The Derrick, October 17, 2007: Florence "Flossie" Dixon, Coleman Run Road, Cooksburg Robert H. Ebbert, 1525 W. Second St., Oil City Charles William Gegogeine, Tifton, Ga., formerly of Oil City Richard T. "Dick" Russell, 121 Center St., Franklin Linda A. Sterling, Rouseville Florence 'Flossie' Dixon Florence "Flossie" Dixon, 86, of Coleman Run Road, Cooksburg, died early Tuesday morning, Oct. 16, 2007, in Jefferson Manor near Brookville following a brief illness. The Varner Funeral Home in Sligo is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary will be published Thursday in The Derrick. Robert H. Ebbert, 87, of 1525 W. Second St., Oil City, died in his residence at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, after an extended illness. Born March 6, 1920, in Reno, he was the son of Clarence Andrew and Katie L. Hendren Ebbert. Mr. Ebbert was a graduate of Rocky Grove High School. A veteran of World War II, he served with the U.S. Navy Seabees in the South Pacific. Mr. Ebbert had worked for St. Joseph Church, Wolf's Head, Community House in Pittsburgh, VCHS for 15 years, the Cranberry High School Maintenance Department and Mooney Chemical. He was a member of St. Stephen Church, the Knights of Columbus and the 4th Degree Assembly, all of Oil City. Mr. Ebbert enjoyed being a Mr. Fix-it for family and friends. He also had been on the board of directors of VARHA. Mr. Ebbert was married Nov. 23, 1941, in St. Joseph Church to Wanda A. "Penny" Rekiel, who preceded him in death Dec. 1, 2005. Surviving are two children and their spouses, Robert J. and Eileen Ebbert of Oil City and Kathy and David LaKari of Oil City; four grandchildren, John Henry LaKari and Tom, Jim and John Robert Shreve. He also is survived by two brothers, Walter E. Ebbert of Franklin and Harold E. Ebbert of Stoneboro; two sisters, Clara Mitchell of Franklin and Sally Walker of Michigan; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Yvonne Ebbert; four sisters, Ina Culp, Margaret "Peg" Pritchard, Ruth Walker and Hazel Ebbert; and two brothers, Leroy and John Ebbert. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday in the Reinsel Funeral Home, Oil City. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home with the Rev. Matthew Ruyechan presiding. Internment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Oil City. Memorials may be made to VARHA or to St. Stephen Church 2nd Century Fund, Oil City, 16301. Condolences may be left at www.reinselfuneralhome.com. Charles William Gegogeine Charles William Gegogeine, 60, of Tifton, Ga., formerly of Oil City, died Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007, in his home. Born April 20, 1947, in Oil City, he was the son of the late William L. and Little M. Ritchie Gegogeine. He is survived by his stepmother, Doris Gegogeine, of Oil City. Mr. Gegogeine was a 1965 graduate of Oil City High School and a 1969 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. He served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971. Mr. Gegogeine worked as a manager first for W.T. Grant store then Grandview Service Star, both in Oil City, then moved to Georgia to manager Food Lion grocery stores. While in Oil City, he was a Boy Scout and Cub Scout leader and Rotary member. Mr. Gegogeine was very active in the Odd Couples Sunday School Class at Grace United Methodist Church and continued to converse, visit and be visited by members of the class until his death. He was an active member of the Lions Club and Tifton Methodist Church. He also had time to listen to and tell stories and he never met a person he did not like. Mr. Gegogeine was married in 1969 to Norrine A. Simmons, who survives. Also surviving are three sons, James William of Athens, Ga., Michael Allen of Huntsville, Ala., and Christopher Brian of Warner Robins, Ga. He also is survived by his brother, James Glenn "Groundhog" and wife, Frances, of Oil City; three stepsisters, Pamela Grossman of Tombel, Texas, Deborah Warren and husband, Steve, of Peachtree, Ga., and Barbara Frantz and husband, Jay, of Franklin; one brother-in-law, Melvin Simmons and wife, Marian, of Johnstown; three nephews, William E. Simmons and wife, Jody, of Raleigh, N.C., Thomas A. Simmons and wife, Nancy, of Johnstown and Edward B. Simmons and wife, Julie, of New Albany, Ohio; and two nieces, Tara M. Chlander and husband, Jeff, of Browns Summit, N.C., and Tiffany Gegogeine of Rouseville. Friends and family will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 today in the Osenider Funeral Home, Oil City. