Joan C. "Toni" (Elfers) Kreimes

Joan Clare Elfers Kreimes of Sandusky, OH, passed away in her sleep on July 23, 2026, at the age of 95. Joan, known as Toni, was born on Kelleys Island, OH on April 2, 1931, the third of nine children, to Walter and Mary (Martin) Elfers. Toni enjoyed growing up on the Island and attending Estes School. Her family moved to Sandusky (Columbus Ave.) where Toni graduated from Sandusky High School in 1949. On April 22, 1950 she married Robert “Bob” Kreimes at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. They were married for 73 years until his death in December 2023. They, along with their two children, spent many happy years living on Cedar Point Road. Later in life, Bob and Toni spent their winters in Port St. Lucie, FL.

After high school, Toni worked at Citizens Bank and later at New Departure-Hyatt, advancing her role there after taking additional secretarial classes. In 1970, Toni started Bob Kreimes Construction Company with her husband and they grew it into a successful company. In her fifties, Toni trained and worked as a real estate agent with Baytown Homes.

Toni and Bob spent many years enjoying good friends at the Sandusky Elk’s Club and the Sandusky Yacht Club and the Port St. Lucie Elks and Amvets. Toni loved shopping and getting dressed for an occasion and hosting memorable holiday events. She liked being considered the life of the party! Family and friends will remember Toni as fun, loving, hard-working, loyal and strong willed.

Toni loved to reminisce about her time on Kelleys Island. From her birth in the house that is now the Kelleys Island Cantina, to the mischief she got into with her sisters and brothers, she always had plenty of stories. Some of her favorite memories were of flying over to the mainland with her father. She always returned to the Island in the summer and co-owned “The Old Nest” with siblings there for many years. Toni spent a wonderful day at Kelleys Island Fest visiting with family and friends, unknowingly just a few days before her death. At the time, she was the oldest living native-born Islander.      

Toni is survived by her son, Robert Walter and daughter-in-law, Michelle Everett; her daughter, Kimberly Joan and son-in-law, David Gonzales; three grandchildren and their spouses, Kristin (Elliott) Maurice, Joshua (Mandy) Kreimes, Lea (Tom) Black; three great-grandchildren, Kaylee Kreimes, Ivy Black and James Black; brothers, Benjamin Elfers and Michael (Kelly) Elfers, a sister, Sandra (James) Cairelli, and many special nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents; two sisters, Dorothy “Titter” Larson, Rosemaire “Tucky” Elfers; three brothers, Walter Elfers, Robert Elfers and Warren Elfers. 

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 11 am at St. Michael Catholic Church, Kelleys Island with burial at Kelleys Island Cemetery. Immediately following, family and friends may celebrate her life at Kelleys Island VFW Post 9908.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Humane Society of Erie County,1911 Superior Street, Sandusky, Ohio 44870 in remembrance of Toni and the many cats and dogs she cherished throughout her life.

Pfeil Funeral Home, Sandusky Chapel, 617 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky has been entrusted with arrangements.

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

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