Ernie served in the U.S.

Army during World War II and received the World War II Victory Medal and the Philippine Independence Ribbon during his service. After the war, he met and later married Eleanor Edith Estes on Oct. 15, 1950.

They established their home in Oklahoma City and before his retirement, he owned and operated Trochta’s Flowers & Greenhouses with his brother, Charles, established by their parents, Joe and Mary Trochta. To gether the brothers took what their parents started and built what became the most sought-after florist in the region. Ernest was regarded for his incredi ble work ethic. It was this unwavering focus and dili gence that shaped Trochta’s legendary quality service their customers came to expect and rely upon. In those years, outside of a demanding work schedule and family commitments, he was active in the Florist Association and St.

Luke's Methodist Church. He enjoyed fishing and golf which would in retirement years become his past time.

Retirement arrived early for Ernest allowing he and Eleanor to enjoy the rich rewards auorded by previ - ous decades of hard work. In 1978, on a golfing trip with friends, they fell in love with Horseshoe Bay.

Shortly after selling the florist business in 1980, Er - nest and Eleanor moved to Horseshoe Bay making the Hill Country, the lake, and year-round golfing home. He admired the creativity displayed in the design and development of Horseshoe Bay and found himself liv - ing the dream the Hurds' originally envisioned. Ernie quickly developed a new routine that began with fish - ing early every morning and afterwards ou to golf with Ellie and friends. He also looked forward to Monday night poker with the boys unless he was traveling the world with his love, Eleanor.

Ernest and Eleanor were charter members of The Church at Horseshoe Bay.

They enjoyed many won - derful years in Horseshoe Bay where they fully im - mersed themselves in the resort community for the remainder of their lives.

Ernest was a devout fa - ther and grandfather. His grandkids admired him and valued spending time with him. He taught them to value generosity and hard work, to fish, golf, to love nature, to be a disciplined gardener and to enjoy life.

He always had the boat ready to go, trips to local historic interesting sites planned, fish fry's and dom inoes. The family is beyond

grateful that Ernest was able to live independently at home until the last two months of his life.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Eleanor, of 70 years; his parents, Joe and Mary; and one brother, Charles Trochta.

Ernest is survived by his children, Mike Trochta and Pat (Trochta) Adkins; four grandchildren, Brandon Trochta, Johanna Adkins, Jennifer (Adkins) Garza and her husband Marco, and Luke Adkins and his wife Adrienne, and seven great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind one sis- ter, Olga (Trochta) Ruvn and one brother, Robert Trochta; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be 1-2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at Clem - ents-Wilcox Funeral Home, 1805 US-281, Marble Falls, TX 78654. Funeral services will be held directly after visitation at 2:30 p.m. at the Horseshoe Bay Mauso - leum, 540 Mausoleum Dr, Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657. Condolences may be made at: www.clementswilcoxfu -

neralhome.com