Duane Anthony Bednar

Duane Anthony Bednar, 77, of Harborcreek, passed away Tuesday August 29, 2023 at his residence surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was born in Altoona, PA on October 25, 1945 a son of the late John and Lena Petrarca Peters Bednar.
Duane graduated from Academy High School in 1964 and served with the Pennsylvania National Guard. He started his work as a draftsman at Erie Engine and Manufacturing (Zurn) before co-founding Erie Mill and Press Company and retired after 30 years of service. He enjoyed golf, cards, and playing dominoes with good friends. His greatest love was attending his children's and grandchildren's school and sporting activities. Duane was an active member of St. James Catholic Church and made Cursillo #160.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, John A. Bednar.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Betty Kuhar Bednar; two daughters, Amy Bednar and Laura Eicher (Mathew) of Harborcreek; his brother, Mark Bednar (Theresa) of Wattsburg; three grandchildren, Austin, Justin, and his special granddaughter, Riley; and many nieces and nephews.
Duane will be remembered as a dedicated father and grandfather who loved and cherished his family. The family would like to give special thanks to our second families, Mr. and Mrs. Lenord Veshecco and Mrs. Lococo and their families for their years of friendship. The family would also like to express their gratitude to all of Duane's family and friends for their visits and all of their love and support. Duane always looked forward to the many visits he had over the last six months. Mr. Pirello, thank you for your love for our dad, and for those weekly car rides he came to love. Those are the times that made him smile and laugh through the hardest time of his life.
The family would like to sincerely thank the UPMC Hospice Team: Denny, Tom, Ireasha, and Kathleen for the wonderful care they provided for our father.
Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd., on Tuesday and Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m.. and are invited to a prayer service there on Thursday at 9:45 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. James at 10:30 a.m. Entombment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery Mausoleum.
The family respectfully requests no flowers be sent due to an allergy. Memorial contributions can be sent to the St. James Food Pantry, 2635 Buffalo Rd., Erie, 16510 or to Shriners Children's Erie, 1645 W 8th St, Erie, P