Alta I. "Toots" Biddle, Franklin, formerly of Seneca Robert W. Blake, Strattanville Edna Mae Wood Gharing, 908 Innis St., formerly of 17 Chestnut St., Oil City William P. Martin, 333 Second Ave., Rocky Grove Lester Milton Smith, 21 Adams St., Franklin R. Byron Smith, Clarion, formerly of Bethel Park Lenora J. Walbourn, 482 Pone Lane, Franklin Leola K. Whitman, Franklin Alta I. "Toots" Biddle, 91, formerly of Seneca, died Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, in Sugar Creek Station, Franklin. The Hutchinson Funeral Home in Oil City is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary will be published Saturday in The Derrick. Robert W. Blake, 67, of Strattanville, Clarion County, died at 12:55 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, in Clarion Hospital. Born July 16, 1937, in Clearfield County, he was the son of Willis F. and Helen Kitchen Blake. Mr. Blake was a mechanic and for the past 32 years, he owned and operated the Baits Shop in Strattanville. He was a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Shippenville. Mr. Blake was married Dec. 31, 1954, to the former Audrey Beers, who survives. Also surviving are three sons, Robert J. Blake and wife, Sharla, of New Bethlehem, Gary L. Blake and wife, Tammy, and Terry W. Blake and wife, Rebecca, all of Strattanville; one daughter, Lou Ann Krouse and husband, Allen, of Strattanville; and seven grandchildren. He also is survived by one sister, Charlotte Zellefrow of Rimersburg. In addition to his parents, Mr. Blake was preceded in death by a sister, Meriam Jones, and twin infant brothers. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday in the Charles D. Alcorn Funeral Home, Hawthorn. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home with Ken Gray of the Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall, officiating. Interment will be in Strattanville Cemetery, Clarion County. Edna Mae Wood Gharing, 84, formerly of 17 Chestnut St., Oil City, a lifelong resident of Oil City, died at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, at 908 Innis St. after a lengthy illness. Mrs. Gharing had resided at the home of her daughter, Janet Wagner, for the past nine months. Born Aug. 17, 1920, in Oil City, she was the daughter of Warren E. and Myrtle I. Goodman Stewart. Mrs. Gharing had worked for the railroad, as well as cleaning houses, Crestview Apartments and the Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed the Salvation Army, her cats, caring for her family and giving to the less fortunate. Mrs. Gharing first was married to Fred V. Davis, who preceded her in death. Next she married John J. Wood, also deceased, and last was married to Orla G. Gharing, who preceded her in death. Surviving are a son, John E. Wood and wife, Bonnie, of Clintonville; two daughters, Janet L. Wagner and husband, Timothy J., of Oil City, with whom she made her home, and Diana M. Wood of Franklin. Also surviving are her beloved grandchildren, Angie Ralph and husband, Dale, of Oil City; Robert, Mindi and Benjamin Aikins of Franklin; Philip Wagner and companion, Connie Confer, Joseph Wagner and companion, Candace Heckathorn, Shannon Wagner and companion, Ken Schubert, and Jennifer Wagner, all of Oil City; Tammarah Davis of Roswell, Ga.; John Wood of Oil City; and Zina Puckett and husband, Tom, of Salt Lake City, Utah; and numerous great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by a son, Richard V. Davis; a daughter, Patty A. Finnefrock; a grandson, Michael E. Wood; a brother, Glenn Stewart; and a sister, Mary "Betty" Milner. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the Morrison Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home with the Rev. Ronald C. Bole, Hospice minister, officiating. Interment will be in Rynd Farm Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made to the VNA Hospice. William P. Martin, 67, of 333 Second Ave., Rocky Grove, died at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, in UPMC Northwest, Franklin, following a long illness of progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Born May 28, 1937, in Tidioute, he was the son of Raymond K. and Helen Levine Martin. He was a 1955 graduate of Franklin High School. Mr. Martin was employed by the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co. for 28 years. He then drove bus for Bakers Transportation, and from 1988 until his retirement in 1998 he worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a rural mail carrier in Shippenville. He bowled for many years, his last league being the Friday Night Men's League in Seneca. Mr. Martin enjoyed hunting, traveling and spending time with his family and his dog, Toby. He was married Dec. 7, 1957, to the former Linel R. Renfrew, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, William B. Martin and wife, Pam, and Stephen D. Martin, all of Rocky Grove; and four grandchildren, Daniel Martin, Alexa Martin, Kathryn Martin and Joseph Martin, all of Rocky Grove. Mr. Martin was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Robert L. Martin and John K. Martin. