The Derrick, November 14, 2007: Sherman E. Downs, Canonsburg, formerly of Emlenton and Franklin William Eugene Kennedy, Long Beach, Calif., formerly of Oil City Robert E. McMurdy, Jamestown, N.Y., formerly of Harrisville Hazel C. Miller, Oil City Gloria Alice Klouse Oakley, Pine Oak Lane, Strattanville Emma Ruth Rhoads, Sligo Doris Leah Rodgers, 2722 Route 8, Titusville (Cherrytree) Esther L. Staab, Warren, Pa., formerly of Venus Ethel C. Stiller, South Main Street, Seneca Thomas Lee Winters, Horsecreek Road, Seneca, formerly of Franklin Sherman E. Downs Sherman E. Downs, 59, of Canonsburg, formerly of Emlenton and Franklin, husband of Lois "Smiley" Downs and brother of Ronald Downs of Emlenton, died Monday, Nov. 12, 2007, of a heart attack. He and his wife formerly worked at Polk Center. William Eugene Kennedy, 69, of Long Beach, Calif., formerly of Oil City, died Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007, surrounded by his entire family. Born June 15, 1938, in Oil City, he was the son of the late Joseph A. and Ruth Zahneiser Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy was an ordained Baptist minister and an evangelist of God. He spent his life devoted to spreading the word of God and living an example of Christian life. He was married to the former Sharen Snyder of Oil City and she survives. Also surviving are his two children, Kim Kennedy of Sacramento, Calif., and Sean Kennedy of Huntington Beach, Calif.; four grandchildren, Amanda Camp, Alexander Rivers, Ian Kennedy and Kandice Kennedy; and one great-grandson, Henry Camp. He also is survived by his brother, Joseph L. Kennedy of Oil City. Robert E. McMurdy Robert E. McMurdy, 55, of Jamestown, N.Y., formerly of Harrisville, son of the late Chester D. and Margerie McBride McMurdy of Harrisville, grandson of the late Nelson R. and Lucille McBride, died Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007, in Jamestown, N.Y. Hazel C. Miller, 94, a resident of the Oil City Presbyterian Home, died at 6:05 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, 2007, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca. Born July 31, 1913, in Clarion, she was the daughter of Allison A. and Pearl Zerby Bell Mrs. Miller was a retired self-employed beautician, having owned and operated her own salon. She also worked for other beauty shops. She was a member of Christ United Methodist Church. Mrs. Miller enjoyed crocheting, gardening and flowers, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was married Sept. 26 to Aaron H. Miller, who preceded her in death. Surviving are one daughter, Rosalie Swab and husband, Louis, of Franklin; five grandchildren, Jay Ruddell and wife, Cheri, of Anaheim, Calif., Thomas Miller and wife, Laura, of Orlando, Fla., Laurie Marin and husband, Miguel, of Parkland, Fla., Amanda Tomlinson and husband, Kirk, of Franklin and Davied Miller of Oil City; and nine great-grandchildren. Mrs. Miller was the last surviving member of her immediate family. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Morris Miller; and 12 brothers and sisters. Visitation will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. today in the Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home, Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m. today in the funeral home with the Rev. John Sass, retired United Methodist minister, officiating. Interment will be in Franklin Cemetery. Condolences may be sent online to www.gardinierfuneralhome.com. Gloria Alice Klouse Oakley, 67, of Pine Oak Lane, Strattanville, died at 11:55 a.m. Monday, Nov. 12, 2007, in DuBois Regional Medical Center, DuBois. Born Dec. 1, 1939, at Summerville RD, she was the daughter of the late Edgar Franklin Klouse and Lena Rebecca Cyphert Klouse. She was a 1957 graduate of Clarion-Limestone High School. Mrs. Oakley had attended Pleasant Hill Bible Church in Summerville since the age of three days and was a longtime Sunday school teacher and church soloist. She was a homemaker and enjoyed her family, laughing, singing and traveling with her husband, especially to Southern gospel concerts. Mrs. Oakley was married for 47 years to Gary Oakley who survives. Also surviving are children, Cindy Oakley Thum and husband, Tuck, of Akron, Ohio, Martin Oakley and wife, Verla, of Tyrone and Wesley Oakley and wife, Carrie, of Bethel Park; and three grandsons, David and Joshua Thum and Benjamin Oakley. She also is survived by three sisters, Mildred "Joy" Aikens of Summerville, Nellie Gertrude "Trudy" Ferguson of DuBois and Mrs. Robert (Shirley) Clinger of Summerville; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant brother, Clark Allison; and elder sister, Beulah Louise Bowser. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory, Clarion. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the Pleasant Hill Bible Church, 1902 Sandy Flat Road, Summerville, with the Rev. Larry Dahlborg officiating.. Interment will be in the New Rehoboth-Greenville Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Pleasant Hill Bible Church. Emma Ruth Rhoads Emma Ruth Rhoads, 89, a resident of Country Springs Assisted Living, Sligo, died Tuesday evening, Nov. 13, 2007, in Clarview Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Sligo. The Goble Funeral Home and Crematory, Clarion, is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary will be published Thursday in The Derrick. Doris Leah Rodgers, 89, of 2722 State Route 8, Titusville (Cherrytree), died Monday, Nov. 12, 2007, in Community Hospital, New Port Richey, Fla. Born Sept. 27, 1918, in Cherrytree, she was the daughter of Harry and Grace Porter Baney. Mrs. Rodgers was employed for 25 years as a school bus driver for Ralph Prichard Transportation of Dempseytown. She attended the Oakland United Methodist Church in Dempseytown. In recent years, her great-great-granddaughter, Samantha Renee Stewart, brought her much joy and laughter. She also enjoyed spending time and having dinner with her family and many friends. Mrs. Rodgers was married in October 1958, to Donald J. Rodgers, who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Gracie Nindle of Bradenton, Fla., Sue Ann McKenzie of Cherrytree and Sue Fox and husband, Wally, of Cooperstown; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and four foster daughters, Sis Shontz, Phyllis Tarr, Helen Beach and Olive Neely. She also is survived by one sister, Ruth Obenrader and husband, Joseph, of New Port Richey, Fla. