The Derrick, Tuesday, July 13, 2004: Merle S. Blair, Clarion John Russell Mohnkern Sr., Franklin, formerly of Seneca Frances A. Ruffner, 538 Plummer St., Oil City Elsie Love Smith, 3356 Route 322, Brookville (Roseville) Merle S. Blair Merle S. Blair, 65, of Clarion, formerly of St. Petersburg, died at 6:50 a.m. Monday, July 12, 2004, in Clarion Hospital following a lengthy illness. Born Jan. 18, 1939, in Clintonville, he was the son of Cecil B. and Opal M. Blair. He was a 1957 graduate of Victory Joint High School. Mr. Blair had been employed in his early years at Parker Glass Co. He also was employed for more than 20 years as supervisor of maintenance and grounds for Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District, Foxburg. He retired in 2001 from the school district. He was a member of Canby Lodge No. 520, F. & A.M., in St. Petersburg. Mr. Blair also was a member of the Emlenton Presbyterian Church where he had served as an elder. He enjoyed gospel music, working on cars and the company of family and close friends, Tony and Lois Salamone of St. Petersburg, and especially his grandchildren. Surviving are his wife, Lottie Hoffman Blair, whom he married May 29, 1958, in Clintonville; two daughters, Brenda Ashbaugh of Clarion and Cinda Blair of DuBois; and five grandchildren, Kyle, Ashley and Amy Ashbaugh and Jessica and Erica Blair. He also is survived by a sister, Karen Humphrey and husband, Edward, of Youngstown, Ohio; his mother-in-law, Dorothy Hoffman of Grove City; and a brother-in-law, Jim Hoffman and wife, Janet, of Warren; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Blair was preceded in death by his parents. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today in the Hile Funeral Home Inc., St. Petersburg. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with the Rev. Lori Danielson, pastor of the Emlenton Presbyterian Church, officiating. Interment will be in St. Petersburg Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association. P.O. Box 1132, Fairfax, Va., 22038-1132. John Russell Mohnkern Sr. John Russell Mohnkern Sr., 73, formerly of Seneca, died early Monday morning, July 12, 2004, in Sugar Creek Station, Franklin, where he had been a resident. Born July 29, 1930, in Oil City, he was the son of George and Estella Javens Mohnkern. Mr. Mohnkern was a 1948 graduate of Oil City High School. He served in the U.S. Army. Mr. Mohnkern was a member of the Cornplanter Volunteer Fire Department until 1977 and was a member of the Venango County Fire Police Association until 1977. He worked at Foster Forbes Glass until his retirement. Mr. Mohnkern first was married to Jane L. Rhoades Mohnkern Grantham, who preceded him in death. He later married Norma Jean Lander, who died in 1998. Surviving are three children, Patricia M. Ford and husband, Chet, of Inman, S.C., Janet M. Monaco and husband, Jerry, of Ravenna, Ohio, and John R. Mohnkern Jr. and wife, Judy, of Utica; four stepchildren, Marvin Lander, Charmaine Lander, Shirley O'Neil and Gary Lander; four grandchildren; and nine stepgrandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. Mr. Mohnkern was preceded in death by his parents and his two wives. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Morrison Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with the Rev. James Hamilton, pastor of Deckards United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens. The family suggests memorials be made to a charity of one's choice. Frances A. Ruffner Frances A. Ruffner, 53, of 538 Plummer St., Oil City, died at 4 p.m. Monday, July 5, 2004, in her home. Born Jan. 3, 1951, in New Kensington, she was the daughter of Fred and Pluma Pierce Crilley. Mrs. Ruffner had lived in the Oil City area for the past 16 years. She was a homemaker and enjoyed puzzles, reading and music. Mrs. Ruffner was of the Methodist faith. She was married Aug. 15, 1969, to Herbert W. Ruffner, who survives. Surviving are two daughters, Eivon Denise Ruffner and Tammy Lynn Neely, both of Cooperstown; one son, Grant William Ruffner of Cooperstown; and two grandchildren, Misty Blue and Kit Michael Neely, both of Cooperstown. She also is survived by two sisters, Henrietta Roberts Shearer of Tionesta and Beverly Roberts of New Kensington; and one brother, Robert Roberts. Friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Hutchinson Funeral Home, 201 Bissell Ave., Oil City. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with her son, the Rev. Grant William Ruffner of the Universal Life Church, officiating. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family. Elsie Love Smith Elsie Love Smith, 67, of 3356 Route 322, Brookville, (Roseville), died Saturday, July 10, 2004, in McKinley Health Center, Laurelbrooke Landing, Brookville. Born Dec. 31, 1936, in Summerville, she was the daughter of John A. and Adah Mae McMaster Love. She was a 1955 graduate of Clarion-Limestone High School. Mrs. Smith retired after 20 years of service with Deposit Bank in Brookville. She also was a door attendant and greeter at McKinney Funeral Home, Brookville. She was a member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Brookville and was active in church activities. Mrs. Smith was secretary-treasurer of the Roseville-Bethel Cemetery Association. She enjoyed singing, camping and cooking. Mrs. Smith was married in Brookville Aug. 4, 1990, to William L. Smith, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters and their husbands, Vicki and Jeffery B. Stahlman of Brookville and Rita and Michael C. Burns of Brookville; four stepchildren, Debbie Shriver and husband, John, Pamela Smith and Michael Smith and wife, Peggy, all of Brookville, and Sandra McCleary and husband, Mark, of Corsica; one granddaughter, Angel Stahlman; and three stepgrandchildren. She also is survived by a brother and his wife, L. Elmer and Dorothy Love of Brookville; two sisters, Alice Berkebile and husband, Robert, of Brookville and Jeanne Showalter of Winter Park, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Margaret Bailey; four half brothers; one half sister; and an infant brother and sister. Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. today in the McKinney Funeral Home, 345 Main St., Brookville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Evangelical United Methodist Church, Brookville, with the Rev. Andrew P. Spore officiating. Interment will be in the Roseville-Bethel Cemetery, Union Township, Jefferson County. Memorials may be made to the Evangelical United Methodist Church, South White Street, Brookville, 15825.