The Derrick, September 4, 2007: Charles E. "Slim" Banner, Route 208, Marble Walter J.D. Callender, Grove City, formerly of Scrubgrass Township Capt. Erick Matthew Foster, formerly of Oil City Dean B. George, Knox Thomas E. Griffin, 1752 Sunville Road, Cooperstown Dewey Hamner, Oil City Lester G. "Bud" Henderson, Oil City Martha L. Mapes, Elss Street, Clarion Hazel L. Palmer, Homeworth, Ohio, formerly of Walnut Bend/Fryburg area Viola E. Russell, Youngsville, formerly of 230 Pacific St., Franklin James Wagner, Kiser-Wagner Road, Shippenville Charles E. "Slim" Banner, 87, a lifelong resident of the Shippenville area with a home address of Route 208, Marble, died early Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 3, 2007, at the end of a life marked with strong constants. Born Feb. 28, 1920, in Paint Township, he was the son of Charles and Mary Engel Banner. He was a 1938 graduate of Shippenville High School. Mr. Banner's work history featured C&K Coal Co. and ultimately Oil Well Supply Division of U.S. Steel Corp., Oil City, until his retirement in 1982. He was a lifelong member of St. Michael Church in Fryburg. Mr. Banner especially enjoyed traveling and being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His wife of 60 years, the former Ethel Schmader, survives. The Banner family includes three sons, the late Robert C. Banner, who died Oct. 1, 1972, Theodore Banner and his wife, Nancy, of Knox, and Anthony "Tony" Banner and his wife, Betty Jo, of Clarion; five grandchildren, Theodore Banner and wife, Lisa, of Pleasantville, Jeffrey Banner and wife, Brianna, of Mars, Christopher Banner and wife, Sarah, of Harrisburg and Lindsay Banner and Andrew Banner, both of Clarion; and three great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and son, Robert, he was preceded in death by a sister, Marie Zacherl; and three brothers, Francis Banner, Dennis Banner and Bernard Banner. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Faller Funeral Home Inc. in Fryburg. Parish prayer services will be held at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Michael Church, Fryburg, with the Rev. David Poulson, pastor, presiding. Interment will follow in St. Michael Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made to St. Michael Church, Fryburg, 16326. Walter J.D. Callender Walter J.D. Callender, 47, of Grove City, formerly of Scrubgrass Township, Venango County, husband of Lorie Sweetapple Callender and father of three sons, died at 10:27 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007, at his residence following a three-month illness. Funeral set for Capt. Erick M. Foster Funeral services for Capt. Erick Matthew Foster, 29, a former Oil City resident, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the First United Methodist Church in Franklin. Interment will follow in Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City. Capt. Foster, commander of A troop, 1st Squadron, 73rd Calvary Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, died Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007, as a result of injuries sustained from small arms fire in the Diyala Territory, northeast of Baghdad, Iraq. He was born in Oil City, the son of Robert and Barbara Kellner Foster, and attended the Oil City school system until moving to Wexford as a teenager. He was a graduate of North Allegheny High School and Duquesne University. Capt. Foster was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army in May 2000. He served his first tour of 14 months during the initial invasion of Iraqi Freedom. He earned his Airbourne Ranger tab and reported to the 82nd Airbourne Division in April 2004. He became an Airbourne JumpMaster before he was designated a Troop Commander in October 2006. Surviving are his parents of Wexford; two sisters, Abby Foster of Wexford and Elizabeth Werkheiser and husband, Mike, of Kirkwood, Mo.; his maternal grandmother, Wilma Kellner of Oil City; and Mr. and Mrs. Taylor W. Foster, his paternal grandfather of Franklin. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Robert Kellner; and his grandmother, Betty Foster. Friends will be received from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Huff Chapel, 312 W. Park St., Franklin. His family suggests memorial donations be made to Fisher House Foundation, 1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 600, Rockville, Md., 20852. Supporting America's military in their time of need, the Fisher House Foundation provides "a home away from home" that enables family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful time such as hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury. Because members of the military and their families are stationed worldwide and must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, Fisher House Foundation donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. More information and for online giving: http://www.fisherhouse.org/ For online donations to go directly to the Pittsburgh Fisher House, specify that in the Comments box. Soldiers' Angels motto is "May No Soldier Go Unloved." Soldiers' Angels has been supporting our nation's military men and women since 2003. Their mission is to provide aid and comfort to the military and its families, provide immediate response to hard situations, and make sure no soldier feels unloved. They start with letters, care packages, and comfort items to our deployed. They also help their families here at home as requested. It was begun by the mother of a combat soldier who learned that some soldiers