Vallie Lavonne (Rearick) Bussard

Vallie LaVonne (Rearick) Bussard, 84, of S. Richard St., Bedford, PA passed away on February 12, 2016 after a lengthy illness. Vallie was born in Armstrong County, PA on November 07, 1931.  She was the first daughter of Paul J. and E. Maude (Reesman) Rearick.  Vallie’s childhood and the majority of her adult life were spent in Putneyville, PA, a tiny village of which she retained cherished memories.

After graduating from New Bethlehem (Redbank Valley) High School in New Bethlehem, PA, Vallie was employed by Citizen’s Utility Company.  Later she enjoyed working as a teacher’s assistant at Mahoning Elementary School.

In 1954 and after his discharge from the U.S. Navy, Vallie married Miles Bussard, her high school sweet heart.  They welcomed their only child, Candi, in 1956.

In addition to her parents, Vallie was preceded in death by her husband, Miles who left her side in 2010.  Vallie’s brother-in-law, Peter Bonetti and her sister-in-law, Jean Bussard are also deceased as well as her namesake and mentor, Miss Vallie Shumaker.

Vallie is survived by her daughter, Candi, of Bedford; her sister, Mame Morrison and brother-in-law, Darl Morrison of Worthington, PA; her sister, Paulette Bonetti of Pittsburgh, PA; her brother-in-law, Mike Bussard of Belknap, PA; her sister-in-law, Pauline Marsh and brother-in-law, Wendell Marsh of Dayton, PA; her brother-in-law, Sam Bussard and sister-in-law, Donna Bussard of Waldorf, MD; as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.  Vallie also leaves behind treasured friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home in Bedford with the Rev. Jodi Flack officiating. Family and friends will be received 1 hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home.  After the service, attendees are invited to the Bird’s Nest Café and Bakery in Bedford to enjoy a selection of Vallie’s favorites.  The event will be hosted by owner, Michael Stipanovic, her cherished friend.

Interment will be completed on a later date at the Concord Church Cemetery in Belknap, PA.  Vallie is descended from Joseph Clever, a founder of the Concord Church (1842).  The cemetery land was donated by Joseph and ceded from the Clever homestead.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Humane Society of Bedford County, 1108 Lutzville Road, Everett, PA 15537, or to the Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network, c/o Danielle Rackstraw, P.O. Box 1354, Menifee, CA 92585-1354.

Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.

Rabindranath Tagore