Doris J. Feyrer

Doris Jean Van Housen Feyrer, 92, of Cranberry Township and Valencia, PA went to be with her Lord on February 5, 2026. Born September 14, 1933 in West Pittston PA, she was the daughter of the late Martin and Myra Josephine (Winters) Van Housen, of Wilson, NY.

She was the adored wife of James Francis Feyrer for 70 years. She was also the loving mother of James R. (Cathy) Feyrer of Elizabeth City NC, David J. Feyrer of Butler PA, Daniel B. (Nancy) Feyrer of Allison Park PA, Doreen M (Douglas) Whitstone of Pittsburgh PA, and Carole A. Kelly of Pittsburgh PA; a proud gramma/grammie of 12; and a treasured great-grandmother of 18.

Doris was sister of the late Robert (Carole) Van Housen of Warren OH. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, and many friends.

In her early years, Doris was raised in West Pittston PA, moved to Conklin NY at age 6, and then on to Wilson, NY until she was married. She sang in Wilson Baptist Church choir, and was a good student in high school when she met her handsome husband Jim who lived next door in the Baptist Church parsonage. After Jim completed college, they were married at Wilson Baptist Church in 1955. Doris maintained residence in Wilson working as a payroll accountant at Bell Aircraft Corporation in Niagara Falls, NY, while her husband Jim fulfilled his commission as a Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers. She joined Jim in Alexandria VA during his last tour of duty, and the couple finally settled in Sewickley PA where he began his job with US Steel. Within a few years they purchased property and Jim designed their home in Cranberry Township, where they resided for more than 60 years.

Doris was a diligent wife and mother, cooking and sewing clothes for her family of five children, raising a garden of fresh vegetables, and canning fruits and vegetables for the cold months. She surrounded the perimeter of the house with a wide variety of flowers and flowering bushes.

She loved to crochet, and crafted Christmas ornaments for her children/grandchildren every year, as well as afghans for her children and later, grandchildren. She also loved to collect magnets from all the places & states she and Jim visited, covering her whole refrigerator with them.

Doris insisted that her children finish their homework before they went out to play, and they all went on to complete degrees in higher education. She and Jim encouraged them to play musical instruments in church and in high school.

After her children advanced into junior and senior high school, Doris took employment with Southwest Butler County Schools food service at Rowan Elementary, to help pay for higher education for her children, retiring after 20 years.

Doris committed her life to the Lord Jesus Christ as a young adult, and served as Sunday School teacher, choir member, and church treasurer. LifePointe Alliance Church became their church home, and for 25 years she sang in the choir, was active in the Alliance Women Bible study group, Vacation Bible School, as a deaconess, and supervised the kitchen for many years.

She loved spending time with her extended family by hosting picnics at their home so the grandchildren could run and play in their large yard. Doris and Jim traveled on week-long excursions after he retired to Israel, Greece, and England. They also served on mission trips to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina, and with Builders for God.

The family would like to thank The Arbors Valencia for the kind and loving care they provided Doris while she was a resident.

Family and friends will be received at the LifePointe Alliance Church, 997 PA-228 Mars, PA 16046 on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 9:30 A.M., followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 A.M..

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Doris' name to LifePointe Alliance Church, Mars, PA, or to the UPMC Children's Hospital Foundation of Pittsburgh (www.givetochildren.org).
Arrangements are under the direction of the McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Home, Inc., 238 Crowe Ave. Mars, PA and condolences are available at www.mcdonald-aeberli.com.