If you have a loved one that is currently or previously associated with CCMS and have passed away, please click HERE to let us know about your loss so that we can share on our In Memoriam page.

Charles Ernst

Father and Father-in-Law of Kendell and Jon Deitloff, CFSP, OFDA Past President

Charles Arthur Ernst, age 80, of Franklin, Ohio passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at The Hospice of Hamilton. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 20, 1945, the son of the late Arthur Louis and Betty Lou (Martin) Ernst.

Charles is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Nancy (Dudley) Ernst; three children, Timothy Ernst, Holly (Gary) Stegeman, Tammy (Tom) Kibbey; three step-children, Chad (Brooke) Miller, Kendell (Jon) Deitloff, Brooke (Tony) Stephens; two sisters, Mary Fisher, Irene Gilb; two brothers, Robert (Brenda) Ernst, George Ernst; six grandchildren,Samuel and Sydney Stegeman, Jacob (Brittany) Kibbey, Jessica (Michelle) Holmes, Brandy (Rob) Ward, Danielle Pfeffer. He is also survived by 7 great-grandchildren and several step-grandchildren.

He was a member of Fairhaven Church and actively involved with the Beavercreek Strummers, The Kettering Banjo Society and the Fastiques Antique Car Club. Charles was also a member of the Masons and Shriners and had retired from General Motors after 30 years of dedicated service.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at the Anderson Funeral Home- Springboro Chapel, 40 North Main Street, Springboro with Pastor David Ringhiser officiating. Interment will follow in Miami Valley Memory Gardens. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the services on Tuesday.

If desired, contribution in memory of Charles may be made to The Hospice of Cincinnati "Hamilton Center", 1010 Eaton Avenue, Hamilton, Ohio 45013.

Bernard G. Naegele

Bernard G. Naegele "Bernie" passed away suddenly and peacefully on December 10, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. Bernie spent his life not just as a member of his community, but as an integral part of it—a proud owner of Naegele, Kleb & Ihlendorf Funeral Home for over fifty years. He was licensed in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Bernie was always the one people turned to—a mentor and a guiding light in the funeral service industry. He was the best boss and never ended a day without saying thank-you to his employees.

As a loving father, Bernie loved spending time with his daughters, Michelle (Paul) Harding, Lisa Harriman and the late Heidi. His pride extended to his grandchildren, Ben (Kate) Harding and Matthew Harriman, who brought brightness to his days and smiles to his heart. Linda Haines was happily by his side the last 25 years. He shared this journey with his dear brother, Tom (the late Jan), his twin, the late Dr. Robert (the late Lois) and the late George (Bonnie) Naegele.

Bernie's warmth extended far beyond bloodline; he nurtured friendships that became lifelong affiliations in his community. He served as the Norwood Civil Service Commissioner for many years. Generosity of heart led Bernie to belong to numerous organizations, from the Norwood Moose, Eagles, Shamrock Club, Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Post #123, Masonic Lodge #576, the Knights of Columbus, Member of the Valley of Cincinnati A.A.S.R., Shriners and Kolping all spoke to his dedication to uplifting those around him.

A proud Army veteran, Bernie exemplified courage and resilience serving during war. He was stationed in Pam John, Korea, right next to the D military zone. In life, whether it was sharing a cold Bud Light with friends or cheering on the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals, Bernie embraced every moment and lived life to the fullest.

His passing is met with deep sorrow, yet those who were fortunate to know him carry memories of his unwavering spirit within them. Bernie was a beacon of joy, intelligence, and humor, a man who loved to revel in life and the love of his girls at the funeral home, Tara and Jackie. He knew the importance of celebration in the face of grief, reminding everyone that laughter and joy can coexist even in dark times.

A visitation will take place at Naegele, Kleb Ihlendorf Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, a Masonic and Scottish Rite Service will be held at 6:00 PM. Funeral Mass will held on Wednesday, December 17 at 11 AM at Holy Trinity Church, 2420 Drex Ave, Norwood, Ohio 45212.

Memorials may be directed to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) or St. Jude's Hospital.

Larry G. Crates

OFDA Past President, Husband of Drinda "Rindy" Crates, Retired Funeral Director, and Father of Amanda Crates Bayliff, Licensed Funeral Director and President of the OBEFD

After a long and courageous journey with Alzheimer’s disease, Larry G. Crates, 82, was gently released from its grasp on December 16, 2025. While the disease slowly took memories, it never touched the love he gave so freely, nor the legacy he leaves behind.

Larry was born on April 25, 1943 in Bluffton, Ohio, the first son of Herbert Hazen George and Lillian Irene (Koontz) Crates, both deceased. He grew up on the family farm with his four siblings. He was active in the high school band and graduated from Arlington High School in 1961, where he was the class valedictorian and penned the AHS Alma Mater. Following graduation, he pursued a pre-med degree at The Ohio State University, where he also played in “The Best Damn Band in The Land”, (the OSU Marching Band)--getting into the band on a challenge. While in college, Larry worked and lived at the Rutherford Funeral Home in Columbus–it was here where he found his calling in funeral service. He later graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and became a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Larry served in the US AirForce Reserves.

On August 22, 1970 he married Drinda (Rindy) McNett at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jenera. Larry and Rindy shared 55 years of marriage. The couple have two daughters, Amanda (Joseph, deceased) Bayliff and Katie (Rich) Kramer; seven grandchildren Kellen, Reis, Raena, Kendall, Noah, Ella and Braden.

Larry was a beyond-the-box thinker when it came to business, and his compassion for the bereaved solidified his decision to return to Hancock County and open a funeral business with his own family. He started his funeral career in 1968, opening Crates Funeral Home in Arlington, and then purchasing the Goff Funeral Home in Carey, which was sold in 1976 in order to purchase the Coldren Funeral Home in Findlay. In 1987, the Smith Funeral Home in North Baltimore was acquired, and the three funeral homes became Coldren-Crates Funeral Homes.

Larry lived to learn, he was interested in everything. He served as the president of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association. While he was involved with the state association, he was instrumental in bringing trust funded funerals to Ohio. Larry retired from funeral service in 2019 upon his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. He was an excellent cook and loved to entertain. His wit and sense of humor, (although sometimes mischievous) was always appreciated.

He was a life-long member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he also served as organist over the years.

He is also survived by two sisters, Sandra Dacre, Mary Phillips and two brothers, Charles and Jack Crates.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am Monday, December 22, 2025 at Good Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, 300 South Main Street, Arlington, OH with Pastor Steven Ramsey officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, alongside four generations of the Crates (Krotz) family, who emigrated to the United States in 1831. Larry took great pride in his German roots, his church, his family and bringing beautiful music to this area; however, ushering local residents and their families out of this world with great care was something it seemed he was divinely appointed to do. Please join us as we humbly try to do the same for him.

Visitation will be held from 12 to 5 pm Sunday, December, 21st at his residence, 630 North Main Street, Arlington, OH and for one hour prior to the funeral at the church. The family requests in lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to The Findlay-Hancock County Foundation-Celebration of Life Fund (Memo: Larry G. Crates).