Ernest D. Lees

Ernest ‘Ernie’ D. Lees, 78, of Punxsutawney, died Wednesday, September 10, 2025, in his home. He was born March 15, 1947, in Butler, PA, a son of the late Dean S. Lees and Olive Louise Williams Lees.

Ernest graduated from Blairsville High School and earned a bachelor's degree at Indiana State Teacher's College. He was fluent in several different languages including Spanish, Latin and Greek and was employed for several years as an international operator for Bell Telephone, and then Verizon. He also worked in their engineering department doing utility drawings before retiring.

He is survived by his brother, Larry Lees (Mary) of Greensburg; his nephew Matthew Lees (Nicole); niece Rose Crivella (Fr. Brian); and five great nieces, Sara, Katherine, Irene, Helen and Lina.

There will be no public viewing. Relatives and friends of Ernest are invited to attend his funeral mass to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday September 24, 2025, in the Our Lady of Grace Church with Fr. Kenneth Zaccagnini, celebrating. Everyone please go directly to the Church.

Interment will follow in Greensburg Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Ernest’s family has entrusted his care to the Pantalone Funeral Home Inc., Greensburg. For online condolences / directions, visit us at pantalone.com. Natale N. Pantalone, supervisor.