Thorpe

Erma Jean Ford Thorpe, 78, of Butler, formerly of Elizabeth Township, Alleg-heny County, died Sunday at Butler Memorial Hospital from complications of pneumonia.

Born Oct. 28, 1928, in McKeesport, she was the daughter of Mary Knight and William C. Ford.

She was a graduate of McKeesport High School where she and a group of girlfriends painted a classic car in checkerboard design and called it "Freddy."

She was a homemaker during her children's early years and retired after 15 years as a trust officer for Mellon Bank in the Pittsburgh office. She was an accomplished golfer and proud of her hole in one on Oct. 9, 1983, on No. 13 at Youghiogheny Country Club, where she was an active member for years.

Over the years, she volunteered at McKeesport Hospital, Meals on Wheels, other charity organizations and was a member of the Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church. She loved word puzzles, reading and all of her family's pets.

She is survived by three daughters, Mary Lynn Meyers and husband, Kent, of Wilmette, Ill., Susan Ritchie Cummings and husband. Bob. of Butler, and Pamela Ritchie Pelini and husband. Craig. of North Canton, Ohio; and seven grandchildren, Kyle, Sarah, Emma, Scott, Kate, Corrin and Christine. Also surviving are two brothers, Bill Ford and his wife, Jeannie, of Canton, Ohio, and Bob Ford and his wife, Jeannie, of Oscoda, Mich., along with nieces, nephews and many friends.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Betty, and a brother-in-law, Bill Bernhardy.

<B>THORPE</B> — Relatives and friends of Erma Jean Ford Thorpe, who died Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007, will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the <B>Jaycox-Jaworski Funeral Home</B>, 2703 O'Neil Blvd., McKeesport.Private services will be held prior to burial at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Canton, Ohio.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lung Association, Wexford Professional Building, Suite 2104, 11676 Perry Highway, Wexford, PA 15090.Information is available at www.jaycox-jaworski.com.