Gary Paul Erney

Gary Paul Erney, 73, residing in Sandusky, passed away Thursday morning, April 10, 2025 at home. Gary was born on August 10, 1951 in Sandusky, OH to the late Rolland and Anna Sylvia (Kirner) Erney.
Gary graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1969 and remained a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sandusky. A longtime booster of the St. Mary's Panthers, he served as an advisor to the founding members of the St. Mary's Central Catholic Hall of Fame and was a proud member of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee. Gary also had a deep passion for collecting anything and everything related to St. Mary's.
Anyone who knew Gary knew just how passionate he was about sports. He especially loved cheering on his nieces and nephews during their younger years-most of all when they faced off against the St. Mary's Panthers in rival games. Beyond high school athletics, Gary was a devoted fan of the Cleveland Indians, Cavaliers, Browns, The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Notre Dame fighting Irish. Whether he was watching in person, tuning in on TV or radio, or reading about it in the newspaper, Gary simply loved the thrill of the game.
When Gary wasn't keeping up with sports, he enjoyed lending a hand to neighbors and friends with odd jobs and volunteering as an usher at his church. Since Gary didn't drive, he could often be seen walking around the city-whether heading to church, exploring downtown, or strolling along the shores of Lake Erie.
Gary is survived by his brother, Tom (Judy) Erney of Santa Rosa, CA; and brother-in-law, William Rathburn of Mansfield, OH. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, Jim (Sharon) Rathburn of Delaware, OH, Eric (Melanie Romick) Rathburn of Powell, OH, Gary (Barbara) Rathburn of Mansfield, OH, Joan (Steve) Spehar of Oldsmar, FL, Sharon (Scott) Woodland of Roseville, CA, Tim (Lisa Young) Erney of Fullerton, CA, and Lisa (Adam) Byers of Dublin, OH; as well as eight great-nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Gary is preceded in death by his sister, Sylvia Rathburn; and his brother, Robert Erney.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 1st at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 429 Central Ave., Sandusky, Ohio. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Sandusky, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to contribute to Gary's memory may do so to St. Mary's Catholic Church, 429 Central Ave., Sandusky, Ohio 44870, or Sandusky Central Catholic School, 410 West Jefferson Street, Sandusky, Ohio 44870.