Published: April 16, 2008 10:37 am      

Betty M. Harber [Keyser]

KEYSER, W.Va. - Betty M. Harber, 91, of 1590 Liberty St., Keyser, died at her home on Monday, April 14, 2008 surrounded by devoted family members.

Born in Indiana, Pa. on May 1, 1916, she was the daughter of the late Margaret Agnes Scott and John Turner. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert Harber; grandson, Michael Shawn Harber; and granddaughter-in-law, Terry Harber.

Betty is survived by two daughters, Mary Susan and Rita Jean, with whom she resided; and two sons, Joseph Francis and wife, Regina, of Salem, S.C. and Gilbert Michael and wife Melody, of Berlin, Pa. She was blessed with seven grandchildren, and survived by six, Patrick Harber of Lumberton, N.J., Michael Harber and wife Billie of Chesapeake, Va., Cathy Shifflett and husband Craig of Gibsonia, Pa., Scott Harber and wife Anne of Charlotte, N.C., Heather LaRue and husband Carl of Leesburg, Va. and Nichol Harber and fiancé, Michael Ochsner of Lawrenceville, N.J. She was also blessed with nine great-grandchildren, Anthony Harber, Brian Harber, Austin Harber, Megan Harber, Riley Harber, Ethan Harber, Alison Shifflett, Rachel Shifflett and Madison LaRue.

Orphaned at 10 years of age, Betty was determined that her family would always feel safe and loved. She accomplished her goal admirably. During the early years of her marriage, she was a housewife, and "ranch manager" of an active family. Later, she joined her husband, Gilbert, and son Mike, in the family grocery business in Berlin. In 1995, she and Gilbert retired and returned full-time to Keyser, where they enjoyed life to the fullest. Her hobbies included reading, working crossword puzzles, fishing, watching wild game and spoiling grandchildren.

Friends will be received at Markwood Funeral Home, Keyser, on Thursday, April 17 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 8 p.m. A Christian Wake Service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Assumption, Keyser, on Friday, April 18 at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Ivan Lebar, T.O.R. as celebrant.

Interment will be at Saint Thomas Cemetery, Keyser.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Potomac Valley Hospice Program, 167 S. Mineral Street, Keyser, WV 26726 or the Saint Thomas Cemetery Fund, 34 James Street, Keyser, WV.

Condolences may be sent to the family after Mrs. Harber's obituary at markwoodfuneralhome.com.