The Derrick, October 22, 2007: William L. "Bill" Blum Sr., Shippenville Jack I. Knight, Huckleberry Ridge, Knox RD Jason Daniel McElwain, Master Road, Emlenton Fred Eugene Moffett Jr., 501 E. Third St., Oil City Willard Calvin Phipps, Grove City, formerly of Old Route 8, Polk, and Pearl Lois S. Wyant, Fairmount City Getting it right - Esther L.Weckerly William L."Bill" Blum Sr., 67, of Shippenville, died at 9:36 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, 2007, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca. Born Dec. 28, 1939, in Hazelhurst, he was the son of Clyde and Mildred Goldsmith Blum. Mr. Blum worked as a heavy equipment operator for numerous companies and also worked in the logging business. He was of the Methodist faith. Mr. Blum drove modified cars at Tri-City and Sportsman's speedways and took fifth place in points at Tri-City in 1980. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Mr. Blum was married by the Rev. Esther Blose Johnson Arner in Clarion March 5, 1969, to Patricia Lannigan, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, William L. "Jay" Blum Jr. and wife, Paula, of Knox, and Arthur C. "Art" Blum and wife, Shannon, of Shippenville; one granddaughter, Sasha Mae Blum of Knox; and one grandson, David Leroy Blum of Shippenville. He also is survived by one sister, Betty Reynolds of Bradford; a sister-in-law, Donna Blum of Cranberry; his father-in-law, Arthur L. Lannigan of Shippenville; and the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, William Lannigan of Knox; Betty Strotman and husband, Dana, of Florida; Mary Dolby and husband, Gerald, Tom Lannigan, David Lannigan and wife, Sue, and Kevin Lannigan and wife, Diane, all of Shippenville, and Kimberly Lannigan of Knox; and his dog, Scotty. In addition to his parents, Mr. Blum was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles R. and Clyde E. Blum; two sisters, Marcelene Burnett and Carol Gorman; and his mother-in-law, Margaret Lannigan, Oct. 6, 2001. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Robert V. Burns Funeral Home, Clarion. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with the Rev. William A. Houben officiating. Interment will follow in Cedarview Memorial Park, Strattanville. Memorial donations may be made to Mr. Blum's grandchildren. Jack I. Knight, 63, of Huckleberry Ridge, Knox RD, died at 6:10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, 2007, in Clarion Hospital. Born July 15, 1944, in Beaver Township, Clarion County, he was the son of the late Henry C. and Pearl L. Kline Knight. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. Mr. Knight had been a truck driver for Manion Steel Barrel in Oil City and Clarion Fiber Drum in Shippenville and retired in 2006 from Bill's Service in Knox. He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Emlenton and also belonged to the Clarion County Rod & Gun Club, Knox, where he enjoyed visiting with his friends. Mr. Knight liked gardening, trout fishing, deer hunting and spending time with his granddaughters. On Nov. 18, 1968, he married Dorothy Butz, who survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Shirley Carroll and husband, Patrick A. II, of Lucinda; a son, Frederick H. Knight of Knox; and two granddaughters, Samantha J. Gatesman of Lucinda and Elizabeth A. Knight of Parker. He also is survived by three sisters, Bonnie J. Benninger of Knox, Carolyn L. Knight and Connie L. Ruth and husband, Terry L., all of Lamartine; three brothers, Chester L. Knight, Thomas C. Knight and Terry L. "Ted" Knight and wife, Pam, all of Knox; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, Mr. Knight was preceded in death by a son, Jason M. Knight, Nov. 25, 2005. Visitation was held Sunday in the David C. McEntire Funeral Home, 504 E. Penn St., Knox. Funeral arrangements have been changed. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. today in St. Michael Catholic Church, Emlenton. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. today in the church with the Rev. Conrad Kraus, pastor, presiding. Interment will be in Cedarview Memorial Park near Strattanville. The family suggests memorials be made to the Clarion-Forest VNA, P.O. Box 668, Knox, 16232, or to the American Cancer Society. Jason D. McElwain Jason Daniel McElwain, 20, of Master Road, Emlenton, Richland Township, Clarion County, died early Saturday morning, Oct. 20, 2007, in Scrubgrass Township, Venango County, of injuries he sustained in a vehicle accident. Born Aug.14, 1987, in New Castle, he was the son of the late Daniel McElwain and the late Arlene Craven McElwain Letke. He was a 2006 graduate of Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School in Foxburg. Mr. McElwain was employed at L & J's Garage in Emlenton. He enjoyed cars, four-wheelers and racing. Surviving are a sister, Lori McElwain of Wampum; his maternal grandmother, Freda Craven Shiderly of Wampum; two uncles, Tim Craven of New Castle and Wayne Craven of Tempe, Ariz.; his stepfather, William "Bill" Letke of Emlenton; and six cousins. In addition to his parents, Mr. McElwain was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Lawrence Craven; his paternal grandparents, Frank and Doris McElwain; and an aunt, Pam Mars. Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Hile Funeral Home Inc., 802 Grove St., St. Petersburg. Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with the Rev. Thomas R. Hannold, a Church of God pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Oak Park Cemetery in New Castle, Lawrence County. Online condolences may be sent at [email protected] Fred Eugene Moffett Jr., 88, of 501 E. Third St., Oil City, died at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007, in his home. Born Nov. 18, 1918, in Oil City, he was the son of Fred E. Moffett Sr. and Mary Ann McCash Moffett. A lifelong Oil City resident, Mr. Moffett graduated in 1937 from Oil City High School and also was a graduate of Welch's Business College, Oil City, Mr. Moffett worked as a bookkeeper at Franklin Arms and retired from Oil Well Supply in Oil City after 45 years as a skilled mechanic. He also worked at Pearson Machine Shop. He enjoyed walking along the river with his dog, flower gardening, bird watching and music. Mr. Moffett was married Feb. 15, 1938, to Agnes L. Stiller, who survives. They were married almost 70 years. Also surviving are his children, Fred E. Moffett III and wife, Madonna, of Houston, Texas, Julie Sevak of Syracuse, N.Y., Mary Ann Hoffman of Fairbanks, Alaska, Patricia Malchiodi and husband, Ernie, of Edison, N.J., Thomas Moffett and wife, Lisa, of Lake Worth, Fla., and James Moffett and wife, Theresa, of Cincinnati, Ohio; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He also is survived by a brother, Harry Moffett and wife, Betty, of Franklin; and a sister, Betty Huey of Michigan. In addition to his parents, Mr. Moffett was preceded in death by three sons, Bernard, Harry and Timothy Moffett; a daughter Margaret O'Neill; and a sister, Geraldine Brown. He was a foster parent over the years to 10 children including Dick and Fred Key and Craig Peters, who are deceased. A private service will be held at the convenience of the family. The Hutchinson Funeral Home, 201 Bissell Ave., Oil City, is in charge of arrangements. Willard Calvin Phipps Willard Calvin Phipps, 88, of North Liberty Road, Grove City, formerly of Old Route 8, Polk, and Pearl, died Friday, Oct. 19, 2007, in Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh. Born July 20, 1919, in Irwin Township, Venango County, he was the son of James L. and Mary E. Eaton Phipps. He graduated in 1935 from Wesley High School and also in 1936 from Harrisville High School. Mr. Phipps worked for 42 years before retiring in 1982 at Cooper Bessemer in Grove City as a machinist and tool room clerk. He was a former member of the Clintonville Lions Club, Mercer County Antique Power Association, served on the Victory Joint School Board and was a Democratic committeeman. Mr. Phipps was a member and held various offices in the Pleasantview Methodist Church in Wesley. He will be remembered for his smile. He loved working with old engines and working with his hands. Mr. Phipps was married April 25, 1943, to Julia E. "Dolly" Keverline, who preceded him in death May 10, 2004. Surviving are one daughter, Bonnie L. Tidd and husband, James, of Grove City; three grandchildren, Catherine Tidd of Parker, Colo., Brenda E. Petroff and husband, Mark, of McKean and Jeremy B. Tidd and fianc,e, Bobbi Jo Cushing, of Polk; and four great-grandchildren, Haley, Michael and Sara Tidd of Parker, Colo., and Amanda E. Petroff of McKean. He also is survived by one brother, Wayne E. Phipps and wife, Kate, of Harrisville; three brothers-in-law, Kenneth H. Keverline and wife, Norma Jean, of Polk, Daniel E. Keverline of Kennerdell and Thomas R. Keverline and wife, Meredith, of Franklin; and many loving nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Phipps was preceded in death by two grandsons, Jeffrey W. Tidd, July 6, 1974, and Bradley D. Tidd, July 18, 2007; and three brothers, Frank, Earl and Leon Phipps The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Larry E. McKinley Funeral Home, 109 Emlenton St., Clintonville. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Pleasantview Methodist Church with one hour of visitation prior to the funeral. The Rev. Ronald L. Hankey, pastor of the Pleasantview Methodist Church, and the Rev. Jerry Mahaffey, pastor of the North Liberty Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Clintonville Methodist Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the North Liberty Presbyterian Church Capital Improvement Fund, 180 North Liberty Road, Grove City, 16127. Lois S. Wyant, 74, of Fairmount City, died Saturday morning, Oct. 20, 2007. Born Jan. 14, 1933, in Harrisburg, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Margaret Martin. She first was married in 1952 to Harry Irvine of Harrisburg. She next was married Aug. 18, 1959, to Wayne R. Wyant, who preceded her in death Dec. 5, 2001. Mrs. Wyant and her husband were the owners of Wayne R. Wyant Farm Machinery in New Bethlehem and Waylo Acres in Hawthorn. She also owned Farmer Smith's Greenhouse in Roseville along with her daughter, Kelly Ann Todorov. She was a member of the local Red Hats, the Order of Eastern Star, the American Quarter Horse Association and the Appaloosa Horse Club. Mrs. Wyant always made a point to plan family vacations that involved all of her children. She enjoyed her pets, cars, dolls and playing games. Survivors include four sons, Mark Wyant and wife, Wendy, of Fairmount City, Alan Wyant and wife, Tonda, of Spartanburg, S.C., Scott Wyant of Fairmount City and Richard Wyant and wife, Suzy, of Tipp City, Ohio; one daughter, Kelly Todorov and husband, Todd, of Brookville; nine grandchildren, Jason Wyant, Tricia Wyant, Brock Wyant, Sarah Margaret Wyant, Emily Wyant, Matthew Wyant, Lauren Wyant, Jack Wyant and Nicolai Todorov; and one great-grandchild, Sophia Wyant. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Barry Martin. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Rupert Funeral Home in New Bethlehem. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with the Rev. James Dietrich officiating. Interment will follow in Squirrel Hill Cemetery, Porter Township, Clarion County. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to www.PanCan.com or to the Clarion-Forest Visiting Nurse Association Hospice House. Getting it right - Esther L.Weckerly Esther L. Weckerly, 78, of Parker, died at 5:40 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca. Among her survivors are a sister, Margaret Shaffer of the Golden Living Center, Clarion; a stepdaughter, Frieda Haugh of Michigan; and great-great-grandchildren.