Francis Wayne Lauderman

Francis Wayne Lauderman, 89, of 490 Arch St., Meadville, passed away Thursday, May 9th, 2013 at Meadville Medical Center.

Wayne was born in Conneaut Lake on June 17, 1923, a son of the late Merle and Susan (Hollenbeck) Lauderman.

On May 30, 1947 Wayne married Mary R. Hills; she preceded him in death on December 3, 2009.

He was an active member of St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church and the Holy Name Society. He served as a Mass Lector for 14 years and volunteered at Church Bingo for more than 20 years.

After 40 years of service, Wayne retired in 1987 from Seco Warwick, formerly known as Sunbeam and Westinghouse, where he had been employed as a machinist. During his career he served as Vice Chairman of the National Labor Council, as a representative of Local IBEW1585 to the Tri-County Central Labor Bipartisan Political Group, as IBEW representative to the Central Labor Council, as a Central Labor Officer and as both Business Manager and Chairman of the Local Central Labor unit. A Veteran of WW II, Wayne entered the US Army on February 9, 1943 and served until his honorable discharge on December 11, 1945. He served as a Munitions Driver, COs Driver as well as in the Field Infantry Battalion of the 86th Division, which was attached to Pattons 3rd Army Headquarters. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge and in the invasion of Normandy. For his service he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five Bronze Stars and the WW II Victory Medal. He later went on to serve in the Army Reserves and as Air Raid Warden. He was a 1941 graduate of Conneaut Lake High School. Wayne was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Blue Army and he served on the Board of Directors as well as a Labor Representative for the United Way. He also served as Captain of the United Way Team with his employer. Additionally, he served as Chairman for the Democratic Party, Committeeman of Third Ward/Second District for 30 years and with the NW Caucus for the Democratic Party. Wayne founded the first Meadville Boy Scout Troop, Troop #209. His kind nature was evidenced in his true love of all animals, especially his dogs and cats. Wayne will be remembered as a loving, prayerful father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Wayne is survived by four children Mary Tavcar and her husband Frank of Austin, TX, Linda Miller and her husband Robert 'Square' of Meadville, Joyce Gahan and her friend George Barcellona of Erie, David Lauderman and his wife Joie of Round Rock, TX, nine grandchildren Amy Wetmore and her husband Chad, Jennifer Gemperle and her husband Steve, Robert J. Miller, Jr. and his wife Laura, Sean Miller, Kristina Lantz and her husband Jeff, Kristin France and her husband Ryan, Casey Miller, Rachel Brandl and her husband Jim, David Gahan, six great grandchildren Aidan Wetmore, Alexis Gemperle, Evan Gemperle, Robert Joseph Miller III, Harper Brandl, Liam Miller, a great granddaughter Madeline France, a sister Betty Groger and her husband Larry of Butler, many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Mary, of 62 years, Wayne was preceded in death by a sister Geraldine Davis, four brothers George, Norman, Virgil and Paul Lauderman.

Family and friends are invited to call on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 at Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 404 Chestnut St., Meadville, where a Scripture Service will be conducted at 3:30 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church, 383 Arch St., Meadville, at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, May 14th, 2013, with Fr. Johnathan Schmolt, Pastor, officiating.

Interment with Full Military Honors by VFW Post #2006 will take place in St. Brigid Cemetery, West Mead Twp.

Memorial contributions may be made to A.N.N.A. Shelter, Inc., 1555 E. 10th St., Erie, PA 16511 or Humane Society of Crawford County, 11012 Kennedy Hill Road, Meadville, PA 16335.

Share your condolences at www.miznerfuneralhome.com