Erb

James W. Erb Sr., 58, of Chicora died at 2:20 p.m. Thursday at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Born in Freeport, July 19, 1948, he was the son of Paul W. and Florence Cooper Erb.

He was a licensed practical nurse at the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center from 1981 to 1986.

He served in the Navy from Dec. 12, 1967, to Sept. 21, 1971. During that time, he served two tours in Vietnam, earned the rank of QM3 E-4 and was awarded the Purple Heart.

In 2004, he was the Butler County Veteran of the Year. He also received the Pennsylvania Commendation Medal from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Mr. Erb was a past commander of the 26th District of the American Legion for the State of Pennsylvania and was M.C. for the Sons of the American Legion. He was the vice president for the western representatives for the Scotland School; held various positions in state, county and local American Legion groups; was a life member of the VFW Post 7876 of Chicora; a member of the 40 & 8, where he held several offices; and was a member of the Chicora American Legion.

He also belonged to the Chicora Volunteer Fire Department, where he held various offices; was active in the Chicora Volunteer Fire Department's Ambulance Service; and was an active volunteer for the American Red Cross.

Surviving are his wife, Peggy Ace Erb, whom he married Oct. 21, 1978; a son, James Erb Jr. and his wife, Alma, of Natrona Heights; four daughters, Christy Neal and her husband, Sadhana, of Natrona Heights, Melanie McGuire and her husband, Dan, of Karns City, Jamie Gamble and her husband, William, of Chicora and Pam Mayle and her husband, Jason, of Columbus, Ohio; and five grandchildren, Austin McGuire, Gryffyn and Wheeler Gamble, Catherine Erb and Hunter McGuire.

A sister and a brother, Helen and Don, also survive.

He was preceded in death by an infant brother, a sister and a brother.

<B>ERB </B>— Friends of James W. Erb Sr., who died Thursday, June 14, 2007, will be received from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the <B>Steighner FUNERAL HOME</B>, 111 E. Slippery Rock St., Chicora. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with James Cooper, chaplain of the Chicora American Legion, officiating. Burial, will full military honors by the Chicora American Legion and VFW, will be private.The Chicora Fire Department will hold a memorial service at 2 p.m Sunday at the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 2305, Butler, PA 16003.