Obituary of Edmund B. Grapka

Edmund B. "Ed' Grapka, 92, of Warren, PA, passed away on Thursday, July 14, 2016, in the Corry Memorial Hospital, Corry, PA. He was born August 6, 1923 in McKees Rocks, PA a son of the late Joseph and Cecelia Koniecka Grapka. A Chautauqua County resident for most of his life he graduated from the former Cherry Creek High School in 1941. In 1945 he married Montie Sweetland of South Dayton, NY and for 30 years they owned and operated a dairy farm on Frog Valley Road, Town of Leon, South Dayton, NY. Ed began taking college courses while still engaged in the farming business and in 1969 had graduated from Jamestown Community College, with an Associates in Arts Degree. He continued his college studies at the State University of New York at Fredonia graduating in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in education followed by his student teaching at Pine Valley Central Elementary School. In 1974, he earned his Master's Degree in education and in 1976 achieved his degree in educational administration and supervision. He began his teaching career in the Jamestown Public School System teaching at the Love Elementary School where he taught third and fourth grade for 17 years. He then went to Washington Middle School where he taught fifth and sixth grade science until his retirement in 1991. Mr. Grapka was an avid golfer and a member of the Tri-County Country Club for 30 years. In later years, he golfed with the McDonalds Senior Tour throughout Chautauqua County, hitting several holes in one and winning several trophies for his efforts. He was also a member of the National Education Association, New York State Science Association, New York State Math Association and the New York State Reading Association, as well as a former member of the Gowanda Loyal Order of the Moose. He is survived by his three children, David (Barbara) Grapka of Altamont, NY, Carol Westfall of Lakewood, NY, Jenny (Brad) Brentley of Fayetteville, OH, nine grandchildren, Carrie (Chris) Yost of Jamestown, Dustin Textor of Frewsburg, NY, Jesse Westfall of Lakewood, Timothy Brentley and Sarah Brentley both of Fayetteville, OH, Michael Brentley of Kennedy, Jennifer (Jeremy Weilacher) Wright of Jamestown, Noah Westfall of Buffalo, NY, Dillon Westfall of Jamestown and 11 great grandchildren, Jackson, Peyton and Taylor Yost, Nathan and Sydney Textor, Felicia and Kaitlin Brentley, Evan Hanna, Alex Wright, Sawyer Yockey and Caydence Sikes. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his wife the former Montie Sweetland Grapka whom he married April 14, 1945 and who died April 21, 2009, a brother John Grapka, two sisters, Anne Kuzinski and Eve Zummo, a beloved granddaughter Lesley Elizabeth Grapka and his son-in-law Robert Westfall. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 18, 2016, in the South Dayton United Methodist Church, where a luncheon will be served for family and friends following the service. The Rev. Carol Dill will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Villenova Cemetery at a later date. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Sunday, July 17, 2016, in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Montie C. Sweetland Grapka Memorial Scholarship, c/o Pine Valley Central School, 7755 Route 83, South Dayton, NY 14138.