Ernest L. Lease

Ernest L. Lease (Ernie) of Mount Summit, Indiana went on to meet the Lord on 8-24-24 at twenty till four in the morning. He was born on September 19, 1952 in Keyser, West Virginia to Noah W. Lease and Maude Irene (Davis) Lease. 

He met the love of his life on January 18, 1974. Then just four months later on May 11, 1974, Linda Berdene Vandegrift Delaplane Lease became his bride for 50 years.

On March 11, 1975, they welcomed their first child, Ernest Lynn Lease II, and on January 14, 1981, they welcomed Rebecca Ann Lease, his “Little Dolly.” In 1997, the first of his grandchildren, Katherine Lynn Lease, was born followed by Tyler Andrew Lease in 1999, Avrianna Marie Klein in 2003, Logan Andrew and Landan Allen White in 2006, and Titus Christopher Klein in 2009. He affectionately referred to them as “Kiddos.”

Ernie was raised in Westernport, Maryland and graduated from Bruce High School in 1970. He moved to Ohio and worked at Myer Manufacturing in Lynn, Indiana and then onto the Chrysler Corporation in New Castle, after being laid off in 1978, Ernie went on to utilize his expansive skills to become an independent general contractor and mechanic. He also worked for Lowes and Astrial Industries. But in 1990, Ernie went back to college to explore a career in nursing. In 1994, he became an RN and worked at Ball Memorial Hospital until his retirement. 

Ernie overcame many adversities in his life despite juvenile diabetes, a 1981 backhoe accident that crushed his left side, Ménière’s disease that caused constant vertigo and hearing loss, a heart attack, and cancer. None of this ever stopped him from working hard, loving his family, and loving his God—there was no quit in him.

Ernie enjoyed yard work, gardening, tinkering on cars, working around the house, and fixing anything and everything. He enjoyed watching the Indianapolis Colts and IU basketball, then complaining about how bad the calls were when either team lost. He could not get enough of watching Groundhog Day, Back to the Future, and Home Alone. He enjoyed posting his daily blessings on Facebook as well as his infamous Christmas countdown. Christmas season was his favorite with the music, house decorations complete with Hallmark snowmen, and the platform that held the Christmas tree adorned trains and a small-scale city. 

Most of all, he loved giving his time to Sanctuary of New Castle, where he held many roles over his 50 years of attendance. Going to church was the foremost important activity of his week. He was a faithful man who would never miss a service. In his final days, he watched livestreams of the Sanctuary; his last demand was to turn the hospital bed towards the TV so he could watch the livestream on Sunday.

Ernie was proceeded in death by his parents and brothers, Owen and Edward Lease.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Linda Lease, son Ernest L. Lease II, daughter-in-law Lisa Lease, daughter Rebecca A. Klein, son-in-law Chris Klein, granddaughters Katherine Lease and Avrianna Klein, grandsons Tyler Lease, Titus Klein, Logan and Landan White, his brothers Lawrence, Martin, wife Alice Lease and his sister Glenna and husband Bobbie Heavener. His many nieces and nephews loved their Uncle Ernie, as well as his many Facebook followers and amazing members of the Sanctuary of New Castle. 

His last request would be that you come to the House of the Lord each week and be prepared to reunite in Heaven one day.

Services will be at 4:00 p.m. Friday, August 30, 2024 at The Sanctuary of New Castle, 2208 Broad St. New Castle, IN, with Pastor Jeff Jaco officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the church. Burial will be on Saturday, August 31 at 11:00 a.m. in Stelvideo Cemetery, 8490 Arcanum-Bears Mill Rd. Greenville, OH 45331. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Sanctuary Future Fund. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. You may express condolences or share a memory of Ernie at www.hinsey-brown.com.