Ernie C. Schulz

Ernest C. Schulz, 59, of Ozark, Missouri, passed away on September 28, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.

Ernie was born March 10, 1967, to Henry and Louise (Pieper) Schulz. Although he was born in Denver, Colorado, he was raised in Ogallala, Nebraska, where he grew up spending weekends on the lake with his family, hunting and fishing with his friends and helping his father with their moving business, Chief Transfer. He graduated from Ogallala High School in 1985.

He went on to attend Kearney State College where he graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science, a 7-12 Social Science Teaching Endorsement and a Coaching Endorsement. During his college years he worked at Cabela’s and soon realized everything outdoors was more than a hobby for him, it was a passion. He turned that love for the outdoors into a lifelong career, one that included 16 years with Cabela’s, 13 years with Bass Pro, Proactive Sales – Midwest, Winchester Ammunition and Non Typical Outdoor Sales. His career encompassed positions in retail, brand management, marketing, merchandising and sales. He also combined his enthusiasm for teaching and the outdoors by instructing youth classes in hunting, fishing and boating.

Not only did Ernie find his career while working at Cabela’s, he found his best friend and the love of his life, Kelly Peters. Two years after introducing himself to her with a crooked smile and a “who the hell are you?” they were married on June 5, 1993, at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Schuyler, Nebraska. He introduced Kelly to the outdoors and they were forever found competing over who caught the most/biggest fish and who could make the best s’more during their camping trips. They enjoyed traveling, great friends and good food. Ernie and Kelly made their home in Kearney, Nebraska, and were blessed with son Ryan Lane in 1998 and daughter Hallie Tegan in 2001. Following Ernie’s career changes, they later relocated to Tonganoxie, Kansas, and finally settled down in Ozark, Missouri.

Ernie would move mountains for his children, laugh with them, cry with them, cheer them on or just sit quietly with them and “be.” He was always, always there with a big Papa Bear Hug and was famous for bursting into the song Rainbow Connection in Kermit the Frog’s voice. He was at every sports game, martial arts tournament, school recital, band competition and field trip. Family time included fishing, hunting and camping excursions, trips to Disney World, weekend getaways to play tourist, and the occasional Kelly-mandated antiquing or shopping trip.

If you knew Ernie, you knew he was the kindest, funniest and most caring person, a gentle giant, a big teddy bear. He was quick to smile and crack a joke. Ornery was his middle name. He loved pie. He had a fear of sharks, but was glued to the TV during Shark Week. He loved the Nebraska Huskers. He loved pie. He loved western movies, B-rated monster movies and YouTubing. He loved cartoons, especially the Muppets and Scooby Doo. And, yes, one more time, Ernie loved PIE.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Louise Schulz; mother-in-law Carolyn Peters; brother Timothy Schulz; sister-in-law Mindy Schulz; brother-in-law Jonathan Proudfit; and sister-in-law Becky Peters.

Ernie is survived by his wife Kelly Schulz; son Ryan Schulz; daughter Hallie Schulz; father-in-law Larry Peters; sister Liz (Steve) Johnson; sister Barb Schulz; sister-in-law Deb (Scott)Cunningham; nieces Timarie (Ryan) Tushner, Tiffany Schulz, and Paige Cunningham; and nephews David (Azaria) Johnson, Brian (Anna) Johnson, Douglas (Tori) Johnson, Tyler Cunningham, Cole (Riley) Jedlicka, Kyle Jedlicka and Brady Jedlicka.

Visitation will be on Monday, October 5, 2026, 10:00 am followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am at Adams Funeral Home in Ozark, Missouri, with Father Vineesh as the Celebrant. Inurnment will be in the Richwood Cemetery in Ozark, Missouri.