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My father, Ernest Harfst, died this month. While he did not still live in Sycamore, I would like to know whether you could add his obituary to your obituary page? Many of his students and co-faculty members would be interested to read it. He lived at 1231 Somonauk Street for years, and taught at Kishwaukee College. He and I were inveterate readers of your online obituary page, and we'd often learn of sad events through your web site.

Sue Ann Harfst

Ernest D. Harfst, formerly of Sycamore, died Monday, July 14, 2008, in Mesa AZ. He was a former Division Chairperson and a Professor of Electricity and Electronics at Kishwaukee College, Malta, IL. Previously, he was a design engineer at Ideal Industries of Sycamore. Ernie was born November 8, 1926, in Havana, IL, to Mrs. Iva Harfst. He enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Force upon his graduation from the Richmond IL High School in 1944, and trained at St. Norbert College in Wisconsin, at Ft. Sheridan, and at Chanute Field. He married Betsy Perteit of Algonquin, IL on August 29, 1948. Ernie is survived by his wife Betsy of Mesa, AZ, his children Sue Ann Harfst of Boise, ID, Michael (Pam) of Milwaukie, OR, and Patrick (Sharon) of Gilbert, AZ, and by his six grandchildren, Erik, Kersten, Alix, Michelle, David, and Rachel. He was preceded in death by his parents Iva and Richard Schmidt of Sycamore. Ernie was a member of the American Legion, a former member of the Civil Air Patrol, and a ham radio operator. He was the one who always preferred to leave a party via the back door, quietly and un-noticed. He carried that theme with him to the end…

(Note to readers-- I was saddened to hear of Ernie's death. He was a quiet, wonderful person who I knew and respected as an educator and a friend in my hobby of Ham Radio. I do not have a contact address for any of Ernie's family except for the e-mail address of his daughter Sue Ann. HarfstS@dhw.idaho.gov Sincerely, Jim Quiram)