Obituaries

Dec 14, 2020

Cynthia Joy (Small) Niemela, died peacefully at the age of 83, on Monday, December 14, 2020 at Manchester Commons, in Erie, PA.

Cindy was born in Bloomfield, New Jersey on February 19, 1937 to the late Frank Gates Small and Pauline Brauner Small.

If you knew her, you would agree that she was a loving and devoted wife and mother who was...

Dec 14, 2020

Edward L. Ruff, Jr., age 63, of Erie, passed away on Monday, December 14, 2020 at St. Vincent Hospital.

He was born in Erie, PA on August 15, 1957, a son of the late Edward L. Ruff, Sr. and Helen Johnson Ruff.

Edward was a 1975 graduate of East High School. He then graduated from Gannon University where he earned a Bachelor...

Dec 14, 2020

Thomas L. Wolff, age 78, of Erie, passed away December 14, 2020 at UPMC Hamot Hospital. He was born in Erie to the late William and Leta Piper Wolff, November 29, 1942.

Thomas is survived his daughter, Andria Goodman, his Grandchildren, Paytien, Catiline, BreAnna, Christopher, and Emily. He is further survived by two Great grandchildren, Isabella, and Noah. And 1 Nephew...

Dec 13, 2020

David O. Thayer age 84, of Fairview, passed away Sunday, December 13, 2020 at St. Vincent Health Center.

 He was born in Erie on November 3, 1936 a son of the Late William O. and Bertha Smith Thayer.

 David was a graduate of Academy High School, served in the United Sates Army, and started his career as a linemen for...

Dec 13, 2020

Dec 12, 2020

Joan Marie (Davison) Wienczkowski age 80, of Fairview, passed away on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Pleasant Ridge Manor.

Born in Townville, PA, on March 1, 1940, the daughter of the late Alva Davison and Mary K. (Katulich) Davison.

Joan graduated from Erie Technical High School in 1958 where she studied art, then continued her education at Edinboro University for two years.

Joan...

Dec 12, 2020

Joseph Collins Murphey, age 90, formerly of Fairview, passed away Saturday, December 12, 2020, at St. Vincent Health Center.

 

Joe was born in Rossville, Tenn. on February 3, 1930, a son of the late James Farley and Lucille (Boswell) Murphey. He was raised on the family farm. Joe graduated first in his class from Collierville (Tenn.) High School in 1948....

Dec 12, 2020

Elizabeth (“Betty”) J. Grant, age 97, of Erie, passed away December 12, 2020 at Saint Mary’s Asbury Ridge Nursing Home. She was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on October 5, 1923, the daughter of the late Kenneth Scheppner and Dorothy Dumond Scheppner.

Betty was a graduate of Hamot School of Nursing, Class of 1946. Following graduation she worked at Greenpoint Hospital, in...

Dec 12, 2020

Christopher S. Erickson, age 62, of Erie, passed away on Saturday, December 12, 2020, at his residence.

He was born in Erie, on May 2, 1958, a son of Lawrence P. Erickson and Audrey Paczynski Natcher. Christopher was a graduate of Tech Memorial High School. He worked as a signalman/signal maintainer for Norfolk Southern/CSX railroad and as a machinist at a...

Dec 12, 2020

Sam J. Novello age 87 of Erie, passed away peacefully in his own home on Saturday, December 12, 2020.

He was born in Erie, PA on October 14, 1933 a son of the late Patsy and Delphine Turano Novello.

He was a 1951graduate of Cathedral Prep in Erie and attended Gannon University for drafting and blue print orientation. He served in the...

Dec 12, 2020

In the presence of family and surrounded by love, Sandra Maries age 85, of Erie, passed away on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at her home.

She was born in Jersey City, NJ on July 6, 1935, a daughter of the late Alexander and Kathleen Hunt Marthinsen.

Sandra graduated from Villa Maria Academy and went on to work at Prudential for many years.

In...

Dec 11, 2020

Mary R. Blakely of Erie, Pennsylvania passed away on December 11, 2020, at Twinbrook Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, at the age of 83.Mary was born on April 24, 1937 in Laurel, Mississippi to the late Anderson and Lillie Neil Jones Roberts.

Mary completed her primary education in Laurel Mississippi. She began her secondary education in Laurel but completed it in Erie,...

Dec 11, 2020

Attorney Lawrence “Larry” Charles Bolla passed away on Friday, December 11, 2020, surrounded by his loving family, after a lengthy but valiant battle with cancer. 

Larry was born on May 14, 1948, to Leonard and Geraldine Bolla.  Born and raised on Erie’s Eastside, he attended Holy Rosary Grade School before going on to Cathedral Prep, graduating in 1966.  Larry...

Dec 10, 2020

Mr. John D. Newberry, age 70, of Erie, passed away at his home on December 10, 2020. He was born in Erie, Pa January 11, 1950.

He is preceded in death by his father, John Newberry Sr. and his mother, Laura Concilla Newberry, a son Joseph Newberry, and a daughter Mary Newberry.

He is survived by his daughters, Paula Newberry Carr of...

Dec 10, 2020

Phyllis Cohen, age 96, of Erie, PA, passed away peacefully Thursday, December 10, 2020 in her home. She was born in New York City, June 7, 1924, to the late Ernest K. (Fritz) and Minnie Selly Baehr.

After relocating to Toronto, Canada, while her husband completed his medical degree, the family settled in Erie. Phyllis worked as the office manager at...

Dec 9, 2020

Susan Veenschoten, age 70, of Erie, passed away Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at UPMC Hamot.

She was born in Erie on April 23, 1950 a daughter of Muriel Crooks Veenschoten of Erie and the late John C. Veenschoten.

Susan graduated from Maplebrook School, Amenia, NY and then graduated from Riverview Hopefield in Cape Cod, MA.  While at Riverview, she spent one semester...

Dec 9, 2020

Our beloved Minnie Mae Johnson Knight departed this life on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at Sarah Reed Nursing Home.

She was a devoted wife and loving mother with a beautiful spirit. She was the best listener, encourager, and would not hold back on providing one with the truth when needed. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, cooking, and most of all just being...

Dec 9, 2020

Harrison E. Meeks, age 93, of Erie, passed away on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at the Soldiers and Sailors Home.

He was born in Washington, Pa on January 21, 1927 a son of the late Harrison and Katherine Harvey Meeks.

Harrison served in the United States Navy during WWII.

He enjoyed going to camp with his son Randy where they enjoyed hunting and...

Dec 8, 2020

Joseph Morettini, age 96, of Erie, passed away on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at St. Vincent Medical Center.

He was born on July 29, 1924, to the late Gabriel and Claudia (née Tamarise) Morettini in Lima, Peru; the second oldest of ten children. He arrived in Erie at the age of three months.

In 1943, Joseph was drafted into the United States...

Dec 8, 2020

Larry R. Barr “Earthshaker” age 68, of Erie, passed away on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at his residence.

He was born in Erie on October 17, 1952 a son of the late James L. Kuffer and Betty Anne Crumley Barr Kuffer.

Larry was a 1970 graduate of Tech Memorial High School and went on to work at Leo Banka and...