Laverne E. Cowles

Laverne E. Cowles, 83, of Woodland Ave, Bedford, died Saturday, December 3, 2011 at Valley View Nursing Home, in Altoona.  She was born on August 12, 1928, in Johnstown, daughter of the late Ralph and Della (Hileman) Keiper.  On June 21, 1958 in Johnstown, she married Eugene J. Cowles, who survives. She is also survived by two sons, James P. Cowles and wife Amy of Marietta, GA, and Jonathan C. Cowles and wife Catherine of Pittsburgh; four grandchildren; Lauren, Andy, Natalie, and Leanna; and a brother, Rev. Kenneth Keiper and wife Lois of Bolivar.  She was preceded in death by a son, Jeffrey D. Cowles, and a brother William and wife Rosalie.

She was a member and Sunday School teacher at the Bedford United Methodist Church.  Laverne was secretary to the Vice President of Penelec in Johnstown, then owned the Hallmark Greeting Card Shop at the Bel-Air Plaza in Johnstown for five years, and retired from the Bedford County Grange Insurance Company where she worked as a secretary.  She was a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts, and was a loving mother and wife, and will be greatly missed.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2011, at 11:00 a.m., in the Chapel at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home, in Bedford, with the Rev. Jeff Welsch officiating.  Lunch will be provided at the Bedford United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall at 12:30 p.m. following the funeral service.  Burial at Grand View Cemetery.  Friends will be received on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.  Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.