the building along with the practice of social distancing.  Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.mcwilliams-funeralhome.com