Ernest R. "Ernie" Friend

Ernest R. “Ernie” Friend, 86, of Castalia passed away Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in the Firelands Regional Medical Center.

He was born June 2, 1937, in Terra Alta, West Virginia and had lived in Castalia for the last sixty years. Ernie retired from the Ford Motor Company after thirty-five years, and prior to this he had 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 sixty-four years, Rhoda J. (Robison) Friend, whom he married on October 1, 1960, in the 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; his twelve 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; one brother, Larry Lewis; one sister, Lorraine (Susie) Davis; close friend, Fred Hughes; nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

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

The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Friday, March 8, 2024, in the Pfeil Funeral Home, 617 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky.  They will also receive friends from 9:00 am until time of funeral service at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 9, 2024, in the Calvary Baptist Church, 1810 E. Perkins Avenue, Sandusky, Ohio 44870. Pastor David Hixson will officiate. The burial will be held in the Castalia Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church.

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

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