Ernest R. Hirzel of Northwood died on September 23, 2021 after a long illness. He was 89. Beginning in the early 1960s at the former Swiss Hall on South St.Clair Street in Toledo, Mr. Hirzel appeared as Santa Claus at Christmas parties. He continued the role at gatherings in the homes of friends, family and neighbors. With a twinkle in his baby blue eyes, "Uncle Ernie" always demonstrated kindness and took an interest in others. As friends and relatives knew well, "Uncle Ernie" lived his life his own way. Mr. Hirzel retired in 1991 from Libbey-Owens-Ford Company, then owned by Pilkington. Beginning in 1955, he worked in manufacturing and quality control for the company's plant in Rossford. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Pilkington sent Mr. Hirzel to its glass plant in Lathrop, California as a quality control consultant. In January of 1953, Mr. Hirzel was drafted into the United States Army. He served in the 34th Infantry Regiment in Korea. He received the United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. He was discharged as a private first class. Before his military service, Mr. Hirzel worked as an engine lathe operator for the National Supply Company in Toledo. He began his career at the family business, Alfred Hirzel & Sons Greenhouses. A 1952 graduate of Olney High School, Mr. Hirzel was also a founding member of VFW Post #2984 in Northwood. He was both a charter member and lifetime member of the post. Mr. Hirzel was also a master Mason at Paragon Lodge #788 in Millbury. Ernest Rudolph Hirzel was born on June 30, 1932 to Alfred A. and Bertha (Vogelsanger) Hirzel at home in what is now Northwood. He was seventh of nine children and is the last surviving sibling. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Alfred E, Robert L, Donald and Hugh Hirzel; and sisters Madelyn Cimpritz, Thelma Hoehener, Ruth Brown and Betty Stotz. He is survived by eighteen nieces and nephews and numerous grand and great nieces and nephews. Family and friends may visit at the Eggleston-Meinert-Pavley Funeral Home, Oregon Chapel, 440 S. Coy Road, Oregon, Ohio on Friday, October 1 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. At 7:00 p.m., Paragon Lodge #788 will perform a Masonic service. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 2 at Memorial United Church of Christ, 367 Plymouth Street, Toledo. The family will receive visitors at 9 a.m. with services following at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Lake Township Cemetery. Contributions in Mr. Hirzel's memory may be made to Memorial United Church of Christ.