The Derrick, September 13, 2007: Shirley C. Ekman, 1 Sycamore St., Oil City Donald Edward Fulmer, 1231 Otter St., Franklin Elizabeth "Betty" Kurpis Hantz, Jefferson Street, Clarion Harlen E. "Curley" Miller, Greenville, formerly of Grove City, Franklin and Barkeyville Margaret J. Orsega, 97, formerly of 424 Fourth St., Franklin Violet Phillips, 425 Black Hill Road, Franklin Margaret May Lutton Russell, Paradise Valley, Ariz., formerly of Oil City Shirley C. Ekman, 73, of 1 Sycamore St., Oil City, died Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007, in her home. Born Feb. 17, 1934, she was the daughter of Daniel Patrick Cotter and Mary Leynaud Cotter and was raised in Houtzdale. Mrs. Ekman graduated from Houtzdale-Woodward High School and throughout her working years took accredited college courses and attended many seminars to enhance her knowledge of geriatrics, psychology, bio-feedback, relocation, cosmetology and relocation of people from abroad and inter-state. She was an avid reader who loved the classics, classical music, opera and the theater. She was an active member of Community Playhouse Inc. of Oil City for more than 30 years. She served two terms as treasurer on the board of directors. She directed and produced plays, wrote and directed many of the annual "Honky Tonks," worked backstage and was cast in many acting roles. Many remember her performance as Agnes Gooch in the musical "Mame." Her last role was in the 1997 production of "Morning at Seven." She was made emeritus member in 2000 but remained active co-writing grants to help renovate the Lyric Theater. Mrs. Ekman was employed for 14 years at Brody's Department Store in Oil City as a buyer of cosmetics. She served for eight years as program director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Venango County. It was during this tenure that she instigated and initiated the literacy program into Venango County , a feat of which she was proud since the rate of illiteracy is high in the county. She was a relocation recruiter for eight years for All Points Relocation Inc. in Atlanta, Ga. She returned to Oil City in 1992 and worked for Green Thumb of Pennsylvania. She later worked as a home health aide for VNA of Venango County. She sat on advisory boards for the American Cancer Society, Human Services and the March of Dimes Walk-a-thon in Atlanta, Ga. She also helped serve meals to the needy for Salvation Army holiday meals in Atlanta. Mrs. Ekman loved to travel and learn about different cultures. She traveled to England, Wales, Ireland, Spain, South America, Africa and 40 of the 50 United States. Surviving are her three sons and their wives, Christopher and Susan Stewart of Oil City, James P. and Ruth Stewart of Shippenville and C. Michael and Debra Stewart of Kinston, N.C.; and five grandchildren, Rachael and Ryan Stewart of Oil City, Benjamin and Gabrielle Stewart of Shippenville and Erin Stewart of Kinston, N.C. She also is survived by her sisters, Catherine Smith, Evelyn Tubo, Patricia Wulderk and Frances Hagan, and brothers-in-law, Raymond Wulderk and Gerald Hagan, all of Houtzdale. She also has 23 nieces and nephews and many grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Louis, Daniel and Eugene Cotter; a sister, Florence Kost; a sister-in-law, Kathryn Cotter; and three brothers-in-law, James Tubo, Andrew Kost and John Smith. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the Morrison Funeral Home, Oil City. Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 noon Saturday in St. Stephen Church where she was an active participant. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Oil City. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of one's choice or to the Oil City Library. Donald Edward Fulmer Donald Edward Fulmer, 89, of 1231 Otter St., Apt. 1, Franklin, died at 6:55 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007, in his residence. Born March 2, 1918, in Foxburg, he was the son of John L. and Maude Stover Fulmer. He served as a U.S. Army medic during World War II. Mr. Fulmer was a retired truck driver from Jones Motor Freight (Erie Trucking). He was married Aug. 23, 1952, to Geraldine Anne Doran, who survives. Also surviving are six children, JoAnn Paden and husband, Dennis, and Melissa Brunton and husband, Ralph, all of Franklin, Cindy Smith and husband, Paul, of Endeavor, Jennifer Stoyer and husband, Rex, of Aurora, Ohio, Carol Bevington and husband, Larry, and Tom Fulmer and wife, Joan, all of Maple Heights, Ohio; 14 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. He also is survived by three sisters, Gladys O'Neil of Meadville and Myrtle Lepley and Evelyn Burchfield, both of Franklin. In addition to his parents, Mr. Fulmer was preceded in death by a son, John Snyder; and two brothers, Harry and Glenn Fulmer. There will be no visitation. Services will be private. Interment will be in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens. The Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home Inc. of Franklin is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to gardinierfuneralhome.com. Elizabeth 'Betty' Kurpis Hantz Elizabeth "Betty" Kurpis Hantz, 78, of Jefferson Street, Clarion, died Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007, in the Clarion Hospital. Born June 27, 1929, in Monroe Township, Clarion County, she was the daughter of Stanley and Martha Vitka Kurpis. Mrs. Hantz was a homemaker and a beautician. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Clarion. Mrs. Hantz was an avid gardener and loved working with her flowers. She was married Aug. 5, 1950, to Harold Hantz, who survives. Also surviving are one brother, Stanley Kurpis of Hubbard, Ohio; and one sister, Helen Warner of Warren, Pa. