Obituaries

Jul 29, 2024

Tanzania K. “Bopha” Wiley, age 31, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 29, 2024, at her residence. 

She was born on March 20, 1993, in Warren, Michigan, the daughter of Aisha and her husband, Antonio Stapp and Jermaine Hunter, of Jackson, Michigan.

Tanzania graduated summa cum laude from Collegiate Academy. She went on to further her education as a graduate of IUP...

Jul 29, 2024

Edward Hobart Tonkin, age 66, passed away on Monday, July 29, 2024 at St. Vincent Hospital in Erie, PA, surrounded by his family. 

He was born in Bayside, Queens, NYC on July 9, 1958, the son of Edward William Tonkin and Hazel Adele Tonkin. He was a graduate of Daycroft High School, and received his degree in History from Hillsdale College. 

Edward...

Jul 28, 2024

Thomas H. Sutton age 67, of Erie, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday July 28 2024, as a result of a motorcycle accident.

He was born in Durham, NC on November 17, 1956, a son of the late Charles R. and Margaret Gooch Sutton.

Tom attended Plum Boro High School in Pittsburgh, and worked for over 25 year as a Semi Truck driver...

Jul 28, 2024

Mrs. Dorothy Rose (Anderson) Kraus, 97, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and the loving staff at Brevillier Village on Sunday, July 28th 2024 where she lived for the past 3 years. She was born on March 28th 1927, on the lower east side of Erie and attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and St. Benedict Academy for Girls. 

She was an...

Jul 28, 2024

"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

- 2 Corinthians 5:1

Victoria Loretta (Filutze) Putnam went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, July 28, 2024. She passed away at LECOM at...

Jul 28, 2024

Joseph A. Salvia, age 91, of Erie, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at UPMC Hamot, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Erie on August 25, 1932, son of the late Joseph and Theresa Salvia. 

Joe was a 1950 graduate of Academy High School and went on to graduate from Gannon University in 1954 with a Bachelor’s degree...

Jul 28, 2024

Ruth Mary Winschel Reynolds Hill, age 89, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, July 28, 2024. She was born in Erie, PA on September 14, 1934, a daughter of the late Elwin and Mary (Tammi) Winschel. 

Ruth graduated from Strong Vincent High School in 1953. She worked various jobs including General Electric for 23 years until her retirement in...

Jul 26, 2024

Rita M. Szymecki, age 75, of Erie, passed away on Friday, July 26th, 2024, at UPMC Hamot.

She was born in Titusville, PA on December 13, 1948, a daughter to the late Walter J. and June E. Mitchell Hyde.

Rita loved all animals, especially her spunky dachshund who brought her joy. She enjoyed reading about history, researching genealogy, gardening, making crafts, and...

Jul 25, 2024

Jul 25, 2024

Donna M. (Vitron) McCarthy, age 93, of Erie passed away Thursday, July 25, 2024 at the Walnut Creek Nursing and Rehab Center. She was born October 20, 1930 in Erie the daughter of the late Frank and Theresa (Ettwein) Vitron. A lifelong resident of Erie,she had worked as a secretary with the Lord Corp. retiring in 1986. Donna enjoyed sewing,...

Jul 25, 2024

Katharine A. Wahlers Pazder, age 87, of Millcreek Township, passed away on Thursday, July 25th, 2024, surrounded by her three loving children.

Born in Fremont, OH on December 15, 1936 she was a twin daughter of the late Roland and Gladys Lynch Wahlers.

A graduate of Bowling Green State College, she received her B.S. degree in Education.

She was a High School teacher...

Jul 23, 2024

Rosalie Spirito Manning, age 80, of Erie went to be with our Lord on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. She was born in Erie on March 5, 1944, daughter of the late John Louis and Grace Loranger Spirito. She was a graduate of McDowell High School and a member of St. Luke's Roman Catholic Parish. Rosalie trusted and loved her Lord....

Jul 22, 2024

Donald Rice went to meet his higher power July 22, 2024 at Saint Vincent Hospital following a brief illness. 

Don was born in Ashtabula, Ohio January 21, 1949. He graduated from McDowell High School in 1966 and immediately enlisted in the United States Navy serving in the Vietnam War as a Hospital Corpsman. 

On November 20, 1982 he was united in marriage...

Jul 21, 2024

Stephen C. Kunik, age 48, passed away in the early hours of Sunday July 21, 2024 at UPMC Hamot. Stephen was a much loved husband, father, son, brother, and friend. His smile and kind heart will be much missed by all who knew him.

Stephen was preceded in death by his mother, Mary F. Kunik; uncles Richard Kunik and Fred Muroff;...

Jul 20, 2024

James Douglas Oosterkamp, age 62, of Erie, unexpectedly passed away and joined Our Lord in the embrace of eternity on Saturday, July 20th, 2024. 

He was born in Erie on September 25, 1961, a son to the late Steven J. Sr. and Joyce (Urmann) Oosterkamp. 

Jim was the life of the party. He was a selfless, loving, caring man. He lived life...

Jul 20, 2024

D. Scott Schick age 72 of Erie, passed away Saturday, July 20th, 2024 at St. Vincent Hospital. 

He was born in Painesville, Ohio on June 20, 1952 a son of Betty Baer Schick and the late Marvin J. Schick.

Scott graduated from Strong Vincent High School and worked for Carpenter’s Local #81 for 35 years, as well as the American Legion Post...

Jul 19, 2024

Ralph K. Klett, age 85, of Erie, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024, at UPMC Hamot Hospital after a short illness.

He was born in Erie on January 25, 1939, the only son of the late Kenneth and Pauline (Kelsey) Klett. 

Ralph proudly served our country in the United States Navy from 1961-1967. He enjoyed his career in engineering traveling to...

Jul 19, 2024

Larry Johnson, Jr. age 75, of Erie, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024, at home surrounded by his family. 

He was born on June 30, 1949, in Kane, PA, a son of the late Janet (Dahle) and Lawrence R. Johnson, Sr.

Lawrence was a dedicated employee of the highway department of PA and Thrifty Cleaners. He completed his dream of becoming...

Jul 18, 2024

Luther Cruzzette Gibbs, III, age 72 passed away on Thursday July 18, 2024 at UPMC Hamot. He was born in Erie on January 30, 1952 to the late Luther C. Sr. and Ella B. Wilson Gibbs.

Luther graduated from Tech Memorial High School and majored in social work at North

Bellmore College in North Bellmore, NY. He worked for over 25 years...

Jul 18, 2024

Geraldine E. “Betsy” Lohrer age 88, passed away Thursday, July 18, 2024 at UPMC Hamot Hospital.

She was born in Buffalo, NY on May 20, 1936, the daughter of the late Ross F. and Geraldine E. McCarthy Brown.

Betsy graduated from Fairview High School in 1954. She married Walter G. Lohrer on August 18, 1954, passing a month shy of their 70...