Joseph Edward Sayers

Joseph E. Sayers, 93, of Maumee, Ohio died Tuesday, March 28, 2017, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Joseph was born in Toledo August 1, 1923 to Francis G. and Katherine W. (Holmes) Sayers. He graduated from Central Catholic High School and enlisted in the Navy in WWII, serving as a radar operator aboard the destroyer USS Thompson during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. He married Eleanor Olson of New York City and worked for Champion Spark Plug in Toledo for 36 years, 1950 to 1986, starting as a tool-and-die maker, later earning an AA degree from the UT Community and Technical College, and retired as head of the Machinery Design Department in 1986. Active in the community, he was a charter member of the Monclova Township Volunteer Fire/Rescue Department, serving 35 years from 1961 to 1996. He was also a Zoning Inspector for the Township in the late 1980s, and served as an usher for many years at St Joseph Church in Maumee. A true handyman, he made home repairs and improvements of all kinds, and supported his wife, Ellie, in her many volunteer efforts. They enjoyed camping with friends, travel, and attending USS Thompson reunions around the country. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife Ellie of 63 years in 2010; by brothers Patrick, John & William; and by his sister, Sister Mary Virginia. He is survived by his daughter Barbara Sayers of Toledo and son Thomas Sayers (Mary Lou Huseby) of Los Angeles; step-grandchildren Anne and David Epstein; brother James of Toledo, and many nieces and nephews. Family and friends may visit Thursday, March 30, 2017, 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant Street, Maumee, where a rosary will be said at 7:00 pm. A visitation will begin at 9:30 am Friday, March 31 in the funeral home, followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:30 in St Joseph Catholic Church, Maumee. Interment will follow at the church cemetery, with military honors. A light lunch will be served at the St. Joseph Community Center following the cemetery service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to either St. Joseph Commitment to Community Campaign, 104 W. Broadway, Maumee, OH 43537, Sunset Retirement Communities, 4040 Indian Rd, Toledo, OH 43606, or a charity of the donor’s choice.