Russell Bower Dearolph
Russell Bower Dearolph, 91, of
Parker, died Tuesday evening,
March 25, 2003 in Butler Memorial
Hospital following an illness.
Born March 13, 1912 in New
Castle he was the son of Harry
James and Kathryn Isabella Bower
Dearolph.
He was a 1930 graduate of
Parker High School and attended
Penn State University for a number
of semesters.
Mr. Dearolph then was employed
by National Transit Pipe
Line Co. in Parker and later
worked until 1948 at Wightman
Glass & Bottling Co. of Parker.
He then began studies from May
1948 to November 1949 at the
Western Pennsylvania
Horological Institute (WPHI) in
Pittsburgh, graduating with a “Certificate
of Merit.”
Mr. Dearolph operated
Dearolph’s Jewelry Shoppe in the
former Zuehls’ Building in Parker
until he built his own modern home
and shop in late 1949. He operated
that business from 1949 until his
complete retirement in 1997 due
to ill health.
He was a long time member of
the First Presbyterian church of
Parker and had served in the
Parker City Volunteer Fire Department
for many years.
Mr. Dearolph was a member of
the Parker City Lodge No. 521, F.
& A. M., and the Coudersport
Consistory. He received his 50-
year membership pin March 2,
1998, from Lodge No. 521.
He was married July 10, 1938,
to Myrtle Ida Keefer, who died
October 14, 2002.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs.
Edward C. (Rita Ellen) Confer of
Summerville, S.C.; three grandchildren,
Carrie Lin, Laura Ann
and Matthew Charles Confer; and
a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and
wife, Mr. Deardolph was preceded
in death by two brothers, Edwin
James and Clarence Elmore
Dearolph.
Friends were received in the H.
Jack Buzard Funeral Home,
Wayne Street Parker. Members of
Parker City Lodge No. 521,
F&A.M. conducted a memorial
service for their departed brother
in the funeral home.
Funeral services were held in the
funeral home with the Rev. Richard
Anschutz, pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church of Parker, officiating.
Interment was in Parker Presbyterian
Cemetery.
Irvin T. ‘Jack’ Fockler
Irvin T. “Jack” Fockler, 69, of
Parker Pike Road, Parker, died at
1:50 p.m. Monday, March 24,
2003 in United Community Hospital,
Grove City, following a
lengthy illness.
Born July 27, 1933 in Hooker,
Butler County, he was the son of
James Irvin and Mary Etta Walker
Fockler.
Mr. Fockler was a commercial
fisherman for many years in California;
was employed for some
time as lumberjack; and worked
out of the San Francisco Local
Union as a longshoreman. He
worked for 33 years out of the
Pittsburgh Boilermakers Union
No. 154 and retired in 1990 when
be became disabled.
He attended the Kingdom Hall
of Jehovah’s Witnesses in
Chicora.
Mr. Fockler enjoyed traveling
and listening to the short wave radio.
He was married in Reno, Nev.,
on January 30, 1963 to the former
Shirley A. Seelbaugh, who survives.
Also surviving are three daughters,
Rhonda J. Fockler and Sandra
A. Fockler, both of Parker and
Brenda S. Fockler Chafin of
Victorville, CA; two sons, Eric A.
Fockler and Karl W. Fockler, both
of Parker; and 10 grandchildren.
He also is survived by a sister,
Mrs. Kenneth (Mary Eileen)
Bandi of Sarver; and a number of
nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Mr.
Fockler was preceded in death by
a brother, Clair E. Fockler, January
3, 1992; and a sister, Shirley
Stalker, March 30, 1992.
Friends were received in the
Christopher M. Hile Funeral
Home, Emlenton.
Funeral services were held in the
funeral home with interment in
Rockland Cemetery, Rockland
Township, Venango County.
Leah Hudson Geortz
Leah Hudson Geortz, 82, of
Orchard Manor Nursing Home,
Grove City, formerly of Butler
and Bruin, died of natural causes
at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, March 23,
2003, in Orchard Manor.
Born August 7, 1920, in Alliance,
Ohio, she was the daughter
of John T. and Kathleen Smith
Hudson.
Mrs. Geortz was a member of
the Parker United Methodist
Church and was a member and
past president of the United
Methodist Women. She was a
former member and officer of the
Grove City District United Methodist
Women.