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Rodgers was preceded in death by one brother, George Baney, and a grandson, Kevin Bodie McClintock. Mrs. Rodgers was cremated in Florida and her cremains will be brought home to Cherrytree. A memorial service will be held at a later date in the Oakland United Methodist Church with the Rev. Richard Roberts, pastor, officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Oakland United Methodist Church, 3936 State Route 417, Cooperstown, 16317. Condolences may be sent to Donald J. Rodgers, 6210 Tennessee Ave., New Port Richey, Fla., 34653. Esther L. Staab Esther L. Staab, 83, of Warren, Pa., formerly of Venus, died Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007, in Clarion Hospital. She had been in ill health for five years. Born Nov. 5, 1924, in Venus, she was the daughter of John Francis and Clara A. Slike Staab. She attended the McCray School near Venus and skipped 3rd and 5th grades. Miss Staab graduated from Shippenville High school and Clarion University and taught all eight grades at a one-room school near Frills Corners. She later worked at Hill Crest Country Store. Miss Staab was a member of St. Michael Church in Fryburg. In 1950 she moved to Warren and worked at 66 Green Manufacturing, Bevevine Electric and various insurance companies. She then worked 22 years at Berenfield Container in Clarendon where she was office manager. After retirement, Miss Staab worked full time at Pellegrino Foods as a baker until she lost her vision. She volunteered at Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church in Warren, had been president of the Church Women United and was a driver for the home delivered meal program. Surviving are a brother, John E. Staab and his wife, Esther, of Cranberry; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Miss Staab was preceded in death by two brothers, Lawrence and Vincent Staab; and three sisters, Louella McElhatten, Frances Sporer and Betty Dennett. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Faller Funeral Home Inc., Fryburg with the Rev. David Poulson, pastor of St. Michael Church, officiating. Her cremains will be buried in St. Michael Cemetery, Fryburg. The family requests memorials be made to the Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church, Warren Pa. Ethel C. Stiller, 89, of South Main Street, Seneca, died at 9:17 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, 2007, in the Oil City Presbyterian Home. Born Sept. 15, 1918, in Fertigs, she was the daughter of Norman and Ellen Woods Culbertson. Mrs. Stiller graduated from Oil City High School. She worked for the Pennsylvania Telephone Co. and retired from the Cranberry School District. Mrs. Stiller was a member of St. Stephen Church, the YWCA Gallivanters Club, the VFW Auxiliary, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Seneca Volunteer Fire Department, The Cranberry Mall AM Walkers and the Cranberry Senior Citizens Center. She enjoyed sewing, baking, knitting, gardening and reading. On Aug. 4, 1942, she married Frederick V. Stiller, who preceded her in death June 26, 1994. Surviving are two daughters, Mary Ann Graham of Franklin and Gail Flinchbaugh and husband, James, of Seneca; four grandchildren, Allison Flinchbaugh, Ian Flinchbaugh, Mrs. Jay (Stephanie) Adams and Graydon Graham; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Hazel Firster; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond Culbertson; and a sister, Ruth Boyles. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday in the Morrison Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home with the Rev. Matthew Ruyechan, pastor of St. Stephen Church, officiating. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Oil City. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Meals on Wheels, the Oil City Crisis Center or to a charity of one's choice. Thomas Lee Winters, 68, of Horsecreek Road, Seneca, formerly of Franklin, died at 8:40 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007, in his residence. Born Nov. 10, 1939, in Bloomsburg, he was the son of the late John and Devota Bogart Winters. Mr. Winters attended public schools in the Bloomsburg area as well as Franklin. He was a United States veteran, having served with the Army in 1956 and 1957. Mr. Winters was employed as a polisher for the Reno Mold Co. for more than 10 years until his health no longer allowed him to continue working. He enjoyed playing softball, bowling and golf and had played on several area leagues in all of those sports. He also enjoyed playing the Pennsylvania lottery games. Mr. Winters was of the Protestant faith. He was married in Franklin Nov. 22, 1957, to the former Rebecca A. Griffen, who survives. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary next week. Also surviving are four children, Thomas L. Winters Jr. and wife, Karen, of Polk, Tanja M. Fitzgerald and fianc,, Michael Poch, of Franklin, Randy A. Winters of Meadville and Laura Myers and husband, Harold, of Seneca; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and his loving dog, 'J. Bear.' He also is survived by three brothers, Doyle D. "Duke" Winters and wife, Linda, of Franklin, Robert A. Winters and wife, Carol, of Corry and Charles R. Winters and wife, Jackie, of Orangeville; one sister, Linda Craig and husband, Raymond, of Franklin; four sisters-in-law, Lucille Baker, Ro Jean Boone and Judy Whitaker, all of Franklin, and Peggy Kotulek of Georgia; two brothers-in-law, Larry Griffen of Black Lick and Gerald Griffen of Homer City; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Winters was preceded in death by two sons, Jody J. and Timothy H. Winters; and two brothers, John and Jay Winters. Friends will be received from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 Route 257 in Seneca, Cranberry Township. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home with the Rev. Susan Evans, Venango VNA Hospice chaplain, officiating. Interment will follow in Lamey Cemetery, Oakland Township, Venango County. Memorial contributions to the family may be made in care of the funeral home to help defray funeral expenses. On-line condolences may be left by visiting www.hilebest.com