The Derrick, May 23, 2005: Mary Jo Barscz, 16 Lower Selden Ave., Oil City Marie L. Holtz, formerly of 68 Rockwood Ave., Oil City Gerald A. "Jerry" Kephart Jr., Strattanville Patricia B. "Pat" Morrison, 3855 State Route 257 Lillie Mae Sherman Shaw, Strattanville Donald J. Sheffer, Sandusky, Ohio Mary Jo Barscz Mary Jo Barscz, 80, of 16 Lower Selden Ave., Oil City, died at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21, 2005, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca. Born Jan. 25, 1925, in Oil City, she was the daughter of Frank and Josephine Skiba Barscz. Miss Barscz was a graduate of Oil City High School. She was employed at Foster Forbes Glass until her retirement in 1984. Miss Barscz was a member of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church and the Rosary Society of the church. She also belonged to the PNA. Surviving are a sister, Ann Barscz of Oil City; two brothers, Stephen Barscz of California and Adam Barscz of Erie; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, including her great-niece and great-nephew, Elizabeth Woloszyn and Christopher Woloszyn. In addition to her parents, Miss Barscz was preceded in death by five brothers, Stanley Barscz, Joseph Barscz, John Barscz, Walter Barscz and Casmire Barscz; and a sister, Agnes Turk. There will be no visitation. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday in St. Stephen Church with the Rev. Matthew Ruyechan, pastor, presiding. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to a charity of one's choice. The Morrison Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Marie L. Holtz Marie L. Holtz, 80, a resident of the Oil City Presbyterian Home, formerly of 68 Rockwood Ave., Oil City, died at 6:45 a.m. Sunday, May 22, 2005, in Titusville Area Hospital. Born June 18, 1924, in Oil City, she was the daughter of Lee Roy and Charlotte Viola Sweet Proper. Mrs. Holtz retired from Polk Center where she worked in the dietary department. She was a member of the Mount Carmel Tabernacle in Dempseytown and was a member of the Gospel Singers in her early days. She was married to Ralph Bittenbender, who preceded her in death. Surviving are a son, Ralph J. Bittenbender Jr. and wife, Paula, of Titusville; four daughters, Sharon Conn and husband, Edward, of Reno, Betty Britton and husband, Melvin, of Oil City, Robin Burrows and husband, Jeffrey, of Pleasantville and Theresa Wilson and husband, Roger, of Oil City; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She also is survived by a brother, Raymond Proper and wife,. Pauline, of Oil City; and a sister, Betty Witmer and husband, Robert, of Oil City. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Janet Marie Ralston; three brothers, Alvin Proper, Clifford Proper and Richard Proper; and a sister, Ella McClellan. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Morrison Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Witmer, former pastor of Mount Carmel Tabernacle, and the Rev. Larry Bell, pastor of the Messiah Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Lamey Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Oil City Presbyterian Home or to the Titusville Area Hospital. Gerald A. 'Jerry' Kephart Jr. Gerald A. "Jerry" Kephart Jr., 68, a resident of Strattanville for the past seven years, died Saturday, May 21, 2005, at his home after an extended battle with cancer. Born June 27, 1936, in Houtzdale, he was the son of Gerald Alden Kephart Sr. and Lily McCreadie Kephart. He was a 1954 graduate of Windbur High School. Prior to moving to Strattanville, Mr. Kephart had lived in Seward, Windbur, Penfield and Clymer for 10 years. Mr. Kephart was a coal miner and also worked for Stackpole Carbon in St. Marys. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was very devoted to his family, especially his grandchildren. Mr. Kephart was married in Rock Island, Ill., Sept. 5, 1959, to Patricia Gail Johnston, who died in December 2004. Surviving are two daughters, Susan Conley of Avon Park, Fla., and Angela Snowberger of Corsica; one son, Kevin Kephart of Strattanville; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He also is survived by two brothers, Samuel Kephart of Aiken, S.C., and Gregory "Tom" Kephart of New Castle; two sisters, Mary Grace Horrell of Derry and Beth Ann Mays of Northern Cambria; and three special aunts, Betty Ruffner of Madera, Sarah Cubbinson of Kalamazoo, Mich., and Ellen Tobias of Philipsburg. In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Kephart was preceded in death by a sister, Glenna Jean Bock. