The Derrick, September 6, 2007: William George Alexander, Stonehouse Road, Clarion William Bartholomew, Kennerdell Robert L. "Bob" Christjohn, Bradford Jean Layden Dolphin, Gibsonia Gary K. Keister, Lucinda Theodore S. "Ted" Kozek, 19 Glenwood Drive, Oil City F. Dale Ransom, Reed Street, Clarion Doris J. Rodgers, 608 E. Fourth St., Oil City Lester G. Rollins, 777 Pone Lane, Franklin Maxine Jean Maxwell Vandervort, Riverside, Calif., formerly of Leeper Maude Ellen Ward, Kennerdell, formerly of Rockland William George Alexander William George Alexander, 70, of Stonehouse Road, Clarion, died Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007, in the Golden Living Center, Clarion. The Robert V. Burns Funeral Home of Clarion is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary will be published Friday in The Derrick. William Bartholomew William Bartholomew, 50, of Kennerdell, died Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007, in the Grove City Medical Center after a sudden illness. Born Feb. 18, 1957, in Youngstown, Ohio, he was the son of William and Helene Carney Bartholomew. He graduated from New Wilmington High School in New Wilmington. Mr. Bartholomew was last employed as a roll grinder at Duferco Farrell Corp., formerly Sharon Steel. He was affiliated with the Victory Christian Center in New Wilmington. Mr. Bartholomew enjoyed hunting and playing his drums. He was married March 13, 1976, to Diane Berwing, who survives. Also surviving are two children, Daniel R. and Sara A. Bartholomew, both at home; three brothers, David W. Bartholomew and wife, Sherri, of New Wilmington, Robert R. Bartholomew and wife, Anna, of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Kurt M. Bartholomew, also of Corpus Christi. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two daughters, Heather Bartholomew in 1978 and Amy Bartholomew in 1980. The family will receive friends at 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the Larry E. McKinley Funeral Home, 109 Emlenton St.,Clintonville. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, in the Victory Christian Center, 269 Cowden Road, New Wilmington, with visitation from 11 a.m. until the time of service. Pastor Rob Cypher will officiate. Interment will take place at St. James Cemetery, New Bedford. Robert L. 'Bob' Christjohn Robert L. "Bob" Christjohn, 81, of 768 W. Washington St., Bradford, a well-known businessman in Bradford, uncle of Helen Cookson Myers of Fisher and Shirley Wells Grinder of New Bethlehem, and a nephew of the late Burton Newhouse of Fisher, died Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007, in his home. Jean Layden Dolphin, 81, of Gibsonia, formerly of McCandless Township, died Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007. She was the beloved wife of the late Thomas James Dolphin, former Oil City resident. Surviving are her children, John Thomas Dolphin and wife, Louanne, of Butler, James Andrew Dolphin of Gibsonia and Anne Dolphin Sheridan and husband, Kevin, of Winsted, Conn.; grandchildren, Christopher Samson, Hannah, Cara and Kyle Sheridan; two sisters-in-law, Mary Dolphin and Margaret Klosinski, both of Oil City; and aunt of Michael Layden of Rouseville and Susan Layden of Butler. She was preceded in death by a brother, Jack Layden. She was a devout Catholic. Mrs. Dolphin was an avid member of the Grey Brook Garden Club and enjoyed tolle painting. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the H.P. Brandt Funeral Home Inc., 1032 Perry Highway, Ross Township. The family also will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Joseph Church, Oil City, prior to the memorial Mass at 11 a.m. Msgr. John W. Swoger will preside. Inurnment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Oil City. The Reinsel Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements. Memorials may be made to Pine Richland High School Library, 700 Warrendale Road, Gibsonia, 15044. Condolences may be left at reinselfuneralhome.com. Theodore S. "Ted" Kozek, 79, of 19 Glenwood Drive, Oil City, formerly of 283 Linden Ave., Oil City, died at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca, following an extended illness. Born March 11, 1928, in Franklin, he was the son of the late Stanley and Agnes Lokie Koziej (Kozek). He attended Franklin public schools, Clarion State College for two semesters and then went on to Bryant & Stratton Business Institute in Buffalo, N.Y., graduating in June 1950. Mr. Kozek was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps serving from June 1946 to May 1947. He was discharged due to the discontinuance of navigator training for inductees. He then was called up to serve in the U.S. Army from Sept. 1950 to Sept. 1952, serving with the 7th Infantry Division, 31st Infantry Regiment during the Korean War. He was awarded the Bronze Star while serving in Korea and was discharged with the rank of sergeant first class. A Certified Public Accountant, he retired in 1991 as senior managing partner of May & Co. CPA in Oil City. Mr. Kozek was a former member of the Oil City Rotary Club, served on the advisory board of VCHS, Parish Council of