Leard

Edward Lear Leard, 91, of Ford City, died on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, at Newhaven Court in Butler.

He was born in Ford City on April 30, 1933, the son of the late Samuel H. and Velma M. (Claypoole) Leard, and resided in the community for 65 years.

Edward was a retired schoolteacher, teaching at Freeport and Bertie High School in Windsor, N.C. He served in the Korean War with the U.S. Air Force and also served in the Army Reserve. He attended St. John Lutheran Church. Edward’s memberships included the East Brady-Kittanning Masonic Lodge 244, Lower Burrell VFW, the New Castle Consistory and Syria Shriners.

He loved to travel and also enjoyed buying and restoring antiques and clocks. He was an avid train collector as well. While at Bertie High School, Ed worked diligently on the senior prom every year. He was a jack of all trades, had great ideas, and did not mind contributing long hours on these proms. Ed made many friends who will remember him lovingly. He was loved like a father by all of his nieces and nephews.

Survivors include his nephew, Robert Leard (Joyce) of Kittanning; nieces, Lynn Diane Wood (Ed) of Kittanning, Patricia K. Boltz of Cowansville, Melissa K. Dunn (Michael) of Hermitage and Denise Criley of Renfrew; nephews, Gary Boarts (Sue) of Butler, Jim Boarts (Sueann) of Ford City and Howard Boarts (Val) of Ford City; nieces, Lesa Gallagher of Ford City, Barbara Van Dyke of Harmar Township and Shirley Van Dyke of Freeport; nephew, Richard Van Dyke of Freeport; sister-in-law, Maxine Boarts, of Renfrew; and several great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

In addition to his parents, Edward was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth (Boarts) Leard, who passed away on Feb. 18, 2008; sisters, Helen M. Green and Jeannette M. Snyder; brother, Samuel (Ray) Leard; nephews, D. Christopher Boarts and James R. Leard; and nieces, Karla M. Bittenbender and Elizabeth S. Sharp.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Newhaven Court and Amedisys Hospice, and a special thank you to Allison.

LEARD — Friends of Edward Lear Leard, who died Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, will be received from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at SNYDER-CRISSMAN FUNERAL HOME, 200 S. McKean St., Kittanning. Funeral services will immediately follow at 6 p.m., with the Rev. Barbara Love officiating. Entombment will be in the mausoleum at Lawn Haven Burial Estates in Worthington.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Edward’s honor to Shriners Children’s Erie, Attention: Child Life, 1645 West 8th St., Erie, PA 16505.

For more information or to express condolence to the family, please visit www.snydercrissman.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.