Ernest Harold Brogan

Ernest Harold Brogan was born August 17, 1918 in Ardmore, Oklahoma. He was the son of Johnnie C. and Emma (Emmie) Jane Brogan. He moved with his family at an early age to the Blackwell area, where he attended school. Ernest was taught about hard work as a youth, assisting his father in the operation of a 160 acre farm. He was often called upon to use a team of horses to plant, cultivate and harvest crops of cotton, corn, hay and small grains. Additionally, he was required to feed and water the livestock, milk dairy cattle and perform minor repairs on farm equipment.

On May 15, 1942, Ernest left the farm and entered into the service of his country during World War II. He was assigned as a Private First Class in the 350th Infantry, 39th Combat Engineers, where he assisted in the construction and repair of roads and bridges during the allied advance through Sicily, Naples Foggia and Rome. For his service, Ernest was decorated with the following awards: Good Conduct Medal, European and Mediterranean Service Ribbon with Silver Service Star and Bronze Arrowhead. He was honorably discharged on September 25, 1945 and returned to Oklahoma to assist his father on another farm, near Maramec.

Ernest was married to Mildred G. Armbrister on February 24, 1946 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The couple made their initial home in rural Pawnee County as Ernest continued to work as a farmer. The couple moved to Kansas for a couple of years in 1955 as Ernest accepted employment farming wheat and corn. In 1957, the couple returned to Oklahoma as Ernest began working in the oilfields around Pawhuska, Cherokee and then Kingfisher. The later accepted employment for the City of Kingfisher, working for the street department. In 1969, the couple moved to Cleveland when Ernest accepted employment with the City of Cleveland. He was hired as the sextant of the Woodland Cemetery for nearly eighteen years. Additionally, Ernest worked for the Chapman-Black Funeral Home, making cemetery setups throughout the area. Ernest retired in 1987 but continued to assist at the cemetery for a couple of more years. He was also a volunteer firefighter form 1969 through 1979.

Ernest was a faithful member of the First Assembly of God Church. His hobbies included collecting bottles of all types and he enjoyed country western and gospel music. He was an active member of the American Legion, Everett Taylor Post #1. Mildred preceded him in death on January 9, 1990. After the death of his wife, Ernest started dating Tina McMillan and they have continued to enjoy each others company for the past fourteen years.

Ernest passed away on Friday, July 23, 2004 at the Cleveland Area Hospital at the age of eighty five years, eleven months and six days. In addition to his wife, Mildred, Ernest was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Little Maudie; two sisters, Lucille Manningly and Francis Novatny and a brother, Robert Brogan.

He is survived by four nephews, John Novotny of Pawnee, Oklahoma, James Novotny of Pawnee, Oklahoma, Floyd Novotny of Ponca City, Oklahoma and Ray Brogan of Claremore, Oklahoma; five nieces, Dorothy Johnson of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Donna Vigil of Pawnee, Oklahoma, Pat Hungerford of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Sue Williams of Clovis, California and Shirley Johns of Carmel, Indian; numerous other nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends; including a special friend, Tina McMillan. .

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, July 28, 2004 at the First Assembly of God Church in Cleveland with Pastor Dan Edens, Rev. George Boston and Dakota Rush officiating. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Ernest Brogan at www.chapman-black.com.