Darlene L. Aldridge

Darlene L. Aldridge, 83, of Punxsutawney, passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at Nelson’s Golden Years in DuBois.

She was born in Punxsutawney on March 8, 1942, a daughter of the late Wilbert Franklin Bowser and Ardella Mae (Smith) Bowser.

Darlene’s greatest achievement in life was raising a beautiful family, she was first married to Theodore Depp and they had five children together.  Life eventually led them down different paths and they divorced, she carried forward her love for family, resilience and hope.  In time, her heart opened again and she remarried Clarence “Bud” Aldridge, embracing a new chapter, while always remaining a devoted mother and a steady source of strength for her children.

She worked as a waitress at many hometown restaurants and at Eat’n Park in Morgantown, West Virginia, where she met Bud while waitressing tables.

Darlene was an amazing cook, she perfected the best lasagna and loved cooking for the holidays.  She was a woman with a green thumb for African violets and rose bushes and could lose herself in a good book in her down time. The West Virginia Mountaineers and Steelers lost an avid fan, she loved to watch her favorite team’s play.  She was affectionately called “Mingy” by her grandchildren.

She is survived by three children, Theodore “Ted” (Stacy) Depp of Rossiter, Deneen (Ron) Bair of Punxsutawney and Richard (Chelley) Depp of Elkins, West Virginia; six grandchildren, Ashlee (Chris) Bish, Bryan Buffington, Erica Yates, Justin Evans, Sydney Depp and Liam Depp; thirteen great grandchildren; one brother, Terry (Wanda) Bowser of Punxsutawney; sister in-law Cathy Bowser of Punxsutawney; son in-law, Sam Cleveland of Punxsutawney.

Preceded in death by her parents, husband Clarence “Bud” Aldridge; two daughters, Pamela Jo Depp and Rebecca Cleveland; two brothers, Ralph Bowser and Gilbert Bowser and one sister, Ellen Bowser.

In accordance with her wishes, there will be no visitation.  Arrangements entrusted to Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc., Punxsutawney.

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