Juanita S. Best
Juanita S. Best, 46, of Knox,
died at 9:05 p.m. Tuesday, Feb.
4, 2003, in Clarion Hospital following
a brief illness.
Born Nov. 14, 1956, in Butler,
she was the daughter of Bernice
Marie Garis Rosenberger of East
Brady and the late Walter J. Best.
She was a 1974 graduate of Allegheny-
Clarion Valley High
School, Foxburg.
Ms. Best formerly attended the
West Freedom United Methodist
Church.
She was employed for some
time at the Pine Haven Care
Home near Fenelton.
Ms. Best was of the Methodist
faith.
She enjoyed her family, babysitting
children and camping.
Surviving, in addition to her
mother, are her longtime companion,
Paul Darell Rankin of
Knox; a daughter, Mrs. Gregory
(Sheree) Ort of Sligo and three
grandchildren, Andrew Scott
Kinney, Austin Ryan Ort and
Justin James Paul Ort, all of
Sligo.
She also is survived by four
brothers, William Rankin of East
Brady, Randy Best of Butler,
Mark Blair of Chicora and John
Blair of East Brady; three sisters,
Mrs. Larry (Janice) Kline of
Bruin, Jean Kamerer of Butler
and Carol Best; and a number of
nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by
her father and her paternal and
maternal grandparents.
Friends called at the
Chrisopher M. Hile Funeral
Home, St. Petersburg, Pa.
Funeral services were held at
noon Friday, February 6, 2003 in
the funeral home with the Rev.
Donald L. Poole, pastor of the
Knox United Methodist Church,
officiating.
Interment was in Allegheny
Cemetery, Allegheny Township,
Butler County.
Glen Z. Gress
Glen Z. Gress, 71, of Emlenton,
Died suddenly Saturday UPMC
Northwest, Franklin, after being
stricken ill in the post office parking
lot in Emlenton.
Born Nov. 24, 1931, in Saltilla,
he was the son of Vernon and
Geneva Kough Gress.
Following graduation from high
school, Mr. Gress attended Juniata
College in Huntingdon.
For a number of years, he and his
associate owned and operated
dress stores in New York City.
Mr. Gress enjoyed many decades
in his career of acting and directing,
both on and off Broadway theaters,
as well as in regional theaters
of the Northeast.
He and his longtime companion
founded an acting company in
Pittsburgh, operating the business
there for mre than 12 years before
coming to Emlenton. They were
known for producing more than
100 productions in that 12-year
period.
Mr. Gress worked extensively
with the Barrow-Civic Theater in
Franklin, the Lucille Ball Theater
in Jamestown, NY and the Road
House Theater in Erie.
Surviving are his companion of
more than 50 years, Edward K.
“Ed” Evans of Emlenton; a sister,
Donna Benson of Royersford; a
niece, Madonna Bach of Peach
Bottom; and a nephew, Adrian
Benson of Buffalo, NY.
There will be no public visitation
or memorial in accordance with
deceased’s wishes.
Interment will be in Saltilla.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests
memorials be made to a charity
of one’s choice.
Arrangements are in the charge
of the H. Jack Buzard Funeral
Home, Eau Claire.
Walter A. “Brick” Jordan
Walter A. “Brick” Jordan, 71, of
New Castle, died suddenly of natural
causes early Wednesday morning,
Feb. 5, 2003, at his residence.
Born Nov. 3, 1931, in Perry Township,
Clarion County, he was the sone
of Clarence “Bricky” and Anna Henry
Jordan.
He was a graduate of the former
Parker High School.
Mr. Jordan served in the U.S. Army
from Nov. 13, 1952, until his honorable
discharge Oct. 22, 1954, as a corporal.
He retired in 1991 from Penn Power
in new Castle following 28 years of
service in the line department.
Mr. Jordan was a member of the
VFW and American Legion Posts,
both of Parker.
He was Protestant.
