Dorothy Denise Ernst

Dorothy Denise Ernst was born to the late Gilbert Wayne and Joan Ernst, in Indianapolis, IN. on February 6, 1956.  She passed away unexpectedly on the morning of June 6, 2022, at the young age of 66, leaving us way before her time.

Growing up she chased her big brother (Gilbert Ernst Jr.) around trying to keep him out of trouble.  The two of them shared lots of great memories and have gotten closer throughout their lives.  As a child, she enjoyed spending time with her mom and dad and that never changed even as she grew up.  She always found a comfort being at home and with her loved ones.  Dottie attended Howe High School and continued on with her education to become a hair beautician.

Dottie was blessed with a large and loving family and dear friends.  She treasured her children and embraced every moment with her grandchildren.  Her first marriage was to her high school sweetheart, Mike William Sears Sr. on March 2, 1973.  Together they had two children, Mike William Jr. and Jennifer Joan Sears.  Years later she met her second husband, James William Whitmore, while working alongside her mother at Bower’s Envelope and married on February 4, 1987.  Together they had a baby girl, Pamela Dawn Whitmore.  She was divorced at the time of her passing.  Dottie raised her three children with compassion, patience, discipline, love and respect.

Dottie was an excellent cook, enjoyed making meals and serving her loved ones.  Family and close friends looked forward to Christmas time when she would bake for weeks making Christmas cookie trays and homemade bread for everyone.  The goodies would slowly grow to take over her home until the trays were delivered, but she loved it and every year her list would grow.  Being a beautician she was able to style, trim, dye, highlight and cut her loved ones hair which also brought her much joy.

Dottie had a very loving, thoughtful and caring personality unless you got on her bad side.  She had strong opinions and held sternly to her convictions.  She would speak her mind even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear.  She was a beloved mother, grandma, sister, aunt, niece, dear friend and much more.  All who loved her dearly will never forget her and her undying love and caring for others.  She was the matriarch rock of the family and will be sorely missed.

Proceeded in her passing were her parents Gilbert Wayne Sr. and Joan Ernst,  Her late husbands, Mike William Sears Sr. and James William Whitmore,   Her aunts and uncles Dot, Helen, Joe and Bill,  Her cousin Chris Ernst,  Her in laws Margaret and Don Lenich, along with too many other loved family and friends.

Dottie leaves behind three children, Mike William Sears Jr. (Ashley), Jennifer Joan Wooldridge (Jason) and Pamela Dawn Whitmore,   Two grandsons, Jacob R. and Justin R. Wooldridge,  Four granddaughters, Abriel, Jamie, Charley Ann and Miley Sears,  Her brother Gilbert Wayne Ernst Jr. (Angela),  Sister n laws, Margie Tyler (Steve) and Tammy Loiser (Leslie),  Brother n law, Robert Sears (Elizabeth),   Uncles, Bill Kilmer (Stacey) and Charles Kilmer,  Aunt Joanne Ernst,  Cousins Gary (Cindy) and Lonny Ernst,  Nieces, Nephews, Great Nieces and Great Nephews,  Ginger Pollitt (Kevin) (Brooke and Brittany), Gilbert Ernst III (Gilbert Ernst IV), Chad Ernst (Timothy and Arianna) and Amber Ernst (Kianna, Natasha and Makayla).