Ernie graduated from Morrisonville High School in 1940 and attended Shurtleff College in Alton, IL for a short time before beginning work at Laclede Steel in Alton, IL. He enlisted in the Marine Corps at the start of WWII, and served in the Pacific Campaign until his honorable discharge with a rank of Corporal in 1945.
He married Alma Rose Millburg, his high school sweetheart, on October 11, 1945. Ernie then began a career as a grocer and butcher, owning a number of grocery stores throughout southern Illinois, before retiring in 1984. His last store was Ernie’s Market in Pocahontas.
He was a member of St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Breese.
Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, Oberto and Adele (Monetti) Menietti; his wife Alma, who died September 2, 2002; a brother, Dominic Menietti; and a grandson , Michael John Menietti.
Surviving are his children, Michael (Emily) Menietti of Valrico, FL, Douglas (Stephanie) Menietti of Iowa City, IA, Judith (Jim) Allard of Lake, MI, Anna (Terry) Davis of Webster Groves, MO, Allen (Darlene) Menietti of Breese, IL, Bonnie (Carl) Dasenbrock of Auburn, GA, and William (Lori) Menietti of Citrus Springs, FL; 18 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson.