The Derrick, Saturday, September 18, 2004: Grace Taylor Christy, Liberty Street, Clarion David Charles Cornman, Home Helen M. Dehner, Lickingville Thomas R. Hicks, 1005 West Third St., Oil City Shirley Ann Roddy Irrgang, 850 Dick Road, Renfrew, formerly of Oil City Arley E. "Smitty" Smith, 418 Plummer St., Oil City Leon A. Szabat, Oil City Bertha Mae-Gibson Strickenburg,formerly of Rocky Grove B. Duane Texter, Madison Road, Knox Grace Taylor Christy Grace Taylor Christy, 92, of Liberty Street, Clarion, died Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, at the Clarview Nursing Home near Sligo. Born March 19, 1912, in Pittsburgh, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Jesse Ludenburg Taylor. Mrs. Christy was a 1936 graduate of Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh and attended Carnegie Mellon University. She worked for 19 years for Pittsburgh National Bank. Mrs. Christy was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Clarion. She enjoyed movies, traveling, watching baseball games, the Steelers and her grandsons. Mrs. Christy was married April 24, 1941, to Russell N. Christy, who survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Susan Christy Joy and her husband, John, of Clarion, and two grandsons, Jonathan and Christopher Joy of Clarion. She was preceded in death by her parents. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Goble Funeral Home, 330 Wood St., Clarion. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Kirk Orr officiating. Interment will follow at Clarion Cemetery. David Charles Cornman David Charles Cornman, 91, of Home, died Friday, Sept. 17, 2004. Born Sept. 10, 1913, in West Mahoning Township, he was the eldest son of Joseph C. and Clara Blanche Brink Cornman. Mr. Cornman lived in Indiana County and operated heavy equipment for most of his life. In 1965 he moved to Venango County, where he worked as a road inspector for PennDOT in its Franklin district, retiring in 1978 after 13 years of service. Following his retirement, Mr. Cornman moved back to Indiana County where he spent much of his time serving the Lord in the several churches to which he belonged during his lifetime, including Ebenezer Presbyterian in Lewisville, Plumville United Presbyterian, Fertigs United Methodist in Venango County and Smicksburg United Methodist Church, where he was most currently a member. Until advancing years kept him from being so active and involved, Mr. Cornman enjoyed raising collie dogs and Tennessee walking horses. He was a member of several horse clubs and organizations and enjoyed genealogy. Mr. Corman was married July 27, 1936, to Eleanor Ruth McGinley, who preceded him in death on Aug. 11, 1985. Surviving are seven children, Ruth Frick and her husband, Robert, of Nashville, Tenn., Bill Cornman and his wife, Maureen, of Home, Anne (Pearce) and her husband, Jerry Chester, of Home, Esther Beers of Home, Bell O'Neil and her husband, Thomas, of Columbus, Ohio, David Charles Cornman Jr. and his wife, Connie, of Indiana, and Gary Cornman of Home; 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. He is also survived by four sisters, Maxine Weaver, Mary Sink, Dolly Crooks and her husband, Jim, and Clara "Sis" Huber and her husband, Dwight Wells, all of Home; a brother, Eugene Cornman and his wife, Hazel, of Home; and three sisters-in-law, Bernice Cornman of Clarksburg, Bobbie Cornman of Homer City and Juanita Neal and her husband, Joe Cacchio, of Niagara Falls, N.Y. In addition to his first wife and parents, Mr. Cornman was preceded in death in 2002 by his second wife, Bettie Rosenberger; an infant son; a sister, Freda and her husband, Homer Weaver; three brothers, Clifford, Wayne and Roy Cornman; and three brothers-in-law, Beryl Sink, Milo Weaver and Donald Neal. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Bowser-Minich Funeral Home in Plumville and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at Smicksburg United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Smicksburg United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dennis Howard officiating. Interment will follow in North Point Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made to Smicksburg Methodist Church. Helen M. Dehner Helen M. Dehner, 85, of Lickingville, died Friday morning, Sept. 17, 2004, at her home. Born Jan. 21, 1919, in Knox, she was the daughter of the late Lester and Carrie Wetzel Bashline. Mrs. Dehner was a homemaker and also worked for Forest View Cabins in Cook Forest for many years. She was a member of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. Mrs. Dehner enjoyed making noodles for church dinners and for her family. She was married March 27, 1943, to Claud S. Dehner, who preceded her in death on Jan. 8, 1996. Mrs. Dehner is survived by three sons and their wives, Burl Dehner and his wife, Vickie, of Vowinckel, Daryl Dehner and his wife, Sandi, of Seneca, and Larry Dehner and his wife, Debbie, of Frills Corners; 10 grandchildren, Michael Dehner of Vowinckel, Leslie Walters of Tylersburg, Susan Kaltenbach of Fryburg, Justin Dehner of Shippenville, Lisa Beach of Seneca, Lindsey Dehner of Seneca, Gregory Dehner of Seneca, Sharon Bauer of Tionesta, Teri Allio of Leeper and Melissa Fulton of Knox; and 11 great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Dehner was preceded in death by a sister, Catherine A. Ace; and an infant brother and sister. