Ernest Lee Caudle, age 69, passed away on Monday, February 19, 2018 in Sarasota, Florida. He was born on January 9, 1949 to the late LaMonne and W. Charlyne (Bowers) Caudle in Detroit, Michigan. The family moved to Garden City in 1950 where he was raised. He graduated from West Senior High in Garden City in 1967.Ernie joined the Navy in November 1967 where he earned the National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars; Navy Unit Commendation; and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device. Later he was employed by Ford Motor Company as an electrician until his retirement. Ernie moved to Morley in 1999 to be with the love of his life, the late Janice Caudle, where he stayed until her death in 2013. Ernie enjoyed participating in various activities at the Morley American Legion Post #554. In 2016 he decided to be a snow bird in Florida in the winter months and later chose to be done with the winter and made Florida his permanent residence. Ernest is survived by three children, Tammy (Tyler) Good of Potterville, Karen Fickett (Danny) of Wolverine Lake and Christopher Caudle (Molly) of Lansing; step-children, Dennis Dean and Darrin Dean of Wayne and Eric (Robin) Goodwell of Big Rapids; one sister, Janet Martin Wheeler of Lake City; 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids. The family will greet friends two hours prior to the funeral from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Aetna Township Cemetery in Morley.Share a memory or leave a condolence for the family online at daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com Funeral Service Tuesday, February 27, 2018 01:00 PM Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home 13985 Northland Drive Big Rapids,MI 49307 Visitation Tuesday, February 27, 2018 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home 13985 Northland Drive Big Rapids,MI 49307