Leora B. James, age 84, formerly of 23387 State Highway #77, Meadville, PA and for the past year and one half residing at Crawford County Care Center, Saegertown, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 29, 2012 at Meadville Medical Center, Meadville, PA shortly after being admitted. Born on July 17, 1928 in Meadville, PA, Leora was a daughter of the late Harry Fry and Ora Smeltzer Fry. She married Robert James on October 3, 1946 and he passed away on September 26th of this year. A home maker, Leora also was employed by Schnaars Construction for 25 years.
Surviving Leora are five children – Sandy DeRita and her husband, Joseph of Fort Wayne, IN; Phyllis Gawlinski and her husband, Larry of Venango; Duane James of Conneautville; Don James and his wife, Sandy of Cambridge Springs; and Daryl James and his wife, Sally of Meadville. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren – Darlene Blahut, Tonya Bailey, Chris Richards, Heather Brizendine, Amanda Caswell, Leanne Keppler, Bob Gawlinski, Gary James, Derrick James, Scott Hatton, and Jennifer Wilkinson. Included also are 16 great grandchildren; four brothers – Glenn Fry, Charles Fry, Carl Fry, and Wayne Fry; two sisters – Elsie Bundy and Bert Bancroft; and several nieces and nephews. Leora was preceded in death, in addition to her parents and her husband, by three sisters – Anita Swift, Evelyn Shilling, and Shirley Hager; and two brothers – Merle Fry and Harry Fry.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 and are invited to attend funeral services there on Friday at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Bill Cox, a pastor of McLane Church in Edinboro, officiating. Interment will be in Venango Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to McLane Church, 12511 Edinboro Road, Edinboro, PA 16412.
To the family, we would like to express our sincerest sympathy for your loss. We were friends and nieghbors for years. I still recall your mother getting after me when Donnie and I would be playing at your house. Remember the good memories.
Sandy & Joe, Our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. We are holding you up in prayer. Love, Jim & Barbie
Dear Tonya, Sorry to hear of your Grandmothers passing. Think of you often. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.