Lloyd LeRoy Free, age 81, a long time resident of Edinboro, Pa died unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, February 22, 2015. Born in Greenville, PA on January 31, 1934, Lloyd was a son of the late Clyde Harold Free and Jessie Mildred McGranahan Free.
Lloyd graduated from Cochranton High School in 1952 and served with the US Air Force from 1955 until 1957. He worked as a lineman for several years with Penelec and then as a police officer for the Boro of Edinboro. He further worked as a police officer for Edinboro University and retired in 1996 as the Edinboro University Campus Institutional Fire and Safety Specialist. In younger years, Lloyd had been a scoutmaster in Meadville and Edinboro and was a volunteer for the Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of Oasis Masonic Lodge #417 of Edinboro and the Erie Scottish Rite Consistory, Zem Zem Temple Shrine. He also was a member of Edinboro American Legion Post #439.
In addition to his wife, the former Marilyn Hollenbeck, Lloyd is survived by a son – William LeRoy Free of Cambridge Springs; a daughter – Rita Lynn Lutz of Edinboro; two sisters – Lillian Pearce and her husband, Paul E. Pearce of Hadley, PA; Jessie June Holzaphel and her husband, Roy of Hadley, PA; three sisters – in – law – Virginia Free of Saegertown; Darlene Peterson and her husband, Ray of Transfer, PA; and Marjorie Gigliotti of Edinboro. Additionally, Lloyd is survived by nine grandchildren and others by love; and five great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Lloyd was preceded in death by a daughter – DonnaLee Hicks who died in 2014; two sisters – Jennie Mae Breese and Evelyn Heckman and two brothers – Harold Free and Frederick Free.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home, 306 Erie Street, Edinboro on Wednesday, February 25th from 6 – 8 p.m. with American Legion Services beginning at 6:00 p.m. and Masonic Services beginning at 7:30 p.m. Additional visiting hours will be held on Thursday afternoon at the Funeral Home from 2 – 4 p.m. with funeral services beginning at 4:00 p.m. Reverend Matt Falco, pastor of the Edinboro United Presbyterian Church, will be officiating. Interment will be Venango Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 1645 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16505.
Marilyn, was sorry to hear about Lloyd. Was unable to attend the funeral home but wanted you to know I was thinking about you. Norm Hanson.
We are sorry for your loss. May the Lord richly bless you and keep you in His wonderful care each day.