Elmer Petri

Elmer C. Petri, Jr., age 81, of Girard, passed away at his residence on Saturday, March 10, 2018.  He was born in Erie on May 5, 1936, a son of the late Elmer C. and Florence (Mitchell) Petri, Sr.

Elmer spent all his working life as a welder through skills he learned while serving in the U.S. Army in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. He worked at Commercial Truck and Trailer on 12th St. in Erie for more than 30 years, retiring in the early 1990’s.

He loved his daughters and grandchildren.  He was also very fond of the children at his daughter’s daycare where all the children called him “Papa”. Elmer was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 494, enjoyed reading and making necklaces for nearly all he knew.  He loved the outdoors, particularly fishing, boating, hunting and trapping. Elmer had a great sense of humor, his jokes and pranks will be greatly missed.

In addition to his parents, Elmer is preceded in death by his daughter Lee Ann Griffiths and by two brothers, Dennis and David Petri.

Elmer is survived by three daughters, Colleen (Richard) Vorse, of Girard, Tammy (Eric) Hetz, of Lake City, and Brenda Petri (Kevin Cyparski), of Girard. He is further survived by nine grandchildren; Brandon King, Greg Beck, Jr., Kellie King, Kayla King, Scott Wade, Mandy Beck, Chelsea Griffiths, Kelsea Griffiths and Trisha Wade. Elmer is also survived by his sister Patricia McCarthy.  He is further survived by many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Burton Funeral Home, 525 Main St. East, Girard, PA 16417 on Thursday, March 15th, from 6 p.m. until the time of military honors at 8pm.

Send condolences at www.BurtonFuneralHome.com.