Charles Wiler

Charles A. Wiler, age 101, of Lawrence Park, died Friday, October 10, 2014 at UPMC Hamot, following a brief illness.

He was born in Erie, on Octboer 29, 1912, the son of the late John and Ann (Allen) Wiler.

Charles graduated from Strong Vincent High School and attended Penn State University. As one of the original ushers for the 1931 opening of the Warner Theater, he had the opportunity to meet Bob Hope and other vaudeville entertainers.

After high school graduation, he was employed by the First National Bank of Erie as a messenger. Responsible for transporting negotiable bonds, he had a briefcase handcuffed to his wrist and a gun in his pocket as he walked the length of State Street to the Erie Post Office. He managed the First National Bank branch in Lawrence Park, ultimately moving to the main office on State Street. As First Vice-President in charge of Commercial Loans, he worked to establish many new businesses in the Erie area. After retiring in 1977, he continued to work as a consultant for PNC Bank.

Charles was very active and involved in the community. He was instrumental in founding what is now the Sight Center of Northwest PA, originally Erie Center for the Blind. He was the Commissioner of Finance for Lawrence Park Township for thirteen years and in that role helped the Lawrence Park Fire Department acquire their first ladder fire truck. He also worked to procure the property on which the consolidated Iroquois High School was built.

He was a member of Lawrence Lodge No. 708 F.&A.M., Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Erie; Zem Zem Temple Shrine, Lions Eye Bank of NW, PA, Inc.; a life member of the Erie Maennerchor, and a past member of the Lawrence Park Golf Club.

He served on the Board of Directors of many organizations including the United Way. Charles was also a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church for many years.

His number one priority was his family. He was affectionately referred to as “Papa” by his grandchildren with whom he had a close relationship. He had a great sense of humor throughout his life. Charles enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking. He will be fondly remembered for “tinkering” in his basement workshop.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Luella G. (Kuntz) Wiler in 2009; sisters, Dorothy Massing and Bernice Rathbun; and a brother, Arthur “Bud” Wiler.

He is survived by his daughters, Kathleen Williams and her husband Parker of Parkton, MD and Karen Corle and her husband Frederick of Erie; grandchildren: Ryan and Sara (Allenson) Corle of Washington, DC and Lindsey Corle of Erie; as well as one great-granddaughter, Annie Corle of Washington, DC.

Friends are invited to a service on Tuesday, October 21st at 1:00pm at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, 134 W. 7th Street, with the Very Reverend John P. Downey officiating. Inurnment will be at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul Columbarium.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sight Center of Northwest PA, 2545 W. 26th Street, Erie, PA 16506 or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 1645 W. 8th Street, Erie, PA 16505. Please send condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhomes.com