Laveta Phares

Laveta Emma (Bitner) Phares, age 84, of Wolcottville was called home to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 15, 2012, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Laveta was born in Sparta Township, Noble County on April 3, 1928, to Harold and Lois (Reeve) Bitner. She graduated from Cromwell High School in 1946. She married Marvin Willis Phares on February 24, 1949. Laveta was a member of Cosperville Baptist Church, and worked for West Noble School Corporation for many years. Laveta enjoyed singing and playing piano and also enjoyed sports. She is survived by her husband, Marvin Phares of Wolcottville; two sons, Lyle (Pennie) Phares of Ligonier and Kent (Barb) Phares of Celina, OH; three daughters, Susan (Ken) Brumbaugh of Churubusco/Albion, Carol Phares of Middlebury and Deborah (Mark) Grossman of Wolcottville; 19 grandchildren; 32 great- grandchildren; and 1 great great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Marvene Phares; and her brother, Harold Bitner Jr. A funeral service will be held in Laveta’s honor on Friday April 20, 2012 at 1 PM at Stone’s Hill Community Church, 151 Stone’s Hill Road; Ligonier, IN, with Pastors Jim Barnes & Nathan Reynolds officiating. Burial will follow at Sparta Cemetery in Kimmell, IN. Pallbearers will be Samuel, Peter, Drew & Dustin Phares, Ben and Mathew Grossman, and Michael Studebaker. A Visitation will be held on Thursday April 19, 2012 from 1-3 & 5-7 PM at Stone’s Hill Community Church. Memorial Contributions may be directed to Cosperville Baptist Church, 8825 N 250 W; Wawaka, IN or Cromwell United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 337; Cromwell, IN.