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday in the Home Camp Methodist Church, Rockton. Funeral services will be held at noon Tuesday in the church with the Rev. Carlton D. White officiating. Interment will be in Crown Crest Memorial Park in Clearfield. The family suggests donations be made to Clarion-Forest VNA Hospice, P.O. Box 668, Knox, 16232, or to Home Camp Methodist Church, 2282 South Continental Drive, Rockton, 15856. The Ralph M. Geer Funeral Home in Penfield is in charge of the arrangements. Patricia B. "Pat" Morrison Patricia B. "Pat" Morrison, 68, of 3855 State Route 257, died at 6:37 p.m. Saturday, May 21, 2005, in Beverly Healthcare-Oil City. Born Dec. 27, 1936, in Oil City, she was the daughter of Margaret "Peg" Shaderline Stivanson and the late William T. Stivanson. She was a 1954 graduate of Oil City High School. Mrs. Morrison was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Oil City where she retired as secretary. She served as president of the Women's Missionary Society and was a Sunday school teacher. She enjoyed reading, listening to music, camping, traveling and spending time with her family. Mrs. Morrison was married Sept. 8, 1956, to David H. Morrison, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Michelle R. Pennington and husband, Allen, of Sharon and Carla A. Sheatz of Oil City; a son, David S. Morrison of Oil City; and five grandchildren, Jimmy McCoy, Bart McCoy, Nathan Morrison, Brooke Sheatz and Kailynn Morrison. She also is survived by her mother, Margaret "Peg" Stivanson of Oil City; two brothers, William Stivanson and wife, Gerry, of Seneca and Andrew Stivanson and wife, Marcia, of Florida; a sister, Judy Shreffler and husband, Tom, of Seneca; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Morrison Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the First Church of the Nazarene. Interment will be in Brandon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Beverly Healthcare-Oil City, 16301. Lillie Mae Sherman Shaw Lillie Mae Sherman Shaw, 73, of Southern Avenue, Strattanville, died Sunday, May 22, 2005, at her home. Born May 20, 1932, in Sligo, she was the daughter of Bird R. and Garnet Neiswonger Sherman. Mrs. Shaw was a devoted housewife and enjoyed fishing, camping, crafts and family picnics. She was married April 18, 1953, to Arthur Merle "Lumpy" Shaw, who died May 29, 2000. Surviving are two sisters, Claire Stromyer of Strattanville and Delores Bell of Knox; two stepdaughters, Sally Conners of Oil City and Rojean Boone of Georgia; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and in-laws. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Shaw was preceded in death by three brothers and four sisters. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Goble Funeral Home, 330 Wood St., Clarion. Funeral services will be held art 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with the Rev. David J. Selleck officiating. Interment will follow in the Strattanville Cemetery. Donald J. Sheffer Donald J. Sheffer, 75, of Sandusky, Ohio, died early Saturday morning, May 21, 2005, in the Stein Hospice Center at South Campus of Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky, following a lengthy illness. Born Aug. 25, 1929, in Emlenton, he was the son of Marshall and Ruth Sheffer. He was a graduate of Rockland High School and attended Grove City College and Bowling Green University. Mr. Sheffer was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving during the Korean War. He was employed by both the former Philco Co. and Hinde & Dauche Co., Sandusky, before retiring in 1982 from Sandusky International as a sales engineer. Mr. Sheffer was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Sandusky, Plum Brook Country Club, Perseverance Lodge, Zenobia Shrine and Valley of Toledo Consistory. He enjoyed many sports including hunting, slow-pitch softball, volleyball and golf. Mr. Sheffer was active in many civic organizations including the Sandusky Jaycees, Sandusky Lions Club, the American Lung Association and the American Heart Association. He was married for 53 years to Dorothy Hughes, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Douglas Sheffer and wife, Linda, of Chicago, Ill., and David Sheffer of Columbus, Ohio; and five grandchildren. He also is survived by one brother, Eugene Sheffer and wife, Marjorie, of Franklin; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Sheffer was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Ellen Rhoades; and one brother, William Sheffer. Friends may call from 1:15 to 2 p.m. Tuesday in the First Presbyterian Church, 265 Jackson St., Sandusky. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the church with the Rev. Kimberly Secrist-Ashby and the Rev. Dr. Terry Parker officiating. Interment will be at noon Wednesday in the Rockland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church in Sandusky or to a charity of one's choice. The Groff Funeral Home, 1607 East Perkins Ave., Sandusky, Ohio, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.groffuneralhomes.com.