Ernest William Mease

Ernest W. Mease

May 1, 1925 - Sept. 11, 2024

It is with great sadness that the family of Ernest W. Mease of Toledo announce his passing at the advanced age of 99 on 9/11/2024, 6:24 a.m., at Hospice in Toledo. Survived by spouse Joyce of Toledo, daughter Melissa Mease of Maumee, son David (Kathryn) Mease of San Jose, California, and a dear brother

Norman Mease and family who reside in Boyds, Maryland.

Ernie and his twin sister Carolyn (now deceased) were born at home in Washington, D. C. on May 1, 1925. Father Ralph T. Mease and mother Eva Nye Mease have predeceased.

Ernie was a calm, refined, educated, and respected gentleman who served following high school graduation as a proud U.S. Navy SEABEE in WW II. Following WW II, where Ernie served as a machinists mate on a ship involved in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and was part of Gen. McArthur’s “return,” Ernie was honorably discharged in 1946 with rank of Petty Officer Machinists Mate 2; he then attended Lehigh University on the G.I. Bill graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Always fond of autos and mechanics, he was hired first in Philadelphia by Toledo’s Haughton Elevator Company supervising elevator installation. Then Haughton transferred him to Toledo as a supervisor where he became quite the “social man about Toledo town” dating many gals. He and Joyce, married for 54 years, met when skating with the Toledo Figure Skating Club at the Sports Arena. He was also proud of his service to our country and joined the VFW whose members had fought abroad as he did. He joined American Legion Toledo Post 335, serving at one point as Post Commander. He joined Swanton Post 479 as a Legion “Son”. (Ernie’s father was the initial Legion Post Commander in a town in Pennsylvania after the first World War.) Since leaving Haughton, Ernie also totally enjoyed constructing and renovating apartments and houses in Toledo and Bowling Green and was a successful landlord. His family and his dear Border Collie “Casey” were all-important in his life.

Always interested in boating, Ernie purchased a 23’ hard-top Bayliner, named it Shangri-La (after the infamous WWII “Doolittle Raiders”), docked at the Maumee River Yacht Club, also spending weeks cruising with his brother and Toledo Sail & Power Squadron.

Ernie suffered a massive heart attack at age 53, then subsequently two bouts of pneumonia later in his life. The last bout of “aspiration pneumonia” caused his breathing, energy, and activities to deteriorate dramatically. When asked about living in good health for 99 years, he would reply that he owed it all to his doctors and to the V.A.! He also made it a habit to exercise on a daily basis.

"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;

May the name of the Lord be praised." [Job1:21]

Visitation will be held at the Walter Funeral Home, 4653 Glendale Avenue, on Monday, Sept.16th from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a Farewell Service by American Legion Toledo Post 335 at 3:00 p.m.

Graveside services will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 17th in Toledo Memorial Park at High Noon, with the U.S Navy Honors Team assisted by VFW Post 606, including a Rifle Volley Salute and TAPS.

Farewell dear member of “The Greatest Generation.” You will always be remembered with honor and love and sorely missed.