Surviving are his wife Betty Stewart
Jordan; one daughter, Mrs. Rick
(Lori) Rhoades of New Castle; two
sons, Christopher and Steven W. Jordan,
both of New Castle; and four
grandchildren.
He also is survived by one sister,
Alice Dudek of Depew, NY; and a
number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Jordan
was preceded in death by a stepson,
Mike Heter, in June of 1987; and
a sister, Martian Keefer.
Friends called in the H. Jack Buzard
Funeral Home, Wayne Street, Parker.
Funeral services were held in the
funeral home.
Interment will be in Concord Cemetery,
Perry Township, Clarion
County.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests
memorials be made to the American
Lung Association.
Donald A. Culberson
Donald A. Culberson, 73, of
Knox RD, died of natural causes
at 6:10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 10,
2003.
Born Jan. 7, 1930, in Rimersburg,
he was the son of Clifford
A. and Bessie Summerville
Culberson.
He was an Army Air Force veteran
and was a member of the
Knox Servicemen’s Club.
Mr. Culberson began work as a
manager for A&P Supermarket
and he later operated D&M Supermarket
and D&M Dairy in
Knox. More recently he was a
partner with his son, Randy in
Sportsman’s Outfitters in Knox,
retiring in 1980.
He enjoyed gardening, yard
work and fishing.
Mr. Culberson was married
Sept. 30, 1953, to Mary Lou F.
Facemyer, who died Nov. 5,
1991.
Surviving are a daughter,
Sheila Clark and husband, Ken
of Mariasville; a son, Randy
Culberson of Knox; three grandchildren,
Jamie Bowman,
Rebecca Culberson, and Colin
Culberson, all of Knox; his companion,
Mildred Teeter of Knox;
and a stepsister, Luemma
Johnston of Butler.
Mr. Culberson was preceded in
death by his parents and wife.
Friends were called Wednesday,
Feb. 12, 2003 in the David
C. McEntire Funeral Home in
Knox.
Funeral services were held on
Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003 with the
Rev. Louie Bennett, assistant pastor
of Grace Evangelical Congregation
Church, officiating.
Interment was in the Starr Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials
be made to the Alliance for Wetlands
& Wildlife, in care of Pam
Moore, 22830 Route 68, Clarion,
Pa. 16214.
Mary Jane McCormick
Mary Jane McCormick, 85, of
Warren, Ohio, Formerly of Old
State Road, Emlenton, Salem
Township, Clarion County, died at
9:49 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19,
2003, in a personal care home in
Warren, Ohio.
Born March 24, 1917 in Franklin,
she was the daughter of
Lawrence C. and Vernice
McMurdy Snyder.
Mrs. McCormick was a member
of the former West Home Free
Methodist Church, Emlenton.
She enjoyed sewing and quilting.
Mrs. McCormick was married
Dec. 16, 1937, to George Bert
McCormick, who died May 25,
1981.
She and her late husband owned
and operated a farm near Emlenton in Salem Township for more
than 50 years.
Surviving are a sister, Mrs.
Donald F. (Louise A.) Rapp of
Niles, Ohio, who was her care giver
for the past several years; three
nieces; one nephew; and a number
of great-nieces and great-nephews.
In addition to her parents and
husband, Mrs. McCormick was
preceded in death by a brother,
Samuel H. Snyder.
Friends called in the Christopher
M. Hile Funeral Home, Emlenton.
Funeral services were held in the
funeral home with the Rev. Daryl
Adams, retired Free Methodist
pastor officiating.
Interment is in Zion Union Cemetery,
Richland Township Venango
County.
Delbert L. Confer
Delbert L. Confer, 52, of Richland
Township, Venango County
died Friday, Feb 14, 2003, at his
residence.
Born Nov. 5, 1950, in Franklin,
he was the son of Delbert R. and
Juanita F. Emery Confer.
Mr. Confer was a 1969 graduate
of Allegheny-Clarion Valley
High School, Foxburg.
He was a veteran of the U.S.