After moving to Butler, she became
a member of Christ Community
Methodist Church.
Mrs. Geortz was a former
member and president of the
Chicora Area Republican
Women.
In her earlier years, she was active
along with her husband, in
providing assistance to the IOOF
Home, now known as Orchard
Manor, Grove City.
Mrs. Geortz was married October
4, 1941 to Clarion E.
Geortz, who died July 12, 1997.
Surviving are one sister, Cecile
Nunamaker of St. Petersburg;
two half sisters, Carol Hosey of
Emlenton RD 3 and Delores
Stants of Callensburg; and a
number of nieces and nephews.
Friends were received in the H.
Jack Buzard Funeral Home,
Wayne Street, Parker.
Funeral services were held in
the funeral home with the Rev.
David Bowman, pastor of the
Parker United Methodist
Church, officiating.
Interment was in Parker Presbyterian
Cemetery.
Harry C. Anderson
Harry C. Anderson, 82, of East
Brady, died Wednesday, April 2,
2003 at his home.
Born June 12, 1920 in East
Brady, he was the son of Harry F.
and Ella L. (Smith) Anderson.
Mr. Anderson owned and operated
Anderson Chevrolet in East
Brady from 1952 to 1970. He
worked at Wright Chevrolet in East
Brady from 1971 to 1979 and
worked at Emil Long Chevrolet in
Emlenton, Pa. until his retirement
in 1985.
Mr. Anderson was married July
3, 1952 to Louise G. Goodgasell
who survives.
Mr. Anderson was a 1937 graduate
of East Brady High School and
a graduate of Duquesne Business
School, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Mr. Anderson served in the U.S.
Army in WW II as a First Lieutenant
in Luzon, Philippines.
Mr. Anderson was a lifetime
member of the American Legion
Post 402, East Brady, a member of
VFW Post 7073 Parker, a member
of the former F & AM Lodge 640,
East Brady, F & AM Lodge 277,
Clarion, Pa. (50 Years total F &
Obituary
AM membership), New Castle
Consistory and a member of the
Foxburg Country Club, Foxburg,
Pa.
Mr. Anderson was a member of
the United Methodist Church of
East Brady.
Mr. Anderson is survived by his
wife, Louise G. Anderson of East
Brady, a daughter Lynn Leposki
and her husband Eugene of Perry
Township, Armstrong Co., a son
Richard D. Anderson of East
Brady, a brother John W. Anderson
and his wife Jean of Butler, Pa.
, a granddaughter, Christine L.
Heeter and her husband Timothy
of East Brady, three Nephews,
John F. McClay and his wife Joy of
Mobile, AL., John M. Anderson of
Butler, Steven Anderson and his
wife Tracy of Karns City, and also
a number of great Nieces and
Nephews.
Mr. Anderson was preceded in
death by his parents, a sister Dorothy
McClay Glowacki and a great
granddaughter Ashley Marie
Heeter.
Friends were received at the
Charles B. Buechele Funeral
Home, East Brady, Pa. on Friday,
April 4, 2003.
Funeral Services were conducted
on Saturday, April 5, 2003 in the
Funeral Home.
Officiating Clergy was Rev. Richard
Russell, Pastor of the United
Methodist Church, East Brady.
Internment was in St. Eusebius
Cemetery, Brady Twp., Clarion
County.
Russell William Keefer
Russell William Keefer, 91, of
West Freedom, Parker RD# 1, Pa.
passed away late Tuesday (04-15-03) aftemoon at his residence following
an extended illness. Born on
Nov. 18, 1911 in West Monterey,
Pa., he was the son of Orlan and Lula
Shay Keefer. He was married on
March 10, 1951 to Rena Phyllis
Goodman who passed away July 18,
2000.
He attended the Wesleyan Church
of West Freedom. Mr. Keefer retired
as a welder from the former Cooper-Bessemer Corp. at Grove City in
1969. He had previously been employed
in the deep mines of Clarion
County for twenty-one years. Survived
by four daughters: Melvina
Rhoads of Coshocton, Ohio, Stella
Smith of Knox, Martha Keefer of
West Freedom, and Wanda Keefer
of Shippenville; three sons: William
and Art Keefer, both of West Freedom
and Jeff Keefer of Knox; nineteen
grandchildren and two step
grandchildren, five great grandchildren
and several step great grandchildren
survive; four sisters: Alma
Smith of Emporium, Grace Smith of
Erie, June Chastine of Florida,
Josephine Keefer of Butler, and
Ruby Benjamin of Erie; four brothers:
Lawrence and Junior Gibbons of
Erie and Howard Keefer and Kenneth
Gibbons; also a number of
nieces and nephews. In addition to
his parents and wife, a son Larry
Keefer preceded him in death.
