Mr. Ernest “Ernie” Bostelman, Jr. 80 of Auburndale, FL. passed away Thursday, September 15, 2022 at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale.
Mr. Bostelman was born May 13, 1942 in Fort Myers, FL. to Dr. Ernest and Geraldine (Durre) Bostelman. He lived in Polk County for more than 60 yrs. He was a retired High School Biology Teacher, having taught at Auburndale High School, Haines City High School and Winter Haven High School. Ernie attended Kentucky Military Institute and graduated from Fort Myers High School in 1960. He attended Vanderbilt University and graduated from Florida Southern College in 1964. Ernie earned his Master of Science degree at Florida Institute of Technology. He led the development of the Polk Environmental Education and Resource Center (P.E.E.R.) in Auburndale where he designed the outdoor classroom, wrote the curriculum and was the instructor. As an instructor at the North Central Adult and Community School, he wrote the science curriculum which is still in use today. He had a passion for helping his students succeed and achieve their goals while teaching them how to be good stewards of the environment. After retiring from public education, he worked with the University of Florida Citrus and Education Center in Lake Alfred, FL. He was inducted into the Auburndale High School Hall of Fame in 2015. He served as Chairman of the Auburndale Planning Commission for many years and was the past president of the Civitan Club. He was member of the First United Methodist Church in Auburndale. Ernie was an avid sportsman. Hunting & fishing were his passion. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother in law – Fred C. Holdsclaw.
Ernie is survived by his loving wife of 56 yrs., Susan Stokes Bostelman of Auburndale, FL.; daughter – Laurie Leigh Ullom and husband Mike of Lake Hamilton, FL.; son – Frederick E. Bostelman and wife Cheryl of Houston, TX.; grandson – Ford Bostelman of Houston, TX.; sister – Linda B. Holdsclaw of Fitzgerald, GA. and brother – Rick Bostelman and wife Sandy of Fitzgerald, GA.
A memorial service will be 11:00 am Saturday, September 24th at First United Methodist Church in Auburndale, family will receive friends beginning at 10am. Pastor C.J. Hill will officiate, eulogies delivered by, Mrs. Sara F. Case, Mrs. Susan Barton and Mr. Tim Pospichal.
Arrangements By: Kersey Funeral Home