Ernest Carl Gratz

Ernest Carl Gratz 100, went to be with the Lord on January 18, 2016 at Bennington Health and Rehabilitation Center.Born in Dalhausen, Germany on January 24, 1915 to Ernest Carl Gratz and Selma Bertha Esler. "Ernie" started school in Germany at age three. He came to the United States when he was five years old with his mother and sister as his father had to stay back in Germany. "Ernie" attended school in Adams, Ma. and graduated from Drury High School. He started working part time at age 14 as a Bobbin Boy at the Berkshire Mills. "Ernie" worked at Union Carbide in Bennington, VT for 37.5 years and many of those years as a foreman. "Ernie" married Grace "Nellie" Mable Vallencourt in Bennington, VT on March 2, 1935. He enjoyed bowling, stamp collecting and making jewelry. He was a member of the Shaftsbury Methodist Church for over 70 years and had gone on the Emmaus Walk. He was a member of the Cairo Shriners and would have received his 60 year pin on January 23rd. He leaves two sons: Robert and Mary Gratz of Shaftsbury, VT and Ronaldand Lucia Gratz of College Station, TX. He leaves nine grandchildren:Robert G. and Linda Gratz; Paul and Heidi Gratz; Glenn Gratz; Joseph and Gina Gratz; Dawn (Gratz) and Tim Rieben; Kathrine (Stratton) and Richard Gordon; Melissa Stratton, Dean Stratton and David and Athena Percey. "Ernie" was predeceased by his wife in 1983. Also by two children: Barbara Therriault in 2001 and Rev. Richard Gratz in 2007. A sister: Martha (Gratz) Grant in 1987 and a grandson: LeRoy Gratz in 1989. Memorial donations may be made to the Shaftsbury Methodist Church or the Cairo Shriners though the Hanson and Walbridge Funeral Home on P.O. Box 957 Bennington, VT. 05201. Memorial services will be held at the Shaftsbury Methodist Church, 127 Church St., Shaftsbury, Vt. on Tuesday, January 26th at 11 a.m. Officiating at the service will be Rev. Richard McSherry from the Shaftsbury Methodist Church. A visitation hour will be held one hour prior to the service from 10-11am. Burial will follow in the family plot in the Center Shaftsbury Cemetery. Memorial services will be held at the Shaftsbury Methodist Church, 127 Church St., Shaftsbury, Vt. on Tuesday, January 26th at 11 a.m. Officiating at the service will be Rev. Richard McSherry from the Shaftsbury Methodist Church. A visitation hour will be held one hour prior to the service from 10-11am. Burial will follow in the family plot in the Center Shaftsbury Cemetery.