Ernest Frank Contreras

Ernest Frank Contreras born on October 5, 1912, passed away peacefully at 105 years old in his home in La Mirada surrounded by his daughter and extended family on March 11, 2018. Ernie grew up in Whittier, CA where he attended grammar and high school. In 1941 he married his childhood sweetheart, Esther Bernal, also from Whittier. In 1955 they moved to La Mirada where they raised their daughter, Yvonne. They were married for 66 years, until 2007 when Esther passed away.

Ernie was in the US Army serving in WWII from 1944-1946 in the European Theater of Operations as an Anti-Aircraft Artillery Crewman and a Military Police. Upon returning from WWII he began to work at Angeles Furniture Manufacturing where he honed his career as a master wood carver. In the mid-1970s he left Angeles Furniture and continued his carving career with Craft Masters in Santa Fe Springs. When the business moved to Michigan a few years later, Ernie fulfilled a lifelong dream and opened his own business, Contreras Carvings, also in Santa Fe Springs. He continued to work until the age of 100 when he decided to retire.

Ernie was a devoted father, husband and friend. He loved baseball and rarely missed a Dodger or Angel game either in person or on TV. Family vacations were spent exploring California. He loved the mountains and taking road trips along the coast. Lake Tahoe was a favorite destination.

Ernie had a talent for finding abandoned or rescue dogs. His many dogs were often those that showed up wet and hungry on the porch. Or hed see a picture of a dog on a rescue site and would give it a loving home.

Ernie was survived by his daughter, Dr. Yvonne Contreras of Huntington Beach. He also leaves many friends and an extended family of caregivers who helped make his final days comfortable and loving.

Funeral services for Ernie will be held at White Emerson Mortuary in Whittier on Friday, March 16th. Viewing will be from 10:00 11:00 am and services will begin at 11:00 am. Ernie will be interred at Rose Hills Memorial Park located in Whittier.