Doris (Bland) Markle

Doris Bland Markle, 99, of West Newton, passed away peacefully at home, Thursday, April 29, 2021, after a long, eventful life.  She was born October 10, 1921 in Malvern, Arkansas, to the late Frank and Irene (Wiedenhorn) Bland.  Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, she graduated from Wellston High School, trained as a nurse at DePaul Hospital in St. Louis, and received her RN degree in 1943.  Doris enlisted in the Naval Reserve as a nurse and spent a year and a half at the Naval Hospital in Philadelphia during World War II.  She met her future husband, Howard E. Markle, who was in veterinary school.  They were married in 1946 and settled in West Newton where she spent the remainder of her life. The matriarch of her family, she was loved dearly by all who knew her.  Doris was a member of West Newton United Presbyterian Church and lived a life devoted to God and her family.  In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Dr. Howard E. Markle, Sr.; a son, Thomas Elmer Markle; a sister Elizabeth Towler; and two brothers, Frank and Robert Bland.  Surviving are three sons, Dr. William (Mary) Markle, Frank (Deanna) Markle and Dr. Howard (Roxanne) Markle; a daughter-in-law, Linda Markle; 11 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Friends and family will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 pm Monday at the J. William McCauley, Jr Funeral Home, 901 Vine Street, West Newton.  A short service to honor Doris will be held at 8 pm.  Masks must be worn and social distancing be maintained.  The amount of people permitted in the funeral home at once is 60, so please limit your visit out of respect for others.  A private memorial service for the family will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to West Newton United Presbyterian Church, PO Box 314, West Newton, PA 15089 or Millgrove Cemetery Association, 661 Mt. Pleasant Rd., West Newton, PA 15089.  Condolences may be left at http://www.mccauleyfuneralhome.com.

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