Ennie Mayer, 83, of Fort Branch, died Dec. 4, 2011, at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville.

Ennie was born on Dec. 3, 1928 in Fort Branch, to Herbert J and Rosetta (Brenner) Mayer.

Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Bernice (Wolf) Mayer who passed on April 10, 1998.

Ennie was co-owner, with his wife Bernice, of Mayer's Tavern for 33 years. He was a life-long member of Holy Cross Church where he was the first server at the first Mass. He was a Fort Branch volunteer fireman, past Gibson County Democrat Chairman, member of the Knights of Columbus in Haubstadt and was a Korean War veteran.

He is survived by his children, Denise (Jim) Roethemeier of Henderson Ky., Paula (Glen) Heldt of Winslow, Bruce (Lisa) Mayer of Haubstadt, and Amy (Jeff) Sellers of Fort Branch; 13 grandchildren; brother and sisters Roger Mayer of Haubstadt, Laura Hanold of Fort Branch, Dorothy Abernathy of LaGrange Ky., and Myra Scott of Columbus.

A Mass of Christian burial will be conducted Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 11 a.m. at Holy Cross Church in Fort Branch, with Father Tony Ernst officiating, and burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, where VFW Post 2714 will conduct military services.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 3-8 p.m. at Stodghill Funeral Home located on Ind. 168 West in Fort Branch, and again from 9 a.m. until service time at the church on Wednesday. A rosary will be recited on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.