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- [S2] Staff, Daily Press, The, (Name: Daily Press, The; Location: St. Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania, United States;), Obituary: Erich, LeVern L. 31OCT2016.
LeVern L. "Barney" Erich, 99, and in this past July began his 100th year of life, of 1598 Rosely Rd., St. Marys, died Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 as he entered into eternal rest surrounded by loving children and friends at Penn Highlands Elk following a brief illness.
He was born July 11, 1917 in St. Marys, son of the late Louis and Molly Schaberl Erich. He was a lifelong resident of the area and attended St. Marys Catholic schools.
Barney began his working career as an employee of the St. Marys Tannery for three years. He then worked at the St. Marys Brewery in the bottle house for three months and then at Speer Carbon in Plant Three for three months. He later went to work at Stackpole, working in the finish department. Barney was also an employee of the highway department and for the Federal Housing Project in Buffalo, New York for eight months. He was also a co-owner of the former Elk Building Materials and St. Marys Clay Products.
After the war, Barney formed Erich Brothers and bought lots and built houses for the soldiers coming home. They stick built homes until 1960 and then bought the brickyard on State Road and started St. Marys Precision Homes. He bought Bunker Hill and started Erich Development, where 123 houses were built.
In 1942, Barney bought his farm on Rosely Road, which he still farmed along with the farm on Eschbach Road, which houses the Black Angus cows he has raised for many years.
He was a member of the Queen of the World Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and he loved spending time at his camp.
On March 4, 1935 in the St. Mary's Church, he married Marie O'Dell, who preceded him in death April 7, 1977.
Barney is survived by four daughters, Helen "Tubby" Rhines, JoAnn Dippold, Donna Roseberry and Linda Mohr and her husband Bill, all of St. Marys; two sons, Vern "Oats" Erich and his wife Jen and Blaze Bauer and his wife Marilyn, both of St. Marys; 21 grandchildren; five step grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; six step great-grandchildren; and 17 great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his loving dog and man's best friend, Pix.
In addition to his wife and parents, Barney was preceded in death by his longtime companion, Ruth "Toots" Nero, on Nov. 30, 2013; his very special friend, Mary Bauer, on Sept. 7, 2016; three sons-in-law, Robert Rhines, Richard "Dick" Dippold and Herbert Roseberry; two grandchildren, Tammy Erich Fiedler and Scott Bauer; one great-grandson, Dustin Fiedler; two sisters, Rose Marie Kerner and Ruth Erich; and by three brothers, Earl, Alfred and Louis Erich. He was the last member of his immediate family.
A Mass of Christian Burial for LeVern L. "Barney" Erich will be celebrated in the Queen of the World Church on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Richard Allen, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the St. Mary's Cemetery.
Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 5-8 p.m.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Queen of the World Church, 134 Queens Rd., St. Marys, Pa. 15857; the Hahne Regional Cancer Center, 100 Hospital Ave., DuBois, Pa. 15801; or to the Community Nurses, Inc., 757 Johnsonburg Rd., Suite 200, St. Marys, Pa. 15857.
Online condolences may be offered at www.lynch-radkowski.com.
Published by The Daily Press from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, 2016.
HFA: 01NOV2016
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1917 - 2016 (99 years)
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