Ernest Charles Haeger, Jr.

Ernest Charles Haeger, Jr., aged 96 years, departed this life on October 14, 2020 in Satellite Beach, Florida.  Ernie was born on June 4, 1924 to Ernest and Minnie Johnson Haeger in Miami Dade, Florida, the eldest of the couple's three sons.  He joined the United States Navy prior to the US entering WWII and was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida.  During the war, Ernie served proudly on a US Naval Air Station on the Caribbean Sea.  There he maintained the aircraft fighting the Battle of the Caribbean—a combination of operations protecting US and Allied shipping in that region from German U-boats.  The Navy awoke Ernie's love of flying.

After the war, Ernie became part-owner of a crop-dusting business in Corpus Christi, Texas and taught himself how to fly.  But he could not stay away from Miami for long, returning to his hometown after only a couple of years.  In Miami, Ernie maintained a Piper Cub at the Tamiami Airstrip, precursor to Miami Executive Airport.  And he flew commercial flights all over the US for non-scheduled airline companies (small airlines).  It was during one of these flights that he met the love of his life, stewardess Joan Morris.  Ernie endeavored to impress Miss Morris by taking her up in the Piper Cub for acrobatic flights.  Despite this, she married him on September 27, 1953.

The couple settled in Miami until Ernie was offered a position as a Senior Pilot with Dominican Airlines in the Dominican Republic.  During their nine years in the DR Ernie flew for the airline and taught night-time instrument-only flying.  He eventually took over responsibility for running the airline.  By the time the family moved back to Miami, it included five daughters.

Upon his return Ernie gave up the flying game.  He and Joan went into business together, owning and operating coin laundries and residential rental properties until they retired.  They eventually moved one last time—to Satellite Beach where Ernie became greatly loved and respected in the community.  He became a lifetime member of the Mahi Shriners and the Masons, where he served as a Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star.  Before his death at age 96, he was the oldest living member of his Lodge.

Ernie was preceded in death by his loving wife Joan and his brothers, Alton and Neal.  He is survived and sorely missed by his five devoted daughters:  René Yvonne Wenleder, Bunny Marie Templeton (Toni), Penny Sue Farley (Tim), Sandy Lynn Bates (Gary), and Debbie Lou Haeger.  Ernie is also survived and missed by his grandchildren, Brett Wenleder, MD (Michelle), Courtney Wenleder, MT/MBA (Edward Liversidge), and Alison Bernier, RN/BSN (Sam), as well as his great-grandchildren Charles Bernier (10), Ava Wenleder (9), Grayson Bernier (8), Ashleigh Liversidge (7), Aubrey Wenleder (6), and Amber Liversidge (6).