Saturday, September 23, 2023

Death of Dayle Wells

Fort LeBoeuf High School - Class of 1956

I received word from Vera Powell that Joyce Wells called her and informed her that Dayle had passed on Thursday, September 21.

Those wishing to send condolences the following is furnished:

Joyce Wells
5753 Wildwood Drive
Marysville, CA 95901
j_wells@yahoo.com

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Death of Sherman J. Nearhoff

Fort LeBoeuf High School - Class of 1970

Sherman J. Nearhoof, Jr., 71, of Erie, passed away Sunday September 10, 2023. He was born in Erie on January 13, 1952 a son of the late Sherman J. Nearhoof Sr. and Anna Doris Cherry Nearhoof.

Sherman graduated from Ft. LeBoeuf High School and worked for Haysite Reinforced Plastics and PennDot.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers, Doug and George Nearhoof, and one sister, Belinda Clark.

Survivors include his siblings, Bonnie Laskowski, Jeffery Nearhoof, John Nearhoof (Debbie), Barbara Prindle (Robert), Art Nearhoof (Michele), and David Nearhoof (Leslie); and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services and burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. Funeral arrangements were made by the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd., Erie, 16504.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, http://www.cancer.org.

Please visit http://www.SchmidtFuneralHomeErie.com to sign the Book of Memories.

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Death of Sue Ann Coffin Plaza

Waterford High School - Class of 1955

Sue Ann Plaza, age 85, of Waterford, passed away quietly in her home on September 17th, 2023 following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born in Uniontown, PA on January 10th, 1938 to Fuller Hogsett and Helen Coffin. After graduation from Waterford High School, she attended Church Home Hospital Nursing School in Baltimore, MD and became a registered nurse.

Sue was dedicated to her work as a nurse and cared for people in many settings, including the newborn nursery, Ask-A-Nurse, and the Poison Control Center at Saint Vincent Hospital.

Sue was known for her love of children, animals, antiques, and gardening. She took pride in raising many fine Quarter Horses on her farm.

She is survived by her four children – John Plaza and his wife Ann; Mike Plaza; Maria Smith and her husband Steve; Kathy Johnson and her husband Chuck; her brothers Tom and George Coffin; sister Joan Rhea; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Sue was preceded in death by her husband Andrew Plaza.

Friends may call on the family at Van Matre Funeral Home in Waterford on Friday, September 22nd from 6-8 pm.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Because You Care, Inc. Animal Rescue and Pet Adoption Center in McKean, PA.

Friends and family are invited to gather at the family home on Saturday, September 23rd at 1 pm.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the caregivers who, through their loving care, enabled Sue to remain in her home.

To send condolences, visit www.vanmatrefuneralhome.com.

Monday, September 11, 2023

Death of Susie Joy Hull Burlingham

Fort LeBoeuf High School - Class of 1962

Susie Joy Hull Burlingham, age 78, of Waterford, PA, passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2023 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s.

She was born to the late Rufus and Beatrice (Ormsbee) Hull on November 13, 1944.

Susie was a member of the Cambridge Springs Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses with strong faith in the Bible and the resurrection to come.

She enjoyed gardening, knitting, puzzles, baking, and playing all kinds of games with her family. She will be missed dearly by all that knew her.

Leaving to mourn her loss is her husband of 59 years, Arnold Burlingham; three children, LeRoy Burlingham of Ohio, Chad Burlingham (Cindi) of Waterford, and Kyla Burlingham of Waterford; six grandchildren, Tiffany Cappelli of Ohio, Taneisha Burlingham, Julianna Burlingham, Brad Burlingham, Jacquelyn Burlingham, and Josie Burlingham, all of Waterford PA; two brothers, Milo Hull of Waterford and Bruce Hull of Waterford, and one sister Thelma Carr of Centerville PA. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Denise Burlingham; two brothers, Vernon Hull and Russell Hull, and two sisters, Betty Hull Edwards and Myrtle Hull Jeeter.

Askins Cremation Funeral Services, 8354 Wattsburg Rd., Erie, PA 16509 is assisting with arrangements.

Friday, July 14, 2023

Death of Larry Paul Hanas

Fort LeBoeuf High School - Class of 1977

Larry Paul Hanas, age 63, lifelong resident of Waterford, died Monday, July 10, 2023 after a long illness surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Meadville on July 19, 1959 to the late John W. and Carol J. Krautter Hanas.

Larry graduated from Fort LeBoeuf High School in 1977. He married the love of his life Cheryl A. Szymanowski in 1979. Together they raised two great children, Larry P. Hanas II (wife, Leslie) and Tiffany A. Pettit (husband Jarid), and the four best grandchildren, Larry Hanas III, Laine Hanas, Bryce Pettit, and Aria Pettit.

