Harford, Vernita E. Hoffman Chevalier

Vernita E. Hoffman Chevalier Harford, 83, passed away from complications of pneumonia on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. Vernita was a resident of Marion for many years; she went on to live with her daughter, then to Higley Mansion, and for the last five months was a resident at Northbrook Manor. Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion, by Pastor Darran Whiting. The family will greet friends two hours before the service at the funeral home on Wednesday morning. Private burial: Taylorville Cemetery, Arlington.

Survivors include her daughter, Marlene Chevalier Beshears; sister, Kathleen Johnson; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Lewis Chevalier; second husband, Bert Harford; sister, Virginia Harkin; and infant brother, Raymond Hoffman.

Vernita was born March 30, 1928, on a farm east of Arlington, Iowa, the daughter of Leo and Bertha (Putnam) Hoffman. She attended rural country grade school and graduated from Arlington High School in 1946. Vernita married Lewis Chevalier in February 1947. They farmed around the Arlington and Lamont areas for several years and moved to Marion in December 1959. Vernita worked as a cook in restaurants in the Marion area and for 14 years at Linn-Mar School in food service. Lewis and Vernita later divorced and Vernita married Bert E. Harford on May 27, 1967, in Lancaster, Mo. They made their home in Marion.

Vernita loved music and enjoyed playing bingo.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Vernita's name.

Please sign the online guest book for Vernita at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published Feb. 13, 2012 in The Gazette