Earnest Albert Blum, 90, of Herculaneum died Sept. 17, 2024, at Cedarhurst of Arnold. Mr. Blum was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Festus-Crystal City and was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge. He was an avid college basketball and Cardinals baseball fab, often enjoying games with a bowl of ice cream or handful of peanuts. He enjoyed jazz and country music. He also cherished trips to the casino with family members. Born March 8, 1934, in Herculaneum, he was the son of the late Cleo Ethel Yount (the late Ray) Walker and the late Earnest Albert Blum.
He is survived by his wife: Bobbie Jean (Mathews) Blum of Herculaneum; two sons: Gregory E. (Lena) Blum of Sarasota, Fla., and Michael Blum of Webster Groves; a daughter: Pam (Keith) Drinen of Crystal City; two siblings: David (the late Helen) Blum of Herculaneum and Marian (Herbert) Mitchell of Sikeston; six grandchildren: Tanya Blum-Schreiber, Danielle (Aaron) Goldberg, Caleb Blum, Matthew (Kristi) Drinen, Erin (Justen) Drinen and Lincoln Blum; 14 great-grandchildren: Kylee, Lauren, Micah, Gavin, Ella, Lucy, Emery, Lydia, Tessa, Briar, Evan, Stella, Logan and Dessy: and two great-great-grandchildren: Ashton and Jasper.
He was preceded in death by a grandson: Travis L. Drinen; and a sister: Martha Sue (Robert Sr. survives of Lake St. Louis) Buckner.
Visitation is scheduled from 11 a.m. until services at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. Burial will be in Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens in Crystal City. Memorials may be made to the food pantry of the First United Methodist Church of Festus-Crystal City. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.