Ernest "Ernie" L. Danek, Jr., 81, of Terre Haute passed away on Monday, October 23, 2023.  He was born June 3, 1942 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Ernest L. Danek, Sr. and Viola W. Talbert Danek.

Ernie was a veteran, serving in the United States Coast Guard.  Following his discharge, he graduated from Mankato State University in 1969 with a bachelor's degree in Political Science.  He married Sharon Graf, eventually moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he raised his daughter, Robin and lived for many years.

Ernie lived a full, amazing life on his own terms. He was a photographer, writer and teacher. He took pictures for his own commercial business as well as national magazines. In the late 80's he took pictures documenting the civil war in El Salvador, where he had many friends.  He is the author of four books including 'Cedar Rapids: Tall Corn and High Technology', 'Teaching in Long Underwear: My China' and two books of bedtime stories he wrote for his granddaughters.

Once he retired from photography, he lived in China for 10 years, where he was a well-respected English teacher. He loved his time there and kept in touch with many of his friends.  He helped with medical missions both in the US and overseas.  He volunteered in every community he lived in.

He is survived by his daughter, Robin Danek and husband Steve Templeton, granddaughters Violet Templeton and Evangeline Templeton, and sister Dawn Wall (Wally). Ernie is preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 30, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at Samaritan Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors from 11:00 a.m. until service time. In lieu of flowers the family would like to ask for donations to cover funeral and estate expenses. You may click on the Donation Tab of the obituary to contribute.

His family would like to thank all those who helped care for him at Union Hospital and Signature Health Care, including the nurses at the Gibson Center for Inpatient Hospice at Union Hospital who cared for him the final days of his life.