Erma Jean Gerdon, age 84, resident of Venango since 1960, died peacefully on Saturday, August 14, 2010 surrounded by her loving family following a courageous battle with cancer at the home of her daughter, Jessie May Snyder, Saegertown. Born in Union City, PA on February 15, 1926, Jean was a daughter of the late Hobart M. Shreve and Dorothy Warner Shreve.
Following her high school education in Union City, Jean worked at the Union City Bank, followed by several years of employment at Lyon’s Transportation in Erie, and then Bliley Electric in Erie for 17 years. In 1959 she became owner of the Venango Hotel in Venango which she operated until 1968. On March 16, 1969 she married Karl Gerdon who owned Gerdon’s Red and White Grocery Store in Venango and together they operated the store until their retirement in 1981.
Jean was involved extensively in her community of Venango and the surrounding area. She was a member of the Venango United Methodist Church where she played the organ for many years and was an active member of the Order of Eastern Star in Cambridge Springs and later she became a member of Golden Crown Eastern Star Chapter #44 of Meadville. She was honored by them recently with a life membership. Jean also was one of the original members of Cambridge Area Volunteer Ambulance Service where she was active for many years as well as the Venango Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary. Jean enjoyed her home located by French Creek at Van Acres, Venango where she enjoyed growing flowers and bird watching. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting and providing lap robes which she made to many nursing homes in the area. A very friendly person, Jean always concerned herself with how folks were doing and to lend a helping hand whenever an occasion for assistance would arise. She could often being seen driving in her PT Cruiser. She loved her family and her grandchildren and was often seen supporting them as they were participating in school events.
Preceding Jean in death in addition to her parents and husband were two brothers – Russell R. Shreve and Robert M. Shreve. Surviving is her daughter – Jessie May Snyder and her husband, Robert of Saegertown; three grandchildren – Lori Kirdahy and her husband, Bill of Saegertown; Steve Polach and his wife, Sharla of Meadville; and Peggy Dwyer and her husband, Chris of Saegertown; seven great grandchildren – Hallie Kirdahy, Ryan Kirdahy, Abigail Kirdahy; Stephanie Polach; Sadie Polach; Liam Dwyer; and Lily Dwyer. Also several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and a great great niece and nephew survive.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9. Easter Star services will be held at the funeral home on Monday evening at 6:30 pm. Funeral services will be held there also on Tuesday morning at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Christine Rogan, pastor of the Venango United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be in Venango Cemetery. Memorials gifts may be given to Cambridge Area Volunteer Ambulance Service, 202 Venango Ave., Cambridge Springs, PA 16403; Venango Volunteer Fire Department; or Hospice of Crawford County, 448 Pine Street, Meadville, PA 16335.
Venango was the best place to grow up in due to the fact Jean was a part of it.
Dear Jessie May and Bob,
Jim’s mom and dad have a cottage on Van Acres (Sam and Dorothy Bonant). They were great friends with your mom. We want to send our very dearest condolences to you and your family for your loss. Jean was an amazing women. She will be missed.
Our deepest sympathies,
Heather Jones (daughter of Butch Jones)
and Jim Bonant
We are so sorry you have lost your Mom, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a wonderful person who will be greatly missed. Remember all the great memories you all have had with her.
Our deepest condolences,
Cindy, Andy, Colin, Alex and Cameron Caruso
Dear Jessie May,
I’m sorry to read that you have lost your Mom. She must have been very special. I’m glad to know that she brought so much happiness into your life, as well as Karl’s.
My deepest sympathy,
Linda
Jessie May & Family,
So sorry to hear about Jean. She was such a fun, pleasant lady and will be missed by many. Our deepest sympathy to all.
Harry (Jr.) & Margie Donnell
Our sympathy & prayers for a GREAT LADY! We missed seeing her at this years golf outing. A candle will be lite & our prayers for the families. May God Bless & Keep you, may his light shine upon you and give you peace.Amen.
So sorry to hear about your Mom. She was a kind, gracious lady and will be missed by
many. May you find comfort with your many memories of her.
Jean was a very kind lady who always had a smile. My heartfelt sympathy to her family that she loved so much.
Many thanks to Jean for her help with the Saegertown Women’s Improvement Club golf outings for many years – her care and concern for our group will surely be missed.
I will miss Jean. She was a good friend to the Knoedler family, always wanting to know how everyone was doing, a geniune concern. My deepest sympathy to her family who cared for her with so much love.