The Derrick, September 15, 2007: Robert K. Hoffman, 126 Steffee Blvd , Seneca Helen Weil Kaufman McElhattan, Clarion Harry Alvin Slater, Brownies Road, Shippenville Mary L. Switzer-Parks, 3643 Harlansburg Road, New Castle Ruth "Lou" Weaver, 710 Ravine St., Meadville Robert K. Hoffman, 71, of 126 Steffee Blvd, Seneca, died at 6:11 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007, at UPMC Northwest in Seneca. Born Feb. 1, 1936, in Mount Vernon Ohio, he was a son of Kingsley A. and Mary L. Forrest Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman was a 1953 graduate of Cranberry High School, where he played drums in the marching band. He served in the Army National Guard of Pennsylvania. Mr. Hoffman owned and operated Hoffman Towing since 1959. He had worked at White's Ford and Graham Auto Body. He was a founding member and past president of the Western Pennsylvania Towing Association, a director at large of the Pennsylvania Towing Association, and was on the Craft Committee at the Venango Technology Center for Auto Body. Mr. Hoffman was a founding member of the Draggin Dragons Hot Rod Club and enjoyed music, trucks and Corvettes. In December 1963, he married the former Judith Rumberger, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Edward Hoffman and his wife Lisa of Oil City; a daughter, Nancy Novicki of Oil City; three grandchildren, Nicole Novicki, Heather Novicki and Corey Marks; two brothers, Bruce Hoffman of Austin, Texas and Charles Hoffman of Chicago, Ill.; and a sister, Ruth Hoffman of Bath, Ohio. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Hoffman. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Morrison Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 am Tuesday in the funeral home, with the Rev. Jack Friggle officiating. Interment will be in Brandon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to a charity of one's choice. Helen Weil Kaufman McElhattan, 91, of Clarion, died Thursday evening, Sept. 13, 2007, at home. Born Aug. 24, 1916, in Clarion, she was the eldest daughter of Abraham "Abram" and Leathia Miller Kaufman. She attended Clarion schools and graduated from Clarion High School as a member of the first class to attend all three years at the Liberty Street High School. Mrs. McElhattan loved the Lord and did daily Bible devotions. She shared her love of God with her family. She enjoyed her friendship with Donna Woodman, who did outreach work through the church, and was grateful for the generosity and assistance of her family, friends, several caregivers, and the VNA Extended Care staff. She was an avid reader and wrote poetry. She was a former member of the Clarion Junior Women's Club, The Women's Club of Clarion, the Order of the Eastern Star, and a charter member of the Clarion County Historical Society. Mrs. McElhattan took in foster children during World War II. She was the first president of the Clarion County Association for Retarded Children. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Clarion for over 50 years. She worked for Hays dry goods store, Kaufman Insurance and Real Estate, David A. Kaufman Jewelry Store, Attorney Samuel Wilson, Soil Conservation, and Selective Service. On July 15, 1934, she married Arnold "Bill" Alexander McElhattan, who preceded her in death in 1999. She is survived by her two children, Cynthia R. Dittman of Clarion and Arnold A. "Bud" McElhattan Jr. and his special friend Lucretia "Cis" Dittman of Knox; a brother, USN Retired Capt. Robert K. Kaufman and his wife Pat of Clarion; a sister-in-law, Hazel McElhattan of Knox; cousins Virginia and Charles Kaufman of Pittsburgh; three nieces; two nephews; seven grandchildren, Laura Milam and her husband Dean of Lancaster, Calif., Eva Conner and her husband Nolan of Curllsville, Evan R. Dittman and his wife Dee of New Bethlehem, Deborah Singer and husband Robert of New Bethlehem, Pamela McConaughy and her husband Robert of Hawthorn, Kimberly Johnson and her husband Greg of Distant, Sandra MacKinlay and her husband David of Rimersburg, thirteen great-grandchildren, Jessica Lamborn and her husband Maj. James Lamborn, Shane Dittman and his wife Lisa, Melissa Vattioni and her husband Matthew, Shawnte MacKenzie, D.J. Milam, Christina Jay and her husband Sean, Jeremy Johnston, Stephen Johnston, Ashley MacKinlay, Jennifer Jiminez and her husband Michael, Bobbie McConaughy and Kaitlin Conner; and seven great-great grandchildren, Lauren Wright, Broaghan and Logan Jay, Caiden Jiminez, Caleb, Taylor, Carleigh, and Sydney Lamborn. