The Derrick, September 18, 2007: Joan Freas, Tennessee, formerly of South Seventh Avenue, Clarion Vera Helen Montgomery, Shertz, Texas, formerly of Curllsville and Rimersburg Thelma Arminta "Dutch" Smith, Ninevah, Knox RD Fred Strus, Girard, formerly of Oil City Joan Freas Joan Freas, formerly of South Seventh Avenue, Clarion, died Monday, Sept. 17, 2007, in Tennessee. The Goble Funeral Home & Crematory, Clarion, is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary will be published Wednesday in The Derrick. Vera Helen Montgomery, 63, of Shertz, Texas, formerly of Curllsville and Rimersburg, died at 2:27 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, 2007, in Northeast Methodist Hospital, Live Oak, Texas. Born May 5, 1944, in Curllsville, she was the daughter of the late Charles Emerson Byers and Pauline Gathers Will Byers. She was a 1962 graduate of Clarion High School. Mrs. Montgomery had been employed as a library clerk at Shertz Public Library from 1985 until her death. She was married in Rimersburg Dec. 29, 1962, to Dennis Nathan Montgomery, who preceded her in death Nov. 11, 1981. Surviving are two daughters, Madeline Wahl and husband, Michael, of San Antonio, Texas, and Cheryl E. Keyes of Kirby, Texas; one son, Dennis J. Montgomery of Beeville, Texas; and nine grandchildren. She also is survived by one brother, Wayne Byers of San Antonio, Texas; four sisters, Mrs. Lois Jones of East Brady, Mrs. Kay Hollingsworth and Mrs. Carol Eisenman, both of Winterhaven, Fla., and Mrs. Ellen J. Smith of Rimersburg; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one grandchild; two brothers, Richard Larry Byers in 1963 and Deane Orbin Byers in 1935; and a sister, Dawn Elaine Byers Wensel in 1951. Friends will be received from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Richard D. Hillis Funeral Home in Rimersburg. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with the Rev. Mark Deeter, pastor of the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Church, Rimersburg, officiating. Interment will follow in the Rimersburg Cemetery. Thelma Arminta "Dutch" Smith, 84, of Ninevah, Knox RD, died at 10:38 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, in Clarion Hospital as a result of chronic kidney disease caused by diabetes. Born April 2, 1923, in Kossuth, she was the daughter of Kenneth and Mable Hanel Weaver. Mrs. Smith was married June 15, 1941, to Harvey O. "Bud" Smith, who survives. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 2006. She and her husband became the owners of Bud Smith's General Store in Ninevah in 1945, retiring after 53 years in the business. Mrs. Smith was a resident of the area for 69 years after moving back from Frederick, Md. Aside from her love of family, she dedicated her life to the village of Ninevah, working along side her husband. She touched many lives and enjoyed spending time with her granddaughters and great-granddaughter. Mrs. Smith was a member of the Grace Evangelical Congregational Church in Ninevah. Surviving, in addition to her husband, are a daughter, Joyce Arminta Maitland and husband, Andrew, of Kossuth; two granddaughters, Beth Ann Everett and husband, Dave, of Mercerville, N.J., and Andrea Joyce Estadt and husband, Dave, of Clarion; and one great-granddaughter, Madison Laura Everett. She was preceded in death by her parents. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the William N. Rupert Mortuary, Knox, and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday in the Grace Evangelical Congregational Church in Ninevah. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the church with pastor Rick Osberg officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mark Cemetery, Kossuth. The family requests memorials be made to the American Diabetes Association. Fred Strus Fred Strus, 91, a former Oil City resident, died Monday afternoon, Sept. 17, 2007, in Pleasant Ridge Manor, Girard. The Reinsel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary will be published Wednesday in The Derrick.