Navy where he graduated from
the Aviation Fund School and the
AMS Class “Al” School.
Mr. Confer graduated from the
Kittanning Truck Driving School.
He was a truck driver for F. R.
Bellotti Trucking Co. of Leeper.
Mr. Confer was certified by the
International Mobile Air Conditioning
Association.
He was a member of the Emlenton
Rod & Gun Club.
Mr. Confer enjoyed hunting,
fishing, football, hockey and
rugby.
He was married July 7, 2000 to
Shirley M. Wilson, who survives.
Also surviving are a stepson
Fred Wilson of Richard Township;
his father and stepmother
Delbert R. and Mary Jane Confer
of St. Petersburg; a brother David
C. Confer of Emlenton; a sister
Regina F. Delavern of Erie; and
nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles,
and cousins.
Mr. Confer was preceded in
death by his mother and four
grandparents.
Visitation was held in the H.
Jack Buzard Funeral Home,
Washington Street, Eau Claire.
Funeral services were held in
the funeral home with the Rev.
Ronald C. Bole, Venango County
Hospice Association minister, officiating.
Memorials may be made to the
Visiting Nurses Association Hospice
of Venango County or to the
American Cancer Society.
Wilda B. Guntrum
Wilda B. Guntrum, 93, formerly
of St. Petersburg, Clarion County
and Clintonville, died at 11:30 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 17, 2003 in Grove
Manor, Grove City, where she had
resided since 1996.
She had been a resident of St.
Petersburg all of her life until moving
in 1985 to the Clintonville
Apartments in Clintonville.
Born Feb. 15, 1910, in Piney
Township, Clarion County, she
was the daughter of David A. and
Sarah E. Henry Ketner.
Mrs. Guntrum was a graduate of
Emlenton High School.
She was a charter member of St.
Petersburg Church of the Nazarene,
where she taught Adult Sunday
School for many years.
Mrs. Guntrum was married in the
home of her parents near St. Petersburg
Nov. 25, 1931 to Harold
“Gunnie” Guntrum, who died Feb.
6, 1965.
Following the death of her husband,
she was employed as a care
giver for several families in the
Lamartine area.
Mrs. Guntrum was a homemaker.
Surviving are many cousins,
nieces and nephews, including a
niece, Mrs. Dale (Janet) Grove of
Grove City, her long time care
giver; and a sister-in-law, Mrs.
Martha Guntrum of Fordland, Mo.
She was the last surviving member
of her immediate family. In
addition to her parents and husband,
she was preceded in death by
a brother, Harold Ketner; and two
sisters, Margaret Irene Nevel and
Ethel Shoup.
Friends called in the Christopher
M. Hile Funeral Home, St. Petersburg.
Funeral services were held in the
funeral home with the Rev. Dan
Myers, pastor of St. Petersburg
United Methodist Church, officiating.
Interment was in St. Petersburg
Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be
made to the Christian Loving Fund,
Grove Manor, 435 N. Broad St.,
Grove City, 16127.
Frances B. “Fritzi” Overheim
Frances B. “Fritzi” Overheim,
86, of Parker, died early Sunday
morning, Feb. 23, at Sugar Creek
Station, Franklin, following a brief
illness.
Born March 15, 1916, in East
Brady, she was a daughter of
Charles D. and Frances M. Lorenz
Overheim.
She graduated from Parker High
School in 1933 and also graduated
from Butler Business College.
She worked for more than 40
years in the glass industry at Parker
for Wightman Galss and Bottle,
later known as Knox Glass and at
her retirement in 1972 known as
Glass Containers Corp. Her last
position was that of personal secretary
to the sales manager.
She was a member of St. Mary
Our Lady of the Snows Catholic
Church at Parker and was a longtime
member of the Altar Rosary
Society of the church.
She had been a member of the
ladies auxiliary of the Parker VFW
for many years.
