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Lorain County Obituaries

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ECKENFELS, Florence L. (nee Ternes) (January 11, 1900 - March 29, 1996)
The Cleveland Plain Dealer Apr 1, 1996, pg. 7 sec. B Obituary
Florence Eckenfels ran Melody Grove Dance Club
North Ridgeville -- Florence Lydia Eckenfels and her husband owned and operated Melody Grove Dance Club in North Ridgeville from 1956 to 1982.
She was born in Elyria and lived most of her life within a quarter mile of her North Ridgeville homestead.   Her husband of 55 years, Joseph, is deceased.
The couple lived in the remodeled schoolhouse that she attended as a child.   Active in Republican politics, she ran unsuccessfully for City Council in 1959.
She worked on the city's incorporation committee.   She died Friday at the home of one of her daughters in North Ridgeville.  She was 96.
Mrs. Eckenfels was a longtime member of St. Peter Catholic Church and was a member of the Legion of Mary.  She enjoyed gardening and cooking.
Survivors include her sons, Daniel of Tulsa, Okla., Eugene Eckenfels and Leonard Winson, both of North Ridgeville; daughters, Josephine Perryman and Grace Linden, both of North Ridgeville; 27 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a sister.   Services will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. Peter Catholic Church, 35777 Center Ridge Rd., North Ridgeville.
Arrangements are being handled by the Bogner-Busch Family Chapel in North Ridgeville.
Richard O'Keefe


ECKENFELS, Joseph H. (December 19, 1889 - abt November 26, 1980)
The Cleveland Plain Dealer Nov 28, 1980, pg. 7 sec. C Death Notice
Joseph H. Eckenfels, beloved husband of Florence (nee Ternes), dear father of Leonard Winson, Gene, Daniel, Mrs. Pauline Antelik (s/b Antolik), Mrs. Ernestine Gutzolt, Mrs. Josephine Perryman and Mrs. Grace Linden, grandfather of 27, great-grandfather of eight, brother of Mrs. Barbara Hope, Sr. Ernestine (sisters of St. Joseph), Lawrence and Carl Eckenfels.  Services Saturday at noon in St. Peter Church, N. Ridgeville.  Friends may call at the Bogner Funeral Home, 36403 Center Ridge Rd. (Rt. 20), N. Ridgeville, Friday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and Saturday 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Richard O'Keefe

EIBNER, ESTHER MAE (BRYANT),  (The Chronicle-Telegram), 30 July 1991
Esther Mae Eibner, 90 of Wellington died Tuesday at Elms Convalescent Home after a long illness.  Born in Spencer, she lived in the Wellington area all her life.  Mrs. Eibner was a member of Free Will Baptist Church, Welllington and Women’s Relief Corps.  Survivors include daughters, Nada Bradstock, Neva Wilson and Carol Rolfe, all of Wellington, and Margaret Cutright of Wakeman; a son, Lee Moore of Grafton; 18 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and 19 great-great-grandchildren.  Mrs. Eibner was preceded in death by her husband, John, 25 years ago; a son, Carl; a daughter, Wanda Coffman; 2 sisters and a brother.  Friends may call 7-9 p.m. today at Cowliing-Truman Funeral Home, 218 Herrick St., Wellington.  Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. James Lavender officiating.  Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Wellington.

