Ernest Morris Urech

Ernie was born on September 9, 1940 to Thelma and Ernest Urech in St. Louis, MO. Thelma moved from Arkansas to St. Louis to take a job at Emerson Electric to provide for her daughter, Jacqueline and herself. There she met a handsome foreman named Ernest Urech. Soon they were married and later “Sonny” was born. Ernie’s paternal grandparents, Gottlieb and Ida Stettler Urech met on a ship from Switzerland. They landed at Ellis Island and spent the remainder of their lives together in the United States. He was very proud of his Swiss heritage and often referred to his daughters as one-quarter Swiss misses.

His maternal grandmother, Myrtle, would visit from Arkansas to stay with him during the summers and to go on visits to Oklahoma to visit his aunts, uncles, and cousins.

His only paternal cousin, Betty, was 6 months younger than he. He enjoyed “trouncing” her at Monopoly and other games. She gave him his first classical record album, Bolero, which he often played and “conducted” and of which a portion was played just before today’s service began.

In 1958, he chose the University of Missouri as his future alma mater. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in history, acquired many fond memories and a bond with MIZZOU Football that lasted the remainder of his life. He also enjoyed Tiger Basketball and had a special fondness for the MIZZOU Golden Girls. He was a Cardinals season ticket holder and enjoyed watching the Blues.

Ernie taught history at Pattonville where he met Majiel Smith. They were married on June 12, 1976. Ernie and Majiel had three children, Mandy, Barry, and Bree. He soon became a “chauffeur” first pushing strollers around the block and later driving them to their activities. He was an involved spectator at their sporting events and has been heard on more than one occasion saying, “What’s he/she doing out there?” when a play didn’t go as he wished. He enjoyed his grandchildren Emily, Joshua, Luke, and Zachary Jorn, Kelby and Cecilia Boyle.

Ernie was a collector. He never threw anything away and amassed huge collections of books, political items, coins, stamps, record albums and CDs and other miscellany.

He leaves to mourn, his wife for over 44 years Maijel Smith Urech; his children, Mandy (Matthew) Jorn, Barry Urech, and Bree (Patrick) Urech-Boyle; his grandchildren, Emily, Joshua, Luke, and Zachary Jorn, Kelby and Cecilia Boyle. He is also survived by several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: Ernest and Thelma Urech; half-sister, Jacqueline and his aunts, uncles, and some cousins.

Ernie was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Memorials may be made to the Tiger Scholarship Fund (TSF).

To view a livestream of Ernest's Funeral Service, please visit the following link - http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/41784

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