Though she never published her
works, her keen ability to write poetry
was well known to both family
and friends. Her constant avocation
was sending cards of expression
with a personal note to shutins
and those in hospitals and nursing
homes and remembering birthdays
far and wide. She also sent cards to many
Parker area residents serving in the
military, a habit she acquired when
her brothers were in the service.
Surviving are three brothers,
James L. Overheim and Richard K.
Overheim, both of Parker, and
William M. Overheim of Foxburg;
four nieces and three nephews.
In addition to her parents, she
was preceded in death by one
brother and one sister.
Friends called in the H. Jack
Buzzard Funeral Home, Wayne
Street, Parker.
Mass of the Christian Burial was
celebrated at St. Mary Catholic
Church, Parker, with the Rev.
Ronald Rutkowski, former St.
Mary pastor, now retired, officiating.
The family suggests memorial
donations be made to Sisters of
Mary Immaculate, in care of
Model Town, Dehli, 110-009, India.
William P. Birckbichler
William P. Birckbichler, 21, of
Karns City, Pa. passed away early
Thursday morning, February 27,
2003, at his residence of natural
causes.
Born in Butler, Pa. on January
26, 1982, he was the son of Richard
C. and Elaine A. Gillespie
Birckbichler.
He attended Karns City Area
School District, and was Catholic
by faith.
Surviving in addition to his parents
are his maternal grandmother;
Glenna Barger of Dutch Hill, Pa.,
his paternal grandmother, Pauline
Parr of Port Charlotte, Fl., his maternal
step grandmother; Barb
Gillespie of Houston, Pa.; one sister
Amber Birckbichler at home;
three brothers; Theodore
Birckbichler of Huey (Clarion
Co.), Douglas Birckbichler of
Clairton, Pa., and Raymond
Birckbichler of New Castle, Pa.
Also preceded in death by maternal
and paternal grandfathers.
Friends were received at the H.
Jack Buzard Funeral Home,
Wayne Street, Parker. Funeral Services
were held Sunday in the Funeral
Home.
Private Burial will be at the Calvary
Cemetery in Butler.
John H. Stevens
John H. Stevens, 84, a retired
Emlenton jeweler, died at 1:51
p.m. Saturday, Feb 22, 2003 at
UPMC Northwest, Franklin, following
a brief illnesss.
Born Oct. 13, 1918 in Argentine,
Butler County, he was a son of Lee
and June Mahood Stevens.
A veteran of World War II, he
served in the U.S. Navy.
Along with his late wife, Jean, he
operated J. H. Stevens Jeweler for
40 years.
He attended the Chapel on the
Hill Assembly of God Church of
Emlenton.
He was a 50-year member of the
Allegheny Valley Masonic Lodge.
Mr. Stevens enjoyed painting,
glass engraving and golfing.
He was married May 29, 1946,
in Grove City, to the former Jean
E. Stover, who preceded him in
death Dec. 24, 1994.
Mr. Stevens is survived by two
sons, Mike Stevens and his wife
Raylene, of Grove City, and Edward
Stevens of Rimersburg; and a
daughter Mrs. Steve (Ellen)
Lindquist of Pittsburgh; and a number
of grandchildren.
Also surviving are five brothers,
Paul Stevens of Beaver Falls,
Calvin Stevens and Walter Stevens
of Karns City, William Stevens of
Kittanning and Bernard Stevens
of Albuquerque, N. M.; a sister
Margie Bailey of East Brady; and
a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and
wife, he was preceded in death by
two brothers, Carl Stevens and
Robert Stevens.
Friends were received in the Christopher
M. Hile Funeral Home of
Emlenton.
Funeral services were held in the
funeral home with the Rev. Chris
Clark, pastor of the Chapel on the Hill
Church officiating.
Interment was in St. Petersburg
Cemetery.
Melvin M. Fagley
Melvin M. Fagley, 82, of
Callensburg, died late Tuesday
morning March 4, 2003 in
Clarview Nursing & Rehabilitation
Center in Sligo following an
illness of several months.
