Ernst J. Behnisch 'Ernie'

Ernie was born on August 1, 1926, in Cedarburg, the son of the late Ernst J. Behnisch and the late Mabel (nee Young) Behnisch. He grew up in Cedarburg and later graduated from Cedarburg High School, in May of 1944. Following a six month stint with the Merchant Marine on the Great Lakes, he was inducted into the United States Army, and spent the rest of WWII with the 6th Ranger battalion, in the Philliphines. After peace was declared, Ernie was assigned to a Military Government unit, where he was a liaison with Japanese officials. In July of 1946, Ernie was honorably discharged from the United States Army and returned to Mercury Marine where he worked as an outboard motor mechanic. By the age of 23, Ernie was selected to set up the company’s first official service training center in Fond du Lac. From then on, the service department grew at a rapid rate and Ernie was then promoted to be the Director of Service Worldwide for Mercury Marine. He traveled abroad throughout the United States as well as Canada, Europe, and Australia, starting training programs in those countries. Ernie was later promoted to represent Mercury Marine on the Corporate Responsibilities Committee of the Brunswick Corporation, Mercury’s parent company, for a two year period. He also served on the Marine Service Council of NAEBM, and conducted numerous seminars at the University of Wisconsin on customer service. Ernie retired from Mercury Marine after 44 years of faithful service in May of 1987. Ernie is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Marilyn (nee Jost) Behnisch, children, Cathy Seippel and Daniel (Karen) Behnisch; grandchildren, Dr. Chelsey Seippel, Ashley Seippel, Jonathan Behnisch, and Elizabeth Behnisch; siblings, LaVonne (Melvin) Eischen, Marianne (Charles) Czisny, and Arbutus (Harold) Greenfeldt; sister-in-law, Marcy Boerner, and brothers-in-law, Ronald (Betty) Jost and Timothy Jost. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Lester Behnisch. Ernie J. Behnisch, of Cedarburg, passed away peacefully at Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital, in Mequon, on April 3, 2013, at the age of 86 years. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Honor Flight Network appreciated.