The Derrick, March 2, 2005: Walter Earl Bittner, South Bethlehem, formerly of Somerset and Ohio Geraldine E. Flockerzi, Riverside Drive, Oil City, formerly of Fertigs Esther E. Fox, Seneca Helen G. Hicks, Jamestown, N.Y., formerly of Lucinda Mary Margaret Hiwiller, Chestnut Street, Rimersburg Barbara S. Houser, 69 Park St., Franklin Hazel A. Myers, Roseville, formerly of Summerville and Brookville Robin S. Schreckengost, Summerville Freda Allene Shoaff, Shippenville Helen E. Smith, Warren, Ohio, formerly of Franklin Lillian M. Taylor, Orange City, Fla., formerly of Oil City Thelma Richards, memorial set Walter Earl Bittner Walter Earl Bittner, 80, of South Bethlehem, formerly of Somerset and Ohio, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005, in Indian Haven Nursing Home, Indiana, Pa. Born June 29, 1924, in Somerset, he was the son of Orlo R. and Margaret Mae Bittner. Mr. Bittner graduated from Somerset schools. He served in the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard during World War II and the Korean War aboard the USS Nashville and the USS Somoly. Mr. Bittner retired as a commercial bus driver for Trailways. He was a member of the New Bethlehem VFW; the American Legion Post No. 354 in New Bethlehem; and the American Legion Post No. 554 in Somerset. Mr. Bittner loved spending time with his family and friends in the community and loved his dog, Darcy. He was married to Susan E. Doverspike, who died Dec. 7, 2001. Surviving are a son and his wife, Gary and Nancy Bittner of Somerset; three daughters, Virginia Sue Bittner of Stow, Ohio, formerly of New Bethlehem, and Debbie Hardesty and husband, Rod, and Judy Krupper and husband, Patrick, all of Berlin, Pa.; two grandchildren, Jennifer and Christopher Bittner; and a great-grandchild, Hunter Bittner. In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Bittner was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Bittner; an infant daughter, Karen Bittner; and several infant brothers and sisters. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Bish Memorial Funeral Home, 206 South St., New Bethlehem. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in the funeral home with the Rev. Ben Shindledecker, pastor of the Kellersburg Evangelical Missionary Church, officiating. Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery at Distant. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, St. Jude's Medical Research or to the American Legion Post No. 354 of New Bethlehem. Geraldine E. Flockerzi Geraldine E. Flockerzi, 84, of Riverside Drive, Oil City, died Monday, Feb. 28, 2005, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca. She was a resident of Fertigs until moving in 1972 to Oil City. Born Feb. 2, 1921, in Oil City, she was the daughter of Elmer L. and Minnie Moorhead Sharrar. Mrs. Flockerzi was a homemaker. She was married Dec. 28, 1936, to Russell D. Flockerzi, who died Nov. 27, 1992. Surviving are four sons, Gary L. and Sarah Flockerzi of Fertigs, David L. Flockerzi and wife, Shelia, of Oil City, Gerald A. Flockerzi of Venus and Bruce E. Flockerzi and wife, Sue, of Oil City; two daughters, Mary Kay McFadden of Venus and Cheryl Ann Delp of Venus; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by one brother, Nyall Sharrar and wife, Thelma, of Oil City; two sisters, Phyllis Stahlman of Erie and Connie Speer and husband, Charles, of Titusville; a son-in-law, Roger Suter of Friendly, W.Va.; a special niece, Marylin McGinnis of Las Vegas; and several other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Jean Suter; an infant son, Glenn Flockerzi; two brothers, Lloyd Sharrar and Elmer Sharrar; a sister, Helen McGinnis; and a son-in-law, Phillip Lineman. Family and friends may call from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday in the Faller Funeral Home Inc. in Fryburg. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home with the Rev. Chris Hill, pastor of the Free Methodist Church of Oil City, officiating. Interment will be in the Venus Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made to the Venango County Humane Society or to the Visiting Nurses Association of Venango County. Esther E. Fox Esther E. Fox, 75, of Seneca, died at 9:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, 2005, in Clarion Hospital. Born Dec. 23, 1929, in Oil City, she was the daughter of Clifford C. and Mary VanCleve Stover. Mrs. Fox worked at Cranberry High School as a baker for 30 years, retiring Jan. 31, 1996. She was a member of the Seneca United Methodist Church and the Christian Women's Society. Mrs. Fox enjoyed cooking, working with ceramics and spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was married in Clarion Jan. 7, 1942, to Jack W. Fox, who died Dec. 13, 1986. Surviving are a son, Jack J. Fox and wife, Carlotta, of Franklin; a daughter, Jeanne Perry and husband, David, of Cranberry; two grandchildren, Bryan Fox and wife, Amy, and Adam Fox and wife, Suzie, all of Franklin; three great-grandchildren, Olivia M. Fox, Emily E. Fox and Zackery W. Fox, all of Franklin; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Fox was preceded in death by a brother, Richard L. Stover. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Osenider Funeral Home, Oil City. