Loa Etta Barlett Dowler, age 85 of LeBoeuf Township, died unexpectedly at home on Friday, September 16, 2011. Born in Sharpsville, PA on December 10, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Gerald George and Verna Etta Hazen Barlett. She married Robert E. Dowler on October 10, 1964, and he preceded her in death just 9 days prior on September 7, 2011.

Loa graduated from Sharpsville High School in 1943 and attended Allegheny College, graduating in 1947 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. For 29 years, Loa taught business education subjects, retiring in 1976 from the General McLane School District in Edinboro.

She was a member of the PA Association of School Retirees and the Alpha Omega Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international honor society for women educators. For pleasure, Loa enjoyed bowling, crafts, traveling, and spending winters in Ft. Myers, FL.

Family members include two cousins, Robert Hazen and Harry Hazen, both of Sharpsville; her brother-in-law, Donald Dowler and his wife Dolores of Mill Village; a niece, Debra Campbell and her husband Kevin; two nephews, Dean Dowler and wife Fran, and David Dowler and wife Tracy; and seven great-nephews.

Friends may call at the Van Matre Funeral Home, 105 Walnut Street, Waterford on Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 pm and may attend funeral services there on Monday afternoon at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow at Waterford Cemetery.