Jeffrey Spare

Jeffrey Warren Spare age 66 of Erie, died Monday August 4, 2014 at St. Vincent Health Center. He was born in Ellwood City, PA on April 8, 1948 a son of the late Warren C. and Mary Matthews Spare. He had been employed most recently with CL Tech Group and taught computer networking at TSBI in the evenings. He had previously worked for Starn Tool in Meadville, PA. Jeff served two enlistments in the US Army. The first was in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. While seeing combat with the 1/27th Wolfhounds, he earned a Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Sharpshooter (Rifle M-14) and Expert with 45 Cal. Sub-Machine gun. On his second enlistment he served as an Air Traffic Controller in Germany. He enjoyed spending time with his fellow veterans, belonging to vet groups in Erie and Meadville. Reunions of his fellow Wolfhounds are held every two years in different parts of the country with much comradery. Jeff is survived by his wife, Kristen (Stanger) Koehler Spare, a daughter, Sarah Press and her husband Aaron of Erie, two step-sons, John Koehler of Bellfonte, PA and Brian Koehler of Bonita Springs, FL, four grandchildren, Raiden and Mattea Press of Erie, Jessica Koehler of Tarentum, PA and Brian Koehler of Miami, FL. He is further survived by a sister, Katherine Hale of Scottsdale, AZ., a niece, Alexis Hale of Scottsdale, AZ , a nephew, Christian Hale and his wife Rachel of North Carolina. A brief service and military burial will take place at Erie Cemetery on Friday at 11:00 am. Memorials may be made to The Humane Society of Northwestern PA., 2702 Zimmerly Rd., Erie, Pa. 16506, the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675 or the charity of one’s choice. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 602 West Tenth Street, Erie, Pa., 16502 was in charge of arrangements. Send condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com