Ernest Friend Obituary

Ernest R. "Ernie" Friend

Jun 2, 1937 - Mar 5, 2024

Castalia

Ernest R. "Ernie" Friend, 86, of Castalia, passed away Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Firelands Regional Medical Center.

He was born June 2, 1937, in Terra Alta, West Virginia, and lived in Castalia for the last 60 years. Ernie retired from Ford Motor Company after 35 years and prior to this, worked at the former Sandusky Packaging Company. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Sandusky. His hobbies included cars, woodworking, and making beautiful stained glass. Ernie never met a stranger.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Rhoda J. (Robison) Friend, whom he married Oct. 1, 1960, at Calvary Baptist Church; four children, John (Melissa) Friend, Deborah (Kenneth) Cooksey, Michael (Denise) Friend, and Stephen (Melissa) Friend; and honorary fifth child, his granddaughter, Jordan; 12 other grandchildren, Justin, Heather, Stefanie, Brittany, Noah, Conner, Sydney, Benjamin, Elia, Megan, Braxton, and Kennedy; nine great-grandchildren, Serena, Alaric, Katarina, Brooklyn, Zoey, David, Addison, Stephen, and Elena; brother, Larry Lewis; sister, Lorraine (Susie) Davis; close friend, Fred Hughes; and nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Ernie was preceded in death by grandparents who raised him, Joseph and Effie Jordan; parents, Ernest and Leota (Jordan) Friend; two brothers, Joseph Friend and Harry Lewis; and three sisters, Norma Switzer, Shirley Collins, and Marilyn Lewis.

Visitation for family and friends will be 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2024, at Pfeil Funeral Home, 617 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, and 9 a.m. Saturday, March 9, 2024, until the time of Ernie's funeral at 10 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 1810 E. Perkins Avenue, Sandusky, Ohio, 44870. Pastor David Hixson will officiate. Burial will be at Castalia Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church.

Condolences may be shared with the family at pfeilfuneralhome.com.