Mary Jane Erne

Mary Jane (Matthews) Erne, 84, passed away Friday, May 16, 2025, in Medina, Ohio. Mary was born June 16, 1940, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to the late Oliver and Eva May (Hewitt) Matthews. She was the youngest of 10 children, and as a child she enjoyed a close, loving bond with her siblings. She had a simple and adventurous childhood playing with them and her school friends. Mary met the love of her life, Jim Erne, while he was stationed in Fayetteville, North Carolina at Pope Air Force Base. They married in 1960 and raised four loving children, Teresa Scheck, Sandy (Darryl) Albright, Joe (Betty) Erne, and Jenny (Brent) Stevens. Mary was most proud of her family and her greatest accomplishments, her eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Mary Jane was a wonderful homemaker and a dedicated in-home daycare provider for many years. Her love of children was unmatched but coming in as a close second was her quick-witted sense of humor and her fantastic peach cobbler. She was gentle, funny, bright-eyed, she loved hugs and all animals. She could sit and watch birds at her feeder for hours every day. Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband and soulmate of 59 years, James Erne; her parents, Oliver and Eva May (Hewitt) Matthews; her brothers, Oliver, Verdery, and Paul; and sisters, Irene, Maxine, Etrue, and Jeanette. She is survived by her children; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert; many brothers and sisters-in-law; and a host of dear lifelong friends. The family will receive friends Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Waite Funeral Home, 765 N. Court Street, Medina, Ohio, with a funeral service immediately following the visitation hours at 7 p.m. The family will hold a private burial in Kelley's Island Cemetery where they will lay her to rest next to her beloved husband, James. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary's memory would be gratefully accepted by Hospice of the Western Reserve Headquarters, 17876 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44110 for benefit of Medina Inpatient unit. The family would like to thank the entire staff at Hospice of Medina County Inpatient unit for their kind compassionate care of Mary Jane. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.waitefuneralhome.com