Sunday, May 28, 2023

Death of Jack Bowman



Waterford High - Class of 1954

Jack “JB” Bowman was 86 when The Lord called him home on April 6, 2023. He was born in Erie, PA but grew up in Waterford, PA. Right out of high school he joined the U.S. Marine Corps where he was a wheeled vehicle mechanic. That fed his love of owning a multitude of cars/trucks to drive and a close buddy got him collecting toy models of “anything with wheels.”

When he got out of the service he went home to PA and after a few years of shoveling snow he moved to St. Pete around 1962. His mother, Esther Bowman and father Clair Bowman, who predeceased him, moved to St Pete several years later.

Jack worked at Bert Smith when he got to St Pete and ran his own lawn service. Then around 1966 he began his 10-year law enforcement career as a dispatcher with the Florida Highway Patrol. Jack left the Highway Patrol and was hired in 1976 as a Deputy with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

When he retired in 1995 he took a couple years to not live on a schedule and spend time with friends in PA. Soon he longed to be back with fellow officers so in 2005 he Volunteered with the St Petersburg Police Department where he loved being in the Road Patrol unit he retired for health reasons. He was very close with Ron Wolfson and enjoyed kibitzing with his partners and the office staff.

Jack’s biggest commitment and joy was serving on the Board of Directors of the Pinellas Federal Credit Union for 29 years because of the friendship and like-minded Directors/Officers he served with growing the credit union. Jack was highly regarded and reelected as Chairman of the Board for 20+ years.

Jack knew no strangers! He loved to laugh and make faces to make others laugh. He could be sarcastic but in a nice way. His goal throughout his life was to help, serve, protect, and just be a friend to those he met.

He was president, treasurer and a member for many, many years in Sunshine City Kiwanis, with a special place in his heart for the Key Club members who aspired to serve their community. He also mentored students in various public schools in St. Pete through Young Children Priority One.

He worked as an associate with Anderson McQueen for many years. He was a member of Knights of Pythias who still sponsors Scholarships for SPC students. He was a member and supported Nitram Lodge #188. He served as treasurer for the FL Farm Bureau for several years.

No grass grew under Jack’s feet. His involvement with the credit union, the road patrol, the Kiwanis club and Anderson McQueen were simultaneous over many years.

JB is survived by his wife of 40 years, Charlene; his brother-in-law Les Zepp; niece Cheryl Banda, nephews Terry Phelps, Kevin Phelps, Randy Phelps and, Jack was especially fond of and close to his great-neice Tara (Scott) Stewart. His sister Justine Phelps passed away in 2020.

He loved his Liberty Baptist Church family deeply and volunteered to help in fundraisers and children’s programs. He worked diligently and recruited members to help with an annual Breakfast at the Park in Lake Seminole for many years. He was a faithful Greeter on Sunday mornings for young adults, teens and he had a special fondness for children, many who would come and give him a big hug around his legs. The glorious music of the choir, Pastor Bob’s playing, and Karen’s beautiful voice warmed his heart. He and Charlene also loved the fellowship during annual Wisdom Warrior road trips.

Jack’s sporting event was bowling in a league for 18 years on Thurs and Sun nights where he met Charlene in 1982. He later served as President and Charlene was Secy/Treasurer all those years. They traveled to different states, as far as St. Louis, MO, with dear friends/teammates to compete in tournaments.

He liked to fish with friends in the gulf, lakes in Lakeland and Watson’s Fish Camp. But, the only fish he brought home was mounted as the 2nd largest on record from Lake Parker in 1989.

Jack looked forward to Thanksgiving week when he joined his father-in-law, Frank, and a bunch of guys in West VA to hunt. “The guys” hunted early in the morning while Frank and Jack slept in, then Frank went to hunt and Jack got his camera to hunt with from his treestand. He enjoyed being in the woods surrounded by the river and mountains.

My cherished husband, JB, was a Christian, loving, fun, “Mr. fix-it” at home, collector of “things.” He was compassionate, on-the-go, the love-of-my-life. We were blessed to be able to take our 5th-wheel RV to spend time at friends’ places, attend Kiwanis conferences and credit union conferences in various states but we also enjoyed “just being at home.” College football season, however, announced our “house divided” when I display our Seminole/Gator flag on the front porch.

