David P. Traenkner

David Traenkner ,79, of Erie, PA was peacefully called home by the Lord on October 27th while surrounded by his family. A devoted & much loved husband, a father who fiercely loved his sons & their families & a patriot who cherished his country, he will be sorely missed but always present in our hearts.

David was born in Natrona, PA to the late Ivan and Cornelia (Barch) Traenkner. He graduated from Har Brack High School, Natrona Heights, PA, took engineering courses at DeVry Technical Institute and Pennsylvania State University, and served as a navigator in the active duty US Air Force, the PA Air National Guard & the US Air Force Reserves, retiring as a Lt Colonel. He flew missions in Southeast Asia and throughout the northern hemisphere. Dave also retired as a Lieutenant from the Fire Department in Elyria, Ohio. He owned his own computer company and spent 20+ retirement years savoring life in Maine before moving to Erie, PA to be closer to family.

He was skilled at creativity & working on remodeling, building & designing projects, and enjoyed gardening, sudoku, and traveling. He was a volunteer with Maine Troop Greeters and member of the American Legion Post 200 in Hermon, Maine, the Maine Patriots & The International Dinner Club in Orono,Maine.

Dave is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Joyce Traenkner (Hough). his sons Nicholas (Karen & her daughters, Genevieve & Vivienne ) of Avon Lake, Ohio & Kristofor (Erin) of Cincinnati, Ohio; sisters, Judie Baranowski( Russell) of Pittsburgh, & Kathleen Butera of Chicago. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife's parents, Joseph & Lillian Marzullo.

Family & friends will be received at Cicholski-Zidek Funeral Home, Inc., 1522 Carlisle St, Natrona Heights, PA 724-224-8688 from 5-8PM, Fri Nov 4 & from 8:15AM on Sat Nov 5 until a prayer service at 9:15AM. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 10 AM, Saturday, November 5at Mt. St. Peter Church, 100 Freeport Road, New Kensington, PA . Burial will occur on Monday November 7 at 1PM at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Washington County , Pennsylvania. To send an online condolence please visit www.cicholski-zidekfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Wounded Warrior Project, The USO, or Covenant House.

Family & friends are most welcome to join us to see him off on this, his final mission, which he has been flight planning for years.