Erma P. Meyers passed away quietly on June 22, 2012 in State College. She was born on March 1, 1925 of Ira Wesley and Edith Wynn (nee Boice) Walter on the family farm in Queen, PA. She was known by family as Sis; friends as Erma; and by fans of Jim and Jane and the Western Vagabonds as Pee Wee.
Erma graduated in 1942 from Claysburg Kimmel High School in Claysburg and worked on the farm until her brother returned from the war. During that period, she started singing with her sister and brother in law in the evenings around the central PA area while working on the farm during the day. In 1946, she moved with them to State College and met her husband, John H. "Jack" Meyers, on a bet. They were married on July 16th, 1947, enjoyed 50 years of marriage before his death in 1998.
She was a wife and helpmate of a 50 year Alpha volunteer fireman and ambulance driver, mother, and family doctor. Over the years, she made sandwiches for Houser vending, picked apples at Harner Farms, and took in ironing to earn money of her own. In 1960, she and her husband bought Bill's on the corner of College and Burrowes renaming it Meyers' BaRestaraunt, extending her jobs to waitresses, bookkeeper, hostess, and many others. The restaurant moved to 210-214 W. College Ave. in 1963. They sold it in 1972 and enjoyed traveling and winters in Florida, moving there in 1985. She returned to State College in 2002 after the death of her husband.
Erma enjoyed singing in church choirs, weddings, and with the sweet Adeline's. Several weeks before her death, she and her niece, Connie, were singing harmony together, and her voice was still clear as ever.
She is the last of her family and is survived by her daughters, Wynn Meyers of State College, and Kathryn Barto of Colorado; two granddaughters; two great-granddaughters; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Erma was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Femes, and Pine Hall Lutheran Church. Her favorite things included reading, crossword puzzles, going to the Y, solitaire on the computer, and eating anything sweet.
A Memorial services will be held 10:30 AM, Saturday, July 7, 2012 at the Pinehall Lutheran Church, 1760 W. College Avenueu, State College with the Reverend Susan Williamson officiating.
Burial will follow at Centre County Memorial Park.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the State College YMCA, 677 W. Whitehall Road, State College, PA 16801.
A guestbook can be signed and condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.