Harold LaVerne Burge

Harold LaVerne Burge, age 88, went home to be with his beloved Savior and to join his sweetheart, Berniece on Saturday, July 24, 2010. His positive attitude was a light and inspiration to all who knew him. .. He was born October 28, 1921 in Saegertown, Pa., son of the late Gladys Flickinger Burge and Ralph Burge. After graduating from Waterford Joint High School, Harold proudly served his country in WWII with the Army Air Force, 9th Air Force, 460th Air Service Squadron, in Normandy, Northern France, and Central Europe. Harold was employed by Bliley Electric, Atlantic Refining, and retired from General Electric in 1987, while also volunteering with the Stancliff Hose Company in Waterford. He was a designer of frames and balloon artist for the family business, Balloon Lagoon. Harold loved spending time in the sun at his daughter Mary Lou's home in Myrtle Beach. He was an avid Indians fan, and enjoyed baking "blind man's" pie and winning at the card game "65". His greatest passion was spreading the Gospel as a Minister for The Church of Jesus Christ, headquartered in Mononghela, Pa., and spending time with his Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Harold was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Berniece Lockwood Burge, whom he married July 10, 1942 and who died February 20, 2005; a brother, Charles (Chuck) Burge and sister, Irene Glasgow. Harold is survived by four loving daughters: Marlene (Ed) Meyer, Harborcreek; Judy (Bob) Amon, Canadohta Lake; Renee (Jeff) Goodwill, Waterford; and Mary Lou (Mark) Avant of Murrells Inlet, S.C. He was Grandfather of Brian (Karen) Meyer, Dean (Lynda) Meyer, Jennifer (Dennis) Hultberg, Randy (Mary Beth) Amon, Wendy (Steve) Carson, TJ Goodwill, Holly Funkhouser, and Brandon & Tyler Avant; and "GGPa" to Lindsey, Lauren, Ben, & Kara Meyer; Lexie, Taylor, & Brianne Amon; and Tanner Carson. He is also survived by a sister, Mary (Leonard) Zimmer and brother, William (Marian) Burge, sisters-in-law Beatrice (Peach) Robertson, Francis Burge, and Rachel Lockwood, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great-nephews, and cousins. Friends may call at the Van Matre Funeral Home, 105 Walnut Street, Waterford on Monday evening from 7-9 p.m. and on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will be there Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Ministers Joshua and Christopher Gehly from the Church of Jesus Christ. Interment will follow at Waterford Cemetery. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the caring staff at Saint Mary's Home of Erie, East. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Stancliff Hose, PO Box 275, Waterford, PA 16441, the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, 915 State Street, Erie, PA 16501, or The Church of Jesus Christ, 3126 State Street, Erie, PA 16508. Condolences may be sent at www.vanmatrefuneralhome.com.