Obituaries

Oct 8, 2024

Constance “Connie” M. (Stephany) LaJohn age 91, of Erie passed away Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at Manchester Commons. She was born May 31, 1933 in Erie the daughter of the late Cornelius and Sophie (Majchrzak) Stephany.

Connie was a graduate of Saint Benedict Academy and was a lifelong resident of Erie. She was a former member of Our Lady of Peace...

Oct 8, 2024

Laurel Lincoln Rider, age 90, passed away on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Laurel was born in Erie, PA on December 13, 1933, to Nina Soloway Lincoln and Barney Lincoln.

Laurel met her soulmate and love of her life, Irwin Rider, at Sunday School while in the 6th grade. Following high school graduation, Laurel and Irwin married and the young newlyweds moved...

Oct 7, 2024

Harold E. Vogel, age 77 of Erie, passed away Monday, October 7, 2024 at UPMC Hamot Hospital. He was born January 30, 1947 to the late Harold and Jean Bort Vogel. 

Harold loved music, especially playing the drums and piano; he was an artist who loved nature and cared about his health. Harold was a fantastic grandfather and went out of...

Oct 7, 2024

Peggy Sue Comstock age 66 of Erie, passed away on, Monday, October 7, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. 

She was born in Erie on July 7, 1958, a daughter of the late Irwin and Betty Hassler Wurst. 

She enjoyed visiting the peninsula and spending time at the beach and sunbathing at her pool. She was an avid Pittsburgh Pirates, Steelers and Penn...

Oct 6, 2024

Sonny Roy Hartleb Sr, age 56, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at Saint Vincent Hospital. He was welcomed at the gates of heaven by his mother, father, brother, Robert Hartleb and granddaughter, Vincencina Rayne Hartleb.

He was born on April 9, 1968, in Asmara, Ethiopia, to the late Robert Daniel and Ramona J. (Hoover) Hartleb.

Sonny Sr. was the...

Oct 4, 2024

David Richard Blose, Jr. age 45, of Erie, passed away on Friday, October 4, 2024 at St. Vincent. 

He was born in Erie on December 8, 1978, a son of the late David Richard Sr. and Ruth A. Burch Blose. 

David enjoyed cars, listening to music, was an avid Steelers fan and especially loved spending time with his children and his dog...

Oct 4, 2024

Roberta A. Bucci, age 66, of Erie went to meet her Lord on October 4, 2024, after losing her battle with cancer. She was born on September 6, 1958, the daughter of the late Marie D. (Ferrare) Bucci and Guido W. Bucci, Sr.

Roberta attended St. Paul Grade School, Villa Maria Academy class of 1976, and in 1980 graduated from Villa...

Oct 4, 2024

Patton Russell Annegan, 76, beloved husband of 51 years, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on October 4, 2024. He fought a long, difficult battle with cancer and the aftereffects of this treatment. 

Patton was born in Clearfield County on April 17, 1948. Patton was the son of Frank and Vadna Annegan. He spent his...

Oct 2, 2024

Mark C. Brown, age 55, passed away on Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA.

Born in Erie on July 28, 1969, a son of Doris H. Brown, of Vero Beach, FL, and the late Carl R. Brown.

Mark was a graduate of Union City Area High School, class of 1987. He graduated from Penn State with a...

Oct 1, 2024

Walter G. “Jerry” Lohrer, age 89, passed away October 1, 2024 at his Erie residence.

He was born in Fairview, on March 23, 1935, the son of the late Walter W. and Virginia Straub Lohrer.

Jerry grew up along the shore of Lake Erie at Walnut Creek Access in Fairview, where his parents and grandparents owned property and homes beside each other....

Oct 1, 2024

Sep 30, 2024

Sylvia (Balsiger) Nunamaker, age 79 of Erie, passed away unexpectedly Monday, September 30, 2024 at UPMC Hamot Hospital. She was born in Santa Anna, California September 26, 1945 to the late Madeline (Gallo) Lazzini and Roy Lazzini. 

Sylvia loved to play the lottery and go to the casino; she loved baking cookies and doing crafts and ceramics. She was a lifetime...

Sep 28, 2024

Elizabeth “Betty” H. Postirak Wiler, age 106 passed away on Saturday September 28, 2024 at LECOM at Village Square. She was born April 18, 1918 in Cleveland, OH to the late John and Elizabeth Nimet Postirak.

Betty was a graduate of Strong Vincent High School and worked for Bliley Electric for several years. She was a founding member of Mount Calvary...

Sep 28, 2024

Paul “Uncle Pauly” Hicks, age 57, of Erie, passed away Saturday, September 28, 2024 at UPMC Hamot Hospital. He was born in Erie, October 18, 1966, to the late Eleanor Raney. Paul served his country in the United States Army before becoming a truck driver for many years.

He loved the Pittsburgh Steelers and playing golf online with his friends. Paul...

Sep 28, 2024

Bonita (Bonnie) L. Brever Little Wright, age 64, of Fairview, PA passed away Saturday, September 28, 2024, at her residence. She was born May 15, 1960, in Milwaukee, WI, a daughter of the late James and Kathleen Brever. 

Bonnie is survived by her son, Nicholas J. Little (Brittany), and her husband David Wright. She is further survived by many friends and...

Sep 27, 2024

Justin Harold Smith, age 41, of Erie died Friday, September 27, 2024. He was born in Erie, June 5, 1983 to Harold Smith and Deborah Huber Ellenberger. 

Justin attended Harborcreek High School and worked at Amthor Steel for a time. He was a huge football fan, especially of the 49ers, and he loved music. 

In addition to his parents, he is survived...

Sep 27, 2024

Elijah M. Cherpak passed away Friday, September 27, 2024 surrounded by his loving parents. He was born May 23, 2024 to Alexus Hunter and Kyle Cherpak. 

Elijah was always happy, anyone who met him, loved him, and anyone he met, he loved. 

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his grandparents, Jacki Bell, James Hunter, and Matthew Cherpak. Elijah is...

Sep 27, 2024

Frank Paul Rivas age 101, of Erie, passed away on Friday, September 27, 2024, at LECOM at Presque Isle. 

He was born in Providence, RI on May 13, 1923, son of the late Elias and Jennie Ferreiri Rivas.

He worked in the maintenance department at Marx Toys for 26 years, Firch Baking Company and retired from Copes Vulcan in 1979 after five...

Sep 25, 2024

Terese Ann (Gardner) Nelsen, age 69, of Erie passed away Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at Manchester Commons. She was born February 26, 1955 in Erie’s Little Italy neighborhood, the daughter of the late Ronald and Emma (DelSandro) Gardner.

Terese was a 1973 graduate of Academy High school. She most recently moved back to Erie after spending 30 years living in the...

Sep 24, 2024

Richard T. Zatynski, age 70 of Erie, passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. He was born in Erie on July 8, 1954, to the late Joseph F. Sr. and Kathryn P. Guagliardi Zatynski. 

Rich graduated from Strong Vincent High School, class of 1972 and attended Edinboro University. He was employed at Erie Forge for over 23 years. In later life...