Verda A. Stevens

Verda A. Stevens, 86, formerly of Center Street and a resident of Beverly Health Care Meadville, died there, Sunday, December 21, 2003.

He was born in Erie, PA January 18, 1917 a son of George V and Gertrude Roche Stevens.  He married Beatrice (Betty) I. Trace May 8, 1943 and she survives.

He retired in 1980 as Supervisor of the Sales Order Dept. at Talon, Inc. after 40 years of service.  In his retirement he was a Red Coat volunteer at the Meadville Medical Center for 18 years.

He was a 1935 graduate of Meadville High School.  He was a veteran of World War II with the US Army in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater where he was a Purple Heart recipient.

He was a member of Stone United Methodist Church and a former usher.

He was a well-known softball pitcher and was inducted in to the Pennsylvania Softball Hall of Fame in 1978.  He was also an avid volleyball participant at the YMCA and an avid golfer for many years.  He also enjoyed bowling, tennis, hunting and fishing.

Survivors, in addition to his wife Betty, include:  a daughter, Barbara Johnston of Meadville; a grandson, Jason S. Johnston; two sisters, Yvonne Vosburgh and Priscilla Coulter both of Meadville; one brother, Lawrence Stevens of Linesville; a great granddaughter, Kylie Rose Dedrick and nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Beverly Stevens, three infant siblings, four brothers, Claude, Donald, William and Howard Stevens; one sister, Florence Mead and a son-in-law, Raymond Johnston.

Calling hours will be Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville.  The funeral service will follow at 8 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. William L. Brown, Associate Pastor of Stone United Methodist Church, officiating.

Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Betty Stevens, c/o Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335.