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Hantz was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Donahue; and an infant brother. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until time of the Mass at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Immaculate Conception Church in Clarion with the pastor, the Rev. Monty Sayers, presiding. Entombment will follow in the Immaculate Conception Mausoleum in Clarion. The Goble Funeral Home & Crematory, 330 Wood St., Clarion, is in charge of arrangements. Harlen E. 'Curley' Miller Harlen E. "Curley" Miller, 84, of White-Cliff Nursing Home, Greenville, formerly of Orchard Manor, Grove City, Franklin and Barkeyville, died at 1:47 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007, in UPMC Greenville. He resided in Barkeyville for more than 50 years. Born April 5, 1923, in Jefferson County, he was the son of Wilbert F. and Hazel L. Smith Miller. He was in the Conservation Corps serving in Idaho and New Mexico. Mr. Miller was a welder at Joy Manufacturing Co. in Franklin, retiring Oct. 30, 1986, after 18 years of service. Prior to that he was employed for 16 years at Cooper-Energy in Grove City. He was a member of the Barkeyville United Methodist Church in Barkeyville. Mr. Miller was an avid fisherman and formerly attended activities at Scrubgrass Grange. He was married Nov. 6, 1948, to Patricia A. Kemp, who died Oct. 12, 1994. Surviving are a daughter, Tammy McChesney and husband, James, of Franklin; four sons and their wives, Timothy E. and Donna Miller of Mercer, Thomas K. and Etta Miller of Greenville, Ted J. and Cindy Miller of Grove City and Todd D. and Julie Miller of Harrisville; a daughter-in-law, Sue Miller of Grove City; 14 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Terry Miller; one grandson, Douglas J. Miller; two sisters and two brothers. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the Jamison Funeral Home, 117 N. Main St., Harrisville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Barkeyville United Methodist Church with the Rev. Stephanie D. Thompson, pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Barkeyville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund of Barkeyville United Methodist Church, 5420 Pittsburgh Road, Harrisville, 16038. Margaret J. Orsega Margaret J. Orsega, 97, formerly of 424 Fourth St., Franklin, died at 8:35 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007, in Sugar Creek Station, Franklin. Born Sept. 26, 1909, in Newell, Allegheny County, she was the daughter of Michael and Margaret Costello Orsega. Miss Orsega lived in Franklin much of her life and was a member of St. Patrick Church. She worked at the Manifold as a laborer and retired after 36 years of service. Miss Orsega enjoyed walking around the community and visiting with family and friends. Surviving are two nephews, Harold E. "Gene" Baker of Franklin and Wendell C. Baker and wife, Ruth, of Franklin; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to her parents, Miss Orsega was preceded in death by two brothers, John Orsega and Michael Orsega; and four sisters, Lucy Baker, Lena Baker, Esther Peterson and Mary Dalmaso. Friends will be received from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18, in the Reinsel Funeral Home, Oil City. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Manning of St. Patrick Church, presiding. Interment will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Sugar Creek Station, 351 Causeway Drive, Franklin, 16323. Violet Phillips, 84, of 425 Black Hill Road, Franklin, died at 9:40 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007, in UPMC Shadyside, Pittsburgh. Born April 17, 1923, in Franklin, she was the daughter of Harold and Harriet Patton Baker. Mrs. Phillips was employed for 27 years by the Franklin Area School District as cafeteria cashier and teacher's aide at Sandycreek Elementary School, retiring in 1995. She was a former member of the Eagles Auxiliary. Mrs. Phillips enjoyed bingo and the friends that she made while playing. She also enjoyed playing cards and belonged to two different card clubs. She was married April 18, 1943, to Clair W. Phillips Sr., who preceded her in death. Surviving are two children, Clair W. Phillips Jr. and wife, Karen, and Sandra Kendrick and husband, Byron, all of Franklin; seven grandchildren, Jill Litman and husband, Ed, and Kristen Schrauder and husband, Charles, all of Pittsburgh, Mark Phillips and Timothy Phillips, both of Franklin, Jamie Phillips of Girard, Ohio, Judy Phillips of Saegertown and Darcy Haun and husband, Larry, of Cochranton; and five great-grandchildren, Quincey, Becca, Alan, Nathan and Gavinn. She also is survived by one brother, Charles Baker and wife, Donna, of Oil City. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Phillips was preceded in death by a son, Rodney Phillips; twin granddaughters, Kelly Ann and Kimberly Marie Kendrick; three brothers, Harold, Richard and Kenneth Baker; and four sisters, Ruth Skokowski, Betty Flick, Helen Nurss and an infant. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home, 1315 Chestnut St., Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday in the funeral home with the Rev. Daryl Adams officiating. Interment will be in Franklin Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Visiting Nurses Association. Condolences may be sent to gardinierfuneralhome.com. Margaret May Lutton Russell Margaret May Lutton Russell, 85, of Paradise Valley, Ariz., formerly of Oil City, died Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007, in Spokane, Wash. The Morrison Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary will follow.