Ernie passed away peacefully on June 24, 2022 under the care of Hospice. She was born July 26, 1928 to Elizabeth (Schwein) and Arthur Niemeier in Cincinnati, Ohio. She married William (Bill) Vanselow, Sr in Newport, Kentucky on August 24, 1944.

After moving to Florida in the early 1990s, she spent several years as a dispatcher for Zephyrhills Fire Department and was a 20+ year member of the Lions of Zephyrhills and Dade City. She served as President at Zephyrhills Lions from 2019 to 2022. Among other positions, she was Chair of the Zephyrhills Lions Sight program, she was a board member for the Conklin Center, and a Lions International Representative. She was a proud recipient of the coveted Helen Keller and Melvin Jones awards.

Ernie had an adventurous spirit starting in the 1950s with her love of auto racing. Aside from accompanying Bill at his races, she occasionally drove in ladies "powder puff" races, and has attended multiple NASCAR races over the years. At the age of 90, she fulfilled her dream of skydiving and followed that by parasailing the next year.

She was predeceased by her husband and a son, William Vanselow, Jr. She is survived by her children, Judy (Bobby) Chandler, Donna (Fred) Scheidenberger, Craig (Mary) Vanselow, Jeff Vanselow, Bruce Vanselow and Beth Velez (JW Waite), and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Services will be held on July 7, 2022 at 3pm with visitation from 2-3pm at Hodges Family Funeral Home, 36327 Hwy. 54, Zephyrhills, Florida.

Visitation

Hodges Family Funeral Home (Zephyrhills)

Thursday, July 7, 2022 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 36327 State Road 54 Zephyrhills, Florida 33541 Directions Memorial Service

Hodges Family Funeral Home (Zephyrhills)

Thursday, July 7, 2022 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM 36327 State Road 54 Zephyrhills, Florida 33541 Directions