Obituaries

Oct 21, 2017

Madelyn Johnson passed away on October 21, 2017 at the age of 93 in Lee’s Summit, Missouri from complications associated with Alzheimer’s. She was born in Buckingham, Colorado on June 11, 1924. Madelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Richard “Dick” Johnson, daughter Martha Johnson of Seattle and son Paul of Leland, N.C. She is survived by her...

Oct 21, 2017

Cecelia F. Grumblatt Guagliardi, age 92 of Erie, passed away quietly at Manchester Commons in Erie, on Saturday, October 21, 2017.

A lifelong Erieite, Ceil was born at home on West 24th Street to Frank (Joe) and Frances Hellman Grumblatt on March 26th, 1925.  She was the youngest daughter and the oldest surviving child from a family of nine children.  She...

Oct 20, 2017

Maurita Ann (Costa)  Mead, age 74 of Erie, passed away on October 20, 2017 at her home following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on November 15, 1942 alongside her surviving, beloved twin sister, Marie Bebell, whom she shared an extraordinary bond with. They are the daughters of Genevieve Costa and the late James Costa.

Maurita attended St....

Oct 18, 2017

Felecia Nicole Skala age 31, of Erie passed away unexpectedly on October 18, 2017 at her residence.

She was born in Erie on February 11, 1986 a daughter of Thomas Eugene Dick (Cindi Farbo) and Hillary Anne Skala.

She attended Summit High School in Colorado and went on to receive her BA degree in Marketing and Communications from the University of South...

Oct 18, 2017

Douglas M. Smith, age 67, of Girard, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.

He was born in Erie on May 19, 1950, a son of the late Ellsworth and M. Irene Stevens Smith.

Doug attended Fairview High School.  He was in construction his whole life.  Started his own business, Smith Drywall and then worked for...

Oct 17, 2017

James R. “Jim” Chapin age 86, of Erie, passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at Sarah A. Reed Retirement Center.

He was born in Buffalo, NY on February 16, 1931 a son of the late George A. and Ethel Shoen Chapin.

Jim graduated from Kenmore High School in 1949 and the Pratt Institute in 1954 with a BFA dgree. He served...

Oct 15, 2017

Frances E. Stefurak, age 102 of Fairview, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 15, 2017, surrounded by her family at Manchester Commons Senior Living.

She was born in Pittsburgh on April 20, 1915, a daughter of the late George and Frances Landstorfer Eibeck.

Frances was a homemaker most of her life and had worked as a receptionist at Hess Brother Optical for over...

Oct 15, 2017

Oct 14, 2017

Sheila “Sheets” Valimont Boehm, age 60 of Erie, lost her battle with Alzheimer’s disease on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at Pleasant Ridge Manor. She was born in Erie, on January 24, 1957, daughter of the late Wilfred and Dolores Pettorini Valimont.

Sheila was a 1976 graduate of McDowell High School and worked for Bonded Services for many years.  She enjoyed the...

Oct 14, 2017

Pamela Ann Hilbert, age 59 of Fairview, passed away peacefully at her residence on Saturday, October 14, 2017, following complications from surgery.

She was born in Lawrence Park, on February 12, 1958, daughter of the late Alberta “Birdie” Ames Dornhoefer and George Bostwick.

She grew up in a time of being home before the street lights came on and respect and love...

Oct 13, 2017

Ethel Conrad, age 93 of Erie, passed away on Friday, October 13, 2017 at LECOM Senior Living

Center.

She was born on May 11, 1924 in Erie, PA daughter of the late Edward and Lulu Drier Musolff. 

She was a 1943 graduate of Academy High School. 

Ethel was a charter member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Erie.  She was a life...

Oct 13, 2017

Diane Holle Kulka, age 76, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, October 13, 2017.

She was born in Detroit, MI on October 29, 1940, a daughter of the late Merriel and Bertha Wilbrett Robson.

Diane was a graduate of East Detroit High School and worked as a sales secretary for many years and retired from Johnson Controls after 10 years of...

Oct 12, 2017

Frances Mae Zurn Rapp, age 91, of Millcreek, passed away Thursday, October 12, 2017 at LECOM Senior Living Center.

She was born in Erie March 15, 1926, the daughter of the late Clarence and Louise Berchtold Zurn.

She had been a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. She loved to garden, walk, watch sunsets, and sit on her porch.

In addition to her parents,...

Oct 12, 2017

Lorrie June Thomas passed away at home October 12, 2017.

She was born in Union City, PA on September 17, 1959 daughter of Arlene Kulesa Halm and the late John Kulesa.

Mrs. Thomas enjoyed caring for others, she was an avid reader of Stephen King books, and loved to feel the wind through her hair on bike rides as she was a...

Oct 11, 2017

Carolyn (Carol) Ann Aquillano Letizio, 69, went to rest on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at home surrounded by her loved ones, after a long courageous battle with cancer;  never once letting it get the best of her.

Carol was born in Erie, on March 12, 1948 to the late Madeline (Alberico) and Samuel Aquillano.

Carol is survived by her husband...

Oct 11, 2017

Shirley May (Post) Marx Podlasek, age 79, passed away on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. She resided at the Sarah Reed Senior Living in Erie, PA for three years. She was born in Greenfield Township, PA on November 11, 1937, a daughter of the late Arthur Thomas and Emma Fern Chesley Post.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert J....

Oct 10, 2017

Georgetta (Georgie) Marie Daruda, age 70, formerly of Waterford, PA, passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at UPMC Hamot.

She was born in Erie on May 27, 1947, a daughter of the late Josephine (Militello) Yacovella and William P. Vangeli.

She was a graduate of Fort Le Boeuf High School, prior to attending Triangle Tech and E.I.T.  Over her career, Georgie...

Oct 10, 2017

James W. Brown age 54 of Erie, passed away Tuesday morning, October 10, 2017 at St. Vincent Health Care Center.  

He was born in Pittsburgh, PA July 1, 1963, the son of Ronald W. Brown and the late Georgia Ann (Brinley) Brown.

Jim was a graduate of North Hills High School Class of 1981, and served our country in the United...

Oct 9, 2017

Gordon B. Starr passed away on Monday, October 9, 2017 at St. Vincent Hospital at the age of 89. He had been a resident of Springhill Senior Community for the past two years.

Gordon was born on November 15, 1927 in Nashville, Michigan to the late Reverend Roland H. Starr and Edith McDonald Starr, the fourth of five children.

He grew up...

Oct 8, 2017