Erika A. Barth

Erika A. Barth, 87, of Schellsburg, died peacefully on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at UPMC Altoona surrounded by her family. She was born on February 20, 1939 in Neu Gaul, Germany, daughter of the late Fritz and Annemarie (Hans) Schulze. She was preceded in death by her husband Manfred H. Barth (July 19, 2020). She is survived by two daughters: Kirsten Barth Surak and Susanne Marie Barth Kauffman (Jim), both of Baltimore, MD; three grandchildren: Ryan and Caroline Surak, and Bennett Kauffman; and a sister: Sigrid Mueller of Kassel, Germany.

Erika arrived in the United States in 1958 where she met Manfred. They were married in 1960 in Washington, D.C. and enjoyed 60 years of marriage, during which time they raised a family, traveled the world and finally retired to Schellsburg, PA in 2001. Erika started her career as a Dental Assistant and later moved into Orthodontics, retiring after 40 years of making smiles beautiful! She was a gracious hostess, her true passion. For 20 years, she hosted an authentic Oktoberfest which became a tradition everyone looked forward to. She was an active member of the Washington Saengerbund Choir, where she was honored to have sung at the White House several times. Nicknamed “Mother Nature” by her family she was an avid gardener and created beauty in every garden she tended. With the same enthusiasm she tended and cherished friendships throughout her lifetime.

“Erika cared for all of us and was the security and order that we could always rely on. Now in heaven she becomes an eternal mother still caring and interceding from a heart of perfect love. How blessed we are to have witnessed such love.”

Funeral services will be private. Should you wish to honor Erika, donations can be made to St. John’s Sweet Air Lutheran Church, 3911 Sweet Air Road, Phoenix, MD 21131. Arrangements by the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home in Bedford. Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.