ERTLE CORNELIUS

Ertle Dempsey Cornelius, age 102, passed away on Monday, November 6, 2023, with his family by his side.  He was born on August 8, 1921, to Harvey and Delia Cornelius. Dempsey grew up on the family farm as one of ten children and was especially close to his father.  He worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps and later enlisted in the U.S. Army during WW II. Dempsey served with distinction in the 5th Army 91st Division's Italian Campaign, often behind enemy lines.  Before his enlistment, Dempsey married Elizabeth Marie Adams on August 29, 1942, and they were married for over 75 years.  Following the war, he went on to work for the Menasha Corp. for forty years until his retirement.

Dempsey was kind and personable with a great sense of humor.  He was devoted to his family and had a great faith in God.  As a longtime member at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Menasha, he served as a lay minister for many years.  Dempsey's dedication to his family knew no bounds. At the age of seven when his father passed away, Dempsey cared for his siblings and supported them throughout his life.  He also supported community needs, such as the American Red Cross Blood Drive, where he was a multi-gallon contributor. Dempsey was proud of his military service and was truly honored to go on an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. As the oldest WW II Veteran in the Oneida Nation, the tribe honored Dempsey on several occasions.   

He is survived by his children Pat “Cookie” Nielsen and Louis (Pris) Cornelius, grandchildren: Kim (Al) Koester, Randy Nielsen, Erica (Chris) Faulkender, Daniel Cornelius, and Timothy (Sarah) Cornelius; great-grandchildren: Ryan (Sara) Koester, Blake (Creo) Seppel, Ashton (Allie) Faulkender, Mikayla Koester, London Faulkender, and Louis Dempsey Cornelius; and great-great-grandchild Nash Koester; along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Leo, Rebecca, Ruth, Louis, Margie, Bill, Mary, Hayward, and Dorothy.

The memorial service for Dempsey will be held at 2:30 pm on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at St. Thomas Church, 226 Washington Street, Menasha.  Visitation will be held at the church from 12:30 pm until the time of the service.  Dempsey will be laid to rest at the Holy Apostles Cemetery in Oneida on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Thomas Episcopal Church or the Church of the Holy Apostles in Oneida are appreciated.

Dempsey's family would like to express our sincere appreciation to Dr. Michael Flood at the Oneida Medical Center and to the staff of the Anna John Resident Centered Care Community for their outstanding care, and especially Gina, who always went above and beyond to brighten his days.