Obituaries

Mar 4, 2025

Ralph “Butch” Gordon Peelman Jr., age 74 of Erie passed away on Tuesday March 4, 2025 at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. He was born in Erie on December 4, 1950 to the late Ralph Gordon Sr. and Dolores Sourwine Peelman.

He graduated from Harborcreek High School in 1969 and earned an electrician degree from Erie Institute of Technology. Butch worked...

Mar 4, 2025

“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile” – Albert Einstein 

Mildred 'Patricia' Folmer, age 89, of Erie, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at Manchester Commons.

She was born January 8th, 1936, in Baxter, PA, a daughter to the late Perry and Gertrude (Knapp) Schrecengost. 

Patricia graduated from Penn Hills High School, class of 1953. She worked in food...

Mar 4, 2025

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Howard E. Dobmeier, a cherished father, esteemed business owner, and beloved member of the Erie community. He passed away on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the age of 87, at Edinboro Manor surrounded by his children.

Howard was born on February 20, 1938, in Erie, to the late Joseph and...

Mar 3, 2025

Steven C. Rapp, age 73, passed away peacefully at his residence Monday, March 3rd, 2025.

He was born in Erie on March 22, 1951, to Vincent Q. and F. Mae Rapp.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert V. Rapp; and his nephew, Alex. He is survived by a sister, Cathy L. Rightnour; sister-in-law, Carolyn...

Mar 3, 2025

Patrick A. DiLuzio III, age 66, of Erie, passed away peacefully at his home and went with the Lord on March 3, 2025. Pat was an amazing son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend.

 If you knew Pat, you knew he was always willing to talk to anyone that would listen and learn something new about them. Pat’s greatest...

Mar 2, 2025

Susan E. Miller Waidley Wells age 81, of Erie, passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2025 at her residence.

She was born in Erie on November 19, 1943, and was the daughter of the late Ernest and Wynola Hollister Miller.

Susan was a 1962 graduate of Villa Maria High School.

She worked as a waitress for many years at her family-owned Ernie’s Restaurant,...

Mar 2, 2025

Mr. Sam Barber passed away peacefully on March 2nd at Forestview Nursing Home in Erie.

Sam is preceded in death by his wife, Ginny, to whom he was married for 78 years. In 2013, they moved from Saegertown, PA, to Erie and resided at SpringHill Senior Living. Sam was born in Uniontown, PA.

Sam and Ginny were married in 1947, and together...

Mar 1, 2025

Thomas Hiegel, a cherished individual known for his kind, loving, and humorous personality, left us on March 1, 2025. Born on August 21, 1952, Tom lived a life filled with tremendous passion and positivity.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Hiegel Sr. and Marjorie Wright Hutcheson, and brother David Susol. He’s survived by his wife of 52 years,...

Feb 28, 2025

Arthur E. Cannavino, age 79, of Erie passed away Friday, February 28, 2025 at AHN St. Vincent. He was born October 13, 1945 in Erie, the son of the late Arthur and Lucy (Martone) Cannavino.

Art was a graduate of Strong Vincent High School and later attended the Zegarelli Brothers Styling classes at the Pittsburgh Beauty Academy. He returned to Erie...

Feb 28, 2025

Feb 28, 2025

Paul Brian Berger, age 47, of Erie, passed away at his residence on Friday, February 28, 2025. He was born on May 13, 1977, a son to Louise Brown Berger and the late James W. Berger.

Paul was a 1995 graduate of McDowell High School and worked as a Process Technician for Essentra. He was previously employed by Patti’s Pizza, Panos,...

Feb 28, 2025

John K. Hotchkiss age 79 of Girard, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025, at UPMC Hamot.

He was born in Erie on September 26, 1945, a son of the late Stanley and Iva King Hotchkiss.

He was graduate of Girard Union High School and went on to serve in the United States Army. John moved back to Girard from Richville, Minnesota...

Feb 27, 2025

Harold Richard “Bud” Felix age 94, of Erie, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at St. Vincent Hospital.

He was born on June 21, 1930, in a farmhouse on Route 19 in Summit Township. He is a son of the late Berhard and Margaret Bayer Felix.

Bud was a 1948 graduate of Academy High School and went on to serve in...

Feb 27, 2025

Mildred Weems, age 84 of Erie, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, February 27th, 2025.

She was born in Laurel, MS on April 16th, 1941, a daughter of the late Elmer Weems and Mary Alice Weems.

Mildred attended school in Erie. She worked for Haynes and was a homemaker who could make a mean lemon pie.

Mildred was an avid music...

Feb 26, 2025

“I’m fine. Watch me dance the jig.” She clearly was not fine but did the jig anyway. Karen Lynne Guthrie, 82, passed away at her home of nearly 50 years on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, surrounded by her family after sparring with lung cancer. She wanted to prevail but had become too sick very quickly. 

She was born January 11, 1943,...

Feb 24, 2025

 Grace Loader Smith, age 85, died on Monday February 24, 2025, at LECOM Health Nursing and Rehabilitation. She was born in Erie on May 15, 1939, the daughter of the late Wilfred M. Loader and Mary Alyce Hart Loader.

Grace attended school in Lawrence Park then Springfield, PA, later attending Clown College of America for 2 years, and becoming a professor...

Feb 23, 2025

Laura Lee Nicastro, age 40, of Erie, Pennsylvania, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 23, 2025. Born in Erie on October 9, 1984, she was a beloved daughter, sister, and friend who always had a great zest for life.

A graduate of Villa Maria Academy High School, Class of 2003, Laura found joy in the simple yet profound moments of life—cherishing...

Feb 23, 2025

Celeste Francoise (Paulhus) Berlin, age 71, of Girard passed away on Sunday February 23, 2025, peacefully in her home surrounded by family following an extended illness. She was born in Woonsocket, RI on November 16, 1953, to the late Clarence and Suzanne (Voyer) Paulhus. 

She graduated from Our Lady of the Angels Academy in Enfield, Connecticut and went on to graduate...

Feb 23, 2025

Kathleen D. Prylinski DeSantis, age 88, of Erie passed away Sunday, February 23, 2025 at the PA Soldiers & Sailors Home memory care unit. She was born June 1, 1936 in Erie the daughter of the late Leo Enas and Katherine (Gross)Wood.

A lifelong resident of Erie, Kathleen was a 1954 graduate of East High School and had worked in the...

Feb 22, 2025

Michelle Geisler, age 53 of Platea, loss her battle with cancer on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at St. Vincent Health Center.

She was born in Erie on May 10, 1971, a daughter of Thomas and Sharon Gutowski Kirsopp of Platea.

Michelle graduated from Northwestern High School in 1989 and had worked as a receptionist for JH Bennett and Go Mini Storage for...