J. Ernest "Ernie" Marks

J. Ernest "Ernie" Marks, of Austintown, passed away on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 7:15 a.m. in Briarfield of Ashley Circle in Austintown. He was 94 years old. Ernie was born on January 20, 1917 (Inauguration Day) in Johnstown, Pennsylvania the son of the late Charles and Rosalia (Klein) Marks. He often commented that they threw a big party for him every four years in Washington DC but they never seemed to invite him. He grew up in Johnstown, lived through the 1936 Johnstown Flood and was a graduate of Johnstown Central High School. Ernie played the Tuba in the Johnstown Symphony, the University of Pittsburgh Band and the Aut-Mori Grotto Band. He directed the local church band in the 60's and was a member of the Pitt Glee Club. Ernie was a member of Four Mile Run Christian Church for over 50 years. He was the church treasurer in the 1960's as well as an Elder and member of the Church Board. He was a member of the Church Building Committee for the new church and belonged to the Good Fellowship Sunday School Class. He was a Cub Scout leader in the late 50's and was a great inspiration to those in his pack. Ernie was an active Freemason and was instrumental in forming the Meander Lodge #765 F&AM and he could be found on a ladder during its construction in North Jackson. Ernie was a 32nd Degree Mason, as was his father before him, belonging to the Youngstown Consistory and chaired the Rose Croix Chapter; was past Worshipful Master of the Meander Lodge #765 F&AM in 1970 and was named Mason of the year in 1984. Ernie served as Worthy Patron and was an honorary member of Jephthah Chapter Order of the Easter Star in Glenshaw, Pennsylvania. He was Worthy Patron of the Order of Eastern Star #583 as his wife was Worthy Matron. Ernie was currently a member of the Allen Masonic Lodge in Columbiana and was initiated into the Hillman Lodge in Youngstown. Ernie was an avid outdoorsman since his youth including fly fishing for Trout in Central Pennsylvania, hunting for rabbit and pheasant with his boys and friends. He continued to fish the Great Lakes and Lake Milton until his early 90's and bowled and golfed in a league almost for as long. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 1941 as a Metallurgical Engineer, he took a job with US Steel the Ohio Works and then the War broke out and Ernie enlisted in the Navy. Upon his completion of his Navy commitment he returned to Youngstown to work for US Steel as a Metallurgical Lab Foreman and plant Photographer, retiring from that job in the mid 70's just prior to the Ohio Works being permanently closed. Ernie often said the Mill closed because they could not do without him. Ernie was a veteran of the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II and received 3 bronze stars before being honorably discharged on April 4, 1946 as a Lieutenant. Ernie was an avid photographer both on and off the job developing his own film and making custom Christmas cards and enlargements of family gatherings and old family historic pictures. Ernie is survived by his wife the former Sara Laverne Brehm whom he married on September 26, 1942; two sons Kenneth (Sandra) Marks of Quakertown, PA and David (Rebecca) Marks of Austintown; five grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Besides his parents, Ernie was preceded in death by four sisters Helen Murphy, Jennie Grimm, Dorothy Barndt and Charlotte Rasco. Calling hours for Ernie will take place on Friday, March 4, 2011 from 5 until 8 p.m. and again on Saturday, March 5, 2011 from 9 until 10 a.m. all at the Lane Funeral Home Austintown Chapel, 5797 Mahoning Ave, Austintown, Ohio 44515, where a Masonic service will be held Friday evening. A Funeral Service will take place on Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions take the form of donations to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44512-2198.