Born April 30, 1920 in Sligo, he
was the son of Frank Leslie and
Kathryn Greenawalt Fagley.
He was a veteran of Word War
II serving in the United States
Army Engineers in the European
Theater of Operations. He was the
recipient of two Purple Hearts,
along with several other awards.
Mr. Fagley was a coal miner by
occupation all his working life,
working in both deep and open pit
mines in the Clarion County area.
He retired in 1987 after 13 years
of service with C&K Coal Co. of
Clarion, working mostly as a drag
line operator.
He was a member of the
Callensburg United Methodist
Church.
Mr. Fagley also was a member
of the Callensburg-Licking Township
Volunteer Fire Department
and the American Legion of
Clarion.
He enjoyed hunting and gardening.
Surviving are his wife, Ellen
Everett Fagley; a son William
Fagley of Greenville; two daughters,
Ms. Thomas (Shirley) Ragley
of Clarion and Mrs. Gary (Nancy
Bowser of East Brady; one stepdaughter,
Mars Barry (Karen)
Simpson of Parker RD; six grandchildren;
two stepgrandchildren;
seven great-grandchildren; and
one step-great-grandchild.
He is also survived by two sisters,
Mrs. Robert (Helen) Reichard
of Anderson, Ind., and Mrs. Paul
(Janet) Switzer of Sligo; two
brothers, Earl Fagley and Robert
Fagley, both of Greenville; and a
number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Mr.
Fagley was preceded in death by a
sister Edith Karpinski.
Friends were received in the H.
Jack Buzard Funeral Home, Parker.
Funeral services were held in the
funeral home.
Interment will be in Sligo Cemetery.
Jessie V. McCoy
Jessie V. McCoy, 100, of
Clarview Nursing and Rehabilitation
Center, Sligo, Pa., formerly of
Parker passed away March 3, 2003
at the Center of natural causes.
Born March 15, 1902 in Sarah
Furnace, Clarion County, Pa., she
was the daughter of Benjamin
Clyde and Cordelia Jordan Smith.
She was a member of the Parker
United Methodist Church, the
United Methodist Women, and had
served in many capacities at the
church during her lifetime.
She had worked as a cook for
many years in the cafeteria of the
former Parker High School.
Mrs. McCoy had been active in
the Ladies Auxiliary of the American
Legion at Parker, and was a
long time member of the Order of
Eastern Star, Chapter #60 of
Parker.
She enjoyed baking, cooking,
canning, sewing, and most of all
her years of service to her church.
She was married August 28,
1923 to Claude B. “Red” McCoy
who died in February 1966.
Surviving are two sons and
wives: Robert McCoy and wife
Marian of Zelienople and William
McCoy and wife Bonnie of Parker;
Jessie V. McCoy
five grandchildren and six great
grandchildren.
She is also survived by one sister,
Myrtle Shirey of Clarview
Nursing Home, Sligo and one
brother; Richard “Dick” Smith of
Kittanning and a number of nieces
and nephews.
In additon to her parents and husband,
Mrs. McCoy was preceded
in death by an infant daughter, Virginia
Marie in 1924; five brothers
and one sister.
Friends were received at the H.
Jack Buzard Funeral Home, Parker
and at the church for an hour preceding
the service. Funeral services
were held in the Parker
United Methodist Church. Burial
was in the West Monterey Cemetery,
Clarion County.
John N. Mostowy
John N. Mostowy, 85, of Butler,
Pa formerly of Bruin passed away
Saturday afternoon (03-15-03) at
his residence following an extended
illness.
Born in West Butler on September
12, 1917 he was the son of
Mike and Parzia Sprink Mostowy.
He was a member and trustee of
Martinsburg Presbyterian Church
of Bruin. He was also a former
member of the Bruin Volunteer
Fire Department.
Mr. Mostowy was employed by
Armco at Butler for thirty-seven
years retiring in 1975. He then
worked for PennDOT for four
years until 1979. He also had been
self-employed as owner of a pool
hall and shoe repair business while
living in Bruin.
