Schlarbaum, Ferne Irene

Ferne Irene Schlarbaum, 91, died Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, at the Keystone Nursing Care Center in Keystone following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Salem United Methodist Church, Van Horne, with Pastor Norman Bennett officiating. Interment will be held at the Salem Cemetery, Van Horne. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Phillips Funeral Home, Keystone.

A memorial fund has been established for Salem United Methodist Church and the Keystone Nursing Care Center.

Ferne was born Dec. 24, 1919, at Montour, to Fred Ellis and Edith (Cooper) Hayes and graduated from Montour High School. On June 3, 1941, she was united in marriage to Gilbert Schlarbaum in Winthrop and the couple made their home in Van Horne. Gilbert preceded Ferne in death on Oct. 13, 2006.

Ferne served as a postal clerk in Van Horne for 26 years and retired in 1980. A faithful member of Salem United Methodist Church, Ferne was a member of the United Methodist Women, secretary of the Missionary Society Board of Administration and taught Sunday school for 25 years. She was also an associate member of Riverview United Methodist Church in Riverview, Fla., where she and Gilbert spent their winter months. She was proud to have served as chaperon for the 1962 Girls State Championship Basketball Team.

Her memory will be cherished by her son, Gary (Ruthanne) Schlarbaum of Villanova, Pa.; her daughter, Sandra (Richard) Willows of Andover, Minn., her grandson, Mark (Janet) Schlarbaum of Newtown, Pa.; her granddaughters, Melinda (Dennis) Bradley of San Francisco, Calif., Julie Willows of St. Paul, Minn., and Susie Willows of Coon Rapids, Minn; and her great-grandchildren, Danielle Manning, Christie Schlarbaum, Michael Schlarbaum, Molly Bradley and Luke Bradley.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Dorothy Winters and Gladys Fidler.

Condolences may be left at: .

Published in The Gazette Oct. 4, 2011.