Ernest "Tye" Mentzer, age 104, who was a resident of Elm Heights Care Center in Shenandoah, Iowa, and who formerly lived in Newton, Iowa, passed away Thursday, June 29, 2017, at Jenny Edmondson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa.Tye was born November 20, 1912, in Yates Center, Kansas, one of the eleven children of Ernest Everett and Edith Mae (Drumond) Mentzer.He grew up on the family farm near Yates Center and graduated from Yates Center High School. He served for four years in the U.S. Army during World War II with the 433rd Airborne Division in Europe. He had many, many stories to tell about the Battle of the Bulge and other historical events. He was a member of the V.F. W. Six of Tye's brothers also served in World War II with two being injured and one killed.On June 1, 1938, he and Anna Lorene Schooling were married in Yates Center. They became the parents of two daughters.Tye began a long career with JCPenney in Kansas in 1933 and in several other towns before moving to Macon, Missouri, in 1952. He managed the store in Macon for seven years then moved to Newton, Iowa, where he managed the store there until his retirement at the age of 60.Tye was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Chamber of Commerce, the Elks Lodge, and the Lions Club, and was also active in civic affairs.After retirement he enjoyed a lot of golf, gardening, and travel. His garden was well known throughout the neighborhood for all his veggies and fruits. He made many trips to Palm Springs to golf all winter and enjoy three months of sunshine.His wife, Lorene, preceded him in death on November 1, 1995, following more than 57 years of marriage.In 1999 he and Lora Smith were married and she preceded him in death in 2011.He was also preceded by his brothers, Laddie, Lovell, Edward, Norryce, Austin, Donald, Keith, and Burdette Mentzer; his sisters, Fleta VanValkenberg and Juanita Baldwin; and a granddaughter, Sumner Rhea Stevenson in 1981.A graveside celebration of life will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, July 6, 2017, at the Yates Center Cemetery, Yates Center, KS.

Fleta Francis Mentzer Van Valkenburg memorial #34503161 was a sister. FAG contributor Marcia Philbrick