He was born August 6, 1944, at Kayford WV, a son of the late Harry and Opal Marie Norton Pettry. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Madeen Franklin.

Ernie was a retired foreman for Cedar Coal Company and an Army veteran.

Survivors include his wife, Gale Harper Pettry of Amma; children, Jerry Pettry of Elkview WV, Hope Orr of North Carolina, Lena Parsons of Elkview, Genette Tallman of Looneyville WV, and Nichole Craddock of Spencer WV; brothers, Ed Pettry of Ohio and David Pettry of Amma; sisters, Marie Hamrick of Spencer and Marceline Carroll of North Carolina; 17 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and two step grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, April 19 at 1:00 p.m. in the John H. Taylor Funeral Home, Spencer, with the Rev. Richard Webb officiating. Burial, with military honors, will be in the Pettry Cemetery, Amma.

Friends may call Monday after 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed online at taylorfuneralhomeinc.com