Ernestine Hardy

Ernestine Hardy 78, passed away April 9, 2008 at Toledo Hospital. Born in Toledo she was a lifetime member of Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church. She sang in their Senior Choir, served on the Kitchen Committee and numerous other church projects and organizations. She also sang with the Toledo Interfaith Mass Choir. Ernestine was an employee of Daimler-Chrysler Corporation for 27 years having served as a union steward with local 12. She was the first Black female steward for Local 12 at the Jeep Plant. She was involved in Local 12’s Women’s Committee, their United Way project and was most recently a board member of The Jeep retiree’s. After years of work and training in union organizing, she was a member of the UAW Region 2-B Retiree Platinum Club of V-CAP. Ernestine has volunteered for Sister Cities International, The Salvation Army and worked diligently with The Salvation Army/Jump Start Toledo Mentor Program and The United Way during her employment and retirement. As an active member of the Democratic Party she was a member of the Women’s Democratic Association and worked in numerous campaigns for local, state and national candidates as well as local and state issues. Ernestine had strong convictions about being involved in the union movement and working for the betterment of working and retired people and their families. She was preceded in death by her mother Vina Wilson, son LeRoy Wilson and five siblings James Wilson, Edith Lonas, Julia Syph, Alma Boose and Mary Washington. She leaves to cherish her memory daughters Sandra (Robert) Osby and Shirley Helton, grandchildren Tonya (Waylond) Rider of Temperence, MI and Lance Allen of Toledo, OH, special sister Alice Mays, companion Sylvester Hardy, devoted friends Georgia Russell and Pearl Humphrey and many nieces, nephews other relatives, her Mt. Pilgrim Church family and numerous friends. Visitation will be Tuesday 4 - 7 p.m. with wake services following at 7 – 9 p.m. Dale-Riggs Funeral Home Chapel, funeral services Wednesday 11:00 a.m. Mt. Pilgrim Church, Rev. Raymond C. Bishop officiant, interment Ottawa Hills Memorial Park Cemetery. Many thanks are sent to the doctors and nurses of the 7th floor of Toledo Hospital. www.dalefh.com