Mr. Farran J. Zerbe, age 94, of 5 Locust Court, Hollidaysburg, died Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 4:30 a.m. at Altoona Regional Health System, Altoona Hospital Campus. He was born March 3, 1911 in Tyrone, the son of Charles F. and Carrie McConahy Zerbe. In 1934 he was married to Phyllis Kinkead who preceded him in death in 1987. A daughter and only child, Judith, died the same year. He is survived by two brothers: Charles Burley Zerbe of Tyrone and James Albert Zerbe of Harrisburg.
Mr. Zerbe was a devotee of tennis, a member of the former Blairmont Country Club and the Blair Racquet Club, Altoona. He was a lifelong collector of and listener of classical music and during Frederick Morden’s tenure as conductor of the Altoona Symphony he was associated with the programming, sponsorship and performance of the Altoona Symphony orchestra. Other deep interests were 19th century English poetry, foreign languages and difficult crossword puzzles.
He was a graduate of Tyrone High School class of 1928 and a 1932 graduate of Lafayette College. He had been employed by the state of Pennsylvania as a field auditor.
Funeral service and interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of the Richard H. Searer Funeral Home, Inc.
