Ernest R. “Ernie” Claycamp, 65, of Seneca, KS, died just before midnight Tuesday on March 9, 2004 at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka. He had been in ill health for many years.

He was born April 10, 1938, on a farm south of Wetmore, KS, the son of Eldon and Evelyn Smith Claycamp. Ernie attended Bancroft Grade School and Circleville High School. He worked for Welliever Construction Company of Holton, KS doing bridge construction all over Kansas. He was a member of the Kansas Army National Guard at Holton. In 1958 he entered the U.S. Army and served at Ft. Chaffee and in Germany in the field artillery. After his discharge in 1961, he returned to Wetmore and was again employed by the Welliever Construction Co.

On May 7, 1961, he married Connie Schuneman at Woodlawn Baptist Church, Woodlawn, KS. They lived in Council Grove for several months before they moved to the Ford Community southeast of Seneca. He farmed for his father-in-law at the location where they presently live.

He was a member of the Woodlawn Baptist Church. Ernie liked carpentry and making things for his children. Some of his interests were antique tractors and machinery.

Survivors are his wife Connie of the home; a son, Roy Claycamp, Seneca; two daughters, Beverly Claycamp and Deborah Claycamp, both of Mayetta, KS; his mother, Evelyn Claycamp, Holton; four brothers, Everett of Edgar, NE, Edwin of Glendale, KY, Edgar of Wetmore and Edward of Topeka; and a sister, Ethabelle “Bonnie” Kranz of Dennison, KS.

He was preceded in death by a stillborn son, Jeffery Lee Claycamp, on March 4, 1969; his father; three brothers, Ervin, Emmett and Eugene; and a sister, Ellen Davis.

Funeral service will be 10 AM Saturday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Burial will be with military honors in the Seneca City Cemetery. The family will meet with friends from 7 to 8:30 PM Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials are for the Woodlawn Baptist Church or the Equipment Fund at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, and should be sent in care of the family.