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday in the funeral home with the Rev. Rob Wilson, pastor of the Seneca United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Brandon Cemetery, Cranberry Township. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Oil City Library or to a charity of one's choice. Helen G. Hicks Helen G. Hicks, 73, of 4771/2 Crescent St., Jamestown, N.Y., died at 2:25 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, 2005, in her home. She had resided in Jamestown since 1962. Born Oct. 4, 1931, in Lucinda, she was the daughter of Clarence and Ruth Black Bauer. She was a communicant of Saint John Catholic Church in Jamestown. Mrs. Hicks enjoyed embroidery and loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was married July 21, 1951, to Samuel W. Hicks, who survives. Also surviving are five daughters, June Hicks, Joann Evans, Joan Roberts, Janet Caldwell and Mary Blakeslee, all of Jamestown; a son, Samuel D. Hicks of Ashville, N.Y.; 20 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by three brothers, George, Leo and Donald Bauer; and a sister, Louise Webster. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Hicks was preceded in death by a daughter, Joyce Bartlett; five brothers, Paul, Albert, Charles, Theodore and John Bauer; and a sister, Mary Botts. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Lind Funeral Home, 805 W. Third St., Jamestown, N.Y. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday in the funeral home with the Rev. Joseph Gullo, pastor of St. John and Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Churches, officiating. Entombment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery Mausoleum, Jamestown, N.Y. Memorials may be made to Hospice Chautauqua County, 4840 West Lake Road, Mayville, N.Y., 14757. Mary Margaret Hiwiller Mary Margaret Hiwiller, 89, of Chestnut Street, Rimersburg, died at 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2005, in the Clarview Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Sligo, following an illness. Born Nov. 16, 1915, in Redbank Township, Clarion County, she was the daughter of Frank and Nettie Algoe Hilliard. Mrs. Hiwiller was a 1933 graduate of Hawthorn High School and also was a graduate of Clarion State Teachers College, now university, where she received a degree in elementary education. Her first teaching assignment was in the one-room Dinger School in Redbank Township, Clarion County. She served as a substitute teacher in the Union School District in Rimersburg for several years. Mrs. Hiwiller was a member of the Rimersburg United Methodist Church where she served on the administrative board and also as financial secretary. She was married April 23, 1943, to Donald H. Hiwiller, who died Jan. 17, 2004. Surviving are one brother, Frank Hilliard Jr. of Hawthorn; and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Hiwiller was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Hilliard and Mrs. Francis (Minnie Jane) McGrath; and three brothers, James Hilliard, an infant; John Russell Hilliard, who was the first Clarion County veteran killed in action in World War II; and Blair Hilliard. Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday in the Richard D. Hillis Funeral Home in Rimersburg. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the funeral home with the Rev. James M. Eaton, pastor of the Rimersburg United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will follow in the Rimersburg Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Eccles-Lesher Memorial Library, 673 Main St., Rimersburg, 16248, or to the Rimersburg United Methodist Church, 115 Main St., Rimersburg, 16248. Barbara S. Houser Barbara S. Houser, 85, of 69 Park St., Franklin, died at 12:33 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2005, in Sugar Creek Station. Born Feb. 13, 1920, in Rocky Grove, she was the daughter of R.H. "Curly" and Gladys McClelland Stewart. She was a 1937 graduate of Titusville High School. Mrs. Houser was the owner and operator of Houser's Greenhouse in Sugarcreek. She also worked for a number of years at Hileman and Daffins, Franklin, after the death of her husband. She was an elder and active member of the Rocky Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church and was a longtime member of the Y-Gradale. Mrs. Houser enjoyed gardening and her flowers. She was married June 21, 1948, to P. Bredin Houser, who preceded her in death. Surviving are five daughters, Mrs. Raymond (Jane) Beach of Cooperstown, Mrs. Kenneth (Carole) Moser of West Allenhurst, N.J., Mrs. Michael (Linda) Hartman and Mrs. Richard (Becky) Loeffert, both of Franklin, and Mrs. Matthew (Heidi) Williams of Amherst, N.H.; 10 grandchildren, Dirk Beach of Cooperstown, Gretchen Beach of Meadville, Matthew Cunningham of New York, N.Y., Rob Whitlatch of Harrisburg, Christopher Hartman, Meghann Hartman and Gregory Loeffert, all of Franklin, Jeffrey Loeffert of White Plains, N.Y., Miranda Mulderig of Hershey and Erik Williams of Amherst, N.H.; and seven great-grandchildren. She also is survived by a brother, William L. Stewart of Youngstown, Ohio. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Houser was preceded in death by two daughters, Connie J. Doutt and Joyce A. Mulderig; a granddaughter, Robin Whitlatch; and a brother, Robert H. Stewart. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday in the Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home with the Rev. Daniel Callahan, pastor of the Rocky Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church, officiating. Interment will be in Graham Cemetery. Hazel A. Myers Hazel A. Myers, 91, a resident of Sunderland's Care Home, Roseville, formerly of Summerville and Brookville, died Monday, Feb. 28, 2005, in the Brookville Hospital. Born March 4, 1913, in Beaver Township, Jefferson County, she was the daughter of Irvin G. and Ella Byerly Plyler. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Mrs. Myers was a member of the Lady Evangeline Rebekah Lodge No. 146 in Summerville. She was a former member of the Brookville Senior Citizens. She was a homemaker and enjoyed crocheting and quilting. Mrs. Myers was married to John R. Myers, who died July 8, 1982. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Don (Mary Lou) Bowley of Brookville and Mrs. Robert (Barbara) Sharp of Brookville RD 4; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; and one step-great-grandson. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Myers was preceded in death by two sons, William R. Myers and C.D. "Tucker" Myers; one grandson, C.D. Myers Jr.; five brothers; and three sisters. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the McKinney Funeral Home, 345 Main St., Brookville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the funeral home with Pastor Leroy Weiss officiating. Interment will be in Ohl Cemetery, Beaver Township, Jefferson County. Memorials may be made to a charity of one's choice. Robin S. Schreckengost Robin S. Schreckengost, 49, of Summerville, died unexpectedly Monday evening, Feb. 28, 2005, in Brookville Hospital. Freda Allene Shoaff Freda Allene Shoaff, 76, of Shippenville, died Monday evening, Feb. 28, 2005, at her residence. Born Sept. 2, 1928, in Beaver Township, Clarion County, she was the daughter of William and Dillie Sherry Best. Mrs. Shoaff worked at Owens-Illinois Glass Co. in Clarion, retiring in 1990. She was a member of the Shippenville United Methodist Church and the Order of Eastern Star in Clarion. Mrs. Shoaff was married June 29, 1952, to Wendell H. Shoaff, who died Dec. 26, 2002. Surviving are a daughter and her husband, Amy and Raul Palumbo of Charlotte, N.C.; three sons, Allan Shoaff and wife, Roberta, of Mannington, W.Va., Mitchell Shoaff and wife, Pam, of Knox and Mark Shoaff at home; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She also is survived by a brother, Arlie Best of Knox RD. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Shoaff was preceded in death by three sisters, Lueanna Rhoades, Agnes Van Goder and Mary Best; seven brothers, Floyd Best, Gerald Best, Ivan Best, Sossoman Best, Benton Best, James Best and Merle Best; and a granddaughter. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the William N. Rupert Mortuary in Knox. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the funeral home with the Rev. Tim Bowser, pastor of the Shippenville United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Shippenville. Memorials may be made to the Shippenville United Methodist Church, Shippenville, 16254. Helen E. Smith Helen E. Smith, 85, a former Franklin resident, died Tuesday, March 1, 2005, in Warren, Ohio. The Huff Chapel in Franklin is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary will be published Thursday in The Derrick. Lillian M. Taylor Lillian M. Taylor, 96, formerly of Oil City, died at 1:45 a.m. Monday, Feb. 28, 2005, in the Majestic Oaks Nursing Home in Orange City, Fla., following a brief illness. Mrs. Taylor resided in Orange City for the past year after moving to Florida three years ago. Until that time, she was a lifelong resident of Oil City. Born March 23, 1908, in Oil City, she was the daughter of Frederick and Theda Prenatt. Mrs. Taylor was a homemaker and an avid bridge player. She was a former member of the Belles Lettres Club and the YWCA. She was a member of Good Hope Lutheran Church. Mrs. Taylor was married July 23, 1930, to Glenn R. Taylor Sr., who died April 25, 1991. Surviving are one son, Glenn R. Taylor Jr. and his wife, Phyllis, of DeBary, Fla.; two grandsons, Scott Taylor and wife, Pamela, of Lewisville, Texas, and Mark Taylor and wife, Jean, of Mechanicsburg; and six great-grandchildren, Jamie May and husband, Gordon, Jerry Taylor and Joan Taylor, all of Mechanicsburg, and Gregory Taylor, Michael Taylor and Douglas Taylor, all of Lewisville, Texas. Mrs. Taylor was the last surviving members of her family which included two brothers, Roy Prenatt and Orville Prenatt; and a sister, Louise Weikal. There will be no visiting hours. Private funeral services will be held in the Morrison Funeral Home with the Rev. Philip Scherr, pastor of Good Hope Lutheran Church, officiating. Interment will be in Brandon Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Good Hope Lutheran Church, 800 Moran St., Oil City, 16301, or to Emmaus Lutheran Church, 2500 S. Volusia Ave., Orange City, Fla., 32763. Memorial set for Thelma Richards A memorial service for Thelma Geraldine Witherup Richards, 94. of 103 N. 13th St., Franklin, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Huff Chapel, 312 W. Park St., Franklin. The Rev. James Shaver, pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Franklin, will officiate. Mrs. Richards died Jan. 29, 2005.