F. Florene Van Meter

POLAND – F. Florene Van Meter, 95, died Wednesday afternoon at her residence. Florene was born Feb. 13, 1914 in Youngstown, a daughter of Dr. Nile D. and Frances Carson Blackmer and resided in the area all of her life. She was a 1932 graduate of Struthers High School and a 1936 graduate of Ohio State University, where she was a member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. She embarked on a career in education, teaching at Struthers schools until her marriage to R. Howard Van Meter on Dec. 31, 1937. She later returned to the classroom, teaching full time in the Poland schools for two years and later substitute teaching in the Mahoning County schools for three years. She was a member of the Struthers Presbyterian Church, and she and her husband belonged to various couples bowling leagues and bridge clubs, until his death on Jan. 4, 1993. She is survived by four children, Richard (Janice) Van Meter of Troy Ill., Donald (Suzanne) Van Meter of Poland, Frances (William) Agnew of New Middletown and Karen (Andrew) Laurie of Newbury; her sister, Barbara Blackmer Williams of Youngstown; eight grandchildren, Richard Van Meter Jr., Megan (Brian Mitchell) Van Meter, Thomas Agnew, Linda (Stephen) Molnar, Christopher (Eleanor) Owen, Caroline "Carrie" (Robert) Klimeczko, Andrew Laurie II and Kimberly Laurie; eight great-grandchildren; seven nieces; and one nephew. In addition to her parents and husband, Florene was preceded in death by her sister, Elizabeth "Betty" Ludwig. Services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Davidson-Becker Funeral Home with the Rev. Richard Ferris officiating. Interment will follow at Lake Park Cemetery. Friends will be received Saturday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be given in her name to Hospice of the Valley or the Struthers Presbyterian Church. Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.