did not receive any mail or support from home. More information and for online giving: http://www.soldiersangels.org/ Dean B. George Dean B. George, 80, of Knox, died early Monday morning, Sept. 3, 2007, in his residence following an illness. The William N. Rupert Mortuary Inc. of Knox is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary will be published Wednesday in The Derrick. Thomas E. Griffin, 85, of 1752 Sunville Road, Cooperstown, died at 9:50 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007, in his home surrounded by his family. Born Nov. 1, 1921, in Bradleytown, he was the son of Thomas W. and Emma C. Shields Griffin. He had lived in the Cooperstown/Sunville area most of his life. Mr. Griffin worked for 20 years at Oil Well Division of U.S. Steel Corp. in Oil City and then worked 20 years as a mechanic at Hanna Transfer until his retirement. He enjoyed farming, gardening, hunting, fishing and working in his garage. He also loved animals. Mr. Griffin was married Feb. 14, 1939, to Leafa P. Winger, who died June 15, 1995. Surviving are two daughters and their husbands, Nancy Lee and Joseph Neeley and Joyce and Bill Carey, all of Cooperstown; eight grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He also is survived by two sisters, Alice Ferry of Cooperstown and Hazel Stevenson of Oil City; and one brother, John Griffin of Oil City. In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Griffin was preceded in death by a daughter, Ella Mae Barnett; and a sister, Claribell Huff. Friends will be received from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Hutchinson Funeral Home, 201 Bissell Ave., Oil City. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with the Rev. William Maher, pastor of Christ Community Church in Oil City, officiating. Interment will be in the Sunville Cemetery. Dewey Hamner Dewey Hamner, 82, of Oil City, died at 2:25 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, 2007, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca. The Morrison Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary will be published Wednesday in The Derrick. Lester G. 'Bud' Henderson Lester G. "Bud' Henderson, 86, of Oil City, died at 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca. Born Feb. 11, 1921, in Rockland, he was the son of Elmer and Ada Swanson Henderson. He attended the Oil City schools. Mr. Henderson was a self-employed bricklayer throughout his life and was a member of the International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftsmen Local No. 43. He was a member of Petrolia Lodge No. 363, F. & A.M. in Oil City. Mr. Henderson loved fishing and took many fishing trips to Canada. He enjoyed watching sports on television and spending time with friends and neighbors. He was an avid Atlanta Braves baseball fan. He was married in Oil City Jan. 15, 1942, to Cynthia Schnitzer, who died Oct. 2, 2001. Surviving are a great-grandson, Dylan Davis of Bakersfield, Calif.; nieces, Lorene Wagner of Dempseytown, Rita Truitt of Oil City, Dee Dee Wise of Franklin and Linda Schnitzer of North Carolina; nephews, Thomas Schnitzer of Oil City, Larry Henderson of Franklin and Mark Kazmierski of New Jersey; and special friends, Walter and Lavina Cole of Oil City and Lida Krug of Oil City, who also was his caretaker. In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Henderson was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy Henderson Davis; a grandson, Brian Davis; a brother, Howard Henderson; and sisters, Caroline Kazmierski and Helen Henderson. The Osenider Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. There will be no visitation or services. Interment will be in Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City. The family suggests memorials donations be made to a charity of one's choice. Martha L. Mapes Martha L. Mapes, 82, of Elss Street, Clarion, died Friday, Aug. 31, 2007, in the Golden Living Center in Clarion. Born June 7, 1925, in Fisher, she was the daughter of the late John F.I. and Margaret F. Amis Henrotin. Mrs. Mapes worked as a secretary for LEF&C Railroad and was a data recording machine operator in the computer center at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, where she retired. She was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church in Clarion. Mrs. Mapes was married to Wilbur Mapes, who preceded her in death in 1984. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. today in the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory, 330 Wood St., Clarion. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today in the funeral home with Kate Filer officiating. Interment will be in the Clarion Cemetery. Chalmer L. Medsger Chalmer L. Medsger, 85, of Corsica, died Monday, Sept. 3, 2007, in Clarion Hospital. Hazel L. Palmer, 66, of Homeworth, Ohio, formerly of the Walnut Bend/Fryburg area, died Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007, in Altercare of Alliance in Ohio. Born Jan. 18, 1941, in Carroll County, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Dwaine and Velma Richardson Eick. Throughout her life, Mrs. Palmer was a housewife, seamstress, librarian, antique dealer, restaurant manager and a former 4-H adviser of the Freeburg Dandy Stitchers, Freeburg, Ohio. Most recently, she was employed at the Oil City Warehouse Antique Mall in Oil City's East End and at the Fryburg Old Treasures Depot. Mrs. Palmer attended the Freeburg Church of the Brethren in Freeburg, Ohio. She was married July 21, 1957, to Richard M. Palmer, who survives. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this summer. Having resided in the Oil City/Fryburg area for the past 14 years, they recently moved back to Ohio to be closer to their family. Surviving, in addition to her husband, are a daughter, Janet McAlister and husband, David, of Atwater, Ohio; three sons and their wives, Stanley and Mira Palmer of Port Clinton, Ohio, Roger and Lori Palmer of Paris, Ohio, and Jay and Kim Palmer of Minerva, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Suzette Barstow and husband, Jamie, Adam M. Palmer and wife. Ashley, Michael, Douglas and Ann McAlister and Layn and Logan Palmer; and one great-grandson, Trent Barstow. She also is survived by two brothers, Dwaine "Butch" Eick and wife, Sally, of Damascus, Ohio, and Dale Eick and wife, Shirley, of Homeworth, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews. Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Freeburg Church of the Brethren with Pastor Mike Zellers officiating. Immediately after, friends and family will gather in Fellowship Hall of the church. Interment will be in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Freeburg Church of the Brethren or to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are in charge of the Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home, 206 East Lincoln Way, Minerva, Ohio. Viola E. Russell, 87, formerly of 230 Pacific St., Franklin, died at 8:50 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007, in the Rouse Home in Youngsville. Born Nov. 8, 1919, in Strobleton near Fryburg, she was the daughter of Ora and Carrie Hepler. She was a 1936 graduate of Cranberry High School. Mrs. Russell was employed for many years as a seamstress for the J.C. Penney Co. and the Virginia Morse Shoppe in Franklin, as well as doing seamstress work for many in the community. She was well-known for the numerous quilts that she made, taking first place many times over the years at quilt shows. When her husband was serving in World War II she organized a Sewing Club of 12 ladies with her sister, Beulah, which still meets on a monthly basis today after 60 years. Her sister is now the last surviving member of the original 12. Mrs. Russell had been a member of the Grace United Methodist Church of Franklin for more than 65 years and during that time, she taught Sunday school in the children's department for 40 years. She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Women and the RFM Sunday school class. On July 3, 1941, she married Arthur H. "Pete" Russell, who preceded her in death June 4, 1999. Surviving are two sons, the Rev. Dr. Donald L. Russell and wife, Tish, of Youngsville and James L. Russell and wife, Sheri, of Franklin; three grandchildren, Shawn Blyler of Franklin, Nichole Gsell of Carlisle and Carrie R. Clutter and husband, Larry, of Cranberry Township, Butler County; and three great-grandchildren, Amity and Justice Gsell of Carlisle and Brandon Clutter of Cranberry Township, Butler County. Also surviving are three sisters, Ruth Chase and husband, Fred, of Clintonville, Beulah Kightlinger of Franklin and Twila Hoffman of Grove City; and three brothers, Clinton Hepler and wife, Florence, of Van, and Orrin Hepler and wife, Martha, and Jack Hepler and wife, Ester, all of Franklin. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant son, John Ora Russell, and a sister, Alberta Reagle. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Huff Chapel, 312 W. Park St., Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Grace United Methodist Church, 350 Front St., Franklin, with visitation one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Ed Gresick, pastor of the church, will officiate. Private interment will follow in the Franklin Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Vacation With a Purpose, a disaster response ministry, 26 Second St., Youngsville, 16371, or to the Grace United Methodist Church, 350 Front St., Franklin, 16323. James Wagner, 80, of Kiser-Wagner Road, Shippenville, died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, in his residence. Born Nov. 9, 1926, in Paint Township, he was the son of Charles A. and Minnie L. Hale Wagner. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Mr. Wagner was a truck driver and drove for Krevda Brothers Express and also was self-employed. He owned and operated the skating rink in Clarion and the J&K Rink in St. Petersburg and owned and operated school buses for the Clarion Area for more than 20 years. Mr. Wagner was a member of the Lutheran Church in Shippenville. He enjoyed hunting and watching sports on television. He loved his work of bus contracting and truck driving. In his earlier years he played softball at the Corners near Shippenville. Mr. Wagner was married Nov. 11, 1950, to Kathryn "Kay" Oakley, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Richard "Rich" Wagner and wife, Linda, of Knox and William "Bill" Wagner of Hazelton; two daughters, Nancy Steiner and husband, Samuel, of Shippenville and Pamela Hornung of Indiana, Pa.; 15 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He also is survived by one brother, Walter Wagner of Oil City; and two sisters, Mary Wheeler of Baltimore, Md., and Alice Farnen of Gibsonia. Preceding him in death were his parents, five brothers, two sisters and a granddaughter. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory, 330 Wood St., Clarion. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with the Rev. Randy Evans officiating. Interment will follow in the Emmanuel Cemetery in Shippenville.