Friends were called at the H. Jack
Buzard Funeral Home, Wayne St.,
Parker. Funeral services were held
in the funeral home with Rev.
Donald Bauer, a family friend, officiating.
Burial was in West Freedom
Cemetery.
Ronald D. Shreffler
Ronald D. Shreffler, 78 of
Nickleville, Road, Emlenton,
Richland Township, Venango
County, a long time area dairy
farmer and lumberman, died at
1:48 a.m. Thursday, April 24,
2003, at his residence.
Born May 26, 1924, in Rockland
Township, he was the son of
Samuel A. and Zina Boyer
Shreffler.
For many years, Mr. Shreffler
along with his wife, owned and operated
a family dairy farm and
Shreffler Lumber Co. both in Richland
Township, Venango County.
He was a member of the Church
of God at Turkey City, where he
had taught Sunday school for a
number of years.
Mr. Shreffler enjoyed traveling,
camping, woodworking and hunting.
He was a life member of the National
Rifle Association.
Mr. Shreffler was married in
Monroe, Feb. 7, 1945, to the
former Hilda Johnson, who died
April 21, 1999.
Surviving are five sons and their
wives, Dean and Judy Shreffler of
Knox, Karl and Eunice Shreffler of
Emlenton, Allen and Gail Shreffler
and Martin and Jeanette Shreffler,
all of Cranberry, and Ken and
Sheree Shreffler of Nickleville; 18
grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are three brothers.
Gerald Shreffler, Eugene
Shreffler and Jackie Shreffler, all
of Jal, N.M.; two sisters, Mrs.
Ralph (Ethel) Shorts and Mrs.
Scott (Ada Mae) Mason, both of
Cranberry; and a number of nieces
and nephews.
In addition to his parents and
wife, Mr. Shreffler was preceded
in death by a sister Grace Latshaw;
and two brothers, Vergil L.
Shreffler and Robert E. Shreffler.
Friends were called at the Christopher
M. Hile Funeral Home, St.
Petersburg.
Funeral services were held in the
Church of God at Turkey City
with the Rev. Thomas R. Hannold,
pastor, officiating.
Interment was in the Nickleville
Cemetery, Richland Township,
Venango County.
Memorial contributions may be
made to the Cornerstone Christian
Academy, P.O. Box 24, Turkey
City, 16058.
Grace DeBacco
Grace DeBacco, 98, of
Roseville, Bradys Bend Twp.,
Armstrong Co., PA. died May 1,
2003 in the Sunnyview Home in
Butler, PA. Born on September,
26, 1904 in Ceitic, Italy, she was
the daughter of Panfilio and Anna
(D’Angelo) Silverio. Grace
DeBacco came to the United States
in 1913 at the age of nine. Mrs.
DeBacco was the wife of the late
Paul Debacco (Married March
23,1925 and died May 11 1967).
She was a homemaker and a member
of the Saint Patricks Roman
Catholic Church, at Bradys Bend.
She was a member of the Young at
Heart Club and the Altar Rosary
Society at Saint Patricks.
Surviving are 7 sons: John A.
DeBacco of Rimersburg,
PA.Victor E.Debacco of Bradys
Bend, Pa. Ralph D Debacco of
Roseville. Robert J. Debacco of
Sugar Creek Twp; Armstrong Co,.
Ronald D. Debacco of Roseville
Dominic J. Debacco of Chicora.
Louis P. Debacco of Chicora.
Three daughters Mrs. Fred
(Annie) Andreassi of Roseville.
Mrs. Donald (Fanny) Greenawalt
of Hopewell Twp, Beaver County,
PA. Mrs. Francis (Loretta)
Posey,of Chicora.
One brother Patsy Silverio of
Chicora.
Three sisters, Mrs. John (Christina)
Pascazi of Bradys Bend. Mrs.
Nick L.(Jennie) Steiner of East
Brady. Mrs. Louise (Mary) Pascazi
of East Brady.
