The Derrick, March 25, 2005: Vincent Neely Ashbaugh, formerly of St. Petersburg Vern Best, formerly of Sligo Donald Detrie, Franklin Grace M. Dittman, Shippenville June L. Fry, Sugar Creek Station, Franklin Frances D. McClearn, Stoneboro Michael R. Pratt, Franklin Bertha Ellen Switzer, Fairmount City Joan M. Tarr, Oil City Jean J. Vincent, Pleasantville Vincent Neely Ashbaugh Vincent Neely Ashbaugh, 80, of Park Forest, Ill., formerly of St. Petersburg, died Monday, March 21, 2005. He was the husband of Martha Ashbaugh. Vern Best Vern Best, 89, of Country Springs Assisted Living, Sligo, and formerly of Knox, died early Thursday morning, March 24, 2005, in Clarion Hospital. Born April 14, 1915, in Beaver Township, Clarion County, he was the son of Glen and Esther Wetzel Best. Mr. Best grew up in Wentlings Corners, Knox RD. He had worked as safety director for U.S. Steel in Annandale, New Castle, Buffalo, N.Y., and Conneaut, Ohio. Mr. Best enjoyed hunting and fishing and was an avid gardener. He was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Knox RD. Mr. Best also belonged to the Wentlings Corners Community Club and the F&AM Lodge of Emlenton. He was married to the former Mary Ellen Heeter of Emlenton. She preceded him in death June 7, 1984. Surviving are a son, Gary Best of Williamsburg, Va.; two granddaughters, Amy Best of Fairfax, Va., and Christine Best of Short Hills, N.J.; one great-granddaughter, Elizabeth McCauley of Fairfax, Va.; a brother, Marvin Best and his wife, Gwen, of Knox; his special friend, Jane Stewart of Knox; and five nieces and one nephew. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Cuvier Best; and two sisters, Dorothy Best and Miriam Best. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 today and from 10 to 11 am. Saturday at the William N. Rupert Mortuary, Knox. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home with the Rev. Nancy Dunmire, pastor of St. Paul United Church of Christ, officiating. Interment will follow in Emlenton Cemetery. Donald Detrie Donald Detrie, 82, of 668 McCleery Road, Franklin, died Friday, March 18, 2005, at his home. Born Aug. 8, 1922, in Franklin, he was a son of Harry E. and Irma B. Pryor Detrie. Mr. Detrie taught for the Pleasantville School District and at Polk Center for 20 years. He was a World War II veteran, having served with the U.S. Army. He was married Dec. 29, 1956, to Viola Karns, who preceded him in death July 14, 1995. Surviving are a stepson, Patrick R. Karns of Franklin; a stepdaughter, Viola "Sally" Smith of Franklin; seven step-grandchildren, Mrs. William (Cody) Sutton of Edinboro, Michael R. Karns of Alexandria, Va., Lt. Commander David Karns and his wife, Tammy, of Arlington, Texas, Thomas N. Karns Sr., of Franklin, Mrs. Clinton (Katherine) Bellin of Franklin, Marilyn Baird of Polk, and Mrs. Robert (Patricia) Bellin of Sandy Lake; 17 step-great-grandchildren; and six nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Mr. Detrie was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Walter; and two sisters, Geraldine Rodebaugh and Helen Detrie. Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. today in the Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home Inc., Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today in the funeral home with the Rev. Ronald C. Bole officiating. Interment will follow in Franklin Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Adult Daycare Center, Oil City. Grace Mildred Dittman Grace Mildred Dittman, 89, of Shippenville, died at 3:24 a.m. Thursday, March 24, 2005, at UMPC Northwest, Seneca. Born Jan. 8, 1916, in Kane, she was the daughter of Carl Elmer and Milda Johnson Norman. Mrs. Dittman was a graduate of Kane High School. She was a member of the Shippenville United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Bible learner's class. Mrs. Dittman was employed in the cafeteria of Keystone High School from 1964 to 1978. After her retirement, she was happy being a homemaker. She also enjoyed reading and spending time with her family. She was married Aug. 12, 1943, in Kane to Homer W. Dittman, who preceded her in death on Jan. 22, 1963. Surviving are a son, Gary Dittman and his wife, Barbara, of Shippenville; a daughter, Barbara Myers and her husband, Dale, of Knox; five grandchildren, Emily Myers of Knox and her fiancé, Todd Shumaker, Larissa Dittman of Hollidaysburg, Alison Albright and her husband, Josh, of Knox, Rebecca Dittman of Shippenville, and Aimee Myers of Knox; a sister-in-law, Arlene Norman of Kane; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, five sisters and four brothers preceded her in death. