Fred Albert Ernst, who resided near Charleston, Arkansas, died Tuesday,  October 17, 2023, at Baptist Health Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born on April 23, 1939, in Humboldt County in Eureka, California, to the late Albert John Ernst and Peggy Clarabelle (Purvis) Ernst. He was 84 years old. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, David Ernst and Steve Ernst; and a daughter-in-law, Melody Blair Ernst.

Fred was an U.S. Army veteran of both the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was a graduate of the University of Arkansas and for many years, was an accountant. He also worked for the Booneville Human Development Center, and for the Franklin County Sheriff's Department. Fred did some preaching and was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church in Charleston.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 20th at First United Methodist Church in Charleston, with the Rev. Claire Thompson officiating. Inurnment will be at the columbarium in the First United Methodist Church in Charleston. Cremation arrangement and services are under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sarah (Thompson) Ernst; two sons, Brent Ernst of Maumelle, Arkansas, and Blair Ernst and wife Sarah of Bella Vista, Arkansas; a sister, Donna Freed of Phoenix, Arizona; two brothers, Bob Ernst and Edward Ernst, both of Phoenix, Arizona; three grandchildren, Megan Petrarca and husband JP, Beau Ernst and Benjamin Ernst; and one great-grandson, Dominic Thompson Petrarca.

Honorary pallbearers are Reed Haynes and John Frank Pendergrass.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.