The Derrick, May 20, 2005: Norma L. Emeigh, Franklin, formerly of Wilkinsburg Charles Wayne Heeter, Clear Lake, Texas, Oil City native Eugene W. Horner Jr., Denver, Colo., formerly of Oil City James Matlock Jr., 1 Sycamore St., Oil City Geraldine M. Reinsel, 116 Bissell Ave., Oil City Robert L. Shawgo Sr., 43 Washington St., Franklin Bess E. Silverman, 1516 Buffalo St., Franklin Eileen E. "Bunny" Strus, Oil City Norma L. Emeigh Norma L. Emeigh, 74, a resident of Franklin for the past nine years, formerly of Wilkinsburg, died at 6:23 a.m. Thursday, May 19, 2005, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca, where she was admitted a week ago. Born July 29, 1930, in Penn Hills, she was the daughter of Norman C. and Margaret A. Kaylor. She attended the elementary and high school in Penn Hills. Mrs. Emeigh was a homemaker who kept busy with her grandchildren and great-grandson. She was married May 3, 1955, to Ronald E. Emeigh, who survives. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Surviving, in addition to her husband, are three children, Geoffrey A. Emeigh and wife, Trudi T., of Penn Hills, James W. Emeigh of Franklin and Lucinda G. Lipko of Slippery Rock; five grandchildren, Geoffrey A. Emeigh Jr., James Robert Emeigh, Adah L. and Marlena C. Lipko and Karley J. Emeigh.; and a great-grandson, Justin R. Emeigh. Mrs. Emeigh was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters; and three brothers. The family will receive friends from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday in the Larry E. McKinley Funeral Home, 109 Emlenton St., Clintonville. Services and interment will be held at the convenience of the family with the Rev. Jack Patterson, retired United Methodist Church minister, officiating. The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the American Cancer Society, 10 W. Front St., Oil City, 16301. Charles Wayne Heeter Charles Wayne Heeter, Oil City native and longtime resident of the Clear Lake area, near Houston, Texas, died Saturday, May 7, 2005, at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston from complications of surgery. Mr. Heeter is survived by his wife, Patricia Cline Holmes; daughter, Leslie Heeter Lundquist of Houston, Texas; son, Thomas Webster Heeter of Corning, Calif., grandson, Christopher Martin Lundquist of Houston, Texas; his former wife, Irene M. Heeter of Corning, Calif.; stepson, Marion Lee Holmes of Temple, Texas; stepdaughter, Judy Holmes Goode of Dallas, Texas; and former daughter-in-law, Linda Hobbs of Houston. He also is survived by his brother, William B. Heeter of Kennerdell; two sisters, Eleanor Hitchcock of Seneca and June Bump of Rockville, Tenn.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Heeter was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Anna Webster; his father, William B. Heeter Sr.; brother, Jack; sisters, Beatrice Heeter Schaffer, Dorothy Heeter Switzer and an infant sister. He was born in Oil City April 21, 1933, and raised at the family home at Emlenton RD 1, the youngest of his siblings. His parents passed when he was a child. After an early start to school in the local one-room schoolhouse, Mr. Heeter later graduated in 1951 from White Memorial High School in Knox. Upon graduation, Mr. Heeter joined the U.S. Navy. Stationed at NAS Memphis, Tenn., in 1951, he worked for the Naval Air Group as a teacher and trainer. During that time, he met and married his first wife, Irene. They traveled to North Africa where he was stationed for another two years. Upon returning, Mr. Heeter attended Indiana Technical College in Fort Wayne, Ind., where he studied drafting and design. He subsequently accepted a position as an aerospace designer for Bell Labs in Marietta, Ga. He next accepted a position in Mt. View, Calif., working for Philco, later to become Ford Aerospace, where he worked for the remainder of his aerospace career. As NASA's Johnson Space Center was starting, Mr. Heeter was selected for promotion and transferred to Houston as part of Philco's contract to develop Houston's Mission Control Center. He and his family, now including daughter, Leslie, and infant son, Thomas, arrived in Houston Jan. 3, 1964. Mr. Heeter worked with NASA from the early days of the Johnson Space Center through the peak of the Gemini and Apollo space programs. While working at Ford Aerospace, Mr. Heeter