Erwin F. "Ernie" Witalis

Erwin “Ernie” F. Witalis 92, of Cranberry Township, passed away peacefully, while in Wexford Healthcare Center and Horizon Hospice, on August 6, 2023, with his family by his side. Born May 1, 1931, on the South Side, Pittsburgh PA, he was the second son of the late Erwin and Olga (Kolenda) Witalis. As a 1949 graduate of South Side High School he excelled in art. In 1952, Ernie was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War and served two years with the 7^th Infantry Medical Battalion (a M.A.S.H unit) in Korea. After the war, he was hired by a Pittsburgh art and graphic design studio, working as an account executive. In 1957 he married Shirley Jackson of Sharpsburg. They had one child, Scott Witalis. He attended night school for art at Carnegie Tech (now CMU) and in 1976, co-founded the graphic design and marketing firm Witalis Burke Associates. Ernie had many interests. During the 1970s, he became president of the Pittsburgh Chess Club. He was an avid painter and sculptor, loved listening to jazz and was a voracious reader of books. He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley and brother Conrad Witalis. Ernie is survived by son Scott E. (Diana Venturino) Witalis, Cranberry Twp. PA, and many nieces and nephews. Friends will be received on Thursday from 3 to 5 PM and 6 to 8 PM at Bock Funeral Home, Ltd., 1500 Mt. Royal Blvd, Glenshaw, PA 15116. Please meet Friday at 10 AM at Bock Funeral Home for a procession to Mount Royal Cemetery Mausoleum for a brief service at 10:45. The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to The Butler VA Healthcare System Voluntary Services Program, 353 North Duffy Road, Butler, PA 16001 (Checks payable to Butler VA health Care System) or Wounded Warriors Project.