Ernest Roger Polk, known to his friends as Ernie, passed away on August 11, 2026, at the age of 84.

Ernie was the son of Ernest Eli Polk and Lilly M. Polk. He is survived by his wife, Linnea "Nina" Polk, his younger brother Jim Polk, and sister Nancy Bettis. Ernie was born in St. Louis and went to Normandy High School. Following graduation, he joined the US Marines and was stationed in California and Hawaii. While on leave from the Marines, he met his future wife, Nina.

Ernie and Nina married on July 31st, 1964. Ernie was honorably discharged from the Marines and worked for McDonnell Douglas and Bell and Howell. He left Bell and Howell and started an industrial equipment company, Peak Business Equipment. He grew this company into a successful business and eventually sold it to his eldest son, Greg Polk. Ernie and Nina spent their lives in St. Louis, starting in Hanley Hills to Florissant, and eventually to Town and Country, MO.

Ernie and Nina had four children: Greg Polk, Eric Polk, Jenny Polk, and Amy Koch. They are proud grandparents to Quinten Polk, Tanner Polk, Noelle Polk, Evan Polk, Andrew Polk, Justin Polk, Breonna Moore, Wesley Aitken, and Joey Koch. They are also great-grandparents to Avalynn Polk, Ensley Polk, Cile Polk, Aiden Polk, Connor Moore, and McKenna Moore.

Ernie was active all his life. He enjoyed tennis, golf, and sailing. His first sailboat was a small Sunfish sailboat that he sailed at Creve Coeur Park. He slowly upgraded to a catamaran and then a 26-foot cruiser that he kept at Kentucky Lake.

Ernie deeply loved his family. Ernie and Nina spent a large part of their lives caring for their children and grandchildren. They went on numerous boating adventures with the family, creating memories that will be remembered for a lifetime.

Services: A celebration of life for Ernie will be held at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road, Ballwin, MO, 63011 on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. If desired, contributions may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation of Missouri and Kansas . Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.