A veteran of World War II, he
was honorably discharged January
17, 1946 as a sergeant with the
309th Combat Engineers Battalion,
U.S. Army.
He is survived by his wife Helen
Gilbert Mostowy whom he married
August 22, 1941; one daughter,
Mrs. Wayne (M. Dianne) Grazier
of Butler; three sons, Richard D.
Mostowy of LaJolla, CA; John W.
Mostowy of Sanford, NC., and
Ronald Mostowy of San
Escondidio, CA; six granddaughters,
three grandsons, one greatgranddaughter,
and three great
grandsons: one brother Mike
Mostowy of Bruin and a number of
nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his
parents, a stepfather, three sisters,
and one brother.
Friends were received at the H.
Jack Buzard Funeral Home,
Wayne St. Parker. Funeral services
were held in the funeral.
Burial is in Allegheny Cemetery,
near Parker.
The family suggests memorials
be made to Hospice Services of
Butler County.
Herbert R. Fithian
Herbert R. Fithian, 84, of Foxburg,
Pa. passed away Friday (03-14-03) at his winter residence in
Zephyr Hills, Florida following an
extended illness.
Born in Butler, Pa on July 10,
1918, he was the son of James H.
and Carrie M. Parker Fithian.
He was a graduate of the former
Parker High School.
He retired on April l, 1980 from
the former Glass Containers Corp.
located at Parker where he had
spent a career as a moldmaker and
later supervisor of the moldmaking
department.
Mr. Fithian served in the United
States Army Air Force in the
World War II area. He trained as a
bomber pilot and later as a bombardier
in Florida. As the war
drew to a close, Mr. Fithian was
honorably discharged having
fully qualified at both positions.
A well known musician, he
played with local bands from Butler
to Oil City and many other areas
much of his adult life. While
he and his late wife wintered in
Florida for many years, he was active
with musical groups in the
Zephyr Hills region of Florida.
Locally, Herb was known for performing
the duty of “Taps” at local
servicemen’s funerals as well
as being present for all Memorial
Day services in the Parker area.
He was a long time member and
official of the Foxburg United
Methodist Church. He was also a
longtime member of Parker Rotary
and was a Paul Harris Fellow
of Rotary in recent years.
He was a life member of Musicians
Union #630 A.F.M., a member
of Charles A. Black American
Legion Post 598 of Parker and
I.O.O.F. Lodge 278 of Butler.
Mr. Fithian was long affiliated
with the Foxburg Free Library as
both a board member and treasurer.
As long as health permitted,
he was personally involved with
the library from the fiscal aspect
as well as the overall maintenance
of the physical plant.
In addition to music, he enjoyed
golfing and was for many years a
member of the Foxburg Country
Club. He and his wife were fond
of travel which included trips to
the Orient including China, Europe
including Ireland, and much
of the United States. He belonged
to many organizations, but was always
more than a member - he
was an involved member.
Surviving are three sisters: Florence
Krathge of Seneca, Pa., Mrs.
Clarence (Bettye) Smith of Washington,
D.C., and Jane Fox of
Parker; two brothers: Jesse
Fithian of Russell, Pa. and Richard
(Dick) Fithian of Beaufort,
S.C.; a number of nephews,
nieces, great-nephews and greatnieces.
In addition to his parents he was
preceded in death by his wife,
Charlotte Farrington Fithian who
he married Dec. 16, 1939 in Parker, Pa. and who passed away
Sept. 29 2000. Also two sisters:
Maude McIntyre and Helen
Ramsey preceded him in death.
A memorial service for Mr.
Fithian will be held in the Foxburg
United Methodist Church
with inurnment to follow in the
Foxburg Cemetery later this
Spring at the convenience of the
survivors.
The H. Jack Buzard Funeral
Home in Eau Claire, Pa. is in
charge of arrangements.