 Carole J. Schetter

ELY,  Herman, The Elyria Republican, Thursday July 12, 1894
“In the midst of life we are in death”. One week ago it was with great pleasure that we published of an account of the Ely family reunion, held for the purpose of rendering a special private thanksgiving for the restoration of Hon. Herman Ely, the beloved husband and parent, to health. Today it is our sad duty to say that joy and hope were on Sunday last suddenly dashed to earth and at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Ely quietly passed away, in the room where he was born nearly seventy-four years ago. The sad intelligence of his death was a great shock to the community, as but few people knew of his illness. A few months since his critical condition prepared the public for the worst and for several weeks a report of his death would have created no surprise, but improved conditions brought bright prospects, and a new lease of life to continue for several years seemed probable. Hon. Herman Ely, was born in Elyria, October 20th, 1820, and his whole life of almost seventy-four years has been spent here. He received his education at the Elyria High School  and at Farmington, Conn., after which in his father’s office he acquired a thoroughly training in all matters pertaining to real estate,  the business which was to absorb the greater part of his time in life.  In addition, to the management of his large private interests he had been prominently identified with several of the leading institutions of Elyria. He was one of the founders of the Lorain Bank, in 1847, the First National Bank organized in 1864 from the Lorain Bank, and the National Bank of Elyria organized in 1883 to succeed the First National Bank. In these moneyed institutions he served as director, vice-president and president, holding the last honored position at the time of his death. In 18?2 he was instrumental in securing the building of the Junction Railway (now the Lake Shore) from Toledo to Cleveland. In 1870 to 1873 he served in the House of Representatives in Columbus, where he took a high position of a man with broad views, having a strict and conscientious regard of the best interests of his constituents. He was prominently identified in shaping our current insurance laws and had the reputation of being the most indefatigable worker. After serving three years as the unanimous choice of the conventions which nominated him, he declined all further work of a legislative nature, preferring his home life to the life of a representative. The following paragraph we copy verbatim from the Lorain County History recently published: “On September 1, 1841 Herman Ely and Miss Mary Harris Montieth, daughter of Rev. John and Abigail Harris Montieth, were united in marriage, and children as follows were born to them:  Celia Belden, George H. and Mary Montieth.  The mother of these children died March 1st 1849, and May 27th, 1850, Mr. Ely married for his second wife Miss Mary F. Day, daughter of Hon. Thomas and Sarah (Colt) Day of Hartford, Conn. Four children were born to this marriage, namely Edith Day, Charles Theodore, Albert Hemen and Harriette Putnam. Mr. Ely is prominent in social life as follows: Has been an active member of the F & A Masons since 1852; from 1858 to 1871 he was worshipful master of the King Solomon’s Lodge No. 36 of Elyria, received the orders of knighthood in Oriental Commandery of Knight’s Templar No. 12 of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1857, in which he was eminent Commander from December 1861, to December 1865, and from 1864 to 1871 he was Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of the Knight’s Templar of Ohio.  He is an active member of the Supreme Council of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the Northern Masonic jurisdiction of the United States of America and was treasurer of the same from May, 1867, to September 1891. In matters of religion he has been a member of the Congregational Church of Elyria since 18?8, and for many years has been one of its officers, about ten years as superintendent of the Sabbath school. He is a republican in politics, and a gentlemen much respected in the community for his moral worth and his many unassuming charitable deeds. For more than half a century Mr. Ely has been closely identified with the growth and prosperity of Elyria and Lorain county. Of the hundreds and thousands who have met him in a business capacity none can say he was lacking in those qualities which always commanded the respect and confidence of his fellow men.  His name has been a synonym for high character, pure manhood, and genuine human sympathy. Always a free giver, he gave without ostentation.  His, upright conscientious life, guided by an intense personality which commanded universal regard, made him a strong factor in the regulation of standards which supply the current needs of society. It is the example of such lives which exalts and embellishes civilization. The impress of our fellow citizen upon the social, moral and religious life of this community will not soon be erased. His Christian energy and singleness of purpose which characterized his religious life made him a “strong staff and beautiful rod”. He is gone from among us and a grateful people will mourn his loss and honor his memory.  A very large number of friends of the deceased gathered at the Ely residence on Wednesday afternoon, to pay him the last sad tribute. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. E.E. Williams whose appropriate remarks were very impressive. The pall bearers were selected from the Ely family, the sons and grandsons performing the sad duty.  A member of his church contributes the following: His church life cannot be separated from his life in other departments, for he occupied so large a place in his heart’s choicest interests that it seemed a part of him. With characteristic ardor and fidelity he devoted himself unreservedly to every duty and privilege to the church he united with fifty-six years ago. Here he did a large and blessed service.  His place in the sanctuary was rarely vacant, even when failing strength warned him to take the best of care of himself, and sometimes with slower step and suffering body, his desire to be there overcame all hindrances.  His active part there, his voice in praise, his interested and cheerful greeting,  are delightful and cheerful memories we will always cherish. Then so wise in his decisions, quick to discuss the right in times of perplexity, thoughtful of highest aims of the church, his counsel was always sought for and ever so humbly and freely given. The mid week services was the one of marked privileges and one so which he came with heart and mind prepared, not with uncertain hurried preparation, as if it were a secondary interest, or promised duty, but with a prayerful preparation which made his presence with us a prayerful benediction and his words a strong helpful power, and the prayers he offered there with a child-like dependence on his Heavenly father and a firm grasp of the hand of the Elder Brother a most precious legacy.
Abstracted by Norma Karter ( Elyria Newspaper lookups )
   
