Earl James Culbertson, age 83, resident of 20206 Irish Road, Edinboro, PA died at Saint Vincent Health Center, Erie, on Friday, February 6, 2009. He had been in failing health. Born in Edinboro on November 24, 1925, he was the son of Milton William Culbertson and Irene Peterson Culbertson and was a lifelong resident of Venango Township, Crawford County. On December 12, 1947 he married the former Faye Christine Heffern and she survives.
Following graduation from Edinboro High School in 1943, Earl was inducted into the US Navy where he was a radio operator during the Second World War. Part of his assignment was with the US Marine Corp in Nagasaki, Japan, at the time of the atomic bomb drop. When the war was over in 1945, Earl came home and worked two years for General Electric in Erie before being married in 1947. After his marriage he worked for two years for American Viscose in Meadville and then began a lifetime of dairy farming. He retired in 1985. As a dairy farmer, Earl was engaged in several farm related groups including serving as a director for Crawford County Soil Conservation District; serving as a director for the Agriculture Stabilization Conservation Service; and serving as a director for Crawford County Farm Credit. In addition, Earl was very active over the years with the Dairy Division of the Crawford County Fair and was a member of the Pioneer Steam and Gas Engine Society of Crawford County as well as a member of Venango VFW Post #169.
Earl was a collector of antique farm equipment, enjoyed hunting and fishing and being in the out-of-doors. He like traveling, particularly out West. He and his wife also took foreign trips to learn about farm practices of other nations. He enjoyed country music and dancing. Another past time pleasure was being a fan of the Penn State Football team and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Preceding Earl in death was a daughter, Irene Raeuber who died in 1987. In addition to his wife, Faye, of 62 years, Earl is survived by two sons – Kenny Culbertson and his wife, Patty of Mosiertown and Reverend Jim Culbertson and his wife, Wendy-Jo of Edinboro; a daughter – Wilma Webster and her husband, Robert of Edinboro; 11 grandchildren – Mike, Nick, and Stephanie Culbertson; Christina Carson; Becky Fetters; Rob and Jessica Webster; Havalyn Raeuber; Karmyn and Kyle Culbertson; and Kameron Culbertson. Also surviving are 15 great grandchildren; a brother – Bill Culbertson and his wife, Herky from Edinboro, and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 and are invited to attend funeral services there on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Jack McClintock, pastor of Crossroads Community Church in McKean officiating. Interment will follow with full military honors at Venango Cemetery. Memorials may be made to either Venango VFW Post # 169, 20628 Gospel Hill Road, Venango, PA 16440 or Crossroads Community Church, 11160 Oliver Road, McKean, PA 16426 where he was a member of both.
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