Assumption B.V.M. Church, Oil City Knights of Columbus, Catholic War Veterans of Franklin and was a former member of the governing board of Family Services of Venango County. He also was associated with the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs and American Institute of CPAs. He served in various offices of the Northern Chapter of the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs as well as various committees of the Pennsylvania and American Institute of CPAs. He also served as a director of a number of private corporations. Mr. Kozek was married in the Assumption Church Nov. 8, 1952, to Louise C. Jarzab, who survives. Also surviving are four children and their spouses, Karen and Dennis Steffanina of Seven Fields, Pamela and Bruce Daubner of Dublin, Ohio, Joseph Kozek of Darlington and Thomas Kozek of Beaver; and three grandchildren, Lauren M. Steffanina, Jeremy A. and Graham A. Daubner. He also is survived by a brother, John Kozek of Franklin; and 11 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother, Felix J. Kozek in 2006; and a sister, Stella A. Pindel in 1998. Private visitation will take place at the convenience of the family. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Friday in the Assumption B.V.M. Church. The Rev. Thomas Suppa of St. Anne Roman Catholic Church, Union City, will preside. Entombment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. The Reinsel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association of Western Pennsylvania, the Leukemia Society of America, Western Pennsylvania Chapter, or to the American Heart Association, Oil City Branch. Condolences may be sent at reinselfuneralhome.com. F. Dale Ransom, 86, of Reed Street, Clarion, died Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 4, 2007, in Clarion Hospital. Born March 15, 1921, in Strattanville, he was the son of Forest and Twila Davis Ransom. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Air Force. Mr. Ransom retired from the forming department of Owens-Illinois Glass Plant in Clarion after 36 years employment. He was a member of the Quarter Century Club and the Golden Emblem Club of Owens-Illinois. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Clarion. Mr. Ransom enjoyed all types of auto racing, especially NASCAR. He was married Aug. 7, 1944, to Lucille "Dolly" Pasquarette, who died Oct. 8, 1991. Surviving are one daughter, Donna Floyd and husband, Michael, of Winston-Salem, N.C.; four granddaughters; four grandsons; and nine great-grandchildren. He also is survived by three brothers, William Fink of Clarion, Robert Fink of Butler and Donald Fink of Rimersburg; two sisters, Jean McCleary of Worthington and Betty Haines of Corsica. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two sons, Richard Ransom and Dennis Ransom; one daughter, Debbie Kuhns; and one brother, Gary Fink. Visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. today in the Robert V. Burns Funeral Home, Clarion. A wake service will be held at 8:45 p.m. today in the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday in the Immaculate Conception Church with the Rev. Monty Sayers, pastor, presiding. Interment will be in Cedarview Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Victory Junction Gang, 4500 Adams Way, Randerman, N.C., 27317, victoryjunction.org, or to the Golden Living Center, Clarion, 16214. Doris J. Rodgers Doris J. Rodgers, 71, of 608 E. Fourth St., Oil City, died at 11:55 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, 2007, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca. Born Jan. 22, 1936, in Oil City, she was the daughter of Harold E. and Ruth Downing Shontz. She attended the Oil City schools and had lived in the Oil City area all of her life. Mrs. Rodgers was a homemaker, loved working with plants and also loved spending time with her grandchildren. She attended the United Brethren in Christ Church in Victory Heights. Surviving are five daughters, Georgia Millard and husband, Jerry, of Titusville, Judy Rodgers, Joyce Neergaard and husband, Chris, and Ruth Rodgers and husband, Dan Bradybaugh, all of Oil City, and Donna Redfield and companion, Gerry Hargenrader, of Seneca; three sons, Allen Rodgers and wife, Kim, and Phillip Rodgers and companion, Joyce Aiken, all of Franklin, and Terry and Terri Rodgers of Erie; 16 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by two brothers and their wives, Ed and Peg Shontz of Franklin and Bill and Karen Shontz of Erie; and two sisters and their husbands, Laura and Arnold Mays and Deb and Steve Griebel, all of Oil City. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a sister, Peggy L. Shontz; a brother Harold A. Shontz; and a granddaughter, Krista Ann Feely. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Hutchinson Funeral Home, 201 Bissell Ave., Oil City. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in the funeral home with the Rev. Walter Anthony, pastor of the Mount Carmel Tabernacle, officiating. Interment will be in Rynd Farm Cemetery. Lester G. Rollins, 86, of 777 Pone Lane, Franklin, died at 12:10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca. Born April 6, 1921, in Alton, N.H., he was the son of Forest and Lillian Martin Rollins. Mr. Rollins attend schools in Alton and graduated in 1947 from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in mechanical engineering. He served in the Air Force from 1942 to 1946 as a photo reconnaissance pilot in the China-Burma-India Theater in China with the 14th Air Force. He left the service with the rank of captain. He was a member of the China-Burma-India Veterans Association and served as adjutant of the local branch of the organization. Mr. Rollins joined the Joy Manufacturing Co. in 1947 and remained there until his retirement in 1983. During that period he held three positions in Claremont, N.H., and three in Franklin. He was responsible for installing the Chain Products Operation in Reno and managed the operation from 1967 to his retirement. As manager of Chain Products, he traveled extensively to visit and study various kinds of underground mines in the United States and throughout the world. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and served as treasurer. Mr. Rollins enjoyed cabinet making, gardening and using a computer. He married Christine G. Buck July 11, 1942, while stationed in Las Vegas. She survives along with two daughters, Patricia Lynn and husband, Larry Plamondon, of Delton Mich., and Linda Bobrick of Franklin; a brother Clarence M. Rollins and wife, Ellen, of Enoree, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two much older half brothers. Friends will be received from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the Huff Chapel, 312 W. Park St. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home with the Rev. Richard K. Harry, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will take place in Riverside Cemetery, Alton, N.H. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the First United Methodist Church, 1000 Liberty St., Franklin, 16323, or to the Venango Toymakers, in care of FICD, 191 Howard St., Franklin, 16323. Maxine Jean Maxwell Vandervort, 70, formerly of Leeper, died Monday, Sept. 3, 2007, in Riverside, Calif., due to complications of diabetes and pancreatic cancer. Born May 3, 1937, in Clarion, she is the daughter of William Clarence and Annabelle McKenzie Maxwell. She was raised in Miola and attended Miola School and graduated in 1955 from Clarion Area School. She was married Dec. 21, 1964, to Darrell "Van"/"Buck" Vandervort, who preceded her in death in 1994. She and her husband resided in Leeper for 25 years. Over her career, Mrs. Vandervort worked at the Modern Diner, Fifth Avenue Grill and the Clarion Restaurant, with her husband delivering Stroehmann Bread to Uni Mart in Leeper where she retired and then moved to Riverside, Calif. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, gardening, fishing, yard sales, the beach, playing slot machines and computer games. She also loved her dogs, Nikki, Jasper and Chelsea. Surviving are her daughter, Catharine "Cathy" Maxwell Shaffer of Riverside, Calif.; and her son, Joe Vandervort and his partner, Chandler Kapoor, of Riverside, Calif. She also is survived by two sisters, Hazel Irene Watson of Florida and Donna Maxwell Heaven and her husband, Joe, of Albion; one niece, Cheryl Finnoti; three nephews, Dan Watson, Charlie Heaven and Gary Heaven; and special friends, the Kapoor family, Dev, Chandler, Nisha, Poonam, Yvonne, Soni and Jamie Riddle and Wanda Farah. In additions to her husband and parents she was preceded in death by one infant son. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of services to 11 a.m. Friday in the Goble Funeral Home & Crematory, 330 Wood St., Clarion. Interment will follow in the Miola Cemetery. Maude Ellen Ward, 75, of 135 Jaret Lane, Kennerdell, a former resident of Red Line Road, Rockland, died at 2 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca, following an extended illness. Born Nov. 8, 1931, in West Hickory, she was the daughter of the late John and Maude Pyle Ward. Miss Ward was employed in the Bottling Department of the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Franklin, retiring after 30 years of service. She was a member of the Franklin Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As her health permitted, Miss Ward enjoyed bowling with family and friends, golfing and especially creating, painting and finishing ceramics. Surviving are two brothers, Kenneth L. Ward and wife, Ella Marie, of Cochranton and Melvin L. Ward and wife, Betty, of Clarion; and many loving nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Miss Ward was preceded in death by brothers and sisters, Ruth Ward, John Ward, Jean Young, Harry Ward and Mary Campbell. Fiends may call from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday in the Timothy E. Hartle Funeral Home, 1328 Elk St., Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in the funeral home with Bishop Daniel N. Butler of the Franklin Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be directed to The Franklin Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in care of Bishop Daniel N. Butler, 875 Pone Lane, Franklin, 16323.