Irma M. Ernesto

Irma M. (Langer) Ernesto, 95, passed away Monday, Nov. 21, at the Berks Heim, where she resided for nearly two years.

The matriarch of the Ernesto family was surrounding by family members when she passed. She was the wife of the late Charles "Charlie" Ernesto, who died in February 1995.

Irma was the daughter of the late Joseph C. and Emma M. (Schwer) Langer.

Born April 6, 1921 in Philadelphia, but raised in Norwood, she was a graduate of Glen-Nor High School (now Interboro High) in Glenolden, Delaware County.

After attending the Philadelphia Secretarial School, Irma worked at the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in the accounting department.

After her marriage to Charlie on May 16, 1942, Irma moved to Reading and became a homemaker and helped operate the family-owned Charlie's Cafe on Schuylkill Avenue.

She was involved in many activities at St. Margaret's Church and School, including Mother's Club and Cub Pack Den Mother.

She loved playing cards with the "card club ladies," listening to the music of Frank Sinatra and Andrea Bocelli, reading, gardening, and cooking for weekend family gatherings.

Irma took great pride in being a major part of the lives of all her children and the formative years of her grandchildren, who affectionately called her "Nanny."

Irma and Charlie enjoyed boating on the Schuylkill River in the Felix Dam area of Muhlenberg Township for nearly 45 years. They enjoyed teaching their children, grandchildren and many others how to water ski and to enjoy boating.

In their later years while residing along the river, Charlie and Irma enjoyed cruising the Schuylkill in their pontoon boat that carried the iconic "4anDONE" marquee -- a naming tradition that started after the birth of their fourth and final child when their boating legacy began.

Irma was a member of Holy Guardian Angels Church in Laureldale.

The surviving children are Charles C. Jr., companion of Sharon Schultz, of Bridgeville, Del.; Charlene A. Hartmann, wife of Edward, of Myerstown; John M., husband of Suzanne (Phillips), Shillington; and Joseph T., husband of Barbara (Smith), of Reading

Irma leaves behind seven grandchildren: Charles C. Ernesto III, husband of Cindy (Oswald), of West Lawn; Sean M. Fisher, husband of Anne (Macdonald), of Melrose, MA; Jason C. Fisher, husband of Lan (Nguyen), of Singapore; Katherine A. Meck, wife of Eric, of Sinking Spring; Ann E. Snyder, wife of Christopher, of Sinking Spring; A.J. Ernesto, husband of Lynn (Wisner), of Sinking Spring; and Jennifer Scolastico, wife of John, of Sinking Spring.

She also is survived by 11 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

She also is survived by a sister, Lenore Deputy, of Ambler, and two nieces and a nephew.

The family would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff of A-1 at Berks Heim for their amazing dedication, care and compassion.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. in Holy Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Church, 3121 Kutztown Rd, Reading, PA 19605. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery. Friends may call Monday from 9 to 10 a.m. in the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Holy Guardian Angels R. C. Church at the above address. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, West Reading, is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com