Leland Lanier

Leland Dean Lanier age 91, of Millcreek, passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Forestview Nursing Home.

He was born in White Heath, IL on September 24, 1925, a son of the late Fred and Verna Hannah Lanier.

He graduated High School in Joliet IL and was accepted into the V-12 program at Northwestern University in Chicago. Upon graduation from there, he served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Achennar in the Mediterranean for 6 months. As a Naval reservist, he was activated during the Korean Conflict for two years.

Dean was a mechanical engineer and began his professional career with Ruberoid Co (which became GAF) in Joliet. From there he was transferred to MN and finally to Erie. After a time in Erie Dean became a project engineer for Hammermill and retired from International Paper Co.

Dean had many interests during his lifetime. He was a little league coach, Dale Carnegie Instructor, enjoyed keeping his lawn immaculate and playing tennis and was an avid golfer. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was loyal to the First United Methodist Church and had served on the Finance Committee and Board of Trustees. He was also a member of the Erie Kiwanis Club.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Janis Ann Lanier and a daughter in law, Karen Lanier.

He is survived by his wife Arlene Scarth Lanier who he married on August 31, 1947 and celebrated 69 years together this past year; three children, Nancy Matson and her husband Carl of Dover, PA, Steven Lanier of Cumberland, WI, and James Lanier and his wife Karen of Westerville, OH.; seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren who he loved and cherished.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 W. 26th Street (at Powell Ave) on Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. Jim Parkinson officiating.

Inurnment will take place in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in IL at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church 707 Sassafras Street, Erie, PA 16501 or to Great Lakes Hospice 1700 Peach Street, Erie, PA 16501.

Send condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com <http://www.Burtonfuneralhome.com>