Ernest M. Washington

Ernest M. Washington, Jr., 90, known as Ernie to his friends, passed away peacefully at his home in Port Clinton, Ohio, on October 30, 2017. He was born December 18, 1926, in Mansfield, Ohio, to Ernest M. Washington, Sr., and Thelma Williams. Ernie married Dorothy Ann Taylor (now deceased) and they had one daughter, Linda Kay (Washington) Hooberman. Before he married, Ernie grew up in Mansfield with his elder sister Helen and his younger brother Don. His Dad worked at the Empire-Reeves Steel Mill and on the Pennsylvania Railroad. A WWII veteran, Ernie joined the Navy, wanting to be an underwater diver. On his return from military service, he worked in telegraphs and signals for the Pennsylvania Railroad before moving to the Mansfield Telephone Company for 28 years, retiring in 1983 as a Department Manager. In 1959, a friend invited Ernie to a meeting of the Mansfield Skin Divers Club. He never looked back, becoming President of the club and named as "Diver of the Year" in Ohio in 1969. Ernie captained the Harbor Belle to Cedar Point and the City of Sandusky Ferryboats. As well as running tugboats for Marine Towing and skippering many dive trips on Lake Erie. An enthusiastic and accomplished mariner and scuba diver, Ernie will be remembered by members of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Underwater Search and Rescue Team, and by his many friends, including those at Port Clinton's New Wave Scuba, for his underwater salvage achievements in Lake Erie. Anchors he salvaged in Lake Erie can be found at the entrance to the Sandusky Maritime Museum and at Wendy's restaurant in East Perry St. in Port Clinton. Ernie is survived by his daughter Linda, her husband Neal Hooberman, his granddaughter Julie, his grandson John, his great-granddaughter Summer, and his great-great grandson Benjamin. Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 am Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 1124 Fulton St. Port Clinton, OH where visitation will be held Tuesday from 10:00 11:00 am. Interment will be in Mansfield Cemetery, Mansfield, OH. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.neideckerleveckcrosser.com . Funeral Home: Neidecker-LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home - Port Clinton Chapel 1124 Fulton Street Port Clinton, OH US 43452