Obituary: Kilbourne, Ernestelle L.
Ernestelle (Loffler) Kilbourne passed away peacefully on August 31, 2026, in Olney, Maryland, at the age of 96. During her last days she was surrounded by family, loved ones, and friends. Ernestelle, known to friends and family as Ernie, was born April 18, 1930, in Washington, D.C., the daughter of Ernest and Margaret (Kuenne) Loffler. She graduated from McKinley Tech High School in the District, and received a Bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Maryland. She married George J. Kilbourne on September 9, 1951, and raised two children, Gary Ball-Kilbourne and Suzi Kilbourne. Throughout her life she was a faithful member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Beltsville, Maryland, and active in the United Methodist Women. She was a lifelong Eleanor Roosevelt Democrat. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband George, and her brother
and sister-in-law Ernest and Patricia Loffler. Surviving family members include her children Gary Ball-Kilbourne and Debra Ball-Kilbourne, and Suzi Kilbourne and Chris Insley; grandchildren Matthew Ball-Kilbourne and Heidi Ball-Kilbourne, Zachary Ball-Kilbourne, Alden Kilbourne and Chris Pedersen, and Zoë Kilbourne and Ron Horton; greatgrandchildren Chloe, Jordan, Grayson, and Lawson; great-great-grandchildren Colton and Kahlani. She is also survived by her nephew Steve Loffler, his wife Alice, and their family; and her niece Cindy Stevens, her husband Wayne, and their family. Ernie was blessed with a large extended family whom she loved very much, including Amanda Smith, Jennifer Kresge, Marcia and Marijo Cosmas-Monnett, Elke Sobieraj, and Leann and Clint Horn. A memorial service will be held October 10 at 3:00 PM at Emmanuel United Methodist Church (11416 Cedar Lane, Beltsville, MD). Ernie found great joy and comfort in her church community, her family and friends, and the animals she shared her home with. Even on her last day, she asked about “her big dog” and wanted to see pictures of him. If you wish to honor her life, please consider a donation to Emmanual United Methodist Church or to a local animal welfare organization.
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