The Derrick, December 4, 2007: Richard L. Barker, 710 Superior St., Titusville Maureen M. Fox, 14 Gateway Drive, Oil City Mary Ann Houck, Polk Center, Polk Helen M. Montgomery, 285 Black Hill Road, Franklin Ralph E. Steck, Seneca Richard L. Barker, 80, of 710 Superior St., Titusville, died at 1:15 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in the Titusville Area Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Born Aug. 16, 1927, in Titusville, he was the son of Jessie F. and Annie Driver Barker. Mr. Barker started working with his father in the family hardware business, Barker's Hardware, and in 1959 he took over as owner with his wife. He later sold the business to his brother. Mr. Barker was employed by the City of Titusville as a fireman for 38 years. He started as a Minuteman and worked his way through the ranks, retiring as chief in 1995. While he was a fireman he also worked during his off hours as a plumber for 38 years for Grove Plumbing. He pursued additional education over the years in the fire service and was specialized as a licensed arson investigator. After retiring from the Titusville Fire Department he continued to service others by traveling throughout the United States with the Red Cross as a disaster assessment volunteer. Mr. Baker was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the B.P.O. Elks No. 264 where he also served as exalted ruler in 1992. He served on the Associated Charities Board, Red Cross Board and was a pension board member for the Titusville Fire Department. Mr. Barker volunteered his time in various ways throughout the community he loved. He enjoyed being a "snow bird," traveling to Myrtle Beach each winter and socializing with the many friends he had there. He had many other hobbies such as tracing his family genealogy, golf and making videos of all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren throughout the years. Mr. Barker was married in Titusville Sept. 4, 1948, to Sally Brown, who survives. The service was performed by Rev. Perry at his parents' home. Also surviving are one daughter, Penny Sampson and husband, Scott, of Chesterton, Ind.; one son, Dennis Barker and wife, Kathleen, of Titusville; four grandchildren, Ryan Sampson and wife, Nataly, of New York City, Cody Sampson and girlfriend, Arra Chung, of Baltimore, Md., Danielle Barker of Albany, N.Y., and Brianna Kate Nellis and husband, Dan, of Titusville; and three great-grandchildren, Drake Barker-Bigos, M. Logan Barker-Bigos and Madison Kate Nellis. He also is survived by one brother, Floyd Barker of Edinboro Manor in Edinboro; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Barker was preceded in death by a son, Richard LaVerne Barker Jr. who died in infancy in 1952; one brother, Clifford Barker; and one sister, Beatrice McKlveen. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home, Titusville. Additional viewing will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday in the Murray Parlor at the First United Methodist Church. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the church sanctuary with the Rev. William Blair officiating. A fireman's procession will escort Mr. Barker to Woodlawn Cemetery for burial. Memorial contributions may be made to Associated Charities, 409 E. Central Ave., Titusville, 16354, or to the American Red Cross, 1643 Allegheny Blvd., Reno, 16343. Mureen M. Fox, 79, of 14 Gateway Drive, Oil City, died at 6:50 a.m. Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca, following an extended illness. Born March 28, 1928, in Avalon, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Bedelia Greer O'Donnell. She attended schools in the Emsworth area of Pittsburgh. Mrs. Fox had attended both St. Stephen Church and Our Lady Help of Christians Church. A homemaker, she had been employed by Ray L. Way Menswear and had been an operator for Bell Telephone before her marriage. Mrs. Fox was married June 13, 1953, in the Assumption Church of Pittsburgh to Richard T. "Dick" Fox, who survives. She and her husband moved to Citrus Springs, Fla., following their retirement in 1994. They returned to this area in 2003. Surviving, in addition to her husband, are six children, Richard Fox of Chicago, Ill., Patricia Greenlee and husband, Mike, of Midland, Ontario, Canada, Michael Fox and wife, Juliana, of Mansfield Center, Mass., Mary Kush and husband, John, Tom Fox and James Fox and wife, Mona, all of Oil City; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She also is survived by one brother and wife, Jim and Fran Mathie of Avalon; two sisters-in-law, Jane O'Donnell of Cranberry Township, Pittsburgh, and Mary E. Fox of Oil City. