Samuel E. Zirkle

Samuel E. Zirkle,92, was born in Ft. Wayne, IN, in 1917, the third son of the late Samuel G. and Margaret E. Zirkle. Sam graduated from The Ohio State University in 1940 and was later certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a professional engineer. Following his graduation from OSU Sam served for five years during World War II as an officer of the Army Signal Corps.

After his discharge from the Army, Sam began his career as a manufacturing engineer. Working initially at the General Electric Co., Sam spent the largest part of his career with the American Sterilizer Company. During this period Sam also taught engineering courses at the university level. After leaving American Sterilizer Sam served as an engineering consultant and worked for several firms in South Carolina, Texas and Pennsylvania. Returning to Erie after his retirement, Sam then became very involved with The Chosen Mission Project, a volunteer organization that refurbishes, tests, ships and installs retired hospital equipment in mission hospitals throughout the world. His activities included traveling to India and Central America to supervise installations.

Throughout his life Sam was very involved in church activities. In Erie, most of his time was spent first with The First Baptist Church. Following his return to Erie, Sam joined the Glenwood United Methodist Church. Sam spent many years serving in various church capacities, but probably his most important contribution was as a teacher and role model to and for young people as they were starting out their adult lives. Sam’s many interests also included gardening, painting and athletics of all kinds.

A resident of The Sarah A. Reed Retirement Center for a number of years, Sam was preceded in death by his two wives, Esther Gifford Zirkle in 2005, and Enid Sackrison Zirkle in 1960. Three brothers, Lewis G. Zirkle of Rathdrum, ID, John Zirkle of Findlay, OH and Richard Zirkle of San Angelo, TX, and one sister, Margaret Zirkle Schwarz of Albuquerque, NM, predeceased him.

Sam’s living relatives include a son and a daughter, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Son Douglas and his wife Mickey of Ft. Pierce, FL. Daughter Dorothy Ochsenbein of Castle Rock, CO. Granddaughter Kristin lives with her husband Ray Crowe and their son Samuel in Two Rivers, AK. Granddaughter Aliy also lives in Two Rivers, AK with her husband Allen Moore. Grandson Jeremy Ochsenbein, his wife Miriam and their children, Cooper and Quinn, reside in Encino, CA. Sam’s sister, Mary Zirkle, lives in Defiance, OH. Relatives by marriage include Elsie Gifford of Erie, PA, the Evans family of Waterford, PA, and the Boyer family of Indiana, PA.

Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Road, on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to a memorial service at Glenwood United Methodist Church, 2931 Myrtle St., on Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m.. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Chosen Mission Project, 3638 W. 26th St., Erie, 16506; Salvation Army Senior Citizens, 1022 Liberty St., Erie, 16502; or Glenwood United Methodist Church, 2931 Myrtle St., Erie, 16508.

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