The Derrick, December 17, 2007: Charles E. Best, Titusville Gary Floyd Cramer, formerly of Clintonville Sylvia A. Kluck, Oil City Ruth A. Mealy, Meadville, formerly of Oil City Bernice A. O'Brien, Emlenton Carmella "Lena" Falvo Parisse, 95 Beech Drive, Franklin, formerly of Oil City William Arthur Rea, Clarion Shirley Armagost Seigworth, Strattanville Sally R. Thomas, Longview, Texas Mary M. Wilson, 7 Vo-Tech Drive, Oil City Charles E. Best Charles E. Best, 91, of 749 Garden St., Titusville, died at 6:55 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007, at his residence. Born June 21, 1916, in Knox, he was a son of Rowland and Nettie Moyer Best. He was married to Lena M. Exley on Sept. 10, 1939, in Greenville. Mr. Best was employed by Pennzoil Refinery and Koppers chemical plant for 32 years as a boiler fireman until his retirement in 1978. He was a member of Mt. Carmel Tabernacle in Dempseytown. Mr. Best enjoyed fishing, camping and the outdoors. He also enjoyed going for walks and rides. He is survived by his wife of Titusville; a daughter, Kathleen White and her husband Michael of Staunton, Va., a granddaughter, Natalie Hutchens and her husband Keith; four great grandchildren, Michael White, Lauren Fisher, Madison Hutchens and Charles Leroy Marsh and his wife Amanda; two great great grandchildren, Zachary Marsh and Carson Marsh; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son and a daughter-in-law, Charles Robert Best and Judith Ann Best; a grandson, Brock Robert Best; and two brothers, Dana and Nevin Best. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home, 330 N. Washington St., Titusville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Mt. Carmel Tabernacle in Dempseytown with the Rev. Robert Witmer, retired pastor, and the Rev. Dana Lewis, pastor of Mt. Carmel Tabernacle, officiating. Interment will be in Dempseytown Lutheran Cemetery. The family suggests that memorials be given to Disabled American Veterans or to any local chapter of the Humane Society. Gary Floyd Cramer, 67, formerly of Clintonville, died Saturday, Dec. 15, in The Caring Place, Franklin, where he resided for three and a half years. He was born Dec. 21, 1939, on his grandparents' farm in Kennerdell. Mr. Cramer attended Victory and Cranberry schools and served in the United States Air Force for six years, during which time he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan and Alamogordo, New Mexico. He and his wife moved to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where they lived for 12 years. There, he worked for Red Aircraft Service as an airframe and power plant mechanic. Mr. Cramer and his family moved in 1975 to the area where he worked at Joy Mining Machinery as a machine wirer for 23 years, as well as serving on the committee of the IAofM union. Mr. Cramer's hobbies included hunting, bowling and golfing. He loved to cook, winning numerous ribbons at local chili competitions. Surviving are his wife, Betty; a son, Donald and wife, Karen, of Franklin; a daughter, Suzanne Sandrock and husband, Michael, of Clintonville; three grandchildren, Cory and Kristen Milliken of Clintonville and Alea Cramer of Franklin; his sister, Patricia Berry of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; three half brothers, William and Robert Hitzeman of Jersey Shore and David Cramer of Oil City; two half sisters, Lisa Craig of Cooperstown, and Mary Carman of Lock Haven; an uncle Dalton Cramer of Kennerdell; an aunt, Evelyn Donaldson of Clarion; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald P. Cramer and Erma Hitzeman, and a stepbrother, Jack Miller. