Lawrence Heberle

Lawrence J. Heberle, age 94, of Erie, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at the VA Medical Center.

He was born in Erie, PA on August 9, 1920, a first born son of John P. and Bertha Weber Heberle.

He graduated from Academy High School. Lawrence was a Veteran of WWII and a Recipient of the Purple Heart. He entered the service in August 1942 joining the Fifteenth Army Air Force, Squadron 719, 449th Bomb Group. He served as a navigator on the B-24. He was stationed in Italy and earned the rank of First Lieutenant. His plane was shot down over Budapest on July 14, 1944. He parachuted out and was beaten by civilians. He recuperated in a Budapest Hospital before transfer to Germany’s Stalag Luft III as a Prisoner of War.

He was employed at GE prior to the war. Following the war, he entered sales and was employed as a new car salesman for several Dealerships in Erie including Meadowcroft Dodge, Gary Miller Chrysler/Plymouth and retired from Fairview Chrysler Plymouth. In retirement, he volunteered with the Erie County Historical Museum. He was a great story teller, with a sharp sense of humor. He especially loved the peninsula, where he led guided tours for his children, and instilled in each of them a love of nature. He loved golfing, fishing, hiking, bowling and being outdoors.

In addition to his parents, Lawrence was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Ruth Olivia Ecklund Heberle on September 21, 1991, and two siblings, Paul Heberle and Rosemary Niebling.

He is survived by his seven children, Mark (Kyoko) of Honolulu, HI; Mary Ellen (Brance) Camp of Girard, PA; Ralph of Coudersport, PA; Eric (Sally) of Pickerington, OH; Brian of Erie; Larry (Renee) of Bay Village, OH; and Heidi (David Niemynski) of Girardville, PA; a sister, Doris Dresbach, eleven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, a brother-in-law, Harry Niebling of South Lyon, MI, a sister-in-law, Norma Heberle of Erie, and 16 nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the wonderful 5th floor staff at the Erie VA who cared for him and became not just caregivers but friends.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th Street, at Powell Ave. on Monday from 11 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 2 p.m. with Rev. Michael G. DeMartinis officiating. Burial in Laurel Hill Cemetery with full military honors.

Memorials may be made to the VA Medical Center, 135 East 38th Street, Erie, PA 16504, and American Legion Post #773, 4109 West 12th Street, Erie PA 16505.