Margaret Mary “Peggy” Inman Ernst (nee Behen), 95, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Donald Inman; second husband, David Ernst; son-in-law, Lenny Lewandowski; sisters, Jane (Bob) Einheuser, Mary Lou (Frank) Fogarty; brothers, Denny (Sally) Behen, Pat (Nancy) Behen, Edward Behen, Jim Behen; sister-in- law Anne (Jerry) Behen; siblings-in-law, Paul (June) Inman, Larry (Norah) Inman, Jerry Inman, Dee Inman.
Peggy is survived by her brother, Jerry Behen; sister-in-law Andrea (Jim) Behen Hayes, her sister- in-law Nancy (Jerry) Inman, her sons, Mike (Sue) Inman, Denny (Cindy) Inman, Ted (Sharon) Inman; daughter Beth Lewandowski; daughter-in-law, Ruth Inman, step-daughter, Chris (Steve) Crandall; step-sons, Randy Ernst, Mike Ernst; step-daughter-in-law, Annie Hooker; grandchildren, Mike Inman, Brian (Margo Harrison) Inman, Dana (Jake) Pinkava, Lauren (Peter) DiRocco, Alex Inman, Joe Inman, Amy (Tim) Harmon, Lacey (Mark) Campinell, Landon (Anne) Lewandowski; step-grandchildren, Matt (Maggie) Crandall, Liz (Phil) Yeiter, Corina (Alex) Glover, Devan Ernst, Jesse Hooker, Jordan Hooker Jennifer Hooker, Jeremy Hooker, Julie Hooker, Judith May Hooker; great-grandchildren; Eliza Harrison Inman, Angelina and Lyla DiRocco, Skylar and Blair Pinkava, Carter, Cole, Colin and Josephine Campinell, Lenny Lewandowski; great step-grandchildren, Allen Unger, David Crandall, and Kendal, Avery and Paige Yeiter. Peggy graduated from Aquinas College (BA) and Western Michigan University (MA). She taught for decades at both St. Stephen’s School in East Grand Rapids, Michigan, and in Grand Rapids Public Schools, mostly as a reading specialist but also as an elementary school teacher. Peggy loved reading, tennis, golf, bridge, her friends and family, summers with her family and extended family on the Thornapple River, playing golf into her late 80’s and reading her Kindle until two weeks ago. She volunteered at the coffee shop at Blodgett Hospital where she was known to make a mean milkshake. Peggy drove to daily Mass until a month ago and has resided with her daughter Beth Lewandowski for the last few years in Hockessin, Delaware.
Visitation will be held from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home, 3980 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, with a vigil at 8:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, January 19, 2024, at St. Robert of Newminster Catholic Church, 6477 Ada Drive, Ada, MI 49301, visitation one hour prior. Concelebrants Rev. Logan Weber and Msgr. Ernest Schneider. Interment Cascade Township Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to DA Blodgett-St. John’s, 2172 Dean Lake Avenue, N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49505.
8 Responses
Beth, you and the family are in our prayers. Your Mom was an amazing person and had a great life and story. Mark, Elizabeth and the girls.
Aunt Peg was a great lady and lived a long, fruitful life. We will keep the entire family in our prayers.
All of you are in my prayers. She was a great lady and passed so much on to all of you and others. 🙏🙏
Dear Beth, Lauren, Lacey & Landon,
You are all in my thoughts &!prayers. Beth your mom was an amazing woman and I always thought very highly of her. She reminded me of my grandmother. I know you all will Carry find memories of her. She will always watch over you all from above.
Gail & Barry
Dear Beth,
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Jim and Mary Keith McDonald
Dear Beth, Lauren, Lacey and Landon,
Your family and mom are in our prayers and thoughts. She was a wonderful woman and mother.
‘A good life leaves behind seeds that keep growing. Your mother’s values and love of family, all live on in you!’ What a wonderful legacy!
Kathi and Steve Peeke
Beth and Family, while I did not know your mother, the legacy she leaves behind in both her family and good deeds are a model to strive toward. Peggy will always be with us in spirit and for that I am thankful.
Ted and Sharon,
Sorry to learn about the passing of you mother.
Thinking of you during this difficult time.