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the David C. McEntire Funeral Home, Ohio and Penn streets, Knox, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday in the Shippenville United Methodist Church. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Tim Bowser officiating. Interment will follow at the Salem Lutheran Cemetery, Lamartine. The family suggests memorials be made to the Shippenville United Methodist Church, Box 117, Shippenville, 16254. June L. Fry June L. Fry, 79, of Sugar Creek Station, 351 Causeway Drive, Franklin, died at 3:55 p.m. Thursday, March 24, 2005, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca. Arrangements will be announced by the Scott A. Black Funeral Home, 99 Franklin St., Stoneboro. Frances D. McClearn Frances D. McClearn, 82, of 1819 Harrisville Road, Stoneboro (Worth Township), died at 9:57 a.m. Thursday, March 24, 2005, from injuries she received in an automobile accident in Worth Township. Arrangements will be announced by the Scott A. Black Funeral Home, 99 Franklin St., Stoneboro. Michael R. Pratt Michael R. Pratt, 60, of 566 McCleery Road, Franklin, died at 9:25 a.m. Wednesday, March 23, 2005, in the VA Hospital in Oakland, Pittsburgh. He was born in Franklin on June 8, 1944, the son of Robert W. and Patricia J. Osburn Pratt. He attended school in Franklin. Mr. Pratt was in the U.S. Army from November 1966 to November 1969 with service in Vietnam. He was employed for several years as a truck driver and a concrete finisher for his grandparents' company, H.T. Osburn & Co. He also was a machinist and was last employed as a courier driver for Integra Bank. Mr. Pratt was a member of the VFW, the Franklin Eagles, the Franklin Elks and the Franklin Moose. Surviving are a son, Michael Pratt of Taxes; a sister, Constance Pratt of Franklin; a special friend, Sandy Ream of Polk; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Susan Pratt; and a son, Michael Jr. There will be no visitation. A private memorial service will be conducted at a later date. The Huff Chapel, Franklin, is in charge of arrangements. Bertha Ellen Switzer Bertha Ellen Switzer, 87, of 343 Switzer Road, Fairmount City, died Wednesday, March 23, 2005, at her home. Born July 31, 1917, in Climax, Clarion County, she was a daughter, of William and Myrtle Bish White. Mrs. Switzer was a housewife and attended Leasure Run United Methodist Church. She was a farmer's wife and homemaker who enjoyed reading her Bible, crocheting, cooking, camping at Tionesta and especially tending to her flowers. Mrs. Switzer belonged to the Nube Routers home extension and the Ladies Aide Society at Leasure Run United Methodist Church. She was married Feb. 28, 1938, to Charles Blaine Switzer, who survives. They were married 67 years. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Switzer is survived by two sons, William B. Switzer of 73 Switzer Road, Fairmount City, and Edward W. Switzer and his wife, Linda, of 106 Switzer Road, Fairmount City; one daughter, Vickie L. Switzer of 343 Switzer Road, Fairmount City; and one sister, Ruth Williams of Kittanning. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews. Mrs. Switzer was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Clyde L. White; and a daughter-in-law, Pauline Switzer. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in Alcorn Funeral Home, Hawthorn. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home with the Rev. Greg Stiver, pastor of Leasure Run United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will follow in Cedarview Memorial Park, Strattanville. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Clarion-Forest VNA Hospice. Joan M. Tarr Joan M. Tarr, 76, of Reed Street, Oil City, died at 5:45 a.m. Thursday, March 24, 2005, at her residence following a brief illness. Born Dec. 12, 1928, in Oil City, she was the daughter of Roy and Vivien Mudge Caldwell. She had attended the Heckathorn United Methodist Church. