KENOSHA – Ernest Frederich Kapellusch, 100, passed away March 26, 2017 at Brookdale Kenosha North. Ernest was born the sixth of ten children to Frank and Josephine (Lieacker) Kapellusch on January 21, 1917. Ernie attended St. John's Lutheran School, North Park School, Washington Jr. High and Wm. Horlick High School. As the oldest boy still living at home he had to leave school after 11th grade to help run the family farm. Ernest met his future bride, Helen Emma Oakes, during choir practice at the fledgling Redeemer Lutheran Church in 1934. They married on May 6, 1939 and had three children, Errol, Susan and Wayne. He served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII. Ernie's interests were varied over the years and included raising mink, gardening, fishing, hunting and watching every Cubs and Brewers baseball game. He also fixed cars for family and friends, never charging them except for the parts he had to buy. Ernie was always a hands-on, mechanically minded person. If it had an engine or more than two moving parts, he would take it apart to see if he could restore it. He was a machinist and became a precision grinder, working for J.I. Case, Massey Harris, Webster Electric and Twin Disc where he retired from in 1980. After he convinced Helen to retire they enjoyed traveling to where their children were, visiting his brother Ed in Arizona and seeing all the places where Jesus walked in the Holy Land. Music played an important part of Ernie's life. As a young man, he played accordion at a number of Bars and Clubs. He sang in the Redeemer Lutheran Church choir from 1934 through 2010. Ernie also sang with the Racine Chorale for many years. Ernie was the soloist for many weddings and funerals. He continued singing for resident's birthdays while at Brookdale. If you visited him, you would leave with a song in your heart. His trademark came to be "I Love You a Bushel and A Peck" which he sang on his 100th birthday. Ernie is survived by two sons, Errol (Carol) of Lufkin, TX and Wayne (Cindy) of Wisconsin Rapids, WI; He has ten grandchildren, Kimberly Pfaff (Tom) Schott, Greendale, Alicia Pfaff (Jeff) Fritz, Franksville, Darcy Pfaff Meyer, Caledonia, Jolene Kapellusch (Robert) Leedy, Lufkin, TX, Sara Kapellusch (Michael) Drewery, Nacogodches, TX, Kyle (Carrie) Kapellusch, Arlington, TX, Keith Kapellusch, Port Edwards, Shane (Renee) Kapellusch, Tomahawk, Dustin (Kristin) Kapellusch, Wisconsin Rapids and Jamie Kapellusch. Ernest is further survived by 26 great-grandchildren, Casey and Nicholas Schott, Theresa Fritz (Eric) Carroll, Stephanie Fritz (Jared) Kramer, Stuart (Ashley) Fritz, Christopher and Jacob Meyer, Lance and Luke Prejean, Lufkin, TX, Jaxson and Alexander Kapellusch, Arlington, TX, and Helen, Laura and Jonah Drewery, Joshua Kapellusch, Chattanooga, TN, Jacob (Sarah) Kapellusch, Neceeda, Samantha, Katrina and Kaiden of Tomahawk, and Leah Kapellusch, Wisconsin Rapids. He also has the following great-great grandchildren, Emma and Aiden Carroll, Jazmine and Jordynn Fritz, Boden, Owen and Everett, Chattanooga, TN, and Cheyenne and Emma Kapellusch, Neceeda. Brother, Edward (Shirley) Kapellusch, Mesa, AZ, and one sister-in-law, Barbara Oakes Timler, Bonduel. He is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces and friends. In addition to his parents, his wife Helen, daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Arthur Pfaff, a granddaughter, Kelly Lynn Pfaff, he was preceded by four brothers and sisters-in-law, Frank and Bertie Mae, Clarence and Angie, Lawrence and Lorraine, and Leonard and Elois; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Ruth and Tony Belasic, Ella and Don Peterson, Josephine and John Vaash and Esther and Marvin Short. Special thanks go to Ernie's granddaughters Darcey Meyer, Alicia Fritz and Kim Schott, along with nephew Greg Wilbur and nieces Cheryl Ulcek and Alice Taves. They all preformed valiantly in being "gofers and fetchers" over the years. Your time was greatly appreciated. The family also thanks Tonia Gifford and her staff at Brookdale Kenosha North where Ernie resided. Members of the Grace Hospice Team helped Ernie make the transition from the physical to the spiritual world. They were all superb and caring individuals. Funeral services for Ernie will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. James A. Roemke officiating. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the funeral home on Friday evening from 5 until 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ernie's name to the following would be appreciated: Messiah Lutheran Church, 2026 22nd Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53140, Racine Lutheran High School, 251 Luedtke Avenue, Racine, WI 53405 or the Wounded Warrior Project.I love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck. A hug around the neck and a barrel and a heap, a barrel and a heap and I'm talking in my sleep about you… cause I love you a bushel and a peck, you bet your pretty neck I do. Doodle oodle ooh doo…. Doodle oodle ooh doo…. Doodle oodle oodle ooh doo… I love you.Sleep well Ernie.