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Huff Chapel, 312 W. Park St., Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home with the Rev. Ronald Bole, Hospice chaplain, officiating. Interment will be in Franklin Cemetery. The family suggests donations be made to the Venango County Nursing Association Hospice Program, 176 E. Bissell Ave., Oil City, 16301; or the Venango County Area Agency on Aging Meals Program, 1283 Liberty St., Franklin, 16323. Lester Milton Smith, 86, of 21 Adams St., Franklin, died at 6:20 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004, in UPMC Northwest, Franklin. Born Oct. 1, 1918, in Union City, he was the son of Ruben Lester and Nina Mae Kelly Smith. He was a veteran of World War II. Mr. Smith retired in 1980 as a production shearer from Franklin Steel after more than 32 years of service. He was a member of the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Church. Mr. Smith enjoyed hunting. He was married Dec. 16, 1946, to Margaret Catherine Haylett, who survives. Also surviving are four children, Lester Ray Smith at home, Mrs. James (Margaret May) Sloss of Easley, S.C., Mrs. Robert (Patricia Kay) Lowrie of Franklin and Mrs. Donald (Janet Fay) Ross of Pelzer, S.C.; eight grandchildren, Brian M. Sloss, Robert J. Lowrie, Jason M. Lowrie and Jennifer K. Jarzenske, all of Franklin, Valarie A. Sloss of Sebring, Ohio, Christopher A. Lowrie of Carlton, Dawn M. Ross of Pendleton, S.C., and Donald E. Ross II of Pelzer, S.C.; and 13 great-grandchildren. He also is survived by one brother, Edward Lee Smith of Lincolnville; and four sisters, Mildred Fletcher of Erie, Nina Mae Eckridge of Florida and Irene Proper and Lucille Gibbs, both of Union City. In addition to his parents, Mr. Smith was preceded in death by four brothers, Otis, Oliver, Clyde and Max Smith; and two sisters, Bessie Thomas and Minnie Wright. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in The Caring Place with the Rev. Jonathan Bell, pastor of the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Millcreek Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the VNA Foundation, 176 E. Bissell Ave., Oil City, 16301. R. Byron "By" Smith, 71, of Clarion, formerly of Bethel Park, died at 9:35 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, in Beverly Healthcare-Shippenville, where he had been a resident since May 2003. Born April 10, 1933, in Pottstown, he was the son of the late Paul C. and Anna Frantz Smith. He was a 1951 graduate of Abington High School and was a 1955 graduate of Lehigh University with a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering. Mr. Smith joined the Leeds & Northrup Co. in sales in June 1955. During his tenure of 35 years with the company, he carried the position of district manager of the North Jersey, Albany, N.Y., and Pittsburgh offices. He was an avid ham radio enthusiast, establishing contacts throughout the world. His call letters were W3OSE. Mr. Smith loved reading about the Civil War and made many trips to Gettysburg with his wife. He loved to spend time with his family, especially his two grandchildren. He was married in 1956 to Mary Ellen Lanks, who survives. Also surviving are three children, Bruce Bradford Smith of Atlanta, Ga., David Byron Smith of Dormont and Barbara Ellen Smith Funk and husband, Eric, of Marianne Estates; and two grandchildren, Jessica and Eric Funk Jr. of Marianne Estates. He also is survived by three sisters and their husbands, Nancy Joy and John Hendricks of Vero Beach, Fla., Carole Ann and Greg Carlson of Quakertown and Janice Eileen and Ken Onsa of Doylestown. Friends may call from 2 p.m. until the time of funeral services at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Robert V. Burns Funeral Home, Wood Street, Clarion. Pastor Randy L. Evans, Clarion-Forest VNA Hospice Chaplain, will officiate Interment will follow in the Clarion Cemetery with a white balloon lift to commemorate his joining of the Lord and glorious entrance to heaven. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Clarion-Forest VNA Hospice. Lenora J. Walbourn, 87, of 482 Pone Lane, Franklin, died at 3:55 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004, in Sugar Creek Station, Franklin. Born March 6, 1917, she was the daughter of David and Nora Stuart Hummel. She graduated from Cranberry High School. Mrs. Walbourn was retired in 1981 from Polk Center after 17 years of service. She attended the Congress Hill Church of God. Mrs. Walbourn enjoyed playing cards, crocheting and her grandchildren. She was married Sept. 3, 1938, to John H. Walbourn, who died Feb. 27, 1995. Surviving are three sons, Barry L. Walbourn of Asheboro, N.C., Darryl K. Walbourn of New Castle and Rick A. Walbourn of Franklin; six grandchildren, Stacy Walbourn, Tami Sari and Leigh Ann Walbourn, all of Franklin, Melanie Walbourn of New Castle, Douglas Tarn of Moore Haven, Fla., and Christopher Walbourn of Asheboro, N.C. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Walbourn was preceded in death by a son, John H. Walbourn Jr. Friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday in the Huff Chapel, 312 W. Park St., Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home with the Rev. Rob Guy, chaplain of The Caring Place, officiating. Interment will follow in the Franklin Cemetery. The family suggests memorial donations be made to Sugar Creek Station, 351 Causeway Drive, Franklin, 16323. Leola K. Whitman, 99, died at 2:50 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004, in Sugar Creek Station, Franklin, where she had been residing. Born Dec. 25, 1904, in Franklin, she was the daughter of Lynn K. and Grace L. Koonse Goodspeed. Mrs. Whitman moved with her family at an early age to Dunkirk, N.Y., where she graduated from high school. Her family returned to Franklin in 1921. She served as jury commissioner in Venango County for several years. She was a county auditor for eight years and was the registrar of births and deaths in Franklin from 1969 until 1973. Mrs. Whitman had attended the Warden Chapel United Methodist Church. She and her sister started Sunday schools in several local churches. Mrs. Whitman was married April 25, 1922, to Samuel B. Whitman, who died Sept. 16, 1975. Surviving are several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Whitman was the last surviving member of her immediate family. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Mrs. Lawrence (Maryetta) Wheeling; and two brothers, William M. Goodspeed and Homer A. Goodspeed. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Huff Chapel, 312 W. Park St., Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home with the Rev. John R. Gamble, pastor of the Congress Hill Church of God, officiating. Interment will follow in Lupher Chapel Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.