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Faller Funeral Home Inc., Fryburg. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in the funeral home. Interment will follow in Dehner Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made to Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Route 36, Tionesta. Thomas R. Hicks Thomas R. Hicks, 59, of 1005 West Third St., Oil City, died at 3:15 a.m. Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, at UPMC Northwest, Franklin. Born Jan. 28, 1945, in Oil City, he was the son of Robert Leroy and Lois G. Collins Hicks. Mr. Hicks attended Oil City schools and graduated from Oil City High School in 1963. He graduated from New Castle Business School with an associate degree in business administration. He served in the U.S. Air Force at Lockbourne AFB in Columbus, Ohio, as an administrative assistant from 1963-67. Mr. Hicks was employed by Wolf's Head and Pennzoil as a purchasing manager, production manager and plant manager from 1974 until he retired in 2001. He was an avid turkey hunter and enjoyed bowling and fishing. On March 5, 1966, he married the former Gail Kulling, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Tami Jones of Oil City and Kori Seneca and her husband, Pat, of Erie; two sons, T.R. Hicks and his wife, Carissa, of Grove City, and Dan Hicks of Erie; five grandchildren, Ashley and Amanda Jones, Aden Horner, Mykaela Seneca and Tyler Hicks; a sister, Sally Proper and her husband, Carl, of Chapmanville; a brother-in-law, Larry Weaver of Rushford, N.Y.; two sisters-in-law, Judy Kulling and Linda Hicks of Oil City; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Hicks was preceded in death by a sister, Dorrie Weaver; and a brother, Robert Hicks. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Morrison Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Stephen Church. Interment will be in Grove Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Visiting Nurses Association of Venango County or the American Cancer Society. Ann Roddy Irrgang Shirley Ann Roddy Irrgang, 72, of 850 Dick Road, Renfrew, formerly of Oil City, died at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, 2004. Born June 11, 1932, in Oil City, she was the daughter of the late David and Twila Roddy. Mrs. Irrgang graduated from Oil City High School in 1951. She was a homemaker all her life. Mrs. Irrgang was a member of the Church of God, Evans City. She enjoyed and was known for her sewing and ceramics. She was married for 45 years to Bernard Irrgang, a former building contractor in Oil City, who preceded her in death in 1997. Mrs. Irrgang is survived by two daughters, Sally Ann Kline and her husband, Donald, of Mars, and Cynthia Beers and her husband, Steve, of Connoquenessing; seven grandchildren, Benjamin Kline of Pittsburgh, Jonathan Kline of Butler, Elisabeth Kline, Rachel Kline and Nathan Kline all of Mars, and Laura and Charles Beers of Connoquenessing; five sisters, Geraldine Renfrew of Renfrew, Lois Sterner, Audine Miller and Norma Renninger, all of Oil City, and Judy Dashner of Florida; and a brother, Glenn Roddy of Erie. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Bud Roddy and Donald Roddy. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Boylan Funeral Home in Evans City and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Church of God, Evans City. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Church of God, Evans City. The family suggests memorial donations be sent to the Church of God, 800 South Washington St., Evans City, 16033. Arley E. "Smitty" Smith Arley E. "Smitty" Smith, 37, of 418 Plummer St., Oil City, died Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, in the emergency department of UPMC Northwest, Franklin, as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Born Nov. 26, 1966, in Meadville, he was a son of Edward A. and Alberta L. Winters Smith, who both survive. He was a 1984 graduate of Meadville High School. While there, he excelled in Greco Roman wrestling and in 1983 was named the Pennsylvania state champion in the 185-pound class. Mr. Smith served in the U.S. Marine Corps for six years and attained the title of sergeant. While in the military, he participated in the U.S. Marine wrestling team, a division