Ernie Lee Modlin, 89, of California, MD died on August 29, 2010 at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in Charlotte Hall, Maryland. Born January 7, 1921 in Jamesville, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Joseph Gray Modlin and Mittie E. Ange Modlin.

He was married on March 6, 1966 and for 44 years was the loving husband of Juanita Lorraine Thompson Modlin.

He is also survived by his sister, Annie May Williams.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Jesse, Elmer, Eddie W., Grady, Pauline, and Joseph A. Modlin.

After graduating from Jamesville High School, and before enlisting in the U.S. Army, Ernie worked at the Naval Ship Yard in Norfolk, VA. While proudly serving in the Army as a Combat Engineer, Ernie was in five major battles, and campaigns which included Normand, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe and he served from October 19, 1942 to December 11, 1945. His decorations and citations: American Theater Campaign Metal, EAMET Campaign Metal, Good Conduct Medal and 5 bronze service stars. After being Honorably Discharged, Ernie co-owned and operated a barber shop for 33 years in Lexington Park, Maryland before retiring in 1985. He was a life member of the V.F.W., The American Legion, The Elks, and the D.A.V.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 2, 2010 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where a memorial service will be held at 7:00 PM. Interment will be at the Modlin Family Cemetery, in Jamesville, NC.

Contributions in memory of Ernie Lee Modlin can be made to the Lexington Park Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 339 Lexington Park, MD 20653 or Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.