Ernest 'Ernie' Styberg, longtime supporter of Racine Police Department, passes away at age 88

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Racine Police Department has announced the death of Ernest Styberg.

Ernest was a long time supporter of the Racine Police Department and the greater Racine community.

Ernie passed away peacefully at his residence on Tuesday, August 7 with his wife Bernice by his side.

Together, the Stybergs gave freely of their time, talent and resources, serving as community-minded philanthropists locally and beyond.

In 2015, the newly expanded COP House at 2437 Anthony Lane was renamed in honor of Ernie and Bernice for their years of community support.

The Stybergs served on the Board of Directors for the Racine Community Foundation (RCF), and they later serving as members of RCF Corporation. Over the years, Ernie and Bernice supported the construction of new COP Houses throughout the community, doing so while supporting many other organizations and causes as well.

The generosity of Ernie and Bernice went far beyond their generous support of the Racine Community Foundation, as they supported many organizations through their personal foundation. Among the many organizations and causes supported by the Styberg Foundation was the Policeman’s Ball, the Cops N’ Kids Reading Center, Youth for Christ and the Fight Against Human Trafficking. Most recently, Ernie and Bernice approved a grant in support of the local Visioning a Greater Racine effort.

The former Jacato Drive neighborhood has been significantly transformed through the philanthropic support of Ernie and Bernice Styberg.

"The City of Racine is a much better place as a result of Ernie Styberg’s life mission of selfless sacrifice and community support," the Racine Police Department said in a statement.

To read the full obituary for Ernie, click here.