Dr. Ernst F. Schukraft Jr., 74, of Verona Township, passed away peacefully at his home on Jan. 15, 2017, under Compassus Hospice care. He was born on Sept. 5, 1942, in Detroit to the late Ernst F. and Mary (Jaklitsch) Schukraft. Ernst attended De La Salle Catholic School, Notre Dame University and Wayne State Medical University. He graduated as an orthopedic surgeon. He worked at various hospitals: Saratoga Hospital in Detroit, Cottage Hospital in Grosse Pointe, Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe and Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon. On May 7, 1999, he married Marlene A. (Deman) Rice in Key Largo, Florida. Ernst enjoyed spending time fishing at Beadle Bay in Caseville, deep sea fishing and boating in Key Largo. He loved to go camping and traveling in their motorhome. He is survived by his wife, Marlene Schukraft of Bad Axe; daughter, Tammy Kalisch and her husband, Mike of Richmond; son, Michael Schukraft and his wife, Jamie of Chesterfield Township; step children, Todd Rice and his wife, Heidi of Reese, Troy Rice and his wife, Dr. Sheri of Fenton, Trent Rice of Davison, and Dr. Tim, Mark and Lori Morgan; grandchildren, Shane Merritt, Skylar and Christina Schukraft; step grandchildren, Brody, Braylee, Stella, and Sadie Rice, Samantha, Emily, Elyse, and Lucas Morgan, and Jessica, Matthew and Steven Brancelone; and four step great grandchildren. Ernst was preceded in death by a wife, Betty L. Hazen. Funeral service for Ernst will be 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19, at the MacAlpine Mac Chapel in Bad Axe with Karen Bouverette officiating. Cremation will take place after the service. A private burial will take place at a later date in Verona Township Cemetery. Visitation will be 3 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at the MacAlpine Mac Chapel in Bad Axe and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday, Jan. 19. Memorials may be offered to the family discretionary fund. Condolences can be shared at www.macalpinefuneralhome.com