Born June 27, 1942 in Knox, she was a daughter of the late Charles “Paul” and Hazel Marie Henry Wetzel.
She married James A. Black on June 14, 1963 and he preceded her in death on April 25, 1992. She later married Paul M. LaPierre, Sr. on October 26, 2002 and he survives.
Barb was a beautician and housewife. She had also worked part-time as a cook for the Carriage Inn in Knox and Wolf’s Restaurant in Wentling Corners and as a part-time secretary for Rinker’s Electric.
She was a member of the St. Mark’s Memorial Chapel and enjoyed the friendship and activities as a member of the Knox TOPS club and the St. Petersburg Senior Center.
Barb loved spending time with her family and friends.
Survivors include her husband, Paul and her children: John Paul Black of Fern and his companion, Tracy Conner and Kathy Jean Hunsberger and her husband, Steven, of Alum Rock; Two step children: Jeanine Johnson-Delp and Paul LaPierre, Jr.; Three granddaughters: Sarah Myers and her husband, Steven, of West Freedom; Rachel Mortimer of Alum Rock and Ashlee Black and her fiancé’, Cullin Williams, of Cranberry; Three step grandchildren: Julie Myers and her husband, Dirk, of Rockland; Jamie Hunsberger of Kennerdell and her companion James Penna and Taylor Cohlhepp; 5 great grandchildren: Natalie and Ezra Myers, Conner Williams and Madelyn and Brody Myers.
Barb is also survived by one sister, Kay Zerbe of Knox; Parents-in-law, Doris and Gary Moore or Tucson, Arizona; brothers-in-law: Stuart “Ed” Black, John LaPierre, Steven Moore, Gerard LaPierre and his wife Lisa and David LaPierre; Three sisters-in-law: Evelyn “Pat” Black, Harriet Sliker and Christine Richards along with numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and first husband, Barb was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Paula Christine Black and a grandson, Derek James Black; Parents-in-law, John and Marion Black; Four sisters-in-law: Virginia “Sis” Servey, Elizabeth “Betty” Traister, Emma Fulton and Dorothy “Dotty” Black; Five brothers-in-law: Dennis Zerbe, John Black, Benton Traister, Leland “Sam” Black and Leland “Buck” Sliker.
Family and friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 10, 2014 at the William N. Rupert Mortuary, Inc., 430 Mendenhall Avenue, Knox.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 11, 2014 in the funeral home with the Reverend Dan Myers, Pastor of the St. Petersburg Methodist Church, officiating.
Interment will follow in the St. Mark’s cemetery at Kossuth.
Memorial contributions may be given in the name of Barbara Jean Black LaPierre to the Clarion/Forest VNA, 271 Perkins Road, Clarion, PA 16214/www.cfvna.org/donations.asp or the Knox Ambulance Company, P.O. Box 636, Knox, PA 16232.
