Edward Lear Leard

Edward Lear Leard, 91, of Ford City, died on Friday, August 2, 2024 at New Haven Court in Butler, Pa.  He was born in Ford City, Pa. on April 30, 1933, the son of the late Samuel H. And Velma M. (Claypoole) Leard, and resided in the community for 65 years.  Edward was a retired school teacher, teaching at Freeport and Bertie High School in Windsor, NC.  He served in the Korean War with the U.S. Air Force and also served in the Army Reserves.  He attended St. John Lutheran Church.  Edward’s memberships included the East Brady-Kittanning Masonic Lodge 244, Lower Burrell VFW, the New Castle Consistory and Syria Shriners.  He loved to travel and also enjoyed buying and the restoration of antiques and clocks.  He was an avid train collector as well.  While at Bertie High School, Ed worked diligently on the Senior Prom every year.  He was a jack of all trades, had great ideas, and did not mind contributing long hours on these proms.  Ed made many friends who will remember him lovingly.  He was loved like a father by all of his nieces and nephews.

Survivors include his nephew, Robert Leard (Joyce), of Kittanning; nieces, Lynn Diane Wood (Ed), of Kittanning, Patricia K. Boltz, of Cowansville, Melissa K. Dunn (Michael), of Hermitage and Denise Criley, of Renfrew; nephews, Gary Boarts (Sue), of Butler, Jim Boarts (Sueann), of Ford City and Howard Boarts (Val), of Ford City; nieces, Lesa Gallagher, of Ford City, Barbara Van Dyke, of Harmar Twp. and Shirley Van Dyke, of Freeport; nephew, Richard Van Dyke, of Freeport; sister-in-law, Maxine Boarts, of Renfrew; and several great nieces and great-nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, Edward was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth (Boarts) Leard, who passed away on February 18, 2008; sisters, Helen M. Green and Jeannette M. Snyder; brother, Samuel (Ray) Leard; nephews, D. Christopher Boarts and James R. Leard; and nieces, Karla M. Bittenbender and Elizabeth S. Sharp. 

The family would like to thank the caregivers at New Haven Court and Amedisys Hospice, and a special thank you to Allison.  

Friends will be received from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024 at the Snyder-Crissman Funeral Home, 200 S. McKean St., Kittanning with funeral services to immediately follow at 6 p.m. with the Rev. Barbara Love officiating.  Private entombment will be in the mausoleum at Lawn Haven Burial Estates in Worthington, Pa.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Edward’s honor to Shriners Children’s Erie, Attention: Child Life, 1645 West 8th St., Erie, PA 16505.  

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