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Kaufman; an infant brother; and two grandsons, Roger and David McElhattan; and a great-granddaughter, Michelle Wright. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the First United Methodist Church in Clarion, with the Rev. Dr. Daryl Larsen officiating. Memorials may be made to VNA Extended Care of Shippenville, The First United Methodist Church of Clarion or the Clarion Free Library. Harry Alvin Slater, 90, of Brownies Road, Shippenville, died Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007, in the Clarion Hospital. Born June 1, 1917, in Clarion, he was the son of the late Wayne Slater and Esther Kahle Slater. Mr. Slater served in the U.S. Air Force as a Liaison Pilot during World War II. He worked for Chicago Pneumatic and after his retirement he ran the Slater Cycle Shop. He was a member of the Grace Fellowship Baptist Church in Reidsburg. Mr. Slater was a member of the Golden Glove Boxer and enjoyed hunting, gardening, archery and his dog. On Aug. 8, 1949, he married Margaret Smith, who preceded him in death on Jan. 30, 2006. He is survived by two sons, Harry Slater, Jr., of Turkey City, and Terry Slater and his wife Robin of Venus; a brother, Dick Slater of Arizona; a sister, Ruth Slater, of Brookville; his good friend Charlie Vogel; five grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Allen Slater; a brother, Roger Slater; a sister, Isabelle Caravan; a granddaughter, Sharron Slater; and a daughter-in-law, Effie Slater. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at Goble Funeral Home and Crematory, with the Rev. S. Clair Heitzenrater officiating. Interment will follow in Cedarview Memorial Park in Strattanville. Mary L. Switzer-Parks Mary L. Switzer-Parks, 65, of 3643 Harlansburg Road, New Castle, died Thursday afternoon, Sept. 13, 2007, in Kindred Hospital of Beaver Medical Center in Center-Beaver. Born March 16, 1942, she was a daughter of the late Paul and Dorothy Brown Hockenberry. She is survived by her husband, Harold Parks, at home, and six children. Ruth Lou "Lou" Weaver, 78, of 710 Ravine St., Meadville, died Friday, Sept. 14, 2007, at St. Vincent Health Center, Erie, following a brief illness. Born in Franklin on July 2, 1929, she was a daughter of the late Stanley and Josephine McKenzie Boyd. Mrs. Weaver was a 1947 graduate of Franklin High School. She worked at the Crawford County Court House for almost 30 years in the Register and Recorders, Commissioners, and Sheriff's offices and retired as manager of the Print Room. A woman of faith, she was an active member of Watson Run Presbyterian Church in Meadville. She was a former Stephens minister and was active in various church Bible study groups throughout the years. She enjoyed playing the piano and sang in the church choir in her younger years. She enjoyed visiting relatives and friends and especially spending time with her grandchildren. On March 23, 1951, she married Richard W. Weaver, who preceded her in death on Feb. 7, 2005. Survivors include a daughter, Sharon Fuller of Cambridge Springs; a son, Richard E. "Rick" Weaver and his wife Melissa Mattern Weaver of Meadville; three grandchildren, Timothy and Matthew Fuller and Emily Weaver; a brother-in-law, Gale O. Shreffler of Monroeville; and nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Dora Jean "Doddie" Shreffler. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Watson Run Presbyterian Church, 13594 Harmonsburg Road, Meadville, with Pastor Dan McEldowney, Church Pastor, officiating and assisted by the Rev. David Fugate. Interment will be in Franklin Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Watson Run Presbyterian Church Pew Fund, 13594 Harmonsburg Rd., Meadville, PA 16335.