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home with the Rev. Bryon Myers, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church, Oil City, officiating. Interment will be in Rynd Farm Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lions Club Sight Program or to the National Ataixa Foundation, 2600 Fernbrook Lane Suite, 119 Minneapolis, Minn., 55447-4752. or to a favorite charity or church of one's choice. Richard T. "Dick" Russell, 76, of 121 Center St., Franklin, well-known former educator, coach and athlete, died at 4:40 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca, following a lingering illness. He was known by many names including Coach, Russ and "Ripper," but the one he cherished most was "Pop" as he was affectionately known by his eight grandchildren. Born Jan. 5, 1931, in Wesleyville, he was the son of the late Richard C. and Mildred Reichart Russell. Mr. Russell grew up in the Rocky Grove/Franklin area and always spoke fondly of the time he spent as a youth at the old YMCA on 13th Street, Franklin. He graduated in 1949 from Franklin High School and was a member of the school's championship football and basketball teams. The 1948-49 basketball team won the Section II championship and went on to the district playoffs and finished with a 23-3 record. Upon graduation from high school, he served four years in the U.S. Air Force and received his honorable discharge in 1954. He then enrolled at Clarion State College and graduated in 1959 with a bachelor of science degree in education. In 1967, he received his master's degree in guidance from Edinboro University. Mr. Russell was a respected athlete in all sports. During his career, he played baseball in the Hayrake League for the Re-Arm Team and it was during this time that he was given the name "Ripper" because of the number of home runs he hit. As a freshman at Clarion State College, he played varsity basketball. He then played for the local independent basketball teams of Schenck's, Franklin Elks and Franklin Re-Arm, with those teams rated as the best among the independent cage clubs in this part of the state. In 1958, the Re-Arm team went to the National YMCA Basketball Tournament in Salina, Kan., and advanced to the finals. He also served for a period of time as the coach for the American Legion Baseball Team known as Weston's. He started his teaching career in 1959 at the former South Side Junior High School in Oil City. He also was the junior high basketball coach at South Side for three years. In 1962, he was named the head basketball coach at Oil City High School and held that position until 1967. He then became the assistant principal at Oil City High School until he took a position in 1969 with the Franklin Area School District. During his time in Oil City, he also served as an assistant football coach. Returning to his alma mater, Franklin High School, in 1969, Mr. Russell became the guidance counselor at the high school and also was the JV basketball coach for one season. He then was named head basketball coach at Franklin High School in 1970, a position he held until 1978. His 1977-78 basketball team advanced to the district playoffs. He was out of coaching for a few years and prior to his retirement from education in 1993, he went back into coaching at the JV level for seven years. He truly loved teaching the game of basketball evidenced by his 23 years as a coach. In earlier years, he also was very involved in the youth basketball programs at the Franklin YMCA. Following his coaching career, Mr. Russell and his wife were loyal fans of Franklin High School athletic teams. Mr. Russell was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Franklin where he served on the board of trustees and also was a member of the ushering team. He was a life member of the Franklin Elks Lodge No. 110 and was a former member of The Franklin Club. Mr. Russell was an avid golfer and golfed on the Elks team. He thoroughly enjoyed the many golf outings he attended following his retirement. His family was his pride and joy and one of his biggest enjoyments was watching his grandchildren participate in their many athletic endeavors. Mr. Russell was married in the First Presbyterian Church, Franklin, to Teresa J. Keating, who survives. They were honored in early November 2006 on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary at a family dinner hosted by their children at Lake Shore Country Club in Erie. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are three children, Steven J. Russell and wife, Judy, of Havertown, Jami L. Sundberg and husband, Eugene C. Sundberg Jr. of Fairview and Michael R. Russell and wife, Renee, of Upper Saint Clair; and eight beloved grandchildren, Jeffrey and David Russell of Havertown, Matthew, Brian and Katie Sundberg of Fairview and Brittney, Mikey and Scott Russell of Upper Saint Clair. He also is survived by a sister, Judy C. Burk of Franklin; an aunt, Mrs. Ruth Cross of Tacoma, Wash.; two nieces; and many cousins. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Huff Chapel, 312 W. Park St., Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the First Presbyterian Church; Franklin, with the Rev. Samuel Gibb officiating. Interment will be in the Franklin Cemetery. In recognition of his love of basketball, a memorial basketball fund has been established at the Franklin YMCA to help with the youth basketball programs. Contributions can be made to the Dick Russell Memorial Basketball Fund in care of the Franklin YMCA, 111 W. Park St., Franklin, 16323; the Kirtland Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 108, Franklin, 16323; or to a charity of one's choice. Linda A. Sterling Linda A. Sterling of Rouseville died Monday, Oct. 15, 2007, in Presbyterian University Hospital, Pittsburgh. The Reinsel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary will be published Thursday in The Derrick.