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Larry E. McKinley Funeral Home, 109 Emlenton St., Clintonville, with the Rev. Anthony Catullo, pastor of the Union Presbyterian Church in Clintonville, officiating. Email condolences at www.mckinleyfuneralhome.net. Sylvia A. Kluck, 89, a resident of the Golden Living Center, Oil City, since June 8, 2004, formerly of 7 VoTech Drive and 207 College Drive, Oil City, died at 3:23 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007, following an extended illness. Born May 27, 1918, in Pardoe, Mercer County, she was the daughter of Wallace and Millie Pizor Filer. She was of the Lutheran Faith. Mrs. Kluck had worked at Imperial Cleaners in her earlier years. She was a homemaker, an avid bingo player and enjoyed playing 500 in a card club for many years. She also liked to feed the birds, grow flowers and work in her vegetable garden. Mrs. Kluck was married Sept. 2, 1939, to Clarence E. "Pete" Kluck, who preceded her in death July 16, 1978. Surviving are four children and their spouses, Clarence "Pete" and Dianne Kluck of Oil City and their children, John, Janet and Jeff and his wife, Becky; Linda and Gene Mitchell of Oil City and their son, Nick and his wife, Sabrina; Louise and Jim Bauer of Marienville; and William and Cathy Kluck of Oil City and their children, William Jr., Kellie, Melissa and Steven; and five great-grandchildren, Emily, Ben, Christine, Taylor and Chase. She also is survived by a half sister, Mary Louise Jones of Mercer; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Kluck was preceded in death by one sister, Alberta Filer; and by the following half brothers and sisters, John W. Filer, Wallace Filer Jr., Beulah Mae Bollinger, Robert James Filer and an infant, Lawrence Filer. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Reinsel Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with the Rev. Gregory P. Passauer, pastor of St. Mary Church, Crown, officiating. Interment will follow in Shaw Farm Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Venango County Humane Society, 2724 Deep Hollow Road, Franklin, 16323, or to a charity of one's choice. Condolences may be left at www.reinselfuneralhome.com. Ruth A. Mealy, 89, formerly of Oil City, a resident of Wesbury United Methodist Community in Meadville, died there at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. Born July 16, 1918, in Oil City, she was a daughter of Walter and Lena Ausel Tarr. Mrs. Mealy was a member of Good Hope Lutheran Church. She retired from Oilwell Supply Division of U.S. Steel in 1981. After retirement she developed an interest in painting ceramics which are now family treasures. She also developed a love for Yorkshire terrier dogs, having had three and each was a beloved companion. Mrs. Mealy loved gardening and many people passing by appreciated her flowers. In 1934 she married Blaine Mealy, who preceded her in death. Surviving are a daughter, Patricia Williams and husband, Randal, of Oil City; a son, Daniel E. Mealy and wife, Jane, of Conneaut Lake; eight grandchildren, Vicki Miller, Joyce Reese, Carolyn Williams, Robert Williams, Deborah Shrump, Darryl Mealy, Darlene Toohey and Darren Mealy; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one sister, Marilyn Sisney; and three brothers, Richard Tarr, Robert Tarr and Joseph Tarr Friends may call at the Morrison Funeral Home from 2 to 4 and 7 to 8 p.m. today. Funereal services will be conducted at 8 p.m. today in the funeral home with the Rev. Philip Scherr, pastor of Good Hope Lutheran Church, officiating. Interment will be in Grove Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be a made to Good Hope Lutheran Church, 800 Moran St, Oil City, 16301. Bernice A. O'Brien Bernice A. O'Brien, 95, of Emlenton, died Friday evening, Dec. 14, 2007, at the Golden Living Center in Shippenville. Mrs. O'Brien also had been a resident for some time at the Parker Personal Care Home in Parker. Mrs. O'Brien was born in Foxburg Feb. 25, 1912. She was the daughter of Theodore A. and Ethel I. McCoy Mullen. Mrs. O'Brien was a long time member of St. Michael Roman Catholic Church in Emlenton. She was a homemaker and enjoyed flowers and feeding the birds. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond V. O'Brien. She is survived by a number of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers and four sisters, and a nephew. Friends will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. today and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Hile Funeral Home, 120 Kerr Ave., Emlenton. