Karen Gerner, 63, passed away peacefully at Forbes Hospice in Pittsburgh, died Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011, after a long battle with cancer. Karen Gertrude Schwarz was born Nov. 22, 1947, in Pittsburgh, to Hulda Mildred Keller and Allan John Schwarz, the youngest of four children. She attended public schools in Mount Lebanon, graduating in 1965. She attended the West Penn Hospital School of Nursing, graduating as a registered nurse in 1968. Karen married Charles Edward Gerner Jr., on May 29, 1971. They had two children, Laurie Lynne Gerner and Charles Edward Gerner III. The family moved to New Kensington, in 1974, where they have resided since. After 'retiring' from nursing, Karen spent much of her life raising her children and caring for family members, and in later years ran a cleaning business, Karen Cleans. She loved to hike in the woods and to travel. Karen was preceded in death by her father, Allan J. Schwarz; and her mother, Hulda M. Schwarz. Karen is survived by her husband, Charles E. Gerner Jr., of New Kensington; her daughter, Laurie Gerner, of Arnold; son, Charles E. Gerner III and his wife, Kelly, of Pasadena, Calif.; brother, Richard Schwarz and his wife, Seda, of Hunlock Creek; sister, Kathy Walsh and her husband, John Walsh, of Granger, Ind.; brother, Donald Schwarz and his wife, Bobbie Reed, of Lawrenceville, Ga.; and by many friends, including Linda Mueller, Cathy Vitari, Amy Pink and Tammy Grass. She was also a friend of Bill W. Viewing will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME LTD., 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington, 724-335-1234, where a service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday. Paul Barton, pulpit minister of Allegheny Valley Church of Christ, New Kensington, will officiate. Burial will follow in Plum Creek Cemetery, Plum Borough. Those desiring may make contributions to the Forbes Hospice or the American Cancer Society.

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Published by The Valley News Dispatch on Oct. 28, 2011.