enjoyed his hobby of refurbishing boats and homes, beginning with his own boat and his waterfront home in Clear Lake Shores. He eventually purchased several other houses, updating and remodeling them with great care and delight, as rental properties. He used his funds wisely and did much of the work himself, once raising a garage with a lot of determination, patience, some shims, and a forklift. To those who knew him, these houses are part of his legacy today. Besides his contributions to America's space program, Mr. Heeter was honored by his ability to contribute to the advancement of medical science. He was willing to undergo many new medical procedures. After surviving a cardiac arrest at age 42, Mr. Heeter had triple bypass surgery, a new procedure at that time, performed by Dr. Denton Cooley. However, cardiovascular difficulties continued. On May 15, 1987, with new wife, Patricia, and his other close friends and family at his side, Mr. Heeter received a necessary heart transplant, miraculously after only a week of waiting. The transplant was completely successful, one of the first to be so. Unable to return to his duties at Ford Aerospace, he worked on his rental properties, a source of pleasure and income. He helped Patricia raise her children, Lee and Judy Claire. More recently, Mr. Heeter underwent the first successful ablation on a transplant patient, a procedure that prevented the need for a pacemaker. His final illness was not related to his heart at all, and his beautiful heartbeat was the last thing to leave us. He enjoyed many additional years of life as a result of his medical courage. Wayne Heeter is remembered as a kind, creative, intelligent and resourceful man who freely shared his many talents and skills. Since his Navy days, he loved the water. He found peace, enjoying the view of Clear Lake while working on his waterfront properties. He will be greatly missed. A memorial service was held May 24 at the Jack Rowe Funeral Home, League City, Texas. Services will be held in Emlenton for the family and he will be laid to rest nearby. Donations may go to St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Transplant Fund; Attn: Ms. Renita Killam, 6720 Bertner Ave., MC 2-114A, Houston, Texas, 77030. Eugene W. Horner Eugene W. Horner Jr., 46, formerly of Oil City, died Monday, May 16, 2005, in Denver, Colo., after a brief illness. Born Sept. 8. 1958, in Oil City, he was the son of the late Eugene W. and Shirley V. Reed Horner. He was a graduate of Oil City High School and attended Clarion University. Mr. Horner worked as a teacher's aide at the Cole Middle School in Denver, Colo. He volunteered many hours with the summer recreation program, tutored Saturdays, helped students with community gardens at school and was a learning family mentor. Mr. Horner was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Oil City. He enjoyed cooking, entertaining, singing and old movies. Surviving are his dog and companion, Buffy; three sisters, Suzan Horner of Franklin, Jill Snyder and husband, George, of Fort Myers, Fla., and Christine Klingensmith and husband, Dale, of Seneca; five brothers, James Horner and wife, Joni, of Franklin, Mark Horner and wife, Georgia, of Mentor, Ohio, Thomas Horner of Lehigh, Fla., Matt Horner and wife, Audine, of Dempseytown and Robert Horner and wife, Carmen, of Oil City; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Horner was preceded in death by a nephew, Andrew Horner; and a niece, Emily Carothers. 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. Saturday in the funeral home with the Rev. Eddie M. Rape, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Franklin, officiating. Interment will be in Shaw Farm Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to a charity of one's choice. James Matlock Jr. James Matlock Jr., 79, of 1 Sycamore St., Oil City, died at 11:50 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2005, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca. Born Oct. 3, 1925, in McClure, Ill., he was the son of James W. and Ella Mae Rudolph Matlock. Mr. Matlock had been employed by Klapec Trucking Co. