Ernest C. Tobias

Ernest Carroll Tobias, age 85, of Napoleon died early Monday morning, Aug. 4, 2025 at the Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center.

He was born Jan. 16, 1940, to Wesley and Mildred (Carroll) Tobias in Lima, Ohio. He attended Defiance and graduated from Ayersville High School in 1958. Ernest married Sue Felter on June 4, 1960.

Ernest served proudly in the Ohio National Guard. He was a member of both St. Augustine Catholic Church, Napoleon and St. Mary's Catholic Church, Holgate. He was a member of the Elks and Auglaize Country Club.

Ernest was an insurance agent for 39 years with Western & Southern Insurance in Defiance. After his retirement of not missing work for 39 years and being the first to start the morning coffee, ET as he was fondly remembered, enjoyed 24 years at Little Long Lake, Michigan, making memories with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren fishing, boating and campfires at night.

He later attended Statzenburger in Toledo and obtained his real estate license in 1996. His younger days were spent bowling, watching many sports on TV and at Coon Hollow along the Maumee River where his closest friends gathered.

In later years, he loved golfing and going on those trips with his son, grandson and three brothers. He loved playing pool, Texas Hold 'Em, dancing on the weekends only after attending church, something he was faithful in doing.

He bought many vinyl albums from The Beatles, Sly and the Family Stone, Janis Joplin and The Doobie Brothers (one of his favorites) and playing the console stereo with these, especially on Sunday. ET and Sue made several trips to Florida during the winter months and also to South Carolina where his son and wife lived.

He had attended both Defiance and Ayersville school class reunions, especially the reunion of the 1957-58 Ayersville State Basketball Champions, which he was so very proud of and, still fitting into his school jacket. Having several grands and great-grandchildren, he put each one on top of the refrigerator as babies to his delight. He enjoyed family reunions with the Tobias's and Carroll's and each Christmas at his daughter's, holding every new baby as the years went by.

He'll be so fondly remembered for his ability of one liners keeping everyone on their toes and laughing, his faith in God, and the love of his family and friends.

Ernest is survived by his wife, Sue, of 65 years; a son, Tim (Kristy) Tobias, Monclova, and a daughter Kelly Tobias, Holgate; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren (and one on the way); two great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Richard Tobias, Defiance, Gary (Susie) Tobias, Defiance, and Dave (Lila) Tobias, Continental; and brother-in-law, Frank Felter.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step mother, Rosalie (Manon) Tobias; brothers, Dan Beauprez and Greg Tobias; a sister, Diane Helvig; grandson, Cory Brown and wife Jessica Okuly Brown; and sisters-in-law, Janet Tobias and Carol Felter.

Friends will be received in the Zachrich Family Funeral Home, Holgate, on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, from 2-7 p.m., and one hour prior to the church service. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, Aug. 8 in St. Mary's Catholic Church, with Father Nick Cunningham officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or CHP Hospice Care in Defiance.