The Derrick, Wednesday, July 14, 2004: Elizabeth Jane "Libby" Custer, Wildcat, near Rimersburg Elbert A. Harshberger, Curwensville Cheryl Mook Rowland, 1194 Mercer Road, Franklin Mildred E. Smith, 1259 Mercer Road, Franklin Pauline A. "Squeak" Stiglitz, Maxwell Road, Clarion Elizabeth Jane "Libby" Custer Elizabeth Jane "Libby" Custer, 81, of Wildcat near Rimersburg, died at 9:10 p.m. Monday, July 12, 2004, in the Clarion Hospital following a lingering illness. Born June 4, 1923, in Gorton, Clearfield County, she was the daughter of Joseph William and Leah Emma Walker Sweitzer. Mrs. Custer was a homemaker and a member of the Methodist faith. She first was married in Karthus Oct. 7, 1942, to Woodrow Billotte, who died in August 1958. She then was married in Mercer Jan. 9, 1961, to Jacob Custer, who survives. Also surviving are five sons, Harry N. Billotte and wife, Deborah, of Sligo, Joseph W. Billotte and wife, Ethel, of Clarion, Gary M. Billotte of Emlenton, Edward C. Billotte and wife, Dianne, of Rimersburg and Dennis M. Billotte of Parker; two daughters, Emma Mae Baker of Valencia and Tracy E. Everett and husband, Darryl, of Emlenton; 23 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by five stepsons, Cleveland E. Eddinger and wife, Connie, of Grove City, Joseph H. Custer of Rimersburg, William E. Custer and wife, Bertha, of Sligo, Clayton A. Roberts and wife, Sheila, of Weedville and Dean L. Custer of Mercer; four stepdaughters, Ethel Billotte and Joseph of Clarion, Milly E. Shuttleworth and husband, John Jr. of Reynoldsville, Geniva N. McCracken of Strattanville and Wilma P. Kanski and husband, Richard, of St. Marys; 25 stepgrandchildren; and 39 step-great-grandchildren. Surviving also are a sister, Mary Ellen Snyder and husband, Harry, of Tarentum; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and first husband, she was preceded in death by a son, James L. Billotte, March 23, 2004; a granddaughter, Crystal Dawn Billotte, October 1980; a stepson, Jacob Custer, Feb. 15, 1985; five brothers, John William Sweitzer, Louis Sweitzer, Frederick Sweitzer, Melvin Sweitzer and Oscar S. Sweitzer; and two sisters, Katherine Marie Moore and Olive Chapman. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Richard D. Hillis Funeral Home in Rimersburg. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home with the Rev. Benjamin McCauley officiating. Interment will follow in the Askey Cemetery near Kylerstown, Centre County. Elbert A. Harshberger Elbert A. Harshberger, 89, of Curwensville, most recently of Pine Crest Manor, St. Marys, died Sunday, July 11, 2004, in Elk Regional Health Center. Born Jan. 11, 1915, in Pitcairn, he was the son of Austin and Stella Scott Harshberger. He served in the Navy during World War II. Mr. Harshberger retired in 1979 as a foreman from the former North American Refractories after 22 years of service. He also was a partner in Curwensville Motor Service and other area businesses. He was a member of the Curwensville United Methodist Church where he served as treasurer for many years, was a youth counselor and a member of the church choir. Mr. Harshberger was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons Noble Lodge No. 480, the Clearfield Shriners Club, the Jaffa Shrine, the Clearfield Hobbie Garden Club and the Woodland Senior Citizens Club. He was a life member of the Curwensville Rescue Hose & Ladder where he served as financial secretary for many years. He also was a member of the Master Gardener Program through the Penn State Co-operative Extension, the Curwensville Area School Board and the Robert Ferguson Post No. 842 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Curwensville. Mr. Harshberger was a former Cub Scout leader and a former Pike Township auditor. He was married in Morrisdale July 13, 1941, to the former Jean Deacon, who survives. Also surviving are three children, Joel Harshberger and wife, Dolores, of Florida, Kathleen Harris of Curwensville and Elaine Young and husband, Tom, of Polk; four grandchildren, Maggie McFadden, Greg Harshberger, Melissa Dearth and Jennifer Lyons; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Harshberger was preceded in death by a sister, Stella Harshberger. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Kevin A. Beardsley Funeral Home, Curwensville. Visitation also will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday in the Curwensville United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the church with the Rev. Arlene P. Beechert officiating. Interment will follow in the Allport Cemetery in Allport. Military honors will be accorded at the graveside by members of the Clearfield American Legion and VFW posts. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Shriners Children's Hospital, 1645 W. Eight St., Erie, 16505; Curwensville Public Library, 601 Beech St., Curwensville; Curwensville United Methodist Church, 602 State St., Curwensville; or to Rescue Hose & Ladder, Filbert St., Curwensville, 16833. On-line condolences or memory tributes may be sent to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com. Cheryl Mook Rowland Cheryl Mook Rowland of 1194 Mercer Road, Franklin, died at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, 2004, in UPMC Northwest, Franklin. The Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary will be published Thursday in The News-Herald. Mildred E. Smith Mildred E. Smith, 79, of 1259 Mercer Road, Franklin, died at 5:29 p.m. Monday, July 12, 2004, in UPMC Northwest, Franklin. Born Feb. 4, 1925, in Barkeyville, she was the daughter of Benjamin and Alyce Richardson McMurdy. She was a graduate of Wesley High School and Feller's Beauty School in Oil City. Mrs. Smith had worked at Joy Mining Machinery and at Polk Center. After that, she and her husband became well-known in Mapledale as the owners and operators of Smith's Saddle Shop. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, Franklin, where she served as a deacon and trustee. Mrs. Smith was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and was very active in the Venango County 4-H and received the "Friend of the Year 4-H Award." She enjoyed being active with many children in the community. She was married Feb. 8, 1947, to Charles E. "Chappy" Smith, who died Jan. 15, 1986. Surviving are a daughter, Natalie Alter and husband, Douglas, of Columbus, Ohio; and two grandchildren, Kylee Alter and Joseph Alter of Columbus, Ohio. She also is survived by two sisters, Gertrude Highfield of Norcross, Ga., and Alyce McMurdy of Franklin; several nieces and nephews; and many good friends of all ages. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Huff Chapel, 312 W. Park St., Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the First Presbyterian Church, 1250 Elk St., Franklin, with the Rev. Samuel T. Gibb, pastor of the church, and the Rev. Robert Graham, pastor of the Nicklin United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Barkeyville Cemetery. The family suggests donation be made to the Venango County 4-H, 867 Mercer Road, Franklin, 16323, or to a charity of one's choice. Pauline A. 'Squeak' Stiglitz Pauline A. "Squeak" Stiglitz, 66, of Maxwell Road, Clarion, wife of Carl Stiglitz, died Tuesday morning, July 13, 2004, in Clarion Hospital. There will be no public visitation. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Immaculate Conception Church, Clarion, with Msgr. Joseph J. Riccardo, pastor, presiding. Interment will be in Immaculate Conception Cemetery. The Robert V. Burns Funeral Home, Clarion, is in charge of arrangements.