Ernie Harold Peyer, 78

Ernie Harold Peyer, 78, a longtime resident of Osburn, Idaho, passed away peacefully Sept. 7, 2026. 

Ernie was born to Inga Molob and Rollie Peyer on Nov. 26, 1947 in Carrington, N.D. before the large family relocated to the Silver Valley in 1954. A graduate of Kellogg High School, Class of 1966, Ernie voluntarily enlisted and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He married his high school sweetheart, and the love of his life, Ellen Anderson, the day before her 18th birthday in 1967. He served in Vietnam as a tank commander until his honorable discharge in 1969. Though he worked briefly at Burns Yak and the Galena, Ernie spent most of his life serving Shoshone County as a police officer, first at the sheriff’s office from 1971 until 1992, and then for the city of Wallace Police Department and the city of Pinehurst Police Department. He worked private security for Harry Magnuson until he retired in 1996. 

Ernie was a talented and competitive boxer in high school. He enjoyed the outdoors long into his adult life, hunting, scuba diving, and riding his Harley, especially over Thompson Pass. He seasonally built trails for the Forest Service. He was fond of his pets, Louis L’Amour novels, card games, and the television show, “Gunsmoke.”

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Roger Peyer, Daniel Peyer, Doris Stroh, Robert Peyer; as well as nieces and nephews Larry Peyer, Terry Peyer, and Deborah Peyer. His daughter, Nicole Peyer, also preceded him in death as a young adult. 

He is survived by his wife, Ellen; daughter Tracie (Dan) Martinsen; grandchildren Brianna (Cody) Cline, Brayden Peyer, and Ramzy Martinsen; as well as great-grandchildren Connor, Christopher, and Colter Cline. Ernie is also survived by sister-in-law Shirley Anderson; nephew Chris (Tanya) Anderson; plus numerous other nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews throughout the United States. 

Though he touched the lives of many through his dedicated service to Shoshone County, per his request, there will be no formal services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. 

Memories of Ernie and messages of condolence may be shared with his family online at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com. Shoshone Funeral Services of the Silver Valley is caring for the Peyer family.