Ernest Waugh

On Friday June 27, 2025 Ernest Waugh, 95 years old, passed and found his peace.

Ernie was born on October 24th 1929 in Catlettsburg Kentucky to Grady and Sue (Osborne) Waugh. Growing up during the depression and World War 2, Ernest sought out opportunities to work at a young age. He plowed gardens, delivered coal, and worked at a sawmill. At 15, he was hired on a tow boat on the Ohio River. The boat went from Ashland Kentucky to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania delivering gasoline. He never lost his love for the river and made time to sit on the shores in Madison Indiana in his later years.

Ernie came to Muncie with his older brother Carl and eventually started his 30-year career with Borg Warner retiring in 1977.  He was drafted and participated in the Korean war and was honorably discharged.  In addition to being active in UAW Local 287, Ernie was actively involved in the Democrat Party of Delaware County including running for County Commissioner, serving a term as Union Township Trustee and was active within the Masonic Lodge.

Ernie married Madonna Jones in August of 1955 and had two sons, Brian and Bruce and their daughter Brenda.  He bought the family farm and raised his family there as part of the farming community for 50 plus years.

Ernie was best known for his abilities operating his backhoe for his company Waugh’s Excavating Inc. He ran the business as a sideline initially, and after his retirement from Borg Warner, operated it full time for some 20 years. He was always willing to help out those in need and supported his community.

Ernest was proceeded in death by his sisters Edna Mae Bryant, Mildred Wilcoxon and brothers Carl, Paul and James Waugh.  He is survived by his wife of 70 years Madonna, his youngest sister Betty Delaney; son Brian and his wife Melissa (Dehn), son Bruce, and daughter Brenda; Brian’s children Brett, Beth and Noah Dehn, Brianna and Kevin Kern, and great granddaughter Brigette; Brenda’s daughter Brittany and Chris Welsch and great grandchildren Riley, Graham, Grier, and Reese; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors.

A memorial gathering will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Pitman Richman Funeral Home, 200 South Hartford Street, Eaton, Indiana 47338.

Starting at 6:30 pm, Ernie will be honored with a Masonic Service followed by Military Funeral Honors by the Delaware County Veterans Honor Guard.

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