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and watching cowboy movies and his grandchildren. Mr. Matlock was married Sept. 1, 1951, to Geraldine Mae Deeter, who survives. Also surviving are two children, Roger G. Matlock and wife, Pansy, of Dempseytown and Mrs. James (Karen) Kelley of Titusville; a stepson, Ronald Lee Linton of Erie; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He also is survived by a brother, Gary Matlock of Gordonville, Mo.; and four sisters, Mrs. Rose Durham of Cape Girado, Mo., Mrs. John (Louise) Ring of LeClaire, Iowa, Mrs. Gene (Joan) Harris of Mount Vernon, Ill., and Mrs. Donald (Susan) Klingensmith of Jacksonville, Mo. In addition to his parents, Mr. Matlock was preceded in death by four brothers; two sisters; and one great-grandson. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in the Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home, Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in the funeral home with the Rev. Richard Roberts, pastor of Oakland United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to a charity of one's choice. Geraldine M. Reinsel Geraldine M. Reinsel, 83, of 116 Bissell Ave., Oil City, died at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 19, 2005, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca, following an extended illness. She had been a third-floor resident of the Oil City Presbyterian Home since September 2003. Born April 22, 1922, in Oil City, she was the daughter of Howard L. and Catherine M. Schmader Fesenmyer. She attended Central Avenue School and South Side Junior High School and graduated in 1940 from Oil City High School. She went on to attend Welch's Business College in Oil City. Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Reinsel worked for United Natural Gas Co. and at St. Stephen Rectory. Mrs. Reinsel was the oldest of seven children and loved being around family and friends. She was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking, baking, canning and entertaining her friends around her kitchen table. Her brownies were a treat for all. She was a member of St. Joseph Church, the Rosary Society of the church, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and the Belles Lettres Club. Mrs. Reinsel was a volunteer in the kitchen at Venango Christian High School and helped sell Black & Gold Booster tickets for many years. She and her late husband, Joseph A. Reinsel Sr., were owners of the Reinsel Funeral Home from 1965 to 1985. He preceded her in death June 20, 1999. Mrs. Reinsel and her husband were married June 5, 1948, in St. Stephen Church, Oil City, by Msgr. Louis Kelley, the Rev. Lawrence J. Antoun and the Rev. W. Robert Griffin. Surviving are four children and their spouses, Joseph A. and Suzann Reinsel of Oil City, David W. and Terri Reinsel of President, Kevin R. and Nancy Reinsel of Oil City and Catherine R. and Alvaro Torres of Tacoma, Wash.; grandchildren, Joseph and Heather Reinsel, Michael, Timothy, Stephen, Andrew, Matthew and Nicholas Reinsel, Jackie and Jamie Lutz and Emilio and Andreas Torres; and one great-grandson, Colin Joseph Reinsel. She also is survived by two sisters, Ruth Miller of Ocala, Fla., and Patricia and husband, Dr. Henry Gregory, of Marienville; two brothers and their wives, Robert and Patricia Fesenmyer of Hayesville, N.C., and Howard L. and Dorothea Fesenmyer of Bradford; and several in-laws, Patricia Fesenmyer of Altamonte Springs, Fla., Marg and Pat Reinsel of President, J. Edward Reinsel and Marge Reinsel, both of Oil City, and Gertrude Reinsel of Franklin; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Reinsel was preceded in death by one son, Daniel Bruce Reinsel; and two brothers, John B. Fesenmyer and Norman C. Fesenmyer. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the Reinsel Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Saturday in St. Joseph Church with Msgr. John W. Swoger, pastor, presiding. