Obituary for Thomas Erdman
Thomas “Tom” Erdman, age 69, of Waterford, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, June 6, 2022. Always cheerful and quick with a joke, he was beloved by many. Tom will be remembered as a father, husband, brother, friend, grandparent, teammate, colleague, and, most importantly, a good man.
Born in Erie, PA on June 5, 1953 to Don and Helen Florek Erdman. Tom is survived by his loving wife, Mary (Burke) Erdman; his children, Emily Bertelli (Dante), Jeffrey Erdman (Kelli), Matthew Erdman, and Marcus Erdman (fiancée Justine Seymour); step-children Molly Predis, Wesley Cotter, and Everett Cotter; grandchildren Thomas and Aubrey Erdman, Zinnia Bertelli, and Aurora, Maximus, Leonidas, and Evelyn Predis; siblings Ginny Kuefner (George), Joni Medvec (Dave), Steve Erdman, Mary Mullenhoff (Mark Zaller), Pat Erdman (Lani), Sue Erdman (Dan Kunkel), Carol Young (Steele); Parents-in-law Thomas and Phyllis Burke; brothers-and-sisters-in-law Mike Burke (Ellen), Steve Burke (Dina), Kelly Ehrman (Eric), Jen Freese (Tim), Carolyn Felix (Dave), Sara Rivera (José), and Erin Turchin (Jason). Preceded in death by his brother Bobby Erdman and son-in-law Jacob Predis.
Tom was a graduate of Cathedral Prep and attended Purdue University on a football scholarship as an offensive guard (#57). He then spent 38 years working for the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, retiring in 2016. His knowledge of forestry was unmatched, and he spent countless hours walking in the woods helping landowners manage their forests. Tom was a founding member of the NW PA Woodland Association. The thousands of trees that he personally planted in his lifetime will continue to benefit future generations – even though “those damn deer” ate some of them.
Tom lived his life by the phrase “If you see a deer in the morning, it’s going to be a good day.” He spent much of his free time hunting, fishing and caring for his woodland property in Crawford County (and avoiding any form of technology). He spent many days exercising at the YMCA, where he could be easily recognized by his unusual wardrobe choices. Tom was proud to be a long-time blood donor, having donated 19 gallons in his lifetime. He spent several years coaching high school football at North East before eventually coaching his sons, in both official and unofficial capacities.
Friends may call on Sunday, June 12 at the Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. 2502 Sassafras St. from 1pm until the time of the service at 4:30pm. Send condolences to www.kloeckerfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Foundation for Sustainable Forests (foundationforsustainableforests.org). Or just go plant a tree or donate blood. As Tom would always say, “It’s a beautiful day in Pennsylvania.”
Born in Erie, PA on June 5, 1953 to Don and Helen Florek Erdman. Tom is survived by his loving wife, Mary (Burke) Erdman; his children, Emily Bertelli (Dante), Jeffrey Erdman (Kelli), Matthew Erdman, and Marcus Erdman (fiancée Justine Seymour); step-children Molly Predis, Wesley Cotter, and Everett Cotter; grandchildren Thomas and Aubrey Erdman, Zinnia Bertelli, and Aurora, Maximus, Leonidas, and Evelyn Predis; siblings Ginny Kuefner (George), Joni Medvec (Dave), Steve Erdman, Mary Mullenhoff (Mark Zaller), Pat Erdman (Lani), Sue Erdman (Dan Kunkel), Carol Young (Steele); Parents-in-law Thomas and Phyllis Burke; brothers-and-sisters-in-law Mike Burke (Ellen), Steve Burke (Dina), Kelly Ehrman (Eric), Jen Freese (Tim), Carolyn Felix (Dave), Sara Rivera (José), and Erin Turchin (Jason). Preceded in death by his brother Bobby Erdman and son-in-law Jacob Predis.
Tom was a graduate of Cathedral Prep and attended Purdue University on a football scholarship as an offensive guard (#57). He then spent 38 years working for the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, retiring in 2016. His knowledge of forestry was unmatched, and he spent countless hours walking in the woods helping landowners manage their forests. Tom was a founding member of the NW PA Woodland Association. The thousands of trees that he personally planted in his lifetime will continue to benefit future generations – even though “those damn deer” ate some of them.
Tom lived his life by the phrase “If you see a deer in the morning, it’s going to be a good day.” He spent much of his free time hunting, fishing and caring for his woodland property in Crawford County (and avoiding any form of technology). He spent many days exercising at the YMCA, where he could be easily recognized by his unusual wardrobe choices. Tom was proud to be a long-time blood donor, having donated 19 gallons in his lifetime. He spent several years coaching high school football at North East before eventually coaching his sons, in both official and unofficial capacities.
Friends may call on Sunday, June 12 at the Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. 2502 Sassafras St. from 1pm until the time of the service at 4:30pm. Send condolences to www.kloeckerfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Foundation for Sustainable Forests (foundationforsustainableforests.org). Or just go plant a tree or donate blood. As Tom would always say, “It’s a beautiful day in Pennsylvania.”