of the Armed Forces wrestling team. He spent the past three years employed as a supervisor at VisionQuest. He was of the Protestant faith. Mr. Smith was an avid weightlifter, even to the present day. He also enjoyed carpentry work, especially remodeling older homes and making furniture. He was married June 28, 1997, in Pittsburgh to the former Paula L. Smidga, who survives. In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Smith is survived by three children, Landis, Jordan and Logan Smith, all of Rocky Mountain, N.C.; a stepdaughter, Shelby Mesoros at home; a sister, Cherie Hogue and her husband, Jeff, of Cochranton; a brother, Dewayne Smith and his wife, Kelly, of Rocky Mountain, N.C.; and many loving nieces, nephews, family members and friends. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in the Hutchinson Funeral Home, 201 Bissell Ave., Oil City. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Walter Witherup, pastor of the Seneca Assembly of God Church, officiating. Interment will be in Cherrytree Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Leon A. Szabat Leon A. Szabat, 82, of Oil City, died Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004, in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, from injuries he received in a traffic accident on Sept. 12. Born Dec. 7, 1921, in Clapp Farm, Oil City, he was the son of the late Martin and Nellie Wala Szabat. Mr. Szabat graduated from Oil City High School, Welch's Business College and Barber College in Johnstown. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II from Aug. 31, 1942, to March 27, 1946, in the China, Burma, India Theatres of Operation as a corporal in the 502nd Bomb Squadron, including the famed Flying Tigers, while in China. Mr. Szabat operated his own barber business in Oil City until he joined his son in the Latonia Barber Shop on East First Street. His career as a barber spanned 51 years, and he was actively working until the time of his death. He was a member of Assumption BVM Church, American Legion Post No. 32, a lifetime member of the Oil City VFW and a past president of the Oil City PNA. He enjoyed working around the house, playing cards, telling great stories and endless jokes, and spending time with family and friends, especially his grandchildren. Mr. Szabat was married July 15, 1945, in Assumption BVM Church to Stella C. May, who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Joanne Brzezinski and her husband, Rick, of New Castle, Donna Ziegler and her husband, Mark, of Seneca, and Susie Weiser and her husband, Jack, of Seneca; two sons, Stanley Szabat and his wife, Michelle, of Salem, Ohio, and John Szabat of Oil City; and seven grandchildren, Chad Brzezinski of New Castle, Andrea Krarup and her husband, Bruce, Stephanie Szabat, Bridget Szabat and Christopher Szabat, all of Salem, Ohio, and Nathan Ziegler and Luke Ziegler, both of Seneca. Other survivors include a sister, Helen Brink of Oil City; a brother, John Szabat and his wife, Hazel, of Mt. Lebanon; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Teddy Joe Szabat; a grandson, Scott Szabat; and three brothers, Ernie Szabat, Edward Szabat and Joe Szabat. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the Osenider Funeral Home, Oil City. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in Assumption BVM Church with the Rev. John Neff, parish pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. The family requests memorial donations be sent to a charity of one's choice or to Assumption BVM Church. Bertha Mae-Gibson Strickenburg Bertha Mae-Gibson Strickenburg, 81, formerly of Rocky Grove, died Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004, at her home in Fredericksburg, Va. She was a member of the Open Door Baptist Church. Mrs. Strickenburg is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Jim Weyand of Springfield, Va.; a son, Glenn Strickenburg of Fredericksburg, Va.; three grandchildren, Tina Spears and her husband, Heath, Renee Weyand and Tim Weyand; and five great-grandchildren, Steven, Zachary, Heather, Bradley and Lisa. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clair F. Strickenburg; and her parents, Charles and Leafy Gibson. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Huff Chapel, 312 West Park St. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Sunset Hills Memorial Park. The family suggests memorials be made to Mary Washington Hospice, 2300 Fall Hill Ave., Suite 210, Fredericksburg, Va., 22401. Online condolences may be sent to foundandsons.com. B. Duane Texter B. Duane Texter, 73, of Madison Road, Knox, died unexpectedly of natural causes Friday afternoon, Sept. 17, 2004, at his residence. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the David C. McEntire Funeral Home in Knox. A complete obituary will be published Monday in The Derrick.