PENNELLVILLE — Earnest L. Milstead died on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017. He was 92. A man with a strong faith and love of his family, he will be missed by his many relatives and his loving wife of 69 years.

Mr. Milstead was born on Aug. 19, 1924, to the late Mavis (née Henson) and Dewey Milstead in Decatur, Illinois. He graduated from Decatur’s high school in 1942, and joined the United States Navy shortly after, serving through World War II until 1946. His wife, Gladys (née Beebe) Milstead, said he volunteered rather than be drafted so that he could choose where he would go. He served mainly in the Pacific Theater.

While in the Navy, Mr. Milstead was stationed in the Great Lakes region with Mrs. Milstead’s cousin, who told her she might be interested in Mr. Milstead.

“And we started a correspondence, and one thing led to another,” she said.

The two were married in July 1948. Mrs. Milstead grew up in the Hilltowns of Knox and Berne, and she and her husband both liked living in New York State. They moved to Hoosick Falls after getting married, and later Scotia when Mr. Milstead got a job working at the General Electric plant in Schenectady.

They had three children together, and the family then moved to Pennellville in Oswego County when Mr. Milstead was transferred to the Syracuse plant. He worked as an electrician for 31 years before retiring in 1985.

After retiring, Mr. Milstead became the custodian for the North Syracuse Baptist Church for 25 years. A born-again Christian, he also volunteered as an usher and did some electrical work for his church. He had a very strong faith, said his daughter, Carolyn Comer.

“That’s why we’re at peace, because we know he’s in heaven,” she said.

Mrs. Comer said there are plenty of silly stories to tell about her father. When she was in high school, she volunteered him for a basketball game where the players rode donkeys. He got off his donkey and pushed it forward to make a basket.

When greeting his grandchildren, Mr. Milstead would jab his index finger into their sides and ask “Do I bore you?,” said Mrs. Comer.

She added that he always visited her family in Missouri. While visiting, he discovered their new puppy did not know to go into its doghouse. Mrs. Comer said her father, over six feet tall and in his 60s at the time, crawled in and out of the doghouse until the puppy understood.

Mr. Milstead also liked crossword puzzles, taking walks, and playing with his dog that he had for 14 years; but more than anything, said his wife and daughter, he loved to spend time with family.

“He was wonderful,” said Mrs. Comer. “He was a very gentle spirit.”

****

Earnest L. Milstead is survived by his wife, Gladys (née Beebe) Milstead; his children, Diane Navin, and her husband John, Carolyn Comer, and her husband Jim, and David Lee Milstead; his seven grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. He is also survived by his brothers, Larry Milstead, and Glenn Milstead; and his nieces and nephews.

Calling hours were held on Feb. 7, followed by a service immediately after at the Allanson-Glanville-Tappan Funeral Home in Phoenix, New York. Pastor Douglas Miller officiated, and Josh Comer sang a solo.

A burial with military honors will be held in the spring at Pennellville Cemetery on County Route 54, Pennellville, NY 13132.

— H. Rose Schneider