Larry was a entrepreneur and hard worker that started his first business at age 23. Hanas Fabricating and Welding took him all over the country working on jobs. One of which was building the largest asphalt plant in the Southwest of the U.S. His skills kept him very busy working on these large jobs, but enjoyed the time working with his son. In 2003 he started Your Wish is Granite, which he operated with his family. Being able to work with his family was one of the joys of his life! He continued working until his cancer diagnosis in 2015.

Larry loved to travel with his wife. They were able to enjoy getting away from work together on many trips around the world. He liked to garden, had a sweet tooth, and became quite a baker. He loved baking with his grandkids.

Preceding him in death were his parents, and his brother, John Robert "JR" Hanas. He is further survived by two brothers, Jerome Hanas (wife, Judy) and Andrew Hanas (wife, Mary); his sister-in-law, Kellie Hanas; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends were invited to visiting hours at Van Matre Funeral Home in Waterford on Thursday, July 13th from 2-4 and 5-7 pm with a brief service following.

Memorials may be made to the Yolanda Barco Oncology Institute, Meadville, PA or to the family. To send condolences, visit www.vanmatrefuneralhome.com.

Thursday, July 06, 2023

Death of William Eugene "Bill" Mitchell

Fort LeBoeuf High School - Class of 1962

William Eugene "Bill" Mitchell Jr., age 78, of Waterford, died Saturday, July 1, 2023 after a long illness. He was a son of the late William Eugene and Ernestine Matilda Stolz Mitchell, born in Waterford on December 9, 1944.

Bill grew up on his family's farm on Union Road in Waterford, and for years operated a logging business and sawmill, a gas well business, and, of course, raised and trained draft horses. He participated in horse-pulling events for many years, and was well-known in the Amish community. Bill had a way with words and was quite a story-teller. He enjoyed dancing and could formerly be found frequenting his "office", Ike and Flo's in Waterford.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Patricia Adams; and is survived by his wife, Tamara Griffiths Mitchell; son, Matthew Mitchell; daughter, Michele Carniewski and her husband Richard, and their sons, Joshua and Jacob; three siblings, Jean Ann Waite of Erie, Robert Keith Mitchell and wife Meloney of Waterford, and James Lynn Mitchell and wife Susan of Knoxville, TN; two step-sons, Larry Campbell Jr. and Rob Campbell; and his last surviving horse, Slew.

Visiting hours will be at Van Matre Funeral Home in Waterford on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8pm. To send condolences, visit www.vanmatrefuneralhome.com.

Wednesday, July 05, 2023

Debora Ann Harvey, age 66, of Waterford, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on July 1, 2023. Born October 28, 1956, she was the daughter of the late Bruce R. and Mary Ann (Weaver) Hunt. Debbie was a 1974 graduate of Fort LeBoeuf High School. She worked for 16 years at Western Reserve as a Nurse’s Aide, supply technician, and medical records administrator, and for 16 years at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center as a Nurse’s Aide, supply technician, and inventory specialist. She retired May 31, 2018.

Debbie’s hobbies were knitting, crocheting, a variety of crafts, and genealogy. She enjoyed spending time with her family, playing cards, and looking for beach glass.

Debbie is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, Robert H. Harvey; her daughter Tina M. (Jake) Flook, of Waterford; two stepsons – Jeff (Karen) Harvey and Eric Harvey; grandchildren – Nathan R. Flook, William H. Flook, Meghan Harvey, Taylor Harvey, Cameron Harvey, Jessica Harvey, and Rebecca Harvey; 4 sisters – Jacqueline Hendricks of Greenville, SC, Roberta (Karl) Horvath of Edinboro, Marie “Betsy” Monn of Waterford, and Cynthia Hunt and her fiancé Scott Hilliker of Waterford; 2 brothers – Ronald Hunt of Canadohta Lake, and Dennis (Sharon) Hunt of Lake City; 2 brothers-in-law – Donald Harvey of Summit, PA, and Terry Harvey of Erie; a sister-in-law Barbara Harvey of Harborcreek; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her best friend of 62 years, Barbara (Monroe) Cromwell, and two special cousins – Sharon Miller and Dixie Rasmussen.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant brother William Paul Hunt, brother-in-law Charles Giles, nephew David Giles, great niece Kayla M. Skinner, sister-in-law Sharon Harvey, brother-in-law Gerry Harvey, sister-in-law Cheryl Peterson, great-nephew Jordan Ayala, and a good friend Marge Cline.

Friends may call Wednesday from 6-8 pm at Van Matre Funeral Home in Waterford, and on Thursday from 9:00 am until time of the funeral service at 10:00 am. Officiating will be Debbie’s nephew, Pastor Jay Hines. Burial will follow at Waterford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to AseraCare Hospice, 12664 Rt 19 S, Unit 1 (A), Waterford, PA 16441, or to Stancliff Hose Company, PO Box 275, Waterford, PA 16441.