Yvonne Colleen Johnson Ernst

Yvonne was born on February 28, 1926, in Lancaster and passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on Monday, June 4, 2018, at Homestead Village. She lived her entire life in Lancaster, graduating from J.P. McCaskey High School in 1944. She married her high school sweetheart, Bill Johnson, in 1945, and had one daughter, Deborah. ] Shortly after her marriage, she commuted daily by train to Cosmetology School in Harrisburg. After licensure, she worked alongside her mother-in-law for many years in her shop in Lancaster. Her second career was as both the private secretary to the President of RCA, and as a computer specialist there. She was in charge of programming the “big computer,” which at that time took up an entire room. Both she and Bill retired in 1986 when his health declined. They had several more years together before he succumbed to his condition in 1995. Yvonne kept busy by enjoying her many lady friends, the Red Hat Club, playing cards every week, volunteering for Hospice and at her church, singing in the choir. As an active member of Faith United Church of Christ, she served as a Deacon, Elder, Secretary of the Consistory and was the first woman to become the President of the Consistory of the church. She was very proud of her membership with the Millersville VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Yvonne was fortunate to find a second sole mate in her later years. In 2009, she married Ken Ernst, also of Lancaster. Together they had many good years traveling and laughing! They were a great couple, helping and caring for each other through their senior years. Yvonne’s health was declining slowly, and Kenny’s death took a great toll on her. His son, Bob and his wife Cheryl were a tremendous support and consolation to her after his death. Also preceding Yvonne in death were her mother, Marian Irene (Shiffler) and her father Charles L. Warfel, twin sisters Fay (Shenk) and Fawn (Biddle), and her brother Charles L. Warfel, Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Deborah J., wife of James Scaife, Fortuna, CA, and step son, Bob, husband of Cheryl Ernst, Lancaster, PA; three grandchildren, Rebeccah Baird, Sarah Baird Weinhardt, Julie Scaife Johansen; two step grandchildren, Jason, husband of Lauren Ernst, and Kristin, wife of Raymond Hall, Jr., one great grandson, Tripp Johansen, three step great grandchildren, Chloe Rose Hall, Dylan Ernst, and Nolan Ernst. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Service at Faith United Church of Christ, 1204 Wabank Road, Lancaster, PA 17603 on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with the Pastor John Reiker officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. The interment will take place at Riverview Burial Park afterwards. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Faith United Church of Christ, 1204 Wabank Road, Lancaster, PA 17603 to the attention of the Organ Fund in her memory.