EMERICH, ADA ISABELLE (nee KNIPPER),  (From Elyria Chronicle Telegram)                                                                                                                                                                        Mrs Ada Isabelle (nee Knipper) Emerich, 88, of Oberlin died Thursday (August 28, 1997) at EMH Regional Medical Center in Elyria after a long illness. Born in Elyria, she lived in Oberlin most of her life. Mrs Emerich was a homemaker and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oberlin, the Russia Township Farm Club, the Needle Guild and Oberlin Grange.  Survivors include her son William Haney of Elyria; two grandchildren; four great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Frederick "Jim" Emerich on May 12, 1974 and parents Vincent and Katherine "Katie" (nee Cook) Knipper and sisters Anna Lehman, Agnes Meschke, Catherine Youngblood and Leona Knipper at birth and brothers Alfred Knipper, Ernest J. "Mike" Knipper,John Knipper, George V. Knipper, Robert Knipper and Howard Knipper.   Friends may call two hours before services at 11:00am Saturday at Cowling Funeral Home, 228 S. Main  Street in Oberlin.  Burial will be at St Mary's Cemetery in Elyria, Ohio.
Joseph F. Conley

EPPLEY, Ethel E.
Mrs. Frank (Ethel E.) Eppley, 90 of 439 Shupe Ave, Amherst, died Monday afternoon at Tressie's Nursing Home in Oberlin following a long illness. Born in Henrietta Township, Mrs. Eppley was a resident of Amherst for the past 85 years.  She retired in 1955 after teaching school for 43 years.  She taught in the Sheffield, North Ridgeville, Black River, Elyria and Amherst Township School districts, and for the past 26 years in the Amherst City schools. She was the longest standing member of the Amherst United Church of Christ Congregational, a life long member of the Workshop Players, Inc., and was active in the local lodges for many years. Surviving are her daughter, Valerie Jenkins of Amherst. Her husband, Frank A., died in 1915.  A sister, Amelia Cooper is also deceased. Friends will be received in the Garland Funeral Home, 851 Park Ave., Amherst from 2-4 and 7-9 today. Services will be at 2:30 pm Wednesday in the funeral home.  The Rev. P. William VanderWyden, pastor of the Amherst United Church of Christ Congregational, will officiate.  Burial will be in Crownhill Cemetery in Amherst. Contributions, if desired should be made to the Amherst Historical Society or to the charity of Donor's choice. (d 29 Dec 1980)

 Karen Krugman

ERSKINE,  Gus
Saturday Jan 23, 1892 Lorain County Reporter
Oberlin - Thursday Jan 14th occurred the death of Gus Erskine, aged about 90 years old.

Abstracted by Norma Karter ( Elyria Newspaper lookups )

ERNST, Alice K.
Elyria Chronicle Telegram, Monday, May 6,  1963
AMHERST
Mrs. Alice K. Ernst, 80, died yesterday at 9:30 p.m. in the home of a daughter, Mrs. Robert Knapp, 1296 Pine View Dr., after an illness of 10 months.  Mrs. Ernst was born in rural Elyria April 6, 1883 and had lived in Amherst 45 years.  She was a former member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ.  Her husband, Henry C. Ernst, died in August, 1960.  Survivors are two daughters, Mrs. Knapp at whose home she died and Mrs. Elizabeth Hathaway, Lorain; a son, Henry A. Ernst, Amherst; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  Friends will be received in the Garland Funeral Home after 7 p.m. today.  Services will be Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in the funeral home.  The Rev. Guy J. Moyer will officiate.  Burial will be in South Murray Ridge Cemetery.