On Monday, April 24, 2023 family and friends shared memories from 4:00–5:30 p.m. and Celebrated Jack’s well-lived life at 5:30 p.m. at Anderson McQueen Funeral Home, 2201 Dr MLK Street North, St Petersburg, FL 33704. The family had a private interment.

Memorial donations for Jack can be made payable to Liberty Baptist Church and mailed to 9401 4th Street North, St Petersburg, FL 33702 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or mail to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.”

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Death of Mary Jane Ross Jewell



FLBHS Class of 1971

Mary Jane Jewell, age 69, of Erie, passed away Friday, March 24, 2023. She was born in Cuba, NY on November 21, 1953, daughter of the late Dale and Dorothy Ross.

Mary Jane enjoyed being a homemaker and loved to crochet and spend time with her furry cat children. She loved her family deeply and was a good wife to Don. She was a long-time member of Bethel Baptist Church.

Mary Jane is survived by her husband of 45 years, Donald Jewell, who was her high school sweetheart; one brother, Kenneth Ross (Louann); two sisters, Barbara Williams (Ray) and Marilyn Ross; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends were invited to attend a Memorial Service at Bethel Baptist Church, 1781 West 38th Street, on Thursday at 10 am conducted by Rev. Jerry Davis. Arrangements were handled by the Dusckas Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. Memorial contributions may be made to Mary Jane's family through the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to her husband at:

Donald Jewell
1121 West 20th Street
Erie, PA 16502.

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Death of Joanne Goldsmith Silverman



FLBHS Class of 1956

Joanne Silverman, eighty-four years old, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday May 6th with family at her side. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held later this year on Saturday, October 28th at Hodges Funeral home in Zephyrhills, Florida. This will give family and friends from out of State, the time to attend. A Celebration of Life will be hosted after the service at Lake Bernadette Club House.

Joanne was born in Waterford, PA, to Ward and Henrietta Goldsmith on March 25th, 1939. She went to school at Fort LeBoeuf High School. In the 1970’s Joanne was the founder of Joanne Seager and Associates, a successful Court Stenography Firm in Erie, Pa. She worked as President and Lead Court Stenographer for many years. Joanne married Louis Silverman on May 7th of 1982. She passed away the day before their 41st wedding anniversary. She and her husband Lou moved from Erie Pa. to Florida in 1983 where they have lived since.

Joanne is preceded in death by her son Christopher Seager who lost a battle with cancer in January of 2020 and her brother James Goldsmith.

Joanne is survived by her husband of 41 years, Louis Silverman, by her daughter Pamela Latour, sons Richard Seager, and Gregory Seager and stepdaughters Michelle Jordano, and Kimberly Lupo. Also, by her 36 grandchildren and great-grandchildren and her sister Bernadette Herbstritt.

Joanne loved reading novels and watching political news, which she often did with passionate enthusiasm. She taught so many around her, especially her children, about determination to make life into what you want it to be. She cared deeply for her family and friends and left this world with a legacy of love.

Family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in memory of Joanne to Christian Health Service Corps a ministry founded by her son at donate.healthservicecorps.org

Wendesday, May 03, 2023

Death of John R. Senkalski



FLBHS Class of 1956

John Robert Senkalski, age 86, a lifetime resident of Waterford, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. He was born at home on May 3, 1936, the youngest son of the late John P. and Veronica Winniewicz Senkalski.

John attended school in Waterford where he played football, basketball, and baseball. He married Lorraine Lamb, of McKean, on December 26, 1959, and the two were inseparable for the next 58 years.

John served in the U.S. Army from 1959-1962, where he was stationed at Fort Knox, KY, and trained in teletype communications and served as a Chaplain Assistant. John worked as a lineman for the Waterford Electric Company and Penelec, retiring in 1994.

