Ernst Macht, Jr., 95, passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2017 in Kenosha.

Born on February 26, 1922, in Leithe, Germany, he was the son of the late Ernst, Sr. and Anna (Potthast) Macht. He immigrated to the United States with his parents at 3 years of age.

He attended Friedens Lutheran Elementary School and graduated from Kenosha High school in 1940.

Ernie enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September of 1940 and served in the South Pacific during World War II. His unit was later attached to a Marine Corp Company. He was honorably discharge in November of 1946 as a Chief Pharmacist’s Mate.

On September 15, 1951, he was united in marriage to Barbara Meyer. She preceded him in death after 43 years of marriage.

On July 26, 2003, he married Margaret Cicchini at Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.

He was a longtime member of Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Through the years, Ernie was employed at Milk Producers and Landgren’s Dairies until they closed their doors. He would finish his working years at the Waukegan Post Office, retiring in January of 1985.

Ernie was privileged to travel to Washington, DC in October of 2011 on the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight with other World War II veterans visiting the World War II Memorial. Later in life he traveled to Germany to visit the sites of his childhood and be reunited with extended family. He was blessed to find a wife who shared his love of travel and together he and Marge explored the world, traveling to Europe, Asia, the Middle East and many other places.

Survivors include Ernie’s wife, Marge; three daughters, Lynn (Gary) Rapaich of Green Bay, WI, LuAnn Macht of Kenosha, and Susan (James) Ries of Plymouth, MN; his grandchildren, Gary (Colleen) Rapaich, II, James (Kristin) Ries, III, John Ries and Meredith Ries. He is also survived by two great grandchildren, Eliana and Jack Ries. He is further survived by Marge’s children, Julianne (Larry) Leff, Carolyn (John) Sutter and Kathy Cicchini and their children.

Ernie’s family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Ganesh Pulla, Jamie and Staff at Kidney Replacement Therapies and Delfina from Right at Home for the wonderful care and personal attention they provided; the cheerful Care-A-Van drivers who transported him to dialysis and Mt. Zion Pastors, Steven Neumann and Scott Bergemann for Ernie’s Spiritual care.

Service Info

Funeral Services honoring Ernie’s life will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 5927 37th Avenue. Interment with full military honors will follow in Green Ridge Cemetery.