Ernest Raymond Fleishauer

Bakersfield resident, Ernest Raymond Fleishauer, went peacefully to be with his Lord on January 22, 2013 at the age of 93. He was born in Shafter, CA on May 27, 1919, the eldest son of Anna and Jake Fleishauer. He grew up, along with his 3 brothers and 2 sisters, on a farm in the Rosedale area. After graduating from Wasco High School and serving in the US Army during World War II, he realized his dream of becoming a pilot and made crop dusting his lifelong occupation. In 1954, he married Bessie Mae Moore, his wife of 23 years, and was father to Rebecca (Jack); Loretta Lanius (Mike) and Wilma Wright (deceased). In October of 1976, he was widowed when Bessie lost her battle with cancer.
On January 1, 1982, Ernie began a new chapter in his life and married Luella Barnes, to whom he has been married 31 years, and together have enjoyed their retirement years. While they were still able, they were very active in the Senior Ministry at Canyon Hills Assembly of God Church, where they also began a nursing home ministry. He loved playing his saxophone, listening to good ol’ gospel music, singing in the men’s quartet & choir at church, reading his Bible and sharing his love for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Ernie was a gentle-strong man … such sweetness … yet such strength. He was a great father, grandfather and man of God that taught us more about life and unconditional love than anyone else ever could. He will be greatly missed!
He is preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Jake Fleishauer, brother Herb Fleishauer, sister Alice Harting, wife Bessie Fleishauer, daughter Wilma Wright and grandson Aaron Wright. He is survived by his wife Luella Fleishauer, daughters, Rebecca (Jack) Allen of Sandstone, MN; Loretta (Mike) Lanius of Delano; Linda (Tom) Meek of Bakersfield; Nancy (Brad) Avansino of Cloverdale, CA; brothers Eugene Fleishauer of Washington; Sydney Fleishauer of Kenai, AK; sister Ann McConchie of Prescott Valley, AZ; 13 grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren.
A graveside service with military honors will be held on February 4th at 10:45 a.m. at the Bakersfield National Cemetery, 30338 E Bear Mountain Rd. in Arvin. Arrangements are being made through Kern River Family Mortuary in Bakersfield. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ernie’s memory may be made to Grindstone Lake Bible Camp, 13222 Grindstone Lake Rd., Sandstone MN 55072.