Harold E Lerch

Harold E. Lerch, age 90, of Oil City, went to be with the Lord on November 25, 2015 at Sugarcreek Station Nursing Facility.He was born February 11, 1925 in Franklin the son of Roy L. and Margaret M. Sanders Lerch.He was a 1943 graduate of Rocky Grove High School, attended Texas Christian University, and graduated from Franklin Commercial College.Mr. Lerch had been employed by Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Management Associates in Oil City for 10 years and later employed at Franklin Steel for 34 years until his retirement in February 1990.He was a long term member of the First Baptist Church in Franklin, where he served as Treasurer and Deacon for many years.Mr. Lerch enjoyed spending time with his family as well as traveling, bowling, golfing, and gardening. He had traveled and vacationed in all 50 States as well as Hawaii, Alaska and Canada.He was a long term member of Rocky Grove Fire Department and enjoyed Saturday nights playing cards at the Firehall.He served in the US Army in 1943 and later joined the Air Force and was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone where he worked with munitions. After retiring from the Air Force, he married Nell Rosser of Cleburne, Texas, with whom he had four children.He was married to Anna B. Nuhfer of Oil City in 1977 who passed in 2004.Surviving are four children; Edwin R. Lerch of Oil City, PA, Sheryl Acker and husband Joe of Phoenix, AZ, Kathy Jennings and husband Ralph of Burleston, TX, Roger Lerch and wife Michelle of Rocky Grove; two step-children; Tom Faller and wife Pat of Chicora, PA, Teresa Greenhaw and her husband Terry of Elgin, TX.He was also survived by four grandchildren; Brian Smith, Amy Smith, David Jennings of Texas, and Adam Lerch of Pennsylvania; eight great grandchildren; Trenton, Tessa, Tatum, Tyson Kelly, Ava, Austin, Asher Smith of Texas, Adam Lerch, Jr. of Pennsylvania; five step-grandchildren; Michael Faller, Colleen Kuciak, Mary Faller of Pennsylvania; Eric and Christopher Abrahansen of Texas.In addition are several step-great grandchildren and two nephews and one niece.Mr. Lerch was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, James and Vance Lerch, in addition to his wife Anna Lerch.There will be a visitation from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with the funeral immediately following on Friday, December 4, at the Gardinier Funeral Home, 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, PA with the Rev. Randy Powell, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Franklin, officiating. Interment will be made in Sunset Hills Memorial Gardens.To send online condolences, flowers, cards, or for further information, friends and family are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com