Ernest Roy Dehart, 89, of Wabash, Indiana, died at 6:44 pm, Sunday, January 25, 2026, at Parkview Wabash Hospital. He was born on September 28, 1936, in Morehead, Kentucky, to Melvin and Hazel (Benion) Dehart.
Ernest married Betty Ann Brown on November 7, 1959, in West Liberty, Kentucky. The two shared nearly forty years of marriage before her passing on May 7, 1999. He worked for many years at US Gypsum in Wabash, retiring in 1988. Ernest attended the First Church of God in Wabash and lived a life grounded in faith, family, and community. A passionate coon hunter, Ernest loved being outdoors. He had a knack for fixing things, a fondness for westerns, and a gift for striking up conversations with just about anyone. Above all, he treasured time spent with his family. He was an enthusiastic sports fan, especially of the NBA, and he proudly cheered for both the Indiana Hoosiers and the Kentucky Wildcats.
He is survived by two daughters, Debra (Greg) Dawes of La Fontaine, Indiana, and Lori (Doug Kindley) Parsons of Wabash, three grandchildren, Jacob Parsons of Wabash, Colton Dawes of La Fontaine and Captain Makenna Dawes of the US Army. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, grandson, Justin Michael Parsons, three brothers, Thomas, Paul, and Edgar Dehart, and seven sisters, Gay Yohman, Fern Flanery, Mary Music, Essie Orpurt, Jewell Walker, Monie Collins, and Marie James.
Funeral services will be 10:30 am, Friday, January 30, 2026, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Pastor Terry Canfield officiating. Entombment will be in Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Marion. Friends may call 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Thursday, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial is First Church of God.
The memorial guest book for Ernest may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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