She is also survived by 29 grandchildren,
52 great grandchildren, 1
great-great grandson nieces and
nephews. Mrs.DeBacco was preceded
in death by her parents, husband,
2 brothers and 2 sisters.
Friends and family were received
at the Charles B. Buechele Funeral
Home, 105 Fourth Street, East
Brady, PA. There will be a Mass
of Christian Burial, at 10 am, Monday,
May 5th at ST. Pratrick
Church, Bradys Bend. Interment
will be in St. Mary Cemetery,
Bradys Bend.
The family suggests memorials
be made to the Son’s of Italy Lodge
# 1484 Scholarship Fund, R.D.#1
Box 148, East Brady, PA. 16028
or your favorite charity.
Irene Dzamka Endza
Irene Endza died March 5, 2003.
She was predeceased by her husband
Joseph C. Endza.
Irene is survived by her two sisters,
Ann Abrahamson of Las Vegas,
NV and Margaret (George)
Geier of Sebastian, FL; sisters-inlaw,
Leona Michelson, Terry
(Frank) Spinelli of Ontario, NY,
Marion (Frank) Mizenkoof PA and
Catherine Bodgen of FL; brotherin-
law Leonard Endza of PA, many
nieces, nephews, and great nieces
and nephews.
Irene was a Kodak retiree, was a
member of Corinthian/Fellowship
Chapter No. 322, O.E.S. and
served as Matron of Golden Rule -
Amo Chapter in 1977, was a member
of Lalla Rookh Caldron No.
68; and was active in Pen Pal Clubs
including the 33 Birthday Club and
the Happy Days Club.
Family and friends were invited
to Transfiguration Lutheran
Church for her Eastern Star Service,
followed immediately by her
Memorial Service, Interment by
her husband Joseph at the National
Cemetery of the Pacific (The
Punch Bowl) in Hawaii. Memorial
contributions, in lieu of flowers,
may be sent to the Building Fund
of Transfiguration Luteran Church,
3760 Culver Rd., Rochester, NY
14622.
Dorothy J. Rhea
Dorothy J. Rhea, 92, of Parker,
died Sunday morning, May 11,
2003 in The Caring Place, Franklin
after an illness.
Born June 15, 1910, in Parker,
she was the daughter of Khlare and
Edna Gray DeRocher.
She was a 1927 graduate of the
former Parker High School and
graduated in 1929 from Edinboro
State Teachers College, now
Edinboro University, with a degree
in elementary and art education.
Mrs. Rhea did graduate work at
Penn State and the University of
Pittsburgh. She was a longtime
member of the Edinboro
Alumni Association.
She was a teacher for more than
40 years, including some local
schools as well as many years in the
Verona School District, now
Riverview.
Mrs. Rhea was a member of the
Parker Presbyterian Church.
She was an avid bridge player
and was a member of the American
Contract Bridge League. She also
served as director for many years
of the Parker Duplicate Bridge
Club.
Mrs. Rhea was married June 24,
1938 to M. Paul Rhea, who died
Nov. 13, 1987.
Surviving are three daughters,
Janice and Virginia Rhea of New
York City and Mrs. Richard
(Patricia) Day of Houston, Pa.; and
four grandchildren, Kristen, Sara,
Emily and Michael Day.
She also is survived by a brother,
Henry DeRocher of Aurora, Ohio;
and a number of nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Rhea was preceded in death
by her parents and husband.
Friends were received in the H.
Jack Buzard Funeral Home,
Wayne Street, Parker.
Funeral services were held in the
funeral home with the Rev. Richard
Anschutz, pastor officiating.
Interment was in the Parker Presbyterian
Cemetery.
Catherine Glenn Amsler
Catherine Glenn Amsler, 93, of
Westerville, Ohio, formerly of St.
Petersburg, Clarion County, died
late Saturday evening, May 10,
2003 in Edgewood Manor Nursing
Facility in Westerville after a long
illness.
Born Oct. 25, 1909, in Pittsburgh,
she was the daughter of
John and Mattie Greer Purucker.
She attended St. Petersburg-
Richland High School and graduated
in 1927 from Emlenton High
School.
Mrs. Amsler was long time member
of St. Peter Lutheran Church in
St. Petersburg.
