Claire Marie ERNST, 95, of Port Allegany, PA, died Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport. 

Born July 9, 1930, in Hi-Nella, NJ, she was the daughter of Robert and Agnes Kelley McBurney. On December 24, 1952, in Phoenixville, she married Fred Wilson Ernst Jr., who predeceased her on December 2, 1993. She was employed as a medical secretary by Cole Memorial Hospital and by medical offices in Olean, NY. Claire was a member of St. Gabriel the Archangel Church in Port Allegany. 

Surviving are: two sons, Fred W. (Virginia “Ginger”) Ernst III of Port Allegany and D. Clifford (Myra) Ernst of Littleport, Cambridgeshire, UK; a son-in-law, James Sawyer of Culpeper, VA; eight grandchildren, Hannah (Aaron) Olney, Katherine (Robert) Whittle, Cleon Coussens, Jenai (Jack) Ryan, Tate (Jaime) Coussens, Annie (Brynn) Hardison, Zachary Sawyer, and Elleanor Sawyer; ten great-grandchildren; longtime friend, Louis “Hank” Maroda of Pittsburgh; nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a daughter, Dana C. Ernst; a sister, Jean Burger; and three brothers, Robert Jr., William, and Milan. 

Friends may call at Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Switzer Chapel, 77 Willow Street, Port Allegany, PA, on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 12:00 – 1:00 PM, with Funeral Services following at 1:00 PM. Burial will be in Card Creek Cemetery, Roulette. 

Memorials may be made to St. Gabriel the Archangel Church, Port Allegany. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.