Private burial for 1SG (Retired) Ernest Stewart will be held in Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, under direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

1SG (Retired) Ernest Stewart, age 104, Lawton, died Tuesday, December 13, 2016 in Lawton.  He was born July 25, 1912 in Stigler, Oklahoma.  He married Josephine "Jo" Franklin and she preceded him in death on May 10, 2014.

He grew up in Oklahoma City where he graduated high school.  Shortly after high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served thirty years.  He was a veteran of World War II and Korea.  Following his retirement from the Army he worked as a maintenance man for Timbers Apartments.  He enjoyed building bird houses.

He is survived by his two children and their spouses, William and Doris Stewart, Oklahoma City and Heidi Marie and Ron McClure, Albuquerque, New Mexico; four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

His two sisters and a brother preceded him in death.