Obituaries
WWII, Korea Pilot, Longtime Bethelite Ernest Rilling, 90
Calling hours scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
Obituary provided by Bethel Funeral Home.
Ernest Joseph Rilling, age 90, of Bethel, died Sunday, March 23, 2014 at Danbury Hospital surrounded by family and friends
Ernest was born in Bridgeport CT, Nov. 7, 1923, the son of the late Joseph and Terez (Horvath) Rilling. He was predeceased by his brother George Rilling.
Ernest was never married and is survived by his sister-in-law, Irma Rilling; two nieces, Rosemarie Rilling and her husband George, and Theresa Sarsorito and her husband Anthony; a grandniece, Christine Caffey and her husband Timothy; one great grandniece, Tiana Caffey; and one great grandnephew, Timothy Caffey.
During World War II, Ernest served his active duty in the United States mainland as a pilot in the Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1945 achieving the rank of lieutenant. In addition he also served his active duty as a pilot in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953 and was discharged from the reserves 1957.
Ernest was a resident of Bridgeport from 1923 until 1944. After moving to Newtown for a short period of time, Ernest relocated to 65 Sunset Hill Road in Bethel in 1957. Ernest was employed at the Barden Corporation as a quality control supervisor until retiring to spend time with his mother in January 1985.
Ernest was a long time member of the American Pigeon Racing Association and a constant visitor to the Bethel Senior Citizen Center until illness limited his activities. He enjoyed fishing, stamp and coin collecting, gardening and spending time with family and friends.
Donations in his memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
The family will receive friends at the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave. Bethel, CT on Sunday, March 30, 2014, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, Bethel, Monday, March 31, 1024 at 10 a.m. There will be a short reception at St. Mary’s Church at the conclusion of the Mass.
Burial will be in Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport, CT, Monday at 1 p.m. with full military honors.
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