Laverne Caroline Lindsley

Laverne Caroline Lindsley of Easton died on Saturday, July 21, 2001, at the Talbot Hospice House in Easton after a long battle with cancer. She was 65. Born on August 1, 1935, in Morgan County, WV, she was the daughter of the late Rumsey Earl and Emma Marie Hovermale. She grew up in Baltimore and then her family moved to southern NJ. On April 25, 1953, she married Horatio A. "Freddie" Lindsley, Jr., and they resided in Thorofare, NJ. She worked for the local telephone company for several years before giving birth to her first child and becoming a homemaker. In 1971, she began working as a school bus driver for H.A. DeHart''s Bus Service and then for Kingsway Regional School District Bus Service. Also during this time, she ran her own catering company, Elite Catering, out of her home, while also helping her husband run his business, Freddie''s Truck Service. Mr. Lindsley died on November 13, 1994. In the fall of 1995, she moved to Easton, MD, where she worked for the Talbot County Board of Realtors, Mason's, and then the Rustic Inn. Mrs. Lindsley was a member of the Verga United Methodist Church and Women''s Guild in Verga, NJ. She was also an active community volunteer and contributed her time and services to many organizations such as the Boy Scouts, where she organized camping trips and fundraisers with her son, the Sea Explorers; the Girl Scouts, where she was a Troop Leader for several Brownie, Junior and Cadet troops with her daughters; and the West Deptford Little Theater and Royal Dance Academy, where she made many sets and costumes. She also loved to sew, cook, bake, and was always found in the kitchen at family gatherings. She mostly loved to give her time to help her children, grandchildren, and friends. Although she always gave to others, she asked or accepted little in return. Her family will always remember her for her strength, courage, independence, devotion, and dedication to others. Mrs. Lindsley is survived by four children, Harry E. Lindsley and his wife, Jeannie, of Churchton, MD, Carol M. Dechen of West Deptford, NJ, Laverne Lynn Henley and her husband, Bill, of Easton, and Stephanie M. Swanson and her husband, Chris, of Pitman, NJ; a brother, Clark Hovermale of West Palm Beach, FL; ten grandchildren, Heather Lindsley of Mechanicsburg, PA, Drew Lindsley of Churchton, MD, Morgan Lindsley, Matthew Dechen, Troy Lindsley, Jillian Dechen, and Jaimie Dechen, all of West Deptford, NJ, Eryn and Kate Henley, both of Easton, MD, and Corienne Swanson of Pitman, NJ; two step-grandchildren, Joseph and Katie McNamara of Churchton, MD; and a daughter-in-law, Cathy Lindsley of West Deptford, NJ. She was predeceased by a son, Raymond Lindsley, in 1963, and a son-in-law, Kenneth B. Dechen in 2000. A memorial service will be held at the Verga United Methodist Church in Verga, NJ, on Wednesday, August 1, 2001, at 11:00 AM. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Talbot Hospice Foundation, Inc., 586 Cynwood Drive, Easton, MD 21601. Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein, & Newnam Funeral Home, Easton. (See www.fhnfuneralhome.com)