David G. Schlaudecker

David G. Schlaudecker, age 79, of Erie passed away Monday, July 21, 2025 at St. Mary’s at Asbury Ridge following an extended illness. He was born June 6, 1946 in Erie the son of the late Kenneth and Margaret (Donnelly) Schlaudecker.

David graduated from Cathedral Prep and in 1968 was a distinguished military graduate of Gannon University where he earned a B.S. degree in Accounting. Following graduation he joined the US Army where he held the rank of First Lieutenant and served as an adjutant at the US Army Depot in Qui Non, Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal during his Vietnam tour.

After the war, David worked as a CPA for local accounting firms and also became a licensed nursing home administrator. In 1984 he began working for Lake Erie Institute of Rehabilitation (LEIR) as their controller, and later moved up to Vice President of Finance, Vice President of Operations, and in 1987 became their Chief Executive Officer. David later joined St. Vincent Health Center and became their Director of Rehabilitation Services. Later, he became the Executive Director for Erie Independence House and served on its Board and Finance Committee until he retired in 2017. Active in the community, David held Board positions with Community Resources for Independence, Senior Health Care Services, Arthritis Foundation Erie branch, and Gannon University’s Advisory Council, College of Health Services.

In his spare time, David loved spending time outdoors, camping at a friend’s log cabin in Grand Valley, and going on trips to Cook’s Forest. He was a great mixologist, known for making a unique Bloody Mary, and a grill master, known for his beer can chicken and steak. He also enjoyed hiking, biking, fishing, gardening, and reading. He was a lifelong fan of the Cleveland Browns.

Besides his parents, David was preceded in death by a brother, William (Bill) Schlaudecker.

He is survived by a daughter, Emily Long and her husband Zach, and a sister, Jane Zawadzki and her husband Robert, all of Erie. David was the uncle of Mary Kay Keith and Michael Zawadzki of Erie and Brian Donnelly of GA, and is also survived by a close cousin, Charles (Chuck) and his wife Nancy Donnelly of Erie.

Friends are invited to call at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 2801 W.6th St. on Monday, July 28, 2025 from 9:30 am until 11:00 am at which time a Funeral Mass will be celebrated. Burial with military honors will be in the Gate of Heaven cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306, or to Amedisys Foundation (AseraCare), P.O. Box 944 Waterford, PA 16441.

Arrangements by the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services Inc., West Ridge, 3801 W.26th St., Erie, PA.

Send condolences to www.BurtonQuinnScott.com