Carroll August “C.A.” Ernst, age 81, of Marietta, Georgia, formerly of Centralia, Illinois, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, May 28, 2021. Carroll graduated with Centralia Township High School’s “Class of 1957.” He went on to earn his Real Estate Broker’s license almost 50 years ago in Colorado and subsequently several other states. Carroll’s adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit led him to a long career in real estate sales and marketing. With his strong sales, marketing, management, and coaching skills, Carroll pioneered many unique marketing and sales techniques in various facets of the Real Estate field. Over his long career, Carroll was President or CEO of several major real estate firms in Colorado, Michigan, South Carolina, Florida, and most recently Georgia, where he retired several years ago after serving for 20 years as President/Broker of his own real estate firm, U.S. Home Buyers Assistance Corp. Carroll’s many interests included flying, where he earned his private pilot license when he was in his 20’s. He loved basketball, and with his height of 6’4,” he played and coached several winning men’s league basketball teams. He loved tennis and was an avid player. In the mid-1980’s, Carroll earned his scuba diving license, then throughout the years, in his “spare” time, he became a master scuba diver, a scuba instructor, and a certified cavern diver. His love of motorcycles was well known among his friends, which began when he was a teenager, and he remained passionate about it all his life. Carroll was a committed Christian and a member of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church of Marietta, Georgia. He loved the Lord and shared his faith in Jesus throughout his life.
Celebration of Life Services for Mr. Carroll August Ernst will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois, with Pastor Karl Barnfield officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery in his hometown of Centralia, Illinois. As a result of current national health circumstances, friends are invited to join with Mr. Ernst’s family via Live Stream at www.moranfuneralhome.net on his obituary page at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Ernst’s honor to Samaritan’s Purse and will be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home at 134 South Elm Street in Centralia, Illinois. Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mr. Ernst’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home’s Facebook page.
Carroll is survived by his wife of 38 years, Laura Ernst; son, Rick Ernst and wife Patricia; four grandsons, James Ernst, Jr., Aaron Ernst and his wife Janet, Joshua Ernst and Jeremy Ernst and their wives; fourteen great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Bunny Ernst of Orlando, Florida; beloved nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.
He was born on November 19, 1939, in Centralia, Illinois, the son of Gaustav August and Ruby Fern (Schneider) Ernst. He married Laura Cantilena on October 25, 1983 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and she survives him in Marietta, Georgia. Carroll was preceded in death by his two sons, Mark Ernst and James Ernst, and his sister, Naomi Crowell.