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary in Oil City, the Pulaski Club in Oil City and the PNA of Oil City. She enjoyed the company of her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and her dog, Sparky. She also enjoyed holding and attending garage and yard sales. She retired as an inspector with the Foster-Forbes Glass Co. in Oil City. She was married May 21, 1978, at the Heckathorn United Methodist Church to Herbert A. "Mike" Tarr, who survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Connie Hildreth of Pittsburgh; two sons and their wives, Thomas and Bernice Caldwell of Missouri, and Randall and Cheri Soborowski of Oil City; a stepdaughter, Michele Tripodi and her husband, Anthony, of Pittsburgh; a stepdaughter-in-law, Carol Tarr of Oil City; nine grandchildren and their spouses, Thomas and Marlene Caldwell, Timothy and Angie Caldwell, Tammy Murray, Tonya and Jason Shepherd, all of Missouri, Denice and Joel Snap of Virginia, Stephanie and Larry Rondinelli of Smethport, Craig and Michelle Tarr of Erie, Curt and Lisa Tarr of North Carolina, and Julie and Steve Conway of Pleasantville; 19 great-grandchildren; and a number of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant son, Dennis Soborowski; a stepson, Michael Tarr; and seven brothers, Bud Caldwell, Earl Caldwell, Harry Caldwell, Harold "Bill" Caldwell, Robert Caldwell, John Caldwell and Paul "Bouse" Caldwell. Mrs. Tarr was the last surviving member of her immediate family. There will be no visitation. Private committal services will be held at the Spring Creek Cemetery, Corry. Arrangements are being made by the Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 Route 257, Seneca, Cranberry Township. The family suggests memorials may be made to the Venango County VNA-Hospice, 176 E. Bissell Ave., Oil City. Jean J. Vincent Jean J. Vincent, 77, of 16454 S. Main Street Ext., Pleasantville, died at 7:50 a.m. Thursday, March 24, 2005, at Titusville Area Hospital. Mrs. Vincent was born Sept, 2, 1927, in Grand Valley, a daughter of the late George and Mina Swanson Johnson. She married Earl G. Vincent on Jan. 6, 1951, at Grand Valley, and he survives. Mrs. Vincent was a 1945 graduate of Colestock High School, and she was valedictorian of the class. She had been employed at the former Pennbank in the investment department, and she retired from there. Mrs. Vincent had also been employed at Serrins Auto Parts as an executive secretary, was co-owner with her husband of Vincent's Red and White in Pleasantville for 11 years, and was an executive secretary for 10 years at the former Universal Cyclops Specialty Steel Corp. Mrs. Vincent was a member of Pleasantville United Methodist Church. She also served as secretary and treasurer of Pleasantville Borough for many years, and she was a past president of the Pleasantville Woman's Club. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Vincent is survived by four children, Scott E. Vincent and his wife, Kathleen, of DuBois, Steven E. Vincent and his wife, Mary, of Pleasantville, Stacey J. Fox and her husband, Thomas, of Oil City, and Susan A. Barnett and her husband, Saul, of Pleasantville; and eight grandchildren, Katrina Jean Smith of Erie, Kayla J. Vincent of DuBois, Adam and Benjamin Vincent of Pleasantville, and Christopher, Sarah, Hannah and Rachael Fox, all of Oil City. Also surviving are a brother, William Johnson and his wife, Diane, of Pleasantville; two sisters, Marilyn Davison and her husband, Kenneth, of Titusville, and Joyce Williamson and her husband, Gene, of Portville, N.Y.; a sister-in-law, Judy Johnson of Grand Valley; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Johnson. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home, 303 N. Washington St., Titusville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Pleasantville United Methodist Church with the Rev. Alfred Kimmel, pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Pleasantville. The family asks that memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, 201 N. Franklin St., Titusville, 16354; Pleasantville United Methodist Church, 472 N. Main St., Pleasantville, 16341; or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 1030 State St., Erie, 16501.