William John Cerne

William John Cerne, 73, of Meadville died at home Tuesday, August 12, 2014.  He was born in Erie, PA July 21, 1941 a son of William Francis and Helen Jean (Krahe) Cerne.  He married Donna Caldwell February 10, 1975 and she survives.

He was a 1958 graduate of St. John Catholic School in Ashtabula.  Following his graduation, he served in the US Army for 3 years.  After his discharge from the army, he returned to Northeast Ohio and worked on boats and the port of Conneaut, OH.  He moved to Meadville when he started working at Avtex Inc. and then he joined Meadville Forging, where he worked for 35 years retiring in 2006.  He was a member of St. Brigid Church, enjoyed walking, was an avid reader and especially enjoyed the search for a good book.

Survivors, in addition to his wife Donna of 39 years, include: three children, Jacqueline Cerne of Conneaut Lake, Mark McGinty of Tampa, FL and Michele Marie Brown and her husband Todd of Clayton, NC; four grandchildren, Shawn Cerne, Ashley McGinty, Amber McGinty and Joshua McGinty; two sisters, Judy Palmer and her husband Michael of Portland, OR and Jean Bartkowski and her husband Richard of Warren, MI; a brother, James Cerne and his wife Layla of Madrid, Spain and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at St. Brigid Church, 383 Arch Street, Meadville with Fr. Johnathan Schmolt, Celebrant.

The family suggests memorials be made to the St. Brigid Memorial Fund, 383 Arch Street, Meadville, PA 16335 or Donna Cerne, 546 Limber Road, Meadville, PA 16335.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net