Floyd Edmond Lodge, Jr., 98, of Amherst, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on September 21, 2026.

Floyd was born in Amherst on April 23, 1928, to Floyd and Mary Lodge. He attended Amherst Steele High School, where he graduated in 1946. In September of that year, he enrolled in the United States Army, proudly serving in the Corps of Engineers at Fort Richardson, Alaska, for two years. Following his discharge, he attended Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now Iowa State University), graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry.

In 1956, Floyd began working for the City of Detroit as Assistant Forester. He transferred to the Detroit Zoo, and in 1963 was appointed Superintendent of Operations, a post which he held till his retirement in 1990. In this role, he supervised the construction of many projects throughout the Zoo, including North America’s first penguinarium. He was proud of the contribution the Zoo made to the community, and the part he played.

He loved the outdoors, and shared that love with family and friends throughout his life. He was an avid reader and a lifelong learner.

Floyd is survived by his beloved wife, Gunver Penton-Lodge; his former wife, Patricia Lodge; his children, Michael (Abby), Daniel (Lisa), Karen, and Andrew (Teresa); his cherished grandchildren, Rebecca, Samuel, Emily, and Zachary; and his brother, Bernard (Chris). He was predeceased by his parents and by his seven other siblings.

After their wedding in 1992, Gunver & Floyd had 34 years of building memories together. They travelled to national parks, Europe, the Caribbean, and the East Coast. Many of these trips included visits to the extended family that they held so near and dear to their hearts, including Gunver's family in Denmark.

As the years unfolded, they were also blessed with 10 grandchildren from Gunver's children: Kyle & Nina (Kirsten & Andy Hill), Michael & Matthew (Holger Penton), Kysa, Ryall, & Mia (Wilfred & Ingrid Willemsen), and William, Genevieve, & Vibeke (Hjordis & David Rivet), and two great-grandchildren: William (Nina & Alex Geiser) and Reese (William & Erin Rivet). There would be many, many gatherings of this extended family in Gunver & Floyd's home. Grandpa Floyd was always there to share a good book, solve a 1000-piece puzzle, and share a blessing for the evening meal. Floyd was an endless source of knowledge and could quickly source a book or newspaper to share with the family in many a discussion.

Additionally, he loved taking care of the extensive property on N. Ridge Road. On any given day, you could find him with a wide-brimmed hat, mowing acres of grass, trimming the trees, or removing the mountains of snow. He loved nature and took pride in caring for their little piece of the world alongside Gunver.

Visitation will be held Saturday morning, October 3rd, at 10:00 at First Lutheran Church, 1019 W. 5th St., Lorain. Memorial service will be at 11:00 AM, followed by lunch at the church. Graveside services with military rites conducted by the Amherst Veterans Military Honor Guard will be at 2:00 PM at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, 44805 N. Ridge Rd., Amherst.

In Floyd’s honor, memorials may be made to St. Peter Catholic Church, 3655 Oberlin Ave., Lorain, 44053.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Andras Crematory & Funeral Home, Lorain.