Ernest "Big Ern" Harris

To view "Big Ern's" video tribute and funeral service video, please click on the tribute wall above. Ernest “Big Ern” Lee Harris, age 73 of Brownstown. passed away peacefully at home with his wife Sue by his side the morning of October 5, 2021. Ern was born December 28, 1947 in Morristown, Tennessee. He Graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1966 then went to Michigan Regional Carpenter’s Apprenticeship School and became a Journeyman Carpenter in 1967. In 1977, he along with two of his brothers established a Residential Carpentry business “Harris Homes Inc.” in 1980 another brother and nephew joined them. He was a proud Union Carpenter for 54 years and continued to work the job he loved to keep himself busy. Ern was known by all as the “Go to Guy”, he selflessly helped anyone whether repairing, borrowing, building or giving needed advice of his expertise in carpentry, mechanical or other skills he knew. He enjoyed a life of the outdoors and a passion for fishing, boating, hunting, pitching horseshoes and being up north with his family and friends. In 1984 with his sons, brothers and their sons established a private Annual “Hillbilly Fish Off”. Over the years other family, friends and their sons joined them for a fun weekend. Ern expressed his creativity with many works of wood crafting, building furniture for family, making fishing lures, tinkering with small engines and carpentry tool repair. He had an unmistakable voice, laugh, could tell the best jokes and always greeted his children, grandchildren, family and friends with a huge smile, a hug, played, laughed and cared about them with unconditional love and never failed to say “I love you” . Ern enjoyed listening to country music and most of all dancing with his wife that he met on a blind date in 1969 in front of the bait shop in East Rockwood. They rekindled their relationship in 1976, married on August 25, 1978, blended their family with his son and daughter, her two sons, then had a son and daughter of their own. He expressed to Sue the Love of His Life, “Promise me you won’t cry; I will be waiting on the Bench for you”. Ern is survived by his wife Suzanne “Sue”, their loving children Ernest (Tina) Harris II, Randy (Laura) Chaput, Dana Harris (Terry) Wegienka, Tim (Allison) Chaput and daughter DeEtta Harris (Nick) Wilson. Adoring Grandpa, Papa, Pops of Gabrielle Chaput, Arianna Wegienka, Miranda Harris, Kendall Chaput, Jocelyn Wegienka, Blake Chaput, Ryan Harris, Logan Chaput, Vivian Chaput, Amelia Chaput, Echo Wilson and Caspian Wilson. Beloved Chihuahua Bandit. His sister-in-law Marilyn Harris, sister Etta (Jerry) Rama, his brother John (Sandy) Harris, sister in-law Linda Harris along with many adoring nieces and nephews. Ern was predeceased by his son Baby David, parents Owen and Clara Harris, brothers Herman Harris, Infant Herbert, David Harris and Jack Harris. Ern will be deeply missed by numerous extended family members and friends. Visitation will take place on Thursday October 14, 2021 from 5:00PM - 9:00PM, Friday, October 15, 2021 from 10:00AM - 9:00PM. at the Allore-Martenson - Ford Chapel 23620 N. Huron River Drive Rockwood, MI 48173 The service will follow on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Ern will be laid to rest near his infant son David at Riverside Cemetery 5892 South Huron River, Dr. South Rockwood, MI 48179. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a charity of your choice in Ernest’s honor. Please visit his online tribute wall to share memories and leave condolences.