Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
2001 Columbus Ave
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-625-8816
Website: http://www.toftfh.com
View All Obituaries from Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
Elsie C. Calamese 98, of Sandusky, passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2015 in Parkvue Health Care Center.
She was born on December 5, 1916 in Berlin Heights, and was a 1934 graduate of Sandusky High School.
She attended Bowling Green State University, Firelands Campus. Elsie retired from the United States Postal Service.
She was the oldest living member of Second Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School, sang in the senior choir, and belonged to the Mother's Board and the Matrons Ministry. She was the first person from Erie County to be inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame (1997) for her volunteer work in the Sandusky Chapter of the American Red Cross, where she put in over 5000 hours of volunteer work. Elsie received numerous awards including the Gold Award from Medical Mutual of Ohio, R.J. Rollen Award, for outstanding senior volunteerism in Northwest Ohio, and the Ohio House of Representatives 126th General Assembly Presidents Volunteer Service Award. She served on numerous boards and committees, co-founding the Care and Share Second Harvest Program, and founding the Food Shopping Club at Porter's Memorial Nutrition Site.
She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Lovey (Daniel I.) Leavell, Sr., of Sandusky; grandchildren, Daniel I. (Caroline Cotton) Leavell, Jr., Douglas C. (Kimberly Gase) Leavell, and Deanna C. Leavell, all of Sandusky; other special grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Chandiss C. Harvey and Isaac Samuel Harvey, both of Indianapolis, IN, Douglas Daniel Seavers and Charles Gase, both of Sandusky; cousin, LaJune (George) Benson, of Detroit, MI; nieces, Marjean (Ronald) Karr, of Fremont, and Dana Holbert, of Columbus; special friends, Lena Clayton, Dorothy Farrar, Darwitt Garrett, Veranna Carman, Darryl and Shelley DeQuichi, and Karen Lavine, all of Sandusky.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry C. and Anna A. (James) Coakley; brother, Harry J. Coakley; and sister, Jean (Coakley) Dixon.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2015 from 9 A.M. until time of funeral services at 12 Noon at Second Baptist Church, 315 Decatur St., Sandusky. Pastor Reginald Taylor will officiate. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Elsie's name may be made to Second Baptist Church, American Red Cross - Sandusky Chapter, Erie County Care and Share, or to Stein Hospice.
Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky is handling arrangements.
Condolences and gifts of sympathy may be made by visiting toftfh.com.
