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 1956, 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 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.

Saturday, December 24, 2022

Death of Nancy Prososki Austin



Waterford High Class of 1955

I received word from Elizabeth Faulhaber Demmery-Potter, WHS Class of 1955, that Nancy Prososki Austin, WHS Class of 1955, had passed after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Saturday, December 24, 2022

Death of Mary Sanford Kibbe



Waterford High Class of 1952

Mary L. Kibbe, age 87, of Waterford, went to be with her Lord on Thursday, December 22, 2022, while surrounded by her family at home. Born October 20, 1935, she was the daughter of Wilbur Sanford and Ila Huffman Sanford.

Mary was a faithful servant of the Lord and her family, spending most of her life alongside her husband and children on their dairy farm on Donation Road in Waterford. She was loved by all who met her, and she made everyone feel welcome. She attended Elevate Church in Millcreek.

Survivors include her loving husband of 64 years, Charlie Kibbe, whom she married July 12, 1958; their 5 children – Cindy Byrne (Dave), Brenda Reibel (Al), Dan Kibbe (Cindy), Don Kibbe (Jen), and Linda Fitzpatrick (Dan); 17 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and 3 siblings – Martha Hunt, Shirley Mori, and Helen Fries (Bill).

Five siblings predecease her – Faye Young, Ruth Kula, Bill Sanford, Ira Sanford, and Barb Shonka.

Friends may call at Van Matre Funeral Home in Waterford on Monday, December 26, from 1-3 pm and attend the funeral following at 3:00 pm officiated by Howard and Cheryl Shouse. A private burial will follow at Waterford Cemetery.

Thanks to Marlene Myers Kibbe for fuirnishing the above obituary!

Sunday, December 11, 2022

Death of William J. Shakespeare



Fort LeBoeuf Class of 1983

William J. Shakespeare, age 59, of Summit Township, passed away December 9, 2022, at his parents' home. Bill was a longtime resident of Mill Village, Pa, before moving to Summit. He was born November 16, 1963, the son of Robert and Phyllis Hill Shakespeare.

He graduated from Fort Leboeuf High School in 1983 and worked for many years at Humes Chrysler as a service department manager. He loved hunting and camping and was an avid Steelers fan. At the age of 16, he restored a 1956 Ford Truck which he loved, and painted it a candy apple red.

Bill is survived by his children Robert Shakespeare, Donald Shakespeare (Deanna), Daniel Shakespeare (Hannah), and Gretchen Shakespeare. Also surviving are five grandchildren whom he cherished, Tyler, Linley, Dominick, Audrina, and Connor, and several cousins.

Per his request, there will be a private family service at LeBoeuf Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the family in care of Van Matre Funeral Home in Waterford who is handling the arrangements.

Monday, December 05, 2022

Death of Regina Marie Nosko Ripley



Fort LeBoeuf Class of 1982

Regina Marie (Nosko) Ripley, age 59, of Waterford, peacefully went to be with the Lord surrounded by her family on Wednesday, October 26th, 2022. She was born on June 28th, 1963 to Robert and Shirley (Burger) Nosko of Mill Village, where she previously resided, as well as Lakeland, Florida.

Regina worked from home as a medical transcriptionist which gave her the free time to be involved in many activities throughout her kids' and grandkids' attendance at Fort LeBoeuf Schools. She also attended Fort LeBoeuf and was a 1982 graduate. Regina also was educated at Erie County Technical School for business and J.H. Thompson Academy for medical billing and transcription.

She enjoyed camping, traveling and going to sporting events to support her grandson PJ, as well as spending time with friends and family. Regina was a kind-hearted lady who would do anything for anyone she could. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Besides her parents, who she lost in 2017 and 2018, she was preceded in death by an infant son - Andrew Watson Ripley (Adam's twin brother).

Left to mourn her death is her husband and best friend of 39 years, Michael Ripley, whom she married August 7th, 1982; daughter, Brigitte; son, Adam; four grandchildren - Madison, Patrick "PJ," Jasmine, Gabe; sister, Heidi Nosko; and many other family members as well as a large group of friends.

There will be no calling hours. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 5th from 12-4 p.m. at the American Legion in Waterford.

Monday, December 05, 2022

Susan E. Walters Babbitt, age 73, of Erie, passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2022 after a lifelong battle with mental illness. She was born on December 5, 1949 in Edinboro, PA, the daughter of the late Richard and Mary Walters.

Susie obtained her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education from Edinboro University. She taught Science and Mathematics at Fort Leboeuf in Waterford, PA for 32 years.

She enjoyed a lifetime of traveling with her beloved husband and son. They traveled extensively throughout the United States and countries across the globe.

In recent years, Susie enjoyed making jewelry and art using local beach glass and stones, some from her lake house in Epsyville.

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Charles E. Babbit; her son, Alex Babbitt and his fiancée Adam Coatoam; her brother Rick Walters and his wife, Diane; as well as a younger sister. Susie is also survived by a very close family friend, Andrea Heasley Gloystein, who was personally involved with her care for many years and always made sure she was loved.

The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Oakview and Forestview, divisions of Springhill, specifically Lori Wick who went above and beyond to support Susie. Additionally, the family would like to acknowledge Susie's close friend, Melissa Whalen, who spent many quality hours with Susie in her last years of life.

Funeral services will be private. The John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc. is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ANNA Shelter, 1555 East 10th St., Erie, PA 16511.