Obituary of Edward Walter Kalmers

Edward Walter Kalmers, 93, of Detroit St., more recently of the Villa at the Lake died Saturday, April 25, 2015 at UH Conneaut Medical Center. He was born on February 25, 1922 in Youngstown, Ohio, a son of William Benjamin and Mary (Kuzminski) Kazmerski. Ed was the youngest of their eight children. He was a hard worker. Ed had a paper route from ages 9 to 17 (100 dailies and 115 Sundays.) He paid for his own dry cleaning: $1/week for his shirts. Ed wore a shirt and tie every day to school. Bib overalls were only worn on the family farm. After graduating from Rayen High School in 1940, he went to night school at Youngstown University. Ed was assistant manager at Isaly Dairy Store in 1941. He came to Conneaut in 1944 to work at the Astatic Corporation in production control. Mr. Kalmers took classes at Erie Electronics to become a mechanical draftsman. He married Lois Weckerly Nixon on June 23, 1945 in Youngstown. He and Lois bought Johnson's Drive-In Diner in 1964 and ran that business for 38 years. Ed was active in the Elks Lodge #256 since 1951, holding most of the leadership positions, including District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler. He was also a member of the Moose Club, Eagles and the Conneaut Lions Club, which he assisted with the Safety Town. He had a great deal of pride in Conneaut. Ed and Lois enjoyed golfing, bowling, playing cards, dancing and winning jitterbug contests at the Astatic Corporation company picnics at Conneaut Lake Park in Pennsylvania. Ed was a family man, first and foremost, always helping out in many ways. Lois's mother lived with them for 35 years, and two grandchildren, Ron and Tonia Ward, lived with them for many years. Survivors include his two daughters, Joan (Charles A.) Rockwell of The Villages, FL, Amy (David) Gruenberg, of Columbus, OH; five grandchildren, Jennifer (Jeff) Chaplin, Jeff (Salima) Rockwell, Stephen and Adam Gruenberg and Ron Ward, Jr.; six great-grandchildren, Emma and Kate Chaplin, Logan and Rylan Rockwell and Ethan and Riley Ward. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; his parents; his daughter, Marcia Ann Kalmers Ward; his five sisters; his two brothers; and his granddaughter, Tonia Lynn Ward. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 10 A.M. at Greenlawn Memory Gardens, with Rev. Scott Walsh, of New Leaf United Methodist Church, officiating. Entombment will follow. Friends may call on Friday, May 1 from 6-8 P.M. at the Thompson-Smith-Nesbitt Funeral Home, 345 Main St., Conneaut, where an Elk's service will be held at 8 P.M. In lieu of flowers, please consider the Conneaut Elks Lodge #256 Scholarship in Eddie's memory. Envelopes will be a available at the funeral home or may be mailed to 63 Parrish Rd., Conneaut, Ohio, 44030.