Mr. R.Ernest "Ernie" Bolen

Mr. R. Ernest “Ernie” Bolen North Augusta, SC—Funeral Services for Mr. R. Ernest “Ernie” Bolen, 93, of Hammond Drive, North Augusta, SC, who entered into rest May 3, 2012, will be conducted Monday morning at 11 o’clock from the Grace United Methodist Church. Rev. James D. Dennis, Jr. officiating. Interment in Pineview Memorial Park with Veterans Honors. Mr. Bolen was a native of Santuc, SC, a former resident of Atlanta, GA and Columbia, SC, having made North Augusta his home for the past 16 years. He was the son of George Ryerson Bolen and Ruby Stone Bolen. In 1930, the family moved to Atlanta where Ernie graduated from Boys High School. He enlisted in the US Navy prior to Pearl Harbor and served as a navigator in the Naval Air Corps. He met and married fellow officer (and Navigation instructor) LT (jg) Helen Feleki in 1944. After World War II, he and Helen returned to Atlanta, where they made their home for 35 years. Ernie finished his BS at Georgia Evening College (now Georgia State University) and was an employee of Noland Company until his retirement in 1979. In that year he and Helen moved to Columbia, SC and in 1996 moved to North Augusta, SC, in each case to be closer to family. Ernie was an active member of Delta Sigma Pi Fraternity; Palestine Masonic Lodge, Atlanta, GA; Peachtree Road United Methodist Church,Atlanta, GA; Union United Methodist Church, Irmo, SC; and Grace United Methodist Church in North Augusta; and a lifelong attendee at Boys High reunions. In 1984, he was inducted as a 33rd Degree Mason in the Order of Scottish Rite. Ernie was a long time member of the Senior Golfers’ Association in both Georgia and South Carolina, and recorded his first hole-in-one at age 85. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Diana and Joseph Roy, North Augusta and Roberta and Daniel Benjamin, Lottsburg, VA; a son and daughter-in-law, James and Karen Bolen, Aiken; seven grandchildren, Rebecca Wall, Daniel Benjamin, Jr., Sarah Shealy, Jessica Benjamin, Cynthia Pantsari, Erin Bolen and Matthew Bolen; 13 great-grandchildren; a sister Barbara Florence, Atlanta; a sister-in-law, Dolores Feleki, Atlanta. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Stillwell Sunday School Class. Active Pallbearers will be Jeff Wall, Thomas Wall, Jonathan Wall, Scott Shealy, Sam Shealy, Nicholas Shealy, Matt Pantsari, Keller Pantsari, Danny Benjamin and Matt Bolen. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday afternoon from 3 until 5. Memorials may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, 639 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta, SC 29841. The family expresses appreciation to caregivers, Shannon Fowler and Terri Levy and to the Sterling House of North Augusta for their kind and considerate care of Mr. Bolen. Posey Funeral Directors of North Augusta in charge of arrangements (803.278.1181). Visit the registry online at www.poseyfuneraldirectors.com

Tributes

Mr. R.Ernest "Ernie" Bolen

August 7, 1918 - May 3, 2012