Arlis Aleen Peer
Uniontown
Arlis Aleen Peer, 98, of Uniontown, passed away Sunday, November 19, 2023, in Monarch Meadows Personal Care Home, surrounded by her family. She was born February 11, 1925, in Atwood, Kans., a daughter of Franklin G. Harlan Cook and Ella Corrinne Robb Cook.
Arlis, a city girl, graduated from high school in New York City, N.Y., then went to Cincinnati Bi-ble Seminary. After one year, she transferred to Johnson Bible College, where she met the love of her life, Rufus Holland Peer, whom she married December 22, 1946, spending 76 years of wedded bliss together before his passing August 7, 2023.
As a daughter of ministers, Arlis traveled across many states, helping as they conducted meetings for mission work. Growing up, she often played piano to help in special meetings. As a teen, she helped speak at many churches, even in other states, for the mission work her par-ents were involved in, and she continued that up into her college years.
While dating Rufus, they started serving together, and once married, merged their talents serv-ing several churches, and their lives served as illustrations of the message they proclaimed – being examples of God’s Word, the Bible. They served at Gap Creek (Tennessee), then Pine Grove (West Virginia), then served Laughlintown, Waterford and Oak Grove (Ligonier) simulta-neously for 11 more years. Their last full-time ministry was at New Salem for more than 30 years. After retiring, they still did Interim Ministry for 10 more years (in Latrobe, Republic and Connellsville).
She served alongside Rufus in multiple areas of ministry-helping teach and lead songs at Camp Christian (Mill Run), planning and leading daily vacation Bible schools, encouraging area ministers’ families, publishing a youth monthly newsletter, acted as a “secretary”, playing pi-ano for other churches’ revival meetings, leading charitable donations for Mountain Mission School (orphanage) in Grundy, Va., and volunteering to help the Salvation Army’s food bank for New Salem. She taught junior choir, Sunday school classes, youth groups, teen clubs, retreats, and taught Bible classes at Uniontown’s Juvenile Detention facility. Arlis loved music and often sang in choirs and cantatas, and could play the piano by ear.
While she received community awards, one stands out, as Arlis and Rufus received Johnson Bible College’s Distinguished Service Alumni Award.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by her brother, Raldo Cook (and his daughter, Terrie Lynn Case); and her sister, Nyela Cook Cohoon.
Left to cherish her legacy and memory are her children, Darrell (Pat) Peer of Sebring, Fla., Deedra Gerkin of Shelbyville, Ill., Kevan Peer of Uniontown, and Keith (Beth) Peer of Belle Vernon; along with nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nephews and niec-es.
First Christian Church New Salem, 800 New Salem Road, Uniontown, PA 15401, will host both the visitations from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, November 24, and from 10 to 11 a.m., when a Celebration of Life service will be held, Saturday, November 25. Interment will be at the Sa-lem View Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled through DEARTH FUNERAL HOME, 35 South Mill Street, New Salem.
Many thanks to all the church leaders and members who shared in creating a faith legacy for all to engage.
Thanks to the staff at Uniontown Healthcare and Rehab and Monarch Meadows for helping her in the final stage of life on this side of Heaven. Special thanks to the Amedisys Home Health and Hospice teams for providing excellent care, especially Nurses Tiffany, Rhianon, and Crystal, as well as the many Aides including Bobbie, Crystal, Janice, Samantha, and Bobbi Jo.
In lieu of flowers, please send gifts, in her name, to either the New Salem Church for the Build-ing Fund; Mountain Mission School, 1760 Edgewater Drive, Grundy, VA 24614; Johnson Univer-sity, 7900 Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37998; or Camp Christian, Inc., 472 Killarney Road, P.O. Box 230, Mill Run, PA 15464-0230).
www.dearthfh.com