In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking, gardening, playing cards, watching sports, and baking cookies. He was a dedicated and loving husband, dad, and "Papa". He loved his family and enjoyed watching it grow. He attended Draketown Christian Church and was a lifetime member of the Siebenbuerger Club and American Legion Post 285.

Preceding John in death were his wife Lorraine, son-in-law Gary Post, and siblings Anna Mileski, Florence Stankey, Tomas, Edward, and Theodore Senkalski, and Loretta Fuson.

His surviving family members include his two daughters, Lisa Daugherty (Carl) and Jan Post; his sister Theresa Hepler; grandsons David Daugherty (Erica) and Jason Daugherty (Halsey); his great-grandchildren Benjamin, Ethan, Connor, and Abigail Daugherty, all of Waterford; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Jean Senkalski and Isabella Senkalski.

Friends called at Van Matre Funeral Home in Waterford on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm, and attended a Christian funeral at Draketown Church on Saturday at 10:00 am. Committal service and burial followed at Waterford Cemetery.

Friday, April 07, 2023

I received word from Susan Peasley Wilcox, FLBHS Class of 1984, that her sister-in-law, Deborah Ann Anderson Peasley passed on September 27, 2021.

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Grayson G. Heard, age 76, passed away March 7, 2023 due to heart and kidney failure.

Grayson was born in Erie, PA on March 6, 1947, the son of the late William and Corinne Baugher Heard.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Linda Brocious, formerly of Lawrence Park.

Grayson is survived by his beloved wife, Charlene (Hough) Heard, who was his high school sweetheart, being both his first and last love. He is also survived by his children, son Robert Heard and daughter Heather Fanz, both of Fenton, Missouri; brother David Heard (wife Karen) and family of Waterford, PA; stepson Brian Yurchak (wife Nataliya), stepdaughter Michelle Altman (husband Christopher), all of Erie, PA; and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Grayson grew up in Waterford, PA and graduated from Fort LeBoeuf High School in 1965. He attended Penn State University and graduated with a BS in Mining Engineering in 1970. His employment started in 1968 as a co-op student with Consolidation Coal Company of Pittsburgh, PA. He worked his entire career with Consolidation Coal and held various positions in PA, WV, and Missouri. He attended the Harvard Business School's PMD program in 1977 and also was recognized as a Centennial Fellow in 1996 by Pennsylvania State University. He retired in 2002 as Senior Vice President.

He greatly enjoyed the outdoors, was an avid duck hunter and bass fisherman, and had a lifelong involvement with all shooting sports. He was active with Ducks Unlimited while in Missouri, and received awards from the Illinois Department of Conservation for his work in reclaiming surface mined property to wet lands and wildlife habitat.

Private funeral services were held at Van Matre Funeral Home in Waterford and burial was in Waterford Cemetery. To share condolences with the family, please visit www.vanmatrefuneralhome.com.

Saturday, March 04, 2023

I received word from Linda Lawson Grover that Marjorie Baughman Frazier, Fort LeBoeuf Class of 1965, passed away on February 27, 2022. I have been unable to find an obituary so have no details!

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Death of Nancy Prososki Austin



Waterford High Class of 1955

Nancy Lea Austin, age 85, of Waterford, passed away on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at her home following a five-year battle with dementia. She was surrounded by her family and friends.

Nancy was born in Erie on June 4th, 1937 to the late Bron Michael Prososki and Pauline Mryeilla Rachel Mellon Prososki.

She was a graduate of the Waterford Academy and retired from General Electric after 42 years of pioneering from the mail room, to management, then moving on to production control. Her passions in life were her family, friends, animals, reading, and traveling. After retirement, she bought a Harley and rode it until she was 78 years old. Nancy was very strong, kind, and compassionate. She loved her two sons who sat together by her side as she was peacefully called home to the Lord.

Nancy is survived by her sons Orlo B. Austin and Michael L. Austin.

Family and friends are invited to St. Peters Episcopal Church of Waterford, Pennsylvania for a memorial service in her memory on January 14th at 1:00 PM. Arrangements by Van Matre Funeral Home, Waterford and condolences may be sent at www.vanmatrefuneralhome.com.