Finding a specific life story in the Erie Daily Times obituaries shouldn't feel like a chore. Honestly, it’s one of the few ways we still feel connected in this corner of Pennsylvania. Whether you’re trying to track down a great-uncle’s history or just want to pay your respects to a neighbor from Millcreek, the process has changed a lot over the last few years.
You’ve probably noticed that the paper itself—the Erie Times-News—has gone through some shifts. But the "Daily Times" name still sticks in everyone's head. It’s a legacy thing. People in Erie don't just "pass away"; they get their story told in the paper. It’s how we know who we are.
The Digital Shift: Where Did the Paper Go?
Years ago, you’d just walk to the end of the driveway, grab the physical paper, and flip to the back. Now? It’s a bit more scattered. Most Erie Daily Times obituaries live on Legacy.com today. The partnership between the newspaper and Legacy means that as soon as a funeral home in Erie—like Burton, Dusckas, or Brugger—submits a notice, it hits the web almost instantly.
But wait. There’s a catch.
If you're looking for something from last Tuesday, Legacy is great. If you’re looking for something from 1984? You’re going to need a different map. The digital archives on the GoErie website (the newspaper's online home) are solid, but they don't always go back as far as a genealogist might want.
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Pro-Tip for Recent Searches
If you’re searching for someone who passed in the last few months:
- Go straight to the Erie Times-News section on Legacy.
- Don't just search the name. Use keywords like "GE" or "Hamot" or "Strong Vincent High School."
- Erie is a small world. Sometimes searching for the surviving spouse’s name works better if the primary name has a common spelling like Smith or Miller.
Digging Into the Past: Genealogy and Microfilm
If you’re doing the deep work—the family tree stuff—you’ll eventually hit a wall with the basic search bar. This is where the Erie County Public Library (Blasco) becomes your best friend. They have a searchable index that covers Erie County deaths all the way back to 1822.
Think about that. 1822. That’s before the Civil War.
The library staff has spent decades indexing these. You can search their database online to get the exact date and page number, but to see the actual clipping, you usually need the microfilm. Or, you can pay a small fee (usually around $5 per name) for the library to find it and email it to you. It’s a lifesaver if you don’t live in Erie anymore.
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What it Costs to Say Goodbye
Let’s be real for a second: placing an obituary isn't cheap. In 2026, the cost of an Erie Daily Times obituary depends heavily on how much you want to say.
A basic notice with just the essentials might start around $60 to $100, but most people want the "full story." You want the photo. You want the mention of the grandkids and the dog. When you start adding those "extras" and running it for multiple days in the Sunday print edition, you can easily look at $300 to $800.
A lot of families are choosing to do a "short" version in the print paper and a "long" version online. It’s a smart way to save cash while still making sure the community knows when the service is happening.
Common Misconception: "The Paper Writes It For You"
Nope. Not anymore. Back in the day, a reporter might have helped, but now it’s almost entirely on the family or the funeral director. If you don't write it, it doesn't happen.
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Why We Still Read Them
There’s a specific "Erie-ness" to these write-ups. You’ll see mentions of the "Snow Belt," memories of working at the paper mill, or people who never missed a Friday night fish fry.
The Erie Daily Times obituaries aren't just about death. They’re a record of the industry that built this city. You see the names of the shops that aren't there anymore. You see the social clubs—the Polish Falcons, the Zukor Club, the Siebenbuerger—that defined the social lives of our grandparents.
How to Find Exactly What You Need
If you're stuck, here is the hierarchy of where to look, depending on what you're after:
- Last 30 Days: Legacy.com (via the Erie Times-News affiliate page). It's the fastest and has the guestbooks where you can leave a comment.
- 2000 to 2025: The GoErie archives or GenealogyBank. These are usually paid subscriptions, but they let you see the newspaper page as it actually looked.
- The "Old Stuff" (1822–1999): The Erie County Public Library's Obituary Index. It’s free to search the index, and then you can request the record.
- Social Media: Honestly, don't sleep on the "Erie PA Memories" groups on Facebook. Sometimes people post clippings there that you won't find anywhere else.
Searching for a loved one is emotional, and tech hurdles only make it harder. If you’re looking for a veteran, keep an eye out for the flag icon in the listings—the Times-News is usually pretty good about highlighting those who served.
If you're writing one yourself right now, don't worry about making it sound like a "professional" writer did it. The best ones are the ones that sound like the person they’re talking about. Mention the weird hobby. Mention the way they made their coffee. That's what people remember.
Next Steps for Your Search:
- Start by searching the Erie County Public Library Obituary Index to confirm the date of death.
- Once you have the date, check the Erie Times-News archives for that specific week to see if there was a follow-up story or a "Card of Thanks" from the family.
- If you're out of state, use the library’s "Obituary Request" form to have a digital scan sent to your inbox.