Robert W. Struble, 91, of 300 Evers Avenue, St. Marys, passed away Saturday, May 26, 2012 at the Sarah A. Reed Center in Erie after an illness of the past several months.
He was born January 14, 1921 in St. Marys, son of the late William and Viola Valentine Struble. He was a lifelong resident of the area and attended St. Marys Schools. He was a former employee of the Speer Carbon Company from 1939 to 1956, and served as President of the local I.U.E. Union of Electrical Workers for 12 years. He also served as a Vice President of IUE-AFL-CIO District #6, served as a trustee and Executive Board Member of IUE-AFL-CIO of District #1, and served as a Vice President of PA AFL-CIO from 1962 to 1968.
On June 15, 1946 in the St. Mary’s Church, he married Elizabeth M. “Betty” Schneider, who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Rebecca (William) Mikus of West Granby, CT, Mary (Kenneth) Dinsmore of Erie and Jean (Charles) Kibler of Erie; a son, Charles R. (Jane) Struble of Kersey; nine grandchildren, Jennifer Salvini, Ian Mikus, Janel Castellano, Justin Struble, Matthew Dinsmore, Kelly Drahushak, Kristin McCarthy, Jessica Kridler and Jeremy Kibler; 13 great grandchildren; and two brothers, John “Jack” (Nancy) Struble of Smethport and David (Mary Lee) Struble of St. Marys.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Betty Schneider, Mary Schneider, Helen (Sue Ann) Bucher and, in infancy, Marjorie Struble; and by five brothers, Howard, Walter, Raymond, Donald and Francis Struble.
Mr. Struble was a member of the St. Mary’s Church, a Veteran of WWII having served as a Corporal in the Army serving in Alaska and the European Theatre. He loved hunting, fishing and being in his workshop making furniture.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the St. Mary’s Church on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 10:00 AM with the Rev. Meinrad Lawson OSB, Pastor, as celebrant. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery. Full military rites will be accorded by the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail.
Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Community Nurses Inc., 757 Johnsonburg Road, Suite 200, St. Marys, PA 15857, St. Mary’s Church, 144 Church Street, St. Marys, PA 15857, Sarah A. Reed Retirement Center, 227 West 22nd Street, Erie, PA 16502 or to the Great Lakes Hospice, 1700 Peach Street, Suite 244, Erie, PA 16501.