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Fox was preceded in death by one sister, Ellen Mohr; and three brothers, Michael O'Donnell and two infants. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Reinsel Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in Our Lady Help of Christians Church with the Rev. John Malthaner, pastor, presiding. Interment will follow in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens. The family suggests memorials be made to a charity of one's choice. Condolences can be left at www.reinselfuneralhome.com. Mary Ann Houck Mary Ann Houck, 72, a resident of the Terrace Unit at Polk Center in Polk, died Friday, Nov. 30, 2007, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca. Born Feb. 19, 1935, in Greensburg, she was the daughter of Albert and Anna Dunebice Houck and was the seventh child in a family of eight. Her parents are deceased. Ms. Houck, who was employed in the VRS Ceramics Workshop, had resided at Polk Center since 1943. She enjoyed looking at small books and greeting cards, watching television and trips into the community. Ms. Houck was a member of the Polk Center Resident Advisory Council and looked forward to attending the monthly meetings and luncheons. She will be remembered and missed by her many friends and staff at Polk Center. Friends will be received from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday in Huff Chapel, Franklin. A service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home by Polk Center clergy. Helen M. Montgomery, 92, of 285 Black Hill Road, Franklin, died at 11:55 a.m. Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, in Trinity Living Center, Grove City. Born Sept. 16, 1915, in Frenchcreek Township, Venango County, she was the daughter of Earl Boughner Sr. and Alma Ritchey Boughner. Mrs. Montgomery was a homemaker. She was married Oct. 29, 1941, to Hubert Earl "Monty" Montgomery, who preceded her in death. Surviving are three children, Merle Boughner and wife, Elsie, of Mercer, Hubert Montgomery and wife, Darlene, and Daniel Montgomery and wife, Gerketa, all of Franklin; 12 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Montgomery was preceded in death by an infant grandson; three brothers, Lawrence, Domer and Earl Boughner; and two sisters, Wilene Reisinger and Opal Sorger. Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home Inc., 1315 Chestnut St., Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home with Virginia and Ralph Herdiman of the Franklin Salvation Army, officiating. Interment will be in the Cooperstown Cemetery. Condolences may be sent online at www.gardinierfuneralhome.com. Ralph E. Steck, 95, of Seneca, died at 7:16 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in the Oil City Presbyterian Home. Born Jan. 2, 1912, in Oil City, he was a son of William H. and Danie E. Rynard Steck. Mr. Steck was a 1930 graduate of Oil City High School. He took Penn State Extension courses and several other courses including computer classes at Vo-Tech and ventriloquism school. He retired in 1977 from Oil Well Supply where he was a draftsman. Mr. Steck also operated Ralph Steck Gun Sales out of his home for more than 20 years. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. Mr. Steck was an avid hunter and enjoyed woodworking, carpentry and gardening. On April 17, 1937, he married the former Beatrice A. Nuhfer, who preceded him in death Sept. 16, 1964. Later he married Ruth M. Attleberger Meehan, who preceded him in death June 2, 1988. Surviving are five children, Barbara J. Smith and husband, David L., of Montana, Ralph W. Steck and wife, Diane M., of Meadville, Susan E. Hogue and husband, Wayne R., of Seneca, Margaret A. Sharrar and husband, Clinton E., and Beverly A. Marvin and husband, Daniel W., all of Oil City; three stepchildren, Marie D. Barber and husband, Sam, Joseph E. Meehan and wife, Pamela, and Brenda L. Perry and companion, Doug, all of Oil City; 15 grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; 16 great- grandchildren; and 10 step-great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Doris Dunkle of Oil City. In addition to his parents and wives, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Deborah A. Steck, and two brothers, Clarence R. Steck and Wilbur H. Steck. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Morrison Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home with the Rev. Pat Ellis, chaplain of the Oil City Presbyterian Home, officiating. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Shriners Hospital, 1645 W. Eighth St., Erie, 16505, or to a charity of one's choice.