Ernest A. Bohn, 93, of Woodstock died Friday, Sept. 29, in the Hearthstone Manor Nursing Home in Woodstock. Mr. Bohn began a career in the hardware business in 1918 in a Woodstock store. He later worked for a hardware chain in Wisconsin before buying his own store in Woodstock in 1929. In 1975, he opened an Ace Hardware franchise on Illinois Highway 47, a business still in operation today. Mr. Bohn was a life member and past exhalted ruler of the Woodstock Elks Lodge. He had served on the board of supervisors for Dorr Township, was active in the development of the Valley Hi Nursing Home in Hartland and was a founding member and past president of the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce, according to his family. Survivors include his wife, Betty; three sons, Harold, Kenneth and Larry; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, 1211 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Grace Lutheran Church, 1300 Kishwaukee Valley Rd., Woodstock.