She was a former member of the
Order of Eastern Star both in
Emlenton and Mercer.
Mrs. Amsler lived in Mercer for
sometime after moving from St.
Petersburg in 1950. For the past
several years she had resided in
Westerville, Ohio.
She was married to Robert S.
Amsler, who preceded her in death
Feb. 3, 1990.
Surviving are a son and his wife,
Robert L. and Dee Amsler of
Westerville, Ohio; five grandchildren,
Debra Danals, Mollie Silcott,
Jennifer Kessler, Leslie Kuchyt
and Justin Whyte; a son-in-law,
Mark Renie of Arlington Heights,
Ill.; and eight great-grandchildren,
and a number of nieces, nephews
and cousins.
In addition to her parents and
husband, Mrs. Amsler was preceded
in death by a daughter,
Christine Renie.
Friends were received in the
Christopher M. Hile Funeral
Home, St. Petersburg.
Funeral services were held
Tuesday in the funeral home with
the Rev. Dennis A. Smith, pastor
of St. Petersburg Lutheran Church,
St. Petersburg officiating.
Interment was in the St. Petersburg
Cemetery.
Hans D. Terwilliger
Hans D. Terwilliger, 39, of
Parker, died Saturday morning,
May 10, 2003.
Born May 4, 1964, he was the
son of E. Dale and Gloria Newman
Terwilliger.
He was a 1982 graduate of Allegheny-
Clarion Valley High
School where he was a member of
track and the cross country team.
He was a 1986 graduate of Grove
City College where he majored in
mechanical engineering. He
earned an executive MBA in 1998
from Wharton School of Business
at the University of Pennsylvania.
He did doctoral studies in marketing
at UCLA until 2000.
Mr. Terwilliger was a district
manager of the Philadelphia District
of Timkin Bearing, Canton,
Ohio, from 1986-1998.
He taught at Butler Community
College and presently was employed
as an adjunct professor of
Community College of Allegheny
County.
Mr. Terwilliger was a member of
the West Freedom United Methodist
Church and the Masonic Lodge
of Chicago, Ill.
He was married Sept. 11, 1993,
to Anita Maurhoff, who survives,
along with one daughter, Eve
Catarina Terwilliger at home.
Also surviving are his parents of
West Freedom, Parker; a sister
Mrs. Ed (Christian) Conto of
Bruin; two brothers, Eric D. Terwilliger
of Parker and Blake Terwilliger
of Eustis, Fla.; and a number
of nieces and nephews.
Friends were received in the H.
Jack Buzard Funeral Home,
Wayne Street, Parker.
Funeral services were held in the
West Freedom United Methodist
Church with the Rev. Barry
Weyant, pastor, officiating. He was
assisted by the Rev. Barry
Keurulainen of St. Luke Lutheran
Church, Cabot.
Florence F. Heeter
Florence F. Heeter, 79, of the Big
Bend-Emlenton area, died Saturday,
May 24, 2003, in UPMC
Northwest, Franklin, following a
brief illness.
Born April 11, 1924, in Cleveland,
Ohio, she was the daughter of
Philp and Flossie Fair Terwilliger.
Mrs. Heeter was a graduate of the
former Emlenton High School and
Edinboro State College, now
Edinboro University.
She retired in May 1985 following
28 years of service at Polk Center.
She was a building supervisor
for 22 years and was a program
specialist in her final position at
Polk.
Mrs. Heeter was a member of the
Big Bend United Methodist
Church near Emlenton.
She was married April 6, 1942,
to Clair Heeter, who died Oct. 14,
2000.
Surviving are a daughter and
husband, Sandra and Dick Suther
of Seattle, Wash.; a son and wife,
Rick and Pam Heeter of Seneca; a
granddaughter, Renee Hill of California;
and a grandson, Robert
Heeter of New York.
She is also survived by a half sister,
Wanda Tarr of Franklin.
In addition to her parents and
husband, Mrs. Heeter was preceded
in death by her stepfather,
Theodore Tarr; and two sisters,
Helen Lyden and Dorothy Jordon.
Friends were received in the H.
Jack Buzard Funeral Home, Main
Street, Eau Claire.
Funeral services were held in the
funeral home with the Rev. Clara
Kohlmeyer, pastor of the Big Bend
United Methodist Church, officiating.
Interment is in the Rockland
Cemetery.
