The Derrick, September 5, 2007: Dean B. George, Knox Dewey Hamner, formerly of Graff Street, Oil City Forest Dale Ransom, Reed Street, Clarion Thomas M. Rapp, Knox Nancy A. Ritchey, Meadville Getting it right, Thomas E. Griffin Dean B. George, 80, of Knox, died early Monday morning, Sept. 3, 2007, in his residence following an extended illness. Born April 22, 1927, in Brookville, he was the son of Dean E. and Helen Depp George. Mr. George was a 1945 graduate of Clarion Senior High School and attended Clarion State Teachers College from 1945 through 1947 following military service. He was ordered to active duty with the 8th Air Force, 40th Bomb Wing (H). He later attended Tri-State University in Angola, Ind., graduating with a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering. He was employed by Bell Aircraft and after Korean War active duty, he worked at the Glenn L. Martin Co., Miller Research Labs, Bendix-Friez Instrument Division, Bulova Watch Co.-ordinance division, Kolsman Instrument Division and owned and operated Clarion Boat Co. of Long Island until retirement. Mr. George was a member of the Angola Lodge No. 236, F. & A.M., Yorkrite Fraternities of Angola for more than 50 years. He also was a 64-year member of the American Legion Post No. 66 of Clarion. He was a member of U.S. Power Squadron and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. He spent many hours of voluntary safety patrol on Long Island Sound. Mr. George is survived by his wife of 59 years, Fay Henry George of Knox. Also surviving are seven children: Dean Jr. of Huntington Station, N.Y.; Craig of Bayshore, N.Y.; Neal of Hingham, Mass.; Gail of Kossuth; Bruce of Knox; Grant of Florida and Clay of Knox; 12 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and two step-great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. George was preceded in death by two younger sisters, Lois and Marion "Mim." There will be no visitation. A candlelight memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, in St. Mark United Church of Christ in Monroe with the Rev. Nancy Dunmire officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mark Cemetery in Monroe. Arrangements are in charge of the William N. Rupert Mortuary Inc. of Knox. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark United Church of Christ, 131 Monroe Church Road, Knox, 16232, or to the Clarion/Forest VNA Hospice, Knox, 16232. Dewey Hamner, 82, of the Golden Living Center, Oil City, formerly of Graff Street, Oil City, died at 2:20 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, 2007, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca. Born May 7, 1925, in Duncanville, Ala., he was the son of Henry H. and Nettie B. Kempt Hamner. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1947. Mr. Hamner was retired from the Holiday Inn, currently the Arlington Hotel in Oil City, where he worked as the head chef for 24 years. Mr. Hamner worked as a chef at the Leland Hotel in Mansfield, Ohio, prior to moving with his family to Oil City in 1965. He was a member of the Oil City Community Alliance Church on Seneca Street, Oil City, where he was active in the OCCA Men's Fellowship Group. During his years at the Golden Living Center, Mr. Hamner established the "Gospel Hour," a popular weekly praise, worship and Bible study time with the residents there. Mr. Hamner actively participated in the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King marches for equality. He enjoyed bringing people together, filling a room with laughter and he loved to cook for others, which he did frequently. He was married June 25, 1954, to Sarah Ann Cantrell, who preceded him in death Jan. 6, 1993. Surviving are one sister, Gladys Smith of Mansfield, Ohio; two daughters, Sherita Hamner-Blackburn and husband Bruce A. Blackburn, of Pittsburgh and Regina Hamner of Ashland, Ohio; his best friend, MaryLee Riley of Oil City; three grandchildren, Erik J. Hamner of Columbus, Ohio, Benjamin I. and David B. Blackburn, both of Pittsburgh; and two great-grandchildren, Erik and Erika Hamner, both of Mansfield, Ohio; and a god-child, Jennifer Hayes of Washington D.C. In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Hamner was preceded in death by his two sons, Orlando Steven and Jerome Hamner; five brothers, Thomas J., James D., John, Archie and Quinten; and two sisters, Etta and Mary. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the Morrison Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Oil City Community Alliance Church, 411 Seneca St., Oil City, with the Rev. Terry Truffin, senior pastor, and the Rev. Bruce A. Blackburn of Pittsburgh, officiating. Interment will be in Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City. Thomas M. Rapp, 53, of Knox, died early Tuesday morning, Sept. 4, 2007, in his residence following an extended illness. Born May 20, 1954, at Clarion RD, he was the son of Viola Fern Carlson and the late Albert H. Rapp. Mr. Rapp worked for 17 years for local trailer factories. He was a member of the Clarion County Rod & Gun Club and the Fryburg Sportsman's Club. Mr. Rapp enjoyed life, especially with family and friends. Survivors include his mother and step-father, Viola Fern Carlson and Reynold J. Carlson of Knox; one son, Thomas M. Smith of Knox; three brothers, Pastor Larry Rapp and wife, Joy, of Pine City, Dennis Rapp of Ganby, Mo., and Dean Rapp and wife, Linda, of Callensburg; and one sister, Connie Bell and husband, Brian, of Pine City. His father preceded him in death May 10, 1982. Friends will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. today in the William N. Rupert Mortuary Inc. in Knox. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home with the Rev. Randy Evans, Clarion/Forest VNA Hospice Chaplain, officiating. Forest Dale Ransom Forest Dale Ransom, 86, of Reed Street Clarion, died Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007, in Clarion Hospital. The Robert V. Burns Funeral Home in Clarion is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary will be published Thursday in The Derrick. Nancy A. Ritchey, 76, of 24298 State St., Meadville, died Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007, in Meadville Medical Center. Born Sept. 13, 1930, in Warren, she was the daughter of Fern and Margaret Speas Johnson. Mrs. Ritchey was a 1948 graduate of Warren High School and worked for 13 years at the former J&J Food Service in the meat packaging department. She subsequently worked as a dietary aid for four years at the Crawford County Care Center, retiring in 1993. She was a former Blooming Valley auditor. Mrs. Ritchey loved camping, gardening and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was of the Methodist faith. Mrs. Ritchey was married July 21, 1984, to Frederick B. Ritchey, who survives. They were married for 23 years. Also surviving are a daughter, Daphne Waid and husband, Norman, of Meadville; a son, James Moyer and wife, Julie, of Meadville; her mother, Margaret Johnson of Cochranton; two stepdaughters, Teresa McCullom and husband, Edward, of Townville and Diana Huntsberger and husband, Tim, of Mongolia; a stepson, Joseph Ritchey of Meadville; one grandson, Christopher James Moyer; 10 stepgrandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She also is survived by four sisters, Carol Gregory and husband, Clifford, of Sacramento, Calif., Patricia Deeter of Cochranton, Linda McIntyre and husband, Michael, of Cochranton and Sandy Bogardus and husband, Dale, of Guys Mills; two brothers, Robert Johnson and wife, Carolyn, of Cochranton and Thomas Johnson and wife, Patricia, of Conneaut Lake; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father. Calling hours will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday in the funeral home with the Rev. Joseph Rial officiating. Interment will be in Blooming Valley Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made to Blooming Valley Volunteer Fire Department, 15244 Mill St., Saegertown, 16433, or to the Hospice of Crawford County, 448 Pine St., Meadville, 16335. Getting it right - Thomas E. Griffin Thomas E. Griffin, 85, of 1752 Sunville Road, died Sunday, Sept. 2, 20 07, in his home surrounded by family. Among those preceding him in death was a sister, Pearl Sharrar Courson.