Ernest L. W. Feil

Ernest Lawrence Wilhelm Feil, 92, died Saturday, May 13, 2017 in San Rafael, California following complications from a brief illness.

The eldest son of two immigrants from Germany, father Hanke Feil and mother Erna Nietmann Feil, Ernest was born in San Francisco California in 1925.  After living a short time in Oakland, California he attended Petaluma High School and later worked at a lumber mill, and other jobs as an equipment operator, and a crew supervisor at dairy farms.

He is survived by his brother Wilhelm “Bill” Feil, Petaluma, and his sister, Stormy Feil Hope.   He joins his other siblings Margaret Feil Reese, Richard “Dick” Feil, and Walter Feil who have gone before him.

In his mid-20s, Ernest served the United States Army specializing in communications installation and maintenance.  He was stationed in Tacoma Washington and served overseas in England.  He was honorably discharged from the Army and pursued technical training in electronics.  Living in Eureka, California, he opened a radio and television repair shop.

In 1960 he married Eva Ruth Miller and was the step-father of her four young children, Richard Miller, Sylvia Miller Peterson, Robert “Bob” Miller, and Charlie “Chuck” Miller.

A long time Petaluma resident of over 50 years, Ernest was a faithful member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church and enjoyed bowling, fishing, and gardening.  Ernest was dedicated to his faith in Christianity beginning as a teenager and followed his beliefs throughout his life.

Public memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran, 455 Mc Near Ave., Petaluma California.   Family burial service will take place at Cypress Hill, Petaluma.