Ernest DeWaters, 93, of Penn Yan passed away December 27, 2022, in the comfort of his home. The family will receive friends and relatives at Weldon Funeral Home, 102 E. Main St., Penn Yan on Saturday, January 28 from 2 – 4p.m. followed by a memorial service celebrating his life at 4 p.m. A reception will be announced.

Ernest was born in Rochester, N.Y. on May 18, 1929, the son of the late Marion and Catherine DeWaters. He worked for Eastman Kodak for 37 years and retired in 1983. In later life, after it wasn’t top secret anymore, he shared with his family how he was assigned to work on the optics for the Hubble Space Telescope. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend.

Ernie was well known as a jack-ofall trades, building two of his homes, including building the furniture and all of the trimmings. He took pride in his craftmanship and often helped his neighbors and friends. He also worked in the vineyards tying grapes. He was a gunsmith and bow maker, and he enjoyed taking his nephews hunting. He also had a great sense of humor and loved playing Gin Rummy. Ernie was a charter member of the Churchville Moose Club, member of the Barrington Rifle Club, and was a Zoning Board Member for the Town of Barrington.

He was predeceased by his wife Dolores in 2015; and sister and brothers, Marian Weckelman, Charles DeWaters, and Kenneth DeWaters. He is survived by his daughters, Cathy Fraser of Penn Yan, Karen Dezen (Glen) of Livonia, Betsy Taylor (John C. Jr.) of Canandaigua, Sandra Edmundson (Frank) of Greenville, N.C.; brother Carlton DeWaters of Penn Yan; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A remembrance or condolence to the family may be left in his obituary at WeldonFuneralHome.com.