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Church Development Fund or to the VNA Foundation of Venango County. Robert L. Shawgo Robert L. Shawgo Sr., 65, of 43 Washington St., Franklin, died at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at his residence. Born March 11, 1940, in Oil City, he was the son of Todd L. and Evelyn M. Pastorius Shawgo. Mr. Shawgo retired in 1992 after 24 years of service as a RSA at Polk Center. He was a very active member of the Atlantic Avenue United Brethren Church. He belonged to the Senior Saints of the church, was a Sunday School teacher, lay delegate, artist, musician, singer and board member. Mr. Shawgo's hobbies included music, art, fishing and hunting and enjoyed being with his family and grandchildren. He was married July 31, 1959, to Janice M. Wentworth, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Robert L. Shawgo Jr. and wife, Diane, and Todd A. Shawgo and wife, Kim, all of Franklin; and five grandchildren, Elisha Shawgo and fiance, Ben Dechant, of Franklin, Jeremy Shawgo of Franklin, Bridey Shawgo and Anna Shawgo, both of Oil City, and Tyler Blandin of Franklin. He also is survived by two brothers, William T. Shawgo of Utica and Richard E. Shawgo of Ephrata; a faithful brother-in-law, Laverne Wentworth and his wife, Bea, of Polk; and a sister, Cindy L. Shawgo Daniels of Franklin. Mr. Shawgo was preceded in death by his parents and one aunt, Helen Deets. 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 10 a.m. Saturday in the Atlantic Avenue United Brethren in Christ Church with the Rev. Gary Small, pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Deckards Run Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Sugar Creek Station, 351 Causeway Drive, Franklin, 16323, or to the Missions at the Atlantic Avenue United Brethren Church, 160 Atlantic Ave., Franklin,16323. Bess E. Silverman Bess E. Silverman, 87, of 1516 Buffalo St., Franklin, died at 12:25 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, 2005, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca. Born June 6, 1917, in Columbus, Ohio, she was the daughter of Mendel and Rose Finkelstein. She attended Ohio State University. Mrs. Silverman, along with her husband, Jerome "Butch" Silverman, owned and operated the Fashion Shoppe on Liberty Street, Franklin. The Fashion was a Franklin institution for more than 60 years with the Silvermans retiring in 1999. She was a member of the Tree of Life Synagogue. On Nov. 2, 1941, she married Jerome Y. Silverman, who died July 14, 2000. Surviving are three children, Susan Abrams and husband, Charles, of Rockville, Md., Lawrence Silverman and wife, Jan, of Charlottesville, Va., and Lorri Braidman and husband, Stan, of Northbrook, Ill.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Silverman was preceded in death by a brother, Theodore Finkelstein; and a sister, Florence Weiss. Private family services were held Thursday. Interment was made in the Tree of Life Cemetery, Titusville. The family suggests memorial donations be made to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements were in charge of the Huff Chapel, Franklin. Eileen E. "Bunny" Strus Eileen E. "Bunny" Strus, 84, of Oil City, died at 11:22 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2005, in the Oil City Presbyterian Home after an extended illness. Born Nov. 1, 1920, in Oil City, she was the daughter of Montgomery L. and Mary Ardelle Fuller Sloane. She was a 1939 graduate of Oil City High School. Mrs. Strus entered the Licensed Practical Nursing Program at the Oil City Vo-Tech and graduated in 1974. She had worked at the Franklin Hospital and later retired from Polk Center. She was a member of St. Joseph Church and had belonged to the Rosary Society and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Mrs. Strus enjoyed sewing and doing crossword puzzles. She was married by the late Father Griffin in St. Stephen Church Jan. 12, 1946, to Thomas J. "Tim" Strus, who survives. Also surviving are three children, Thomas J. "Tim" Strus and wife, Susan, of Oil City, James Michael Strus and wife, Oi, of Severna, Md., and Mary Ardelle Mauro of Lower Burrell; and six grandchildren, Cassandra Strus, Sloane Strus, Stacey Welch and husband, Chadwick, Michael Strus, Dana Mauro and Janelle Mauro. She also is survived by one sister, Mary Giddens of Fort Myers, Fla. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Strus was preceded in death by a brother, John Sloane; and a sister, Virginia Sloane. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Reinsel Funeral Home and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Joseph Church., 35 Pearl Ave., Oil City. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday in the church with Msgr. John W. Swoger, pastor, presiding. Interment will follow in the Bishop McManaman Memorial Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Church or to the Oil City Presbyterian Home, Oil City, 16301.