Ernest D. Faber

Ernest D. Faber, 97, of Perry, passed away Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at the Perry Lutheran Home - Eden Acres in Perry.

Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until the time of service at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at First Church of Christ, 310 NW Ash, Ankeny. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery in Minburn with full military honors rendered by the Minburn American Legion Post # 99 and the Iowa National Guard Honor Guard.

Ernie was born August 30, 1926, in Minburn, the son of Harvey and Mary (Reeves) Faber.

He was a U.S. Army Veteran, having served with the occupational Forces in Japan at the end of World War II from June 14, 1945 until November 8, 1946.

After being discharged from the Army he finished his studies at Cincinnati Bible Seminary and was ordained into ministry at Minburn Church of Christ. On June 13, 1952, he married Neva Fate in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Ernie and Neva were missionaries in Japan for 45 years on the northern island of Hokkaido. During their ministry they planted three churches, operated a children’s English language school, and developed a church camp. Over the years they offered their support and encouragement to many young missionary families who arrived in Japan. Ernie loved to drive visitors around to view the beauty of the island of Hokkaido.

Ernie was an avid collector of Japanese stamps, getting up early to line up at the post office on the issue date to get stamps for himself and all of his kids. He enjoyed watching sumo wrestling tournaments and he followed Japanese baseball on TV, making sure the radio was ready to go in case the game wasn’t yet over when the TV broadcast shut down at 9:30 pm. He was always ready for a game of horseshoes.

He was an avid reader. He collected a large library of books and even in Japan continually subscribed to magazines and journals to keep himself informed of world, national, and local affairs. He was very patriotic and politically involved.

When Ernie and Neva retired from the mission field in 1999, they moved to the Faber family farm just outside of Minburn. Ernie bought a pickup, an old Farmall tractor, and had a great time puttering around the place tinkering with machinery, mowing the grass, and keeping up a big garden. Ernie and Neva became very involved at Washington Chapel Church of Christ where Ernie served as an elder. Ernie also was very active with the Minburn Post of the American Legion, where he served in a variety of positions. Until Covid shut things down when he turned 92, he faithfully drove into Perry on Monday mornings to offer a Bible study to the “old folk” (as he termed them) at the Rowley nursing home (now the Eden Acres campus of Perry Lutheran Homes). He also made it a point to drive to Des Moines to attend the monthly meetings of local ministers. For many years he and Neva were active with the Des Moines chapter of the Japan American Society, and Ernie served as treasurer.

Ernie embraced technology. He was quite comfortable with computers and things like social media, and until a year ago regularly preached by Skype for a church in Japan.

Survivors include his wife Neva Faber, three of his children, Linda Svoboda, Charles (Patricia) Faber, Allan (Debbie) Faber, his daughter-in-law Pam Faber, thirteen grandchildren, Kevin (Elizabeth) Worcester, Jason Worcester, Melissa (Matthew) Sleasman, Ryan (Alison) Faber, Mary (Roy) Senters, Margaret Walters, Phyllis (Chris) Burns, Jared Faber, Josiah (Linda) Faber, Nathan (Christy) Faber, Leah (Vincent) Forgo, Aaron Faber, and Lydia Faber, two sisters, Lulu Jean Zuercher and Georgene (Larry) Tegeler, and many great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Mary Faber, his son Donald, his son-in-law Jerry Svoboda, his brothers and sisters, Lavina Thurwanger, Joseph Faber, Matthew “Dale” Faber, and Mary Ellen Thurwanger and two great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial contributions to the Central Iowa Bible Camp, 18578 335th Lane, Earlham, IA 50072.