DOVER - LaVerne Norma Slavik (Cusick) passed away peacefully on November 16, 2011 at her home surrounded by family. She was 81. LaVerne was born in Beallsville, Pa., on Dec. 27, 1930, the daughter of the late Walter and Myrtle Cusick. LaVerne and her family spent most of their lives living in and around the Dover area. She enjoyed spending her time with her grandchildren and gardening in her spare time. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Doris Perna. LaVerne is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Paul; their five children, Cathy Wheeler and her husband Ken of Rome, Ga., Paul Slavik and his wife Laura of Middletown, Joseph Slavik of Christiana, Theresa Klein and her husband Scott of Roslyn, N.Y., and Lisa Chamness and her husband Tom of Baltimore, Md. She also leaves behind her brother, Fred Cusick and his wife Taddy of Moundsville, W.Va.; her sister, Kay VanCamp and her husband Dan of Bethany, W.Va. In addition, LaVerne has six grandchildren, Dwayne Wheeler, Jennifer and her husband Ben Snitker, Reilley Chamness, Hannah, Sarah Klein and Will Slavik; and two great-grandchildren, Montana and Gregory Wheeler. Family and friends are invited to gather for a viewing on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, from 6 to 8 p.m. and again on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011, at 11:30 a.m. at the Faries Funeral Chapel located at 29 S. Main Street, Smyrna. Services will be held at 12:30 p.m., Wednesday. Immediately following, LaVerne will be laid to rest at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear. In lieu flowers, the family suggests making donations to either the Alzheimer's Association by visiting www.alz.org or Delaware Hospice by visiting www.delawarehospice.org. Condolence letters may be sent by visiting www.fariesfuneralhome.com.