Ernest E. Beutel, Sr., age 98 of Monroe died on Sunday, July 8, 2012 at Pleasant View Nursing Home. He was born on February 19, 1914 in Muddelmow, Germany, the son of Wilhelm and Emma (Brink) Beutel. He came to America in 1928, at the age of 14 and settled near Juda. Ernest and Dorothy Mae Smith were married on June 6, 1935 in Freeport, IL. He and his wife farmed in the Monroe area retiring in 1966 when they moved to South Wayne. In 1973 they moved to Monroe where he worked at Roy's Dairy and then worked at the Monroe Senior High School as custodian. In 1984 Ernest and Dorothy then moved to Montello where they had a retirement home. He was a member of Green County Farm Bureau. But most of all Ernest loved spending time with his family and friends, especially spoiling his grand, great-grand and great-great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his children, Ernest (Nancy) Beutel, Jr. of Monroe, John Beutel of Stoughton, David (Sandra) Beutel of Brodhead, Herman Beutel of Argyle, Gloria (Leroy Gavigan) Erickson of Monroe; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren and a sister, Gerda Elmer of Cottage Grove. He is predeceased by his wife, Dorothy; son, James; grandchildren, Bruce, Jason, Erika, Danielle; sister, Alice; brothers, Heinz, Paul, Eric, and son-in-law, Jim Erickson.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home, with Pastor Mary Gafner officiating. Burial will be in the Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Juda. A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 9:00 to 11:00 at the funeral home. A memorial fund is being established in Ernest's memory.

Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.