Larry L. Erdley
January 22, 1941 — January 26, 2015
Larry L. Erdley, 74, of Lewisburg, passed away Monday, January 26, 2015, at Evangelical Community Hospital.
Born January 22, 1941 in Lewisburg, he was a son of the late Clarence W. and Mary (Griffith) Erdley. On October 27, 1962 he married the former Karen McMorris, who survives. Together they celebrated 52 years of marriage.
Larry graduated from Lewisburg High School in 1958. In 1962 he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Bucknell University and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army Reserve. Larry later received a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Bucknell University in 1972.
After graduating he served two years on active duty with the 342 nd Transportation Company in Mannheim, Germany. Upon completion of this tour of duty, Larry was employed for a year by an engineering firm in Camp Hill. He continued his military service with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard from 1965 until he retired in 1992. Larry served as platoon leader, troop commander and squadron logistics officer in the 104 th Armored Cavalry Regiment. With the 1975 reorganization of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, he was assigned as the operations officer of the 3 rd Battalion, 109 th Infantry at Milton, where he served as battalion executive officer and battalion commander. In 1986 Larry assumed command of the 1 st Battalion, 109 th Infantry in Scranton. He was promoted to Colonel in 1987 and assumed command of the 55 th Brigade, 28 th Infantry Division for the next four years. He graduated from the US Army War College at Carlisle Barracks PA in 1988 and his final assignment was as safety officer at the state headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap.
In 1965, Larry began a 38-year career with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. As a Professional Engineer, his career included assignments in the design, construction and maintenance of highways and bridges. He led the design units that performed the highway design and assembled the plans for highways such as I-180 and the Selinsgrove Bypass as well as other smaller projects. Larry managed the contracts with local highway and bridge builders performing construction and maintenance work for the Department of Transportation. He served as the maintenance manager of the Union-Snyder Maintenance District for six years and as the engineering advisor and supervisor of Montoursville and Dunmore engineering districts for 10 years. His professional work also included serving as an adjunct professor in civil engineering at Bucknell University, teaching transportation engineering for seven semesters.
He was a lifelong member of Christ’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lewisburg, where he served as a church council member and property committee chairman for a number of years.
Larry served his community as an active firefighter for 26 years with the William Cameron Engine Company. He was the Emergency Management Coordinator for East Buffalo Township for eight years and a member of the Union County Veterans 4 th of July Parade Committee for 10 years.
Surviving in addition to his wife are one son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Lisa Erdley, of Mount Juliet, TN; two daughters and one son-in-law, Cynthia and Edward Gardella, of Hampden, ME, and Lisa Erdley, of Lewisburg; one brother and sister-in-law, David and Yvonne Erdley, of Montoursville, and five granddaughters, Kathryn, Rachel and Sarah Gardella and Abbie and Emily Erdley.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by one brother, Harold Erdley, and one sister, Janet Herman.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 16 at Christ’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100 S. Third St., Lewisburg with his pastor, the Rev. William S. Henderson, officiating.
The 3rd Battalion, 103 rd Armor of the Pennsylvania National Guard will render full military honors during the private, family-only interment.
The family suggests contributions in Larry’s name be made to either Christ’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100 S. 3 rd St., Lewisburg, PA 17837 or the William Cameron Engine Company, P.O. Box 606, 11 Buffalo Road, Lewisburg, PA 17837.
The family is being assisted by Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home, 106 S. Second St. Lewisburg.