Karen Lee Vallair

Karen Lee Vallair, daughter of the late Charles and Alma (Oaks) Hart, was born on February 16, 1959 in Roaring Springs, Pennsylvania. She passed away Thursday, July 14, 2011 in her home in Waynesville, at the age of 52 years, 4 months and 28 days. As a young girl, Karen lived in Heston, Pennsylvania and went to school in Huntingdon. She graduated from high school in 1977. After graduation, Karen enlisted in the United States Army. She was stationed at Ft. McClellan, Alabama for basic training. She then transferred to Ft. Benjamin in Harrison, Indiana and then on to Ft. Leonard Wood. She received her honorable discharge in 1980. After being discharged from the military, Karen worked for more than 20 years with AAFES on Fort Leonard Wood. After retiring, she was able to own and operate her own business, The Craft Box and enjoyed meeting and serving her customers. On October 25, 1980, Karen was united in marriage to Maurice “Bear” Vallair at Fort Leonard Wood. They shared over 30 years of marriage together and three children: Adam, Maurita and Ricky. In her spare time, Karen was very talented in scrapbooking, knitting and sewing. She had a passion for Sunday School and was the Sunday School Superintendent at her church, Church of the Nazarene of Waynesville. She could be found at church every time the doors were open as long as her health permitted her to do so. Karen also loved spending time with her family and friends. Karen will be sadly missed by all those that knew and loved her. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Bear Vallair of the home; two children: Adam Vallair (Angela) and Maurita Vallair, all of Waynesville; one step son: Ricky Vallair (Falicia) of Houston, TX; two sisters: Dorothy Foor (Jim) of the state of Pennsylvania and Judy Bollinger (Bob) of Phoenix, AZ; three brothers: Timothy Hart (Barbara) of the state of Pennsylvania, Kevin Hart (Lisa) of Eugene, MO and Wade Hart of Phoenix, AZ; 7 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; several other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2011 in the Church of the Nazarene of Waynesville with Pastor Jason Stevens officiating. Kathy Haymaker sang “I Bowed On My Knees and Cried Holy” and Richard Wayne Bushey played “How Great Thou Art” on his trumpet. The congregation was led in singing “Revelation Song”, “I Love to Tell the Story”, “Victory in Jesus” and “Days of Elijah”. Serving as escorts were Adam Vallair, Ricky Vallair, Les Pero, Frank Hollingshead, Richard Dennis and Stephen Woolsey. Burial with military honors followed in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery – Ft. Leonard Wood. Military honors were provided by the United States Army of Ft. Leonard Wood. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Karen Vallair to the American Cancer Society and may be left at the funeral home.

Karen Lee Vallair

February 16, 1959 - July 14, 2011