Willard Cutler Waid

Funeral Director, 1st Generation Owner

Willard Cutler Waid, 93, of Meadville, founder of the Waid Funeral Home and a mortician for 56 years, died at Mead Nursing Home, Monday, September 28, 1970.  He had been in failing health.  

Mr. Waid was educated in Randolph Township public schools, graduated from Meadville High School and attended Edinboro State Normal School.  

He taught school at public schools in Randolph Township for three years.  During his last year of teaching (1899-1900), he was principal of Randolph Township High School.  

From 1900 to 1929, Mr. Waid operated a furniture and hardware store in Guys Mills and also served as funeral director there.  He was postmaster for Guys Mills from 1911 to 1922.  

In May 1929, he entered into partnership with the J. Willis Arnold for operation of a funeral home in Meadville and a branch in Townville.  The partnership was dissolved in 1933 so Mr. Arnold could go to Townville.  

Mr. Waid continued to operate the funeral home on Walnut Street alone until he entered into partnership with is son, Leland V. Waid, January 1, 1937.  The funeral home was moved to Chestnut Street in June of 1952 and Mr. Waid continued his partnership in the business until December 31, 1956 when he sold his interest to his son. 

Robert W. Waid, son of Leland V. Waid, became affiliated with the funeral home in 1963 and took over operations after his father's death in 1966.  

Mr. Waid was a member of Stone United Methodist Church and its men's Bible Class.  He was an honorary member of the administrative board of the church.  Mr. Waid was a member of Randolph Grange and was a 50-year member of Cussewago Odd Fellows Lodge. 

He was born in Randolph Township, December 4, 1876, a son of Seth and Elethear Cutler Waid, Jr.  He married the former Mabel Elizabeth Virtue, June 19, 1900.  

Leland Virture Waid

Funeral Director, 2nd Generation Owner

Leland V. Waid, 62, a Meadville funeral director since 1937, died Thursday, October 6, 1966 at City Hospital.  He had been in failing health for the past year. 

His father opened the Waid Funeral Home at Guys Mills in 1900 and moved the firm to Meadville in 1929.  Leland Waid joined him as a partner eight years later, and named his son, Robert W., as manager last March. 

He was born in Guys Mills, June 14, 1904, a son of Willard C. and Mabel E. Virtue Waid.  He and the former Lucille Bertram were married October 24, 1936.  

Mr. Waid was a member and lay leader for many years of Stone Methodist Church and a member of its Official Board.  Active in the work of the former Crawford County Tuberculosis and Health Society, he was a past president and was 1964 chairman of the Christmas Seal campaign..  

He attended Pennsylvania State University and was graduated from Allegheny College and from the Cleveland College of Embalming.  He completed a graduate management course at the National Foundation of Funeral Service, Evanston, IL.  

He was a member of Crawford Masonic Lodge 234; Solomon Royal Arch Chapter; Northwestern Commandery, Knights Templar; National Selected Morticians; Cussewago Odd Fellows Lodge; Meadville Rotary Club; Round Table; Crawford County Historical Society; Meadville Fine Arts Assn.; Salvation Army advisory board; and board of directors, Associated Charities.  

He was affiliated with Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.  

Formerly an active board member of the local Red Cross Chapter, he was chairman of roll call for several years. 

Robert W. & Janet P. Waid

Funeral Director & 3rd Generation Owners

Robert W. Waid, a Meadville native, graduate of Meadville High School, Temple University and Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.

Bob joined his Father and Grandfather in the family funeral business in 1962.

He married Janet Petersen of Erie in 1965, and they raised their sons, Robb, Todd, and Ryan. Janet is a graduate of Strong Vincent High School and Buffalo General Hospital School of Nursing. She worked at Buffalo General Hospital, Hamot Medical Center, and Meadville Medical Center. Janet has also helped and assisted with visitations, funerals, and office work.  Her community service has included Jaycettes, Meadville Women's Club, Meadville Medical Center Auxiliary and its Charity Follies as Chairperson.

Bob was a member and past President of the Crawford County Funeral Assn., The Erie-Crawford F.D.A., The Northwestern PA F.D.A., a member of the PA F.D.A., The National F.D.A., and Selected Independent Funeral Homes.

He is also involved in the Meadville Jaycees, member and past President of Meadville Rotary Club, Member and past Chairman of the Board of Directors of Wesbury United Retirement Community, member of Valonia Industries Board of Directors under Raymond Bacher, Ex. Dir., member of the Masonic Lodge #234, The Zem Zem Shrine Temple, Erie and Crawford County Shrine Club.

Bob and Janet are lifelong members of Stone United Methodist Church having served on various boards and committees and Bob has been an usher for over 50 years.

ROBERT S. WAID, FD

Funeral Director - Supervisor - Sandy Lake Location

Robb, the eldest son of Bob and Janet Waid, is a fourth generation funeral director, who actually grew up in the apartment above the funeral home.  Excelling in academics, Robb graduated from Meadville Area Senior High School, where he enjoyed performing in the Marching Band.  The year following high school graduation, Robb, was fortunate to receive a scholarship from Rotary International, to be an exchange student in Germany.  After his year abroad, Robb returned to the States to begin his college education.  The College of Wooster, in Wooster, Ohio, is where Robb graduated with a degree in economics.  He did an internship with a CPA firm outside of Chicago, and was offered his first full time job there.  While Robb enjoyed his work at the firm, he soon realized his passion for helping others in need.  Moving back to Pennsylvania, Robb enrolled in Pittsburgh's Institute of Mortuary Science.  During mortuary school, Robb worked for the Wolfe Memorial Funeral Home in Pittsburgh.

In 1992 Robb returned to Meadville, to work with his father, at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home.  Robb enjoys listening to jazz music, watching performances of Drum and Bugle Corps, wood working, and playing racquetball.  Robb is a member of Stone United Methodist Church, Rotary Club of Meadville, and serves on the board of Wesbury United Methodist Community.  Robb and his wife, Valerie, reside in Meadville, with their son, Max.

TODD A. WAID, FD

Owner - Funeral Director - Supervisor - Conneaut Lake Location

Todd, the second son of Bob and Janet Waid, is also a fourth generation funeral director.  Growing up a few years behind Robb, he learned about funerals at an early age.  Todd graduated from Meadville Area Senior High School, where he enjoyed participating in Football, Baseball, and the Championship Bulldog Basketball Team of 1987.  Receiving a Rotary International scholarship, Todd spent the year after high school as an exchange student in Brazil.   Todd graduated from The College of Wooster in 1992, with a degree in Business Economics.  After college graduation, Todd worked for Putnam Mutual Funds in Boston, MA.  And much like his older brother, Todd felt the calling to serve others in need.  Todd graduated from Pittsburgh's Institute of Mortuary Science in 1994 and returned to work with his Dad and Brother.

Todd enjoys swimming, bicycling, and walking.  Todd is a member of Epiphany of the Lord Parish, Meadville, Kiwanis Club of Meadville, and serves on the boards of the Economic Progress Alliance and Hospice of Crawford County.  Todd and his wife Wendi reside in Meadville with their children Ava and Charlie, and beloved Labrador, Gracie.