Emerson Anthony Cernin

Emerson Anthony Cernin was born on November 20, 1945 to Emerson and Libbie (Hejtmanek) Cernin. He graduated from Clarkson High School in 1964. Emerson served in the Army and Nebraska National Guard from 1966 until 1972. He served as a police officer for the Schuyler Police Department until 1977. The majority of his life he worked as a bridge salesman until he retired in 2014. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion Post #47. On November 6, 1965 he married Shirley Cech at the Presbyterian Church in Clarkson, Nebraska. They lived in Schuyler and raised their three boys, until they moved to Omaha in 1996. In his free time he enjoyed making outdoor Christmas decorations with his boys, fishing, traveling domestically and internationally, attending activities for his children and grandchildren, socializing with family and friends, cooking, watching movies, and telling jokes. Emerson was very active in their hometown church, Christ United Methodist Church, serving on multiple boards, leading the Wednesday night youth group, and participating in many local outreach programs as part of the Church. One of his fondest memories was being able to take the Youth Group to the John Wesley Ranch in Colorado. Emerson was an active member of the Schuyler American Legion (McLeod Post 47) until 1996 when he and Shirley moved to Omaha, Nebraska. Emerson participated in monthly meetings, fundraisers and displaying memorial flags around Schuyler during Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. Emerson was deeply proud of his Czech heritage, passing along countless traditions, stories and recipes to his children. Emerson is survived by his wife, Shirley; three children: Dr. Paul Cernin (Reza Enchayan), Los Angeles, CA; Patrick Cernin (Mi Hui Wee), Peachtree City, GA; and Philip Cernin (Andrew Kubitschek), Eden Prairie, MN; and two granddaughters, Jing Ning Amalie Cernin and Sophie Cernin-Enchayan. In addition, Emerson is survived by many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Emerson and Libbie Cernin; sisters, Arlene Brdicko (Lamar Brdicko) and Doris Nebola (Don Nebola); in-laws Betty Ann White, and Robert P and Carol Cech.