Laura Anne Keppel, lost her battle to Ovarian Cancer just after 7pm on Monday, March 23rd, 2020.
Laura Anne Keppel’s Obituary (1963-2020)
Laura Anne Keppel, Age 57, of Collier Township, PA, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loved ones on Monday, March 23, 2020 after a valiant battle with ovarian cancer. She was born on January 23, 1963 in Pittsburgh, and grew up in McKees Rocks and Carnegie, PA.
Laura graduated from Sto-Rox High School in 1981. She earned an Associate Degree from CCAC and obtained her LPN license. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and Alpha Chi from Pennsylvania College of Technology, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Technology.
Laura honorably served in the United States Army for 26 years, achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class. She held various administrative and medical positions, including Practical Nurse and Medical Specialist. She was proud of all of her assignments, especially her work for FEMA during Hurricane Katrina. Laura was a valuable soldier, receiving numerous decorations, including the Meritorious Service Metal. After the military, she pursued a career in Information Technology and worked for PENNDOT. She was a licensed real estate agent and had a passion for design and construction.
Laura was extraordinarily kind, strong and bright. She enjoyed gardening, fine wine, the Arts, and spending time with her friends. She was an avid reader and researcher. She was dedicated to continuous learning and loved numbers, information and technology. She was a fact finder and fact checker and had a strong aversion to alternative facts. She loved the art of debate & engaging conversations. She was gritty and gutsy. She was a perfectionist. She was generous to a fault. She had a dry wit and a contagious laugh. She had a soft spot for stray animals. She was a loyal friend. She was a warrior.
Laura was preceded in death by her Husband and love of her life, Jerome “Jerry” Farmer, Command Sergeant Major US Army, Mother Gertrude Sigley and Stepfather Ross Sigley, Father Albert Keppel, Sister Michele Artrup, and Brother-in-law George Farmer.
She is survived by Sister Lorraine Honeychuck; Nieces Ashley (Scott) Rambo, Amber Smida, and Barbara Ringler; Great Nephews David Ostrander, Specialist US Army, and Evan Matthews; Great Nieces McKenna Buchert, Marissa Matthews and Taryn Kilgore; Sister-in-Law Lorelei (John) Goelz, Sonia Heiney (Joseph Roach) and Claudia Farmer, Best Friend Nancy (John) Mihalcin, her beloved Ratso and PeeWee, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.
A celebration of Laura’s life will be announced and held at a later time. Cremation took place privately.
Arrangements are under the care of Scott Ritter, Funeral Director, LEO J. HENNEY FUNERAL HOME, 323 2nd Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106 (412-279-4444). Memorial contributions can be made Here.
Jerome W. Farmer’s Obituary (1947-2015)
Jerome W. Farmer, of Loyalsock, PA, kicked the oxygen habit on Friday, January 30, 2015, at 13 hundred hours-that’s 1 p.m. for you civilian types-having lived for more than twice what his mother expected but half of what he thought he deserved. Born in Pittsburgh on June 8, 1947, to Olga and Jerry Farmer, his life was that of a carefree teenaged boy except for short breaks of purgatory in Vietnam, dedicated service to the Pennsylvania State Police, and AGONIZING home improvements upon which his wife insisted be completed YESTERDAY! He threw a yearly raucous Halloween party, where he would inevitably show up as someone’s favorite mummy or noisome PAB.
He was predeceased by his mother, father, and brother, George. He is survived by his treasured wife, Laura; cherished sister, Lorelei; sister, Sonia; lovely sister-in-law, Claudia (George) Farmer; many nieces and nephews; and his beloved Squidgy, Ratso, and PeeWee.
Jerry will be missed by everyone who ever had the opportunity to sit down and have a drink with him. Jerry asks that you either become an organ donor or register to donate your body to the Humanities Gift Registry. Oy! A memorial celebration will be held later this year.