Sunbury - Chester "Chet" Alan Ernest Sr., 72, of Sunbury, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Chet was born on Dec. 15, 1953, in Franklin Township, Columbia County, a son of Margaret Mae (Beltz) Ernest of Selinsgrove and the late Oscar Chester Ernest who passed away on June 13, 1996. On May 20, 1989, he married the love of life, Susan (Wertz) Ernest.

Chet was a 1972 graduate of Shikellamy High School and SUN Tech where he studied diesel mechanics. He was employed at Whitmer Fuel from the late 1970s until 2025 as a truck driver, Sunbury Municipal Authority for 16 years, Knoebels as a security guard in 2023, and currently a truck driver for Stadium Dirt. Chet passed away doing what he loved — driving truck.

Chet loved helping people. He was a dedicated fire fighter and was a member of the Sunbury Fire Department since 1972. He retired to the Sunbury Fire Police from 2016 until 2025.

Chet's favorite hobbies were hunting, camping, and spending precious time with his family.

Along with his wife, Susan, and his loving mother, Margaret, Chet is survived by two brothers, Kenneth Ernest of Sunbury and Gary Ernest and his wife Cheri of Sunbury; children, Todd Williams of Sunbury, Chet Ernest Jr. and his wife Maria of Corpus Christi, Texas, Brandon Ernest of Sunbury, and Nathan Williams and his wife Macy of Elysburg; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Chet is preceded in passing by his father, Oscar, and his daughter, Traci Jo Ernest, who passed away on Oct. 25, 2004.

A time of visitation will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 1 p.m. until the Celebration of Life at 3 p.m., at George P. Garman Funeral Homes, Inc., 9366 Route 35, Mount Pleasant Mills, Pa., 17853.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial contributions in loving memory of Chet be made to the funeral home to help defray funeral expenses.