Muriel Helen (Koch) Ernstmeyer, of Williamsburg, died Saturday, December 13, 2014. She was 92, and lovingly taken home by her heavenly Father.
Born March 7, 1922, in Floral Park, New York, the daughter of Elsie and Henry Koch, Muriel was raised in New York and eventually attended the College of William and Mary, where she was president of Chi Omega, on Mortar Board, and met her future husband, Chaplain Milton Ernstmeyer. After graduating from William and Mary, Muriel worked at Good Housekeeping, where she was a chemist. Soon after the end of World War II, Muriel and Milton were married and began their ministry together, serving members of the military and their families through the Navy chaplaincy. In the early years of their marriage, daughters Jan, Carol, and Lynn were born. Muriel experienced the moves and necessary separations of military life, and enjoyed the challenges and opportunities to serve that arose in her role as a chaplain’s wife. During those years, she exemplified servant leadership as president of the Officer’s Wives club, the Chaplain’s Wives club, and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.
She is survived by her husband, Milton Ernstmeyer, her brother Warren Koch, and her sister Doris Hicks; three daughters and their husbands; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Muriel’s life will be held at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 4897 Longhill Road, in Williamsburg, at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 20, officiated by Pastors Bill Harmon and Warren Winterhoff. Burial at Arlington Memorial Cemetery will be at a later date.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Nelsen Funeral Home.