Norma Karter
( Elyria Newspaper lookups )

ESCHTRUTH, Anna Katherine nee DUTE
The death of Mrs. Anna Katherine Eschtruth, widow of the late Ferdinand Eschtruth occurred Tuesday, October 10, 1911, at her home here. Aged 58 years. She was born April 14, 1853 in Amherst, one of a family of fifteen children born to Casper and Mary Dute, and was married to Ferdinand Eschtruth in 1873, the death of the latter occurring last November.  Two children were born to them, Mrs. Harry Parsons surviving and one child dying in infancy.  The surviving sisters are Mrs. Nathan Miller of Wellington, Mrs. Fred Lau of Weeping Water, Nebraska, Mrs. John Krugman of Elyria and Mrs. Albert Kerns of Detroit; the brothers George, Anton, Henry, Julius, August and Casper, all of Amherst and Harvey and Jacob of Wellington. Funeral services were held Friday. (d 10 Oct 1911)

  Karen Krugman

ESSEX, Jessie B. nee Rose  (1866-1945)  From the Lorain Journal, Tues Sept. 4, 1945
Funeral services for Mrs. Jessie B. Essex, 79, a pioneer Lorain resident and widow of former Fire Chief Edward Essex, will be held tomorrow at 3pm. Mrs. Essex died Monday at 12:15 am at St. Joseph Hospital after an illness of several months.   Her husband died 5 years ago.  Daughter of an early Lorain Co.,-settlers, Mrs Essex, who was born Aug 25, 1866, lived her entire lifetime in Lorain and was valedictorian of her high school class of 1884. She was an active member of First Congregational church, was affiliated with the Sewing circle of that church and also was a member of the Pioneer School association.   A son, Kenneth M. of Lorain; a daughter, Mrs Kathyrn Irish, Lakewood, and one sister, Mrs. Edna Warden, Danbury, O survive.  There also are three grandchildren.
The body is at Walter A. Frey funeral home where services will be conducted with Rev Herbert Loomis, pastor of First Congregational church, officiating.  Burial will take place at Ridge Hill Memorial Park Cemetery."

  Maureen

ESSEX, Myrtle Edna (1891-1912)   From the Lorain Times Herald  Tues April 2, 1912
Funeral services for Miss Myrtle Edna Essex, who died Sunday at the home of her parents, Mr & Mrs. E. C. Essex of Washington Ave will be held at 1:45 tomorrow afternoon from the home, Rev A. R. Brown pastor of First Congregational church, officiating. Six classmates and aquaintances of Miss Essex will act as pall bearers;  Burr A Sanford, Adolph Kohlmeyer, Clark Galiatin, Emlyn(sp?) Thomas, Clark Phinney and Arthur H. Little.  Musical selections will be rendered by members of the choir of the Congregation church.  Burial will be made in Elmwood Cemetery."
Wed April 3, 1912
"MANY HONOR MEMORY OF MISS ESSEX
Funeral services in memory of Miss Myrtle Essex are being held this afternoon at the family home at 625 Washington Ave.  Miss Essex passed away Sunday night after a two year struggle against tuberculosis.  Rev A. R. Brown, pastor of the First Congregation church is conducting the services.  Music is furnished by the choir of the church.  The pall bearers were friends and classmates of the deceased; Adolph Kohlmyer, Clark Gallatin, Emlyn Thomas, Arthur H. Little, Burr Sanford and Clark Phiney.  Special funeral cars will convey the funeral party to Elmwood cemetery, where interment will be made.  Scores of friends of Miss Essex attended the services."

  Maureen

EVANS, Jeremiah
Elyria--A heart attack suffered when he was enroute to work this morning was believed to have caused the death of Jerremiah EVANS, 59,  231/2 Chestnut St. Evans was found at 8:30 am in an alley at the rear of the home of  Charles Leonard, according to police.  He was employed as a laborer on the WPA paving project on Middle Ave.  Born in Paulding, Oh.  Dec 11, 1880, Evans had been a resident of Eylria for 39 years.  Survivors  include Leota, his wife of 31 years; two brothers, Andy, Indiana and Alfred, Lima, OH., and one nephew in Oberlein. The body is at Sudro-Curtis funeral home.  Arrangements will be announced later.

Sharon Swanson