Ernest J. "Ernie" Pleiman, 89, of Spencerville, passed away at 4:49 PM Wednesday, April 18, 2018 in the Mercy Health St. Rita's Medical Center following a sudden illness.

He was born April 12, 1929 in Philothea, Mercer County, Ohio, a son of the late Joseph John and Theresa Stahl Pleiman, II. On June 11, 1955 he married June Vermont Burris, who died February 7, 1961.

Then on June 24, 1963 he married Emma C. Opperman, who survives, along with their son Timothy Ernest Pleiman of Chicago, IL. and brothers; Robert (Salome) Pleiman of Coldwater and Thomas (Marilyn) Pleiman of Scottsdale, AZ.; and in-laws; Hal & Gudrun Opperman of Kingwood, AZ.; Dave & Keri Opperman Muir of Cranberry Twp., PA.

He was preceded in death by Flip and Vera Pleiman Stelzer; Arthur Pleiman; Richard and Lucille Pleiman Fleck; Ralph and Rose Ann Pleiman Post; Leonard and Alice Pleiman Homan; Betty Grillot Pleiman; Paul and Margie Pleiman Dirksen.

Ernie was a long time member of the Hartford Christian Church and also the Spencerville Lions Club. He was elected to the Spencerville Village Council, serving in the 1970s. He had retired from the Mersman Brothers Furniture Manufacturing Company in Celina, where he was a mill worker for over 35 years.

Funeral services will be 2 PM Saturday in the Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville, with Pastor Frank Hartman officiating. Burial will follow in the German Protestant Cemetery in New Bremen.

The family will receive friends from 2/4 and 6/8 PM Friday and after 1 PM Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hartford Church or to the Spencerville Lions Club.

Condolences may be sent to tbayliff@woh.rr.com.