PERSINGER, Ernest Eugene - b. January 15, 1935 - d. March 4, 2021

[patyrn]

Ernest Eugene Persinger, age 86, formerly of Longton, Kansas, passed away March 4, 2021 at Emporia Place in Emporia, Kansas.  He was born January 15, 1935 in rural Elk County, Kansas to Earl and Millie (Chamberlain) Persinger.

Ernest was raised alongside two brothers and graduated from Longton High School.  After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and spent his time at Fort Riley, Kansas working on the Berlin Wall project.

On January 31, 1958, Ernest married Margaret Dyer in Longmont, Colorado.  They raised two sons together, James and Jeff.  They were married 44 years until her passing in 2002.  Early in their marriage, they lived in Denver, Colorado while working for Martin-Marietta Company.  In 1959 they moved back to Longton, Kansas where they farmed and raised cattle.  They co-owned Frontier Auction and Realty and Persinger Sales and Service for more than 30 years.

Ernest loved the auctioneer chant, and it was evident in his work.  In 1979, he was awarded the Kansas Auctioneer of the Yer Award, and he was President of the Kansas Auctioneer Association in1979.  He spent several years auctioneering at South Coffeyville Stockyards on sale days alongside running his own auctioneer service.

Ernest is survived by his sons, James (Jeanne Jolley) Persinger of Ogallala, Nebraska and Jeff (Glenda) Persinger of Donna, Texas; five grandchildren, Taylor Persinger of Kearney, Nebraska, Cody Persinger of Ogallla, Nebraska, Bret (Stacy) Persinger of Wichita, Kansas, Travis (Amy) Persinger of Garnett, Kansas, and Nathan (David) Persinger of Donna, Texas; and six great-grandchildren, Bentley, Maddux, Easton, Seneca, Carter, and Alexis; his sister-in-law, Mary Lou Persinger of Emporia, Kansas; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret; and his brothers, Richard and Bill. 

Funeral will be held on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Longton United Methodist Church in Longton, Kansas.  Interment will follow in the Longton Cemetery.  Memorial contributions can be made to the Longton United Methodist Church and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.  Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)