Frank "Mr. Whitmer" Erme

1928 - 2016

(News Article) Frank Erme, or "Mr. Whitmer" as he became known for an association dating to the 1950s, with service as a high school teacher, coach, and athletic director, then president of the Washington Local school board, died Saturday in ProMedica Flower Hospital. He was 87.

He had congestive heart failure, his daughter, Jane, said. He was a regular at Whitmer High School basketball games - a courtside spot in the bleachers is marked with his name and "Mr. Whitmer" - and attended until less than two weeks before his death.

Mr. Erme was a district employee from 1952-88, retiring as athletic director. He was appointed to the Washington Local school board in July, 1991, to fill a vacancy, elected to a full four-year term later that year, and re-elected in 1995. Health concerns caused him not to seek re-election afterward. At his last meeting, the board presented him a warm-up jacket in Whitmer colors and a gold T-shirt with "Mr. Whitmer" in large blue letters.

"He was the legacy. He was the face of Whitmer and Washington Local Schools," said Lori Czerniakowski, a Whitmer Athletic Hall of Fame inductee who played basketball and softball. "He took pride in his community and all the kids he got to know. Even as adults he still loved us and embraced us. He made us feel amazing, the top of the world."

The regard was mutual.

"If there was an undying love, it was his for the students of Washington Local," said Rick Kaifas, commissioner of the Toledo Area Athletic Conference, who succeeded Mr. Erme as Whitmer athletic director.

Mr. Erme later returned to the board, elected in 2005 and 2009.

He was born Oct. 18, 1928, in Sharpsville, Pa., to Mary and Michael Erme. He played baseball in high school and was a standout on the football team. He played football at Duquesne University, then transferred to what was then Findlay College, where he received a bachelor's degree in 1952. He also met his wife, Nancy, at Findlay.

His first job later that year was with the Washington Local district, teaching social studies and coaching freshman football. He also coached basketball at Washington Junior High and started a wrestling program. At Whitmer, he taught social studies and was a reserve coach in baseball and basketball, and a varsity assistant football coach. He was varsity basketball coach from 1960-66 and again in 1972.

Mr. Erme was Whitmer athletic director from 1966-88. In 1972, he made plans for an all-weather track at Whitmer's stadium. An athletic field at the high school later was renamed in his honor.

When he retired, he also had been Whitmer associate principal for more than a decade. On the school board, Mr. Erme brought with him the district's history "and just common sense," said Steve Zuber, a former board president. "Frank's big thing was he wanted to do everything he could for the kids."

Mr. Erme had a master's degree from the University of Toledo.

He'd been inducted into the University of Findlay, State of Ohio Athletic Directors, Mercer County, Toledo City League, and Italian American Sports Club halls of fame.

He attended Fairgreen Presbyterian Church.

His wife died Sept. 15, 1975. The Nancy Erme Relays at Whitmer are named in her honor.

Surviving are his son, Joseph; daughter, Jane Washington; brother, Anthony; four grandsons, and two great-grandchildren.

The family will receive guests from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in Newcomer Funeral Home on West Laskey Road. Funeral services will be private.

The family suggests tributes to a fund in his name at Sun Federal Credit Union on Executive Parkway to benefit a memorial fund he set up to benefit cheerleaders at the University of Findlay.

This is a news article written by The Blade staff writer Mark Zaborney. You may contact him at mzaborney@theblade.com