Valarie Marie (Matthews) Finland

     Valarie Marie Finland, age 54 of Clarion, perished in a fire at her home early Wednesday morning, September 3, 2025.

     Born April 26, 1971 in Erie, she was the daughter of the late William “Buck” Matthews and Esther Beichner Matthews and graduated from Keystone High School in 1992.

     Valarie was a homemaker and a member of the Pine City Hall.  She loved demo derbies, Bingo, and spending time with her family.

    Survivors include her husband, Merle Finland, who she married on January 15, 2014; two daughters: Marie Over and her fiancé, Levi Wolfgang, of Hawthorn, and Jasmine Elliott and her partner, Matthew, of Franklin; three step children: Ashley Finland, Jessica Finland and Tyler Finland, and three brothers: George Hartzell and his wife, Brenda, of Shippenville; Rodney Matthews of Knox, and Benji Matthews and his wife, Leanne, also of Knox.

    Valarie is also survived by seven grandchildren: Christian, Trenton, McKenzie, Aryan, Aleah, Remington and Rai-lynn; nephews and nieces: Rusty Hartzell and wife, Mindy; Chyenne Kiskadden and husband, Kenny; Paige Matthews, Kaden Matthews, and Ashton Troese.

    In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Grace Ellen Elliott, and a niece, Brinna Leigh Hartzell.

     Family and friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Monday, September 8, 2025 at the William N. Rupert Mortuary, Inc., 430 Mendenhall Avenue, Knox.

    A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at the Perry Chapel Cemetery, Perry Chapel Cemetery Road, Shippenville, with Pastor Korona Say officiating.

    Online condolences may be sent to Valarie’s family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com

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