Obituaries

Jul 13, 2015

Jean B. Wettekin, age 94, of Erie and also of Bradenton, FL, died on Monday July 13, 2015 at Westlake Woods. She was born in Erie, November 14, 1920, the daughter of the late Otto J. and Esther Baird Sweinhart.

She graduated from Strong Vincent High School and had been a member of Lakewood United Methodist Church in Erie where she...

Jul 11, 2015

Jeramy Derek “Junebug” Smith, age 41, of Erie, passed away Saturday, July 11, 2015 following a sudden heart attack.

Jeramy was born July 30, 1973, in Erie, son of Randy and Christine Lundell Rounds.

He graduated from Strong Vincent High School in 1991. He began working at North Coast Knife and Saw at the age of 13 and was currently the general...

Jul 11, 2015

Kaye L. Cofini, age 73, passed away on July 11, 2015 at her residence.

She was born July 28, 1941 in Erie and had also lived in the San Francisco, CA area for many years before returning to Erie later in life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nord A. and Mary Emma Cofini and her sister Ann S. Cofini.

She...

Jul 10, 2015

Yuriy Khodzhayan, age 76, of Millcreek, passed away Friday July 10, 2015 at his residence.

Yuriy was born February 22, 1939, in the former U.S.S.R., son of the late Artashes and Shushanik Khodzayan.

He was a Squadron Command Officer in the former U.S.S.R. , a Captain in the Civil Airlines for 35 years and worked for the former Erie Aviation in Erie...

Jul 8, 2015

Edward A. Schmidt, age 48, of Erie, passed away suddenly at his home , on Wednesday, July 8, 2015.

He was born February 17, 1967, a son of the late Betty Lou Morrison and Samuel Schmidt.

After graduation from Strong Vincent High School in 1985, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He was a Master Electrician for the Army Corp. of...

Jul 8, 2015

Jul 8, 2015

James E. Ginkel, age 63, of Erie, PA died on Wednesday, July 8th, 2015 at Saint Vincent Health Center.

He was born in Erie on June 7, 1952 to the late Paul and Maryzita Ginkel.

He worked for AMSCO, STERIS and General Electric. His true passions were performing music, watching his sons participate in athletics and spending time at Presque Isle. He...

Jul 7, 2015

David Lawrence, age 67, of Girard, passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at his residence, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Erie on July 6, 1948, a son of the late Alton and Anna Walker Lawrence.

David attended Fairview High School. He spent his life working in the concrete industry, first at Top Roc and then Site Blauvelt Engineers,...

Jul 7, 2015

Linda Dougan Brogdon, age 67, of Erie, passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at her residence, following a lengthy illness. She was born in Erie on September 14, 1947, daughter of the late Leonard and June Doyle Dougan.

Linda was a graduate of Strong Vincent High School. She loved dogs and was an AKC Certified Breeder of Boxers. She also...

Jul 2, 2015

Justin Allen Wiley Justin Allen Wiley, age 22, transitioned from this life on Thursday, July 2, 2015.  He was born in Erie on September 9, 1992.  He is the talented, loving son of Shelby Allen Wiley and Amy Cahill. Justin attended Cathedral Prep for four years and graduated from Strong Vincent High School.  While at Cathedral Prep he played Rambler...

Jul 2, 2015

Jul 1, 2015

Gregory Lee Bell, age 37, of Erie, died Wednesday, July 1, 2015. Born in Erie, on April 16, 1978, he was the son of George Wyant and Peggy Bizzaro. Greg was a loving father, brother, son and friend. His children were his greatest accomplishments. He loved gardening, The Pittsburgh Steelers and he loved lending a hand to anyone who needed...

Jul 1, 2015

William A. Johnston, age 69, of Girard, passed away Wednesday, July l, 2015, at Fairview Manor Nursing Home, following an extended illness.

He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 7, 1946, to William E. and Florence Cederlund Johnston. Bill graduated from Mentor High School Class of 1963. He managed a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant before starting a career as a...

Jun 30, 2015

Helen Burton Good Shank, age 102, of Albion, NY and formerly of Erie died peacefully on Tuesday June 30, 2015 in Medina, NY. She was born in Erie on February 6, 1913, the daughter of the late Harry and Emma Sampson Burton.

She was a graduate of Academy High School and had attended the University of Pittsburgh and Syracuse University.

She was...

Jun 29, 2015

Laurinda Drury Harouff, age 63, of Lake City, passed away Monday, June 29, 2015, at her home following an extended illness.

She was born May 29, 1952, in Ashtabula, Ohio, a daughter of the late Ransom and Clifford Ada Rice Drury.

Laurinda was a graduate of Northwestern High School. She had been employed at Carlisle Engineered Products in Lake City.

In addition to...

Jun 28, 2015

Rita Lewis Seifert, age 88, of Fairview and formerly Erie, passed away Sunday, June 28, 2015 at Pleasant Ridge Manor, West.

She was born in Erie, on March 21, 1927, a daughter of the late Walter and Margaret O’Brien Burger.

Rita had been an inspector at Kondu Corporation for 20 years and later worked at Spectrum Control. She was a member of...

Jun 28, 2015

Judith Ryan Fryling, age 83, formerly of Erie, passed away at her residence, Sunday, June 28, 2015 at Pleasant Ridge Manor West, Girard.

She was born in Erie on February 4, 1932, the daughter of the late Daniel and Dorothy Brooks Ryan.

Judith graduated from Villa Maria High School and attended Lake Erie College. She was a member of St. Stephens Episcopal...

Jun 27, 2015

Betty J. Wurst, 86, of Erie passed away Saturday June 27, 2015 at St. Mary’s Home West. She was the daughter of John and Margaret Hassler.

She is survived by her loving husband, Irwin Wurst, who she married in 1948 and on June 16, 2015 celebrated 67 years of marriage. Betty is also survived by son Thomas Wurst and wife Sandy...

Jun 26, 2015

Virginia E. Downie, age 96, of Erie, died on Friday, June 26, 2015 at Presque Isle Rehab and Nursing Center. She was born in Ferndale, MI on June 5, 1919 the daughter of the late Emma Belle Ager and John E. Korn.

Virginia graduated from Academy High School in Erie and was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She was very...

Jun 26, 2015

Mary Ellen McQuown Mary Ellen McQuown, age 61, of Erie passed away Friday, June 26, 2015 following a sudden illness. She was born September 25, 1953 in Erie the daughter of the late John “Terry” and Laurel (Groff)  McQuown. Mary Ellen studied Art and Jewelry design at Mercyhurst College and Edinboro University. She was an avid reader and enjoyed art...