Racine— Ernest "Ernie" Edward Nilo, 63, passed away peacefully at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center on Sunday evening, December 5, 2010.

A lifetime resident, Ernie was born in Racine on February 13, 1947 to the late Rudy and Lorraine (nee: Antolovich) Nilo. A 1967 graduate of William Horlick High School, he went on to proudly serve our Country with the United States Army in the Vietnam War.  On September 2, 1972 in St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church, he was united in marriage with Margaret "Marge" Ellen (nee: Schiro). With a dedicated work ethic, Ernie was employed by Bosch (formerly known as Racine Hydraulics and Rexnord) as a machinist for over 30 years.

Ernie was a member of St. Lucy Catholic Church. Some of his interests included classic cars, softball, golfing, entertaining, serving as disc jockey for family parties, Sunday morning donuts, and spending every opportune moment with his entire family and extensive circle of

Surviving are his loving wife of over 38 years, Marge; their daughters, Jennie Nilo and Lina (Chris) Edwardson; grandchildren, Joey Nilo-Lofton, Tyler Edwardson and Leah Nilo; brothers, Rudy (Debbie) Nilo and Sam (Loretta) Ferraro; special aunt, Daisy Bonfiglio; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention by name. Ernie was preceded in death by his mother, Lorraine Ferraro; fathers, Rudy Nilo and Ernest Ferraro; and sisters, Kathy and Debbie Ferraro.

Funeral services will be held in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 10:30 am with Rev. Jeffrey M. Thielen officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow at the S. Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery – Union Grove. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Monday from 4-7 pm and on Tuesday from 9:30-10:30 am.

A heartfelt note of thanks to Dr. Howard Short, Dr. Mark DeCheck and entire staff at All Saints Medical Center for their compassionate care. Also, many thanks to our family and friends for everything you have done for us over the past 13 years. Last but not least, Jennie and Lina want to thank their mother, Marge, for her tireless devotion to Dad and heroic efforts in tending to his every need. You are truly an inspiration to us all!