Ernest R. Voorhees, 94, of Oppenheim, New York, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2020 at St. Johnsville Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in St. Johnsville, New York.
He was born on November 13, 1925, in Oppenheim, New York, and was the son of the late Raymond and Elsie (Brown) Voorhees. Ernie was educated at one room schoolhouses in Oppenheim.

On September 11, 1954, Ernie was united in marriage to the former Diane A. May at the Lassellsville Methodist Church. The couple shared a blessed union of 47 years until Mrs. Voorhees passed away on June 22, 2002.

Ernie was a lifelong farmer as he owned and operated the family farm, Windy Acres Farm, Crum Creek Road, Town of Oppenheim, New York. He ran the farm with his wife and three children. After retiring from the farm, Ernie went to work for Case Agway from 1981-1992. Shortly thereafter, he worked the remainder of his employment with Oppenheim-Ephratah Central School as a custodian and bus driver, retiring in 2004 after 10 years of service.

He was of the Methodist faith and was a member of the Oppenheim United Methodist Church as well as a Charter Member of the Oppenheim Volunteer Fire Department member since 1954, where he helped build both the church and the fire department, a 50+ year member of the Dolgeville Masonic Temple, Lodge #796, Free and Accepted Masons, and Senior Citizens of Western Fulton County. Ernie also held positions as Oppenheim Town Assessor and voting machine custodian.

In his spare time, Ernie enjoyed traveling with his wife, playing cards with friends, family picnics, and snowmobiling. His most precious time was spent in the company of his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and sister. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends and community.

Ernie is survived by his two beloved daughters, Vicki DeNinno, of Oppenheim, New York and Lisa Ploss and her husband, Brad, of Oppenheim, New York; a special daughter-in-law, Amy Voorhees, of Oppenheim, New York; eight loving grandchildren, Kelly Voorhees, of Oppenheim, New York, Kathy Glanovsky and her husband, Jeffrey, of Manheim, New York, Kristy Buccolo and her husband, Michael, of Oppenheim, New York, Kayla Norris and her husband, Robert, of Oppenheim, New York, Scott DeNinno, Jr. and his wife, Rebecca, of Oppenheim, New York, Jodi DeNinno Familo, of Lewisville, Texas, Brandon Ploss, of Stephenville, New  Hampshire and Lindsay Barton and her husband, Ryan, of Andover, New Hampshire; nine cherished great-grandchildren; and a special sister, Erma Voorhees, of Oppenheim, New York.

He was predeceased by a beloved son, Richard “Rick” E. Voorhees, on August 21, 2010; a brother, William Leavenworth, in 1967; a sister, Bertha Voorhees, in 1994; and a special friend, Betty Johnson, in 2016.

Calling hours were held on August 28 Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, where members of the Oppenheim Volunteer Fire Department honored Ernie by standing guard and offered their “Last Bell” service. A funeral service was held immediately following. Procession followed to Rural Park Cemetery where he was laid to rest with his wife, Diane.

Please consider memorial contributions for the Oppenheim Volunteer Fire Department, 6786 State Highway 29, St. Johnsville NY 13452, or the Oppenheim United Methodist Church, c/o Linda Duesler, 6582 State Highway 29, St. Johnsville NY 13452.

To leave a message of sympathy, visit MillerPlonkaFuneralHome.com.