Ernest Pete Arambel, born June 12, 1937, in Los Banos, died February 25, 2022, in Turlock, California.
Ernie attended local schools and graduated high school in 1956. He worked for the family sheep business until 1983, when he went to work for Mello Hay Bailing for several years. Ernie then worked for Santos Hay Bailing until he retired in 2015.
Along the way, Ernie made so many lifelong friends and always had a laugh or a joke for those he liked. He was witty and charming; a pleasure to be with at any gathering.
Ernie was a beloved surrogate dad and great buddy to his brother Mitch's sons, Robert and Paul. Ernie and his eldest brother, John, lived in the same house, best friends and companions for 37 years until February 2021. At that time, Ernie moved to an assisted living facility in Merced, where he quickly became a favorite of the residents as well as the staff. Ernie never missed a chance to socialize and very much enjoyed his time there, in addition to his weekly visits with family.
Ernie is survived by his brother, John Arambel; niece Cherie Arambel; nephews Robert (Sally) and Paul (Kelly) Arambel; several grandnieces and grandnephews; and great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.
With a robust sense of humor to the end, Ernie lived a good life. He will be sorely missed by all of those who loved him.
Services are in Los Banos on Thursday, March 10, 2022 with visitation at the Whitehurst Funeral Chapel at 10 a.m., Mass at St. Joseph's Catholic Church at 11 a.m., burial to follow mass at Los Banos Cemetery, and a reception to follow burial at Espana's Restaurant.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Ernest Pete Arambel, please visit our Tribute Store