Ernie Kellermann, former Browns Pro Bowler who was born and raised in Cleveland, dead at 81

A St. Peter Chanel High School alum, Kellermann helped the Browns make two NFL title games in six seasons with the club. Funeral services are set for this weekend.

CLEVELAND — Ernie Kellermann, a native Clevelander who earned fame as a Pro Bowl safety for the Browns, has died at the age of 81.

Kellermann’s family confirms he passed away last Wednesday, with no direct cause given. He is survived by his wife Maryann, three children, and eight grandchildren.

“Ernie was loved and respected by all. He had many friends and colleagues,” the family wrote in Kellermann’s online obituary. “Ernie possessed a social gift to gab, a dry witty sense of humor, and was ever the class clown, adding levity to many situations. He was also a thoughtful, reflective individual with a lot of integrity. Ernie left an extraordinary footprint on this planet, and he will be greatly missed.”

Kellermann pent the vast majority of his life in Greater Cleveland, growing up in Maple Heights before attending the since-closed St. Peter Chanel High School. In college at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, he was a three-time

All-Mid-American Conference selection under legendary head coaches John Pont and Bo Schembechler. As a sophomore in 1962, he led the Redskins to a remarkable 10-7 upset win over ninth-ranked Purdue.

After graduation, Kellermann was chosen by Dallas in the 12th round of the 1965 NFL Draft, and promptly converted to defensive back. He never played a game for the Cowboys, but made his way to Cleveland following his release. Coach Blanton Collier made him a starting safety the next year, a position he would occupy for the remainder of the decade.

In six full seasons with the Browns, Kellermann tallied 17 interceptions and scored one touchdown, with a career-high six picks in 1968 leading to his only Pro Bowl selection. He twice helped Cleveland reached the NFL Championship Game, but both times the club fell short of the Super Bowl (the NFL and AFL had not technically merged yet).

Kellermann played two additional seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills before retiring and moving back to Cuyahoga County, living in Chagrin Falls at the time of his death. He remained active in the community and was often a guest at Browns alumni events.

Funeral services for Kellermann will take place this weekend, beginning with public visitation at St. John Funeral Home in Chagrin Falls of Friday from 4-7 p.m. His Mass of Christian Burial will then be held Saturday at 11 a.m. St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.

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