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday from St. Michael Roman Catholic Church with the Rev. Conrad Kraus, pastor at St. Michael Roman Catholic Church, officiating. Interment will follow in St. Michael Cemetery. Recitation of the Rosary will take place at 6:15 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael Cemetery, P.O. Box 177, Emlenton. Condolences may be emailed to [email protected] Carmella 'Lena' Falvo Parisse Carmella "Lena" Falvo Parisse, 85, of 95 Beech Drive, Franklin, died at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, 2007, in her home surrounded by her family. Born June 5, 1922, in Washington, Pa., she was the daughter of Dominic and Aghetina Maglietta Falvo. She was a graduate of Washington High School and then graduated in the 1941-42 term from Mason Frederick School of Beauty in Pittsburgh. Mrs. Parisse worked as a beautician with her sister, Patricia, at Pat's Beauty Shop in Washington, Pa. She was married Nov. 25, 1948, to Louis L. Parisse in Washington, Pa., where they resided until 1950. They then moved to Oil City where they lived from 1950 to 1971 and where Mrs. Parisse was the coordinator of volunteers for the former Oil City Hospital for many years. After living in Butler for about seven years, they returned to the area to reside in Franklin where she was a faithful member of St. Patrick Church. In more recent years, Mrs. Parisse became an active member of the Franklin YMCA and volunteered for the Meals on Wheels program. She was heavily involved in and enjoyed her Bible study group with her friends. They also helped in many other community interests and charities. Mrs. Parisse loved and lived for her children and her grandchildren. Surviving are her husband, Louis Parisse, of 59 years; a daughter, Kathleen Romano and husband, Bruce, of Madison, Ohio; a son, Samuel L. Parisse of Indiana, Pa.; three grandchildren, Anne-Marie Layhue and husband, Josh, of Smithfield, Michael L. Romano and Kristina P. Romano, both of Madison, Ohio. She also is survived by a sister, Dolly Passantino of Denver, Colo.; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Parisse was preceded in death by three brothers, Anthony, Joseph and Louis; and a sister, Patricia De Rosa. In accordance with her wishes, there will be no public visitation. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday in St. Patrick Church, Franklin, with the Rev. Robert A. Manning presiding. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA of Venango County Foundation, Hospice Program, 176 E. Bissell Ave., Oil City, 16301, or to St. Patrick Church, 949 Liberty St., Franklin, 16323. The Timothy E. Hartle Funeral Home, 1328 Elk St., Franklin, is in charge of arrangements. William Arthur Rea, 93, of Seventh Avenue, Clarion, died Saturday, Dec. 15, in his home. Born Jan. 25, 1914, in Clarion, he was the son of Norman Arthur and Kittie L. Servey Rea. Mr. Rea attended Clarion High School and Clarion State Teachers College where he lettered in football and track. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was stationed in the Pacific. He was honorably discharged with the rank of lieutenant. Along with his father, Mr. Rea founded and operated the L & R Decorating Store in Clarion. He also founded the R & S Metals Corp. and the Rea Jobber Division businesses, also in Clarion. Mr. Rea was an avid golfer, hunter and world traveler. He was the oldest living member of the Presbyterian Church in Clarion. He was a strong supporter of the Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, the Clarion Hospital; Clarion University and the Cleveland Clinic. Mr. Rea married his wife, Louise, in 1939 and she preceded him in death in 2005. Surviving are his son, William Rea II and his wife, Linda; five grandchildren, Deborah Reed, Tracy Zimmerman, William Rea III, Aaron Rea and Shane Rea; eight great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Twila Maxwell and Norma Stroup. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife and three sisters. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Goble Funeral Home & Crematory in Clarion. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Interment will follow in the Clarion Cemetery. Graveside services are exclusive to family only. Memorial donations may be made to the Presbyterian Church Permanent Memorial Fund; The Clarion Hospital or to Clarion-Forest VNA Hospice. Shirley Armagost Seigworth, 78, of Rehoboth Road, Strattanville, died Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007, in the Clarion Hospital. Born Aug. 2, 1929, in Strattanville, she was the daughter of Merlin "Merle" and Madelene Eberly Leadbetter. She was married to Roy E. Armagost Oct. 13, 1946, and he preceded her in death May 10, 1987. She married Howard P. Seigworth July 28, 1989, and he preceded her in death April 16, 2004. Mrs. Seigworth was a homemaker, a life member of the New Rehoboth-Greenville Presbyterian Church, former Sunday school teacher in the children's department and for more than 20 years she was crcle chairman. She also was a member of the Strattanville American Legion Auxiliary and a volunteer for the American Cancer and Red Cross. She enjoyed cooking, baking and making peanut butter fudge and hard tack candy for family and friends. For many years she did crocheting and knitting hats, mittens, sweaters, lap robes and afghans for church mission projects and for family and friends. Mrs. Seigworth loved to be with family and friends, especially living with her loving daughter and her family. She also enjoyed many hours with the family pet dog, Lucy. Surviving are one daughter, Cindy, and her husband, "Randy" Bell of Strattanville; three grandchildren, Kurtis, Brianna and Brandon Bell who lovingly knew her as Nana; one brother, Melvin Leadbetter of Strattanville; one sister, Roma and husband, Keith Goheen of Strattanville; three stepsons, LeRoy and wife, Mary Ann Armagost of Lucinda, David and wife, Nancy Armagost of Corsica, Ralph and wife, Joan Seigworth of Strattanville; two stepdaughters, Mary and husband, Ron Beichner of Butler and Noreen and husband, George Pieper of Florida; one sister-in-law, Twila Desko of Florida; 16 stepgrandchildren; 26 step-great-grandchildren; and one step-great-great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; two brothers, Merlin and Allen Leadbetter; and a stepgrandson, Clem Beichner. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Goble Funeral Home & Crematory, 330 Wood St, Clarion, and also from 10 a.m. Wednesday until time of services at 11 a.m. in the New Rehoboth-Greenville Presbyterian Church with Rev. James Dietrich officiating. Interment will follow in the New Rehoboth-Greenville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the New Rehoboth-Greenville Presbyterian Church, 1419 Rehoboth Church Road, Clarion, 16214. Sally R. Thomas of Longview, Texas, died unexpectedly Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007, at Longview Regional Hospital in Longview, Texas. Born Sept. 21, 1941, in Van, she was the daughter of Paul and Ethel Rumberger. Ms. Thomas attended Emlenton and Cranberry schools. She was a homemaker and in her earlier years she worked in food service. She loved her family and her two dogs; enjoyed reading, the outdoors, yellow roses, collecting rocks and riding the motorcycle. She lived with her best friend and longtime companion, Tony Rhoades who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Kim Dennis and her husband, Ron, of Dallas, Pa., Kathy Merwin and her husband, Bill, of St. Petersburg and Karen Landers and her husband, Sylvan, of Oil City, two sons, Thomas Karns Jr. and longtime companion, Rosanna Knight of Barkeyville, and Samuel Thomas of Vermont; nine grandchildren, Tejay Dennis, April Wolfe, Brittany Hilliard, Cassie Merwin, Rachel Landers, Leah Landers, Kayla Karns, Matthew Thomas & Heidi Thomas. She is also survived by three sisters, Judy Hoffman of Oil City, Betty Lou Williams of Georgia and Dorothy O'Brien and husband, Tom, of Georgia; two brothers, Dick Rumberger and wife, Helene, of East Freedom and Jim Rumberger and wife, Ann, of Oregon; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant brother. Private memorial services will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Oakland United Methodist Church. Mary M. Wilson Mary M. Wilson, 85, of 7 Vo-Tech Drive, Oil City, died unexpectedly Sunday afternoon, Dec. 16, 2007, at her residence. The Morrison Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary will be published Tuesday in The Derrick.