daily obituaries Erie PA

March 12 2010

Yesterday's Obituaries...

Samuel E. Baker
Samuel E. Baker, 81, of West Springfield, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at his home. He was born in Erie on September 16, 1928, a son of the late Richard C. and Alice Strohmenger Baker and grandson of Irish immigrants, Samuel and Mary (Connell) Baker, of Bantry, Ireland. Sam graduated from Acadamy High School in 1947 and attended Business Education at Gannon University. In the 1940's, he worked at Waldameer Park and is featured on their 100th anniversary film. He was active at the Springfield Firemans Carnival for 27 years at the main stand and is listed in the Albion Area Fair Honor Roll. He was a lifetime member of the Quarter Century Wireless Assoc. and the Radio Assoc. of Erie with the ham radio call of W3FIQ, and received the National Edison Award Citation for emergency work during the 1956 snowstorm. He was appointed as a Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff Coates in 1960. Sam lived his dreams through his music and trip to his ancestoral home on the Goat Path in Ireland. Country gospel music was his avocation, appearing locally as well as at Midnight Jamboree in Nashville; Renfro Valley; WWVA Wheeling, W. Va., and the staff at Ponderosa Country Music Park in Ohio. He was awarded a Presidential Citation as a member of the Erie Troubadours in 1971. He was employed at Tru Temper in Lake City as a tool & die maker for 30 years, retiring in 1996. He also owned and operated Sam's Bycycle Shop in West Springfield for 20 years. He attended the West Springfield Methodist Church. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a son, Samuel E. "Buster" Baker; sisters, Mary Alice Dinges, Linda Balko, and Shirley Spiteri; and brothers, Boyd Baker and Richard C. Baker. He is survived by his wife of over 61 years, Evelyn M. Baker, whom he married July 13, 1947; daughter, Bonita S. Rea, of Erie; brother, Kenneth Baker and wife, Darlene, of Platea; grandchildren, Matthew and Mark Rea, and Chris, Michael, Candy, and Sammy Baker; many great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Daniel R. Edder Funeral Home, 309 Main St. East, Girard. Services will be held at the West Springfield Methodist Church on Satrurday at 11 a.m. Rev Robert Klingler officiating. Memorials may be made to the West Springfield Methodist Church Building Fund, PO Box 263 W.Springfield, PA 16443 Send a Sympathy Note

Dorothy Shaner Baldwin
Dorothy Shaner Baldwin, 89, of Fairview, went to be with the lord on Monday, March 8, 2010 at her residence surrounded by her family. Full obituary will appear in tomorrow's Erie Times News. Arrangements entrusted to the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 W. 26th St., Erie. Create a memorial web site

Norma Edith (Sweetie) Russell
To the World She was One, To Us She was the World Norma Edith Russell, age 86, of Ripley, New York, died Wednesday March 10, 2010 at Select Specially Hospital in Erie. She was born on June 25, 1923 daughter of the late Glen and Clara Marie Thompson. Norma graduated from Harborcreek High School and retired from General Electric after 30 years. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years Delmar Russell in 1994 and a brother, Willis Thompson. She is survived by four daughters, Duretta Russell, Kimberley Stalmach and her husband Joseph, Laura Truesdale, Michelle Orlowski and her husband Robert; two sisters, Hazel Hanks and Martha Stephenson; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. There will be no calling hours observed. Memorials may be made to the John Kanzius Cancer Fund 1001 State Street, Suite 1400, Erie, PA. 16501 or the Ripley Hose Co. Ripley, NY 14775. William D. Elkin Funeral Home, 65 South Lake St. North East, PA in charge of funeral . Create a memorial web site

James M. VanDyke
James M. VanDyke, 52, of Carrier Rd., Columbus, Pa., died on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at the Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pa. He was born January 5, 1958 in Warren, Pa, a son of Mary Ann McGraw VanDyke of Corry, Pa. and the late John R. VanDyke. Mr. VanDyke was raised and educated in Corry where he attended St. Thomas School and then graduated from Corry Area High School in 1974. Following graduation, he attended college for three years. Mr. VanDyke returned to Corry and worked at several Corry area businesses until he was hired at Thompson Maple Products where he worked for over twenty years. He was a member of St. Thomas The Apostle Roman Catholic Church, Corry, Pa. Mr. VanDyke enjoyed the outdoors, especially camping, fishing and hiking. He also enjoyed reading and watching movies. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a brother, John L. VanDyke. Besides his mother, Mr. VanDyke is survived by one brother, Thomas VanDyke and his wife, Christi, of Erie; a niece, Rhyleigh VanDyke and a nephew, Aaron John VanDyke. Friends are invited to a memorial visitation at the Bracken Funeral Home, 315 N. Center Street, Corry on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A scripture service will be held at the funeral home on Friday at 3:00 p.m. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church on Saturday at 11 a.m. Msgr. John Haggerty will officiate. Burial will be held privately by his family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, 3524 W. 26th Street, Erie, PA l6506. Create a memorial web site

Judith Rae Wasikowski
Judith Rae Wasikowski age 69, of 3605 W 14th Street, died Thursday March 11, 2010 at Hamot Medical Center. Arrangements will be announced by the Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 W 26th St. Create a memorial web site

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