Josef Erni

January 7, 1929 - May 8, 2022

Josef Erni, age 93, of Cleveland, passed away on Sunday, May 8, 2022 at the Vitalia Active Adult Community in Solon. He was born on January 7, 1929 in Alt Futok, Yugoslavia and grew up in Munich, Germany before emigrating to the United States in 1952. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955 and went on to work as a millwright for LTV Steel in Cleveland, retiring in 1991. Joe was very fond of playing the accordion and keyboard, and entertained his family at many holiday parties over the years, as well as at his retirement home. He was an avid sports fan, and enjoyed all Cleveland sports, but coming from Europe, his heart was truly with his soccer team back home, FC Bayern München. He and his late wife Irmgard enjoyed traveling throughout the world, and locally enjoyed casino bus trips together with family and friends. Saturday mornings would find the two of them enjoying breakfast together at the local Eat’n Park. He is survived by his sister Katharina Werner; nieces and nephews Ellie (Frank Rimpf) Tillman, Max (Margie) Werner, Brigitte Howley, Anita (Mike Adams) Erni, Joe (Allison) Erni, many great and great-great nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his wife Irmgard (nee Werner); parents Josef and Theresia (nee Rolzhauser) Erni; brothers Paul (Apollonia) Erni and Adam (Katharina) Erni; brother-in-law Max Werner. Memorial Service Friday, May 13 at 6:00 p.m. in the Bogner Family Funeral Home, 36625 Center Ridge Road, North Ridgeville, where family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until time of service. Rev. Chuck Behrens will officiate. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Joe’s name to the Singing Angels at www.singingangels.org.