VISITATION will be held at Hill and Son Funeral Home in Appleton City, Missouri on Friday, May 31, 2019, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

No other SERVICE is planned.

There will be a private family INURNMENT at Appleton City Cemetery in Appleton City, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers MEMORIALS can be made to Trinity Luthern Church, Appleton City, Missouri.

Ernest "Ernie" Charles Hearting, 83, passed away peacefully at Countryside Estates in Appleton City, Missouri on Thursday, May 23, 2019.  Ernie was the son of Frank and Edna May (Witte) Hearting.

Ernie was a lifelong resident of Appleton City and was known for his incredible story telling.  He loved to go to auctions where the auctioneers knew him by name. Ernie treasured everything he bought at the auctions, and always wanted to show you his "new" purchases.

Ernie was known as a hard worker and a brilliant mechanic that worked on anything from small engines to heavy equipment.  He was one of the dozer operators that helped build Stockton Dam.  Ernie worked as a mechanic in the Army, at several local mechanic shops, and had a mechanic shop at his house.

Ernie was very proud of his 1943 M-Farmall tractor, and loved to show it off to everyone.  He would tell how his Farmall beat a John Deere.

If you ever needed anything you could go visit Ernie.  He had three school buses of bolts, over 100 chain saws and numerous tools of every kind, and he knew where everything was located in his shop. He loved to tell the story about the time the show "American Pickers" visited his shop to see all his "wonderful" finds. Unfortunately Ernie would not let the "pickers" leave with any of his prized positions.

Ernie was lifelong member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Appleton City, Missouri.  He was baptized on December 15, 1935 and confirmed on June 25, 1950.

Ernie is preceded in death by his parents and one great grandson Kaden.

Ernie is survived by his children: Eddie Hearting (Hervina), Rick Hearting (Linda), Debi Kidwiler (Mike) and Tina Gates (Cory); sister Kathi Jones; six grandchildren and numerous great- grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.