Lester H. Fronce

Lester H. Fronce, 71, of 21682 Hunter Rd., Meadville, died Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at his residence following a long and courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Meadville May 26, 1935, a son of the late Henry and Doris Donihi Fronce.

He was a 1957 graduate of Meadville High School and was a 7-year member of the Army National Guard.  He worked at the American Viscose for 13 years and subsequently worked at Meadville Forging Company as a production worker in the machine shop, retiring in 1998 following 27 years of service.

He attended First Baptist Church and was an avid fisherman and hunter.  He loved birds, bird-watching, his pets and his greatest love was his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include 2 daughters, Deborah Fronce and Kathryn Hamilton and her husband Brian, all of Meadville; a son, Christopher Fronce and his wife Tracy of Conneaut Lake; 9 grandchildren, Jason Fronce, Tera Hamilton, Amber Hamilton-Staff, Jennifer Hamilton-Reitz, Karl Hamilton, Lashondra Fronce, Megan Fronce, Sarah Grace Fronce, and Emily Fronce; 3 great-grandchildren, Natalie Reitz, Riley Fronce, and Rosalie Staff; a brother, Don Fronce of Meadville; a cousin, Ron Donihi of Pittsburgh; and numerous nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Edward Lee Fronce.

Calling hours will be Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.

A funeral service will be Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Gerald Walton, Pastor of First Baptist Church officiating.

Interment will be in Greendale Cemetery with military honors provided by Meadville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 353 Chestnut St., Meadville, PA 16335 or Hospice of Crawford County, 448 Pine St., Meadville, PA 16335.