The Derrick, December 9, 2008: Lucille B. Amon, 374 N. Perry Highway, Mercer, Coolspring Township Paul E. Beer, New Bethlehem (Distant) Michael James Frye, 10429 Paden Road, Guys Mills Donald D. Kahle, 116 Kings Highway, Oil City Rev. J. Richard "Dick" Lichtenberger, Jackson Center Hunter Shaffer, 2097 Bredinsburg Road Jerry L. "Snork" Shaffer, Oil City Lawrence H. Tompkins, 306 Orange St., Oil City Lucille B. Amon, 74, of 374 N. Perry Highway, Mercer, Lot 110, Coolspring Township, died at 9:20 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, at Butler Memorial Hospital from an extended illness. Born Feb. 9, 1934, in Tippery, Venango County, she was the daughter of the late Boston Leslie Confer and Lula Irene Chambers. Mrs. Amon was married Jan. 3, 1956, to Frederick E. Amon, who preceded her in death in March 1981. Mrs. Amon was employed as a waitress at Mercer Diner and was also a homemaker. She was of the Baptist faith. She enjoyed crocheting and also had a love of butterflies. Mrs. Amon is survived by one son, Mark Amon of Mercer; three sisters, Bertha Mae Blauser and her husband, Chet, of Grove City, Geraldine Hale of Oil City and Delores Gay Etty and her husband, Marvin, of Franklin; two brothers, Lyle Confer of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Donald Confer and his wife, Ann, of Franklin; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Amon was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy Confer and Eleanor Emenhizer; one brother, Wade Confer; two brothers-in-law, Thomas Hale and Elmer Emenhizer; and two sisters-in-law, Betty Confer and Martha Confer. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Cunningham Funeral Home Inc., 144 S. Pitt St., Mercer. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Fred Blauser, nephew of Mrs. Amon, officiating. Paul E. Beer, 81, of New Bethlehem (Distant), died Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, at Clarion Hospital. Born August 2, 1927 in Distant, he was the son of William E. Beer and Junie V. Shilling Beer. Mr. Beer was employed as a state auditor for the Liquor Control Board. He was a member of the Distant Baptist Church. Mr. Beer was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Army. He was also a past Democratic chairman in Armstrong County. Mr. Beer is survived by a sister, Ruth Shreckengost of New Bethlehem (Distant); two nephews, Robert Shreckengost of New Bethlehem, and William Shreckengost and his wife, Susan, of New Bethlehem (Distant); two great-nephews, Jason Shreckengost and Wade Shreckengost; three great-great-nephews and three great-great-nieces. Mr. Beer was preceded in death by both parents. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Alcorn Funeral Home, 4065 Brookville St., Hawthorn. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with Pastor Lyle Westover, of Distant Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery, Distant. Michael James Frye, 32, of 10429 Paden Road, Guys Mills, passed away Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, in East Mead Township as a result of a hunting accident. Born Dec. 17, 1975, in Johnstown, he was the son of Terry L. and Phyllis Pierce Frye. He was married June 8, 2007, to Amy Sweet, who survives. He was a member of Wesleyan Methodist Church in Meadville. Mr. Frye had been employed as a truck driver for numerous trucking companies. He attended Northern Cambria schools in Spangler. Mr. Frye's hobbies included hunting, fishing and woodworking. In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Frye is survived by one daughter, Samantha N. Frye of Guys Mills; one stepdaughter, Amber Sweet of Guys Mills; one sister, Susan Duray of Seneca; and four brothers, Terry Lee Frye Jr. and his wife, Bunny, of Guys Mills, Christopher R. Frye of Morresville, N.C., Timothy Andrew Frye and his wife, Cristie, of Meadville, and Matthew David Frye and his wife, Sheilia, of Sugarcreek. He is also survived by his maternal grandparents, Merl and Margaret Pierce of Westover, and 13 nieces and nephews. Mr. Frye was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Merle and Mildred Frye. Family and friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday at the Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 404 Chestnut St., Meadville. Funeral services will be held at noon Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Paul Houseworth, pastor of Wesleyan Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will take place in St. Hippolyte Cemetery, Guys Mills. Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of Amy Frye, 10429 Paden Road, Guys Mills, 16327. Donald D. Kahle, 81, of 116 Kings Highway, Oil City, died at 11:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008 at UPMC Northwest in Seneca. Born Aug. 12, 1927, in Cranberry Township, he was a son of the late Ross and Florence Cyphert Kahle. Mr. Kahle attended Cranberry area school. He retired from Oil Well Supply Division of U.S. Steel. Mr. Kahle was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and his dog "Smokey." Mr. Kahle was married Nov. 1, 1952, to the former Doris I. Mays, who survives. In addition to his wife, Mr. Kahle is also survived by a son, Paul M. Wheeling of Seneca; a daughter, Dorothy Fink and her husband, Harold Thomas Fink, of Statesville, N.C.; a daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Wheeling of Oil City; five grandchildren, Harold Thomas Fink III and his wife, Wendy; Amy S. Ziegler and her husband, J.R.; Timothy S. Fink and his wife, Angela; Paula M. Wolbert and her husband, Rick; and Lynda J. Wheeling; four great-grandchildren, Keri Ann Swan, Michael Thomas Fink, Max Wolbert and Jayne L. Wolbert; a great-great-grandson, Brock Thomas Swan; and his beloved dog and pal, "Smokey." In addition to his parents, Mr. Kahle was preceded in death by three brothers, William Kahle, John Kahle and Rodney Kahle; and five sisters, Evelyn Gifford, Doris Wilson, Norma Winger, Mary Lou Sweeney and Anna Mae Cudzil. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Morrison Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Bruce Davis, pastor of Calvary United Methodist Church, officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Venango County Humane Society. Rev. J. Richard "Dick" Lichtenberger, 92, of Jackson Center, died at 12:50 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, in Orchard Manor Nursing Home, Pine Township, after a short illness. Born March 10, 1916, in Franklin, he was the son of Joseph E. and Anna B. Chisholm Lichtenberger. Rev. Lichtenberger was a 1935 graduate of Franklin High School and attended the former Welch's Business School of Oil City. His life took him on a journey of serving others. Just out of high school, Rev. Lichtenberger served on the National Commission to Combat Juvenile Delinquency. This sparked an interest in encouraging boys and young men. Rev. Lichtenberger got a job with Mobil Oil, which he kept for 25 years. During that time he continued to work with young people in Sunday school, dramatics, sports and scouting. He established the first Cub Scout Troop in Franklin. Rev. Lichtenberger also served as director of the Youth Center at the First Baptist Church of Franklin and then became an ordained minister. After the Mobile plant burned, he went to work at Polk State School and Hospital. While at Polk, Rev. Lichtenberger began working as a recreation director at George Junior Republic in Grove City. While there he started and directed their drum and bugle corps and made a difference in many of the boys lives. One in particular came to see him after 40 years to acknowledge him. After working at George Junior for 12 years, he returned to Polk Center in the Community Readiness Department and retired in 1981. His service to community was important to him. He served as chaplain of the Grove City AARP and Jackson Grange, was president of Mercer Area Senior Citizens, and was program director of Stoneboro Golden Agers and Stoneboro's Lion's Club; all of which he was a member. Rev. Lichtenberger served as a councilman for Jackson Center borough and served as the town's mayor for five years. Rev. Lichtenberger also served as pastor of the Plum and Troy Baptist Church in Chapmanville and later the First Baptist Church in Stoneboro. He also established and directed the Jackson Center Community Choir. He was a member of the Jackson Center Presbyterian Church where he taught Sunday school and was the choir director for many years. Rev. Lichtenberger was a writer and his greatest joy was producing his weekly columns in the Allied News and Tri-County News. He was married July 6, 1970, to the former Thelma C. Brazel Anderson, who survives at 20 Orchard Drive, Room 811, Grove City, 16127. In addition to his wife, Rev. Lichtenberger is survived by a son, J. Gary Anderson and his wife, Carol, of Broomfield, Colo.; a granddaughter, Sonya Seidler and her husband, Craig, of Louisville, Colo.; two great-grandchildren, Emma and Jack Seidler; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Rev. Lichtenberger was preceded in death by a brother, Francis R. Lichtenberger. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the Scott A. Black Funeral Home, 99 Franklin St., Stoneboro. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home with the Rev. Terry L. Greenlee, pastor of Jackson Center Presbyterian Church, officiating. Interment will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Jackson Township. Memorials may be made to the Jackson Center Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 66, Jackson Center, 16133. Hunter Shaffer, 10, of 2097 Bredinsburg Road, died from complications of mitochondrial disease at 3 a.m. Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. A son of Frederick D. and Kimberly D. Rector Shaffer, he was born July 18, 1998, in Franklin. He was enrolled in the Commonwealth Connection Academy, a cyber school. Hunter enjoyed his videos, music, swimming, bowling and four-wheeling. He also participated in horse riding at the Venango Area Riding for the Handicapped Association (VARHA). He loved to ride in his father's truck. Hunter will be remembered for his infectious smile and the sunshine, joy and love he brought to everyone. He attended the Franklin Church of the Nazarene. In addition to his parents he is survived by one sister, Hannah E. Shaffer at home; his paternal grandmother, Donna V. Shaffer of Seneca; his maternal grandparents, Jack and Barb Rector of Oil City and Jim and Darlene Brown of Polk; his maternal great-grandmother, Claribel "Peg" O'Neil of Cranberry; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Charles E. Shaffer. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Huff Chapel, 312 W. Park St., Franklin. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Franklin Church of the Nazarene, 393 Pone Lane, with Pastor David Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Rockland Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Church of the Nazarene, 393 Pone Lane, Franklin, 16323. Jerry L. "Snork" Shaffer, 66, of Oil City, died Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, at UPMC Northwest. Born Dec. 29, 1941, in Putneyville, Armstrong County, he was the son of the late Roy E. and Ruth V. Minerd Shaffer. Mr. Shaffer was a veteran of the Vietnam era, serving in the U.S. Army. He is survived by a close friend, Carol A. Kline of Oil City. Mr. Shaffer is also survived by a brother, Richard L. Shaffer and his wife, Susan, of Titusville; two sisters, Grace M. Sherman and her husband, Jack, of Tionesta; Janet L. Klingensmith of Columbus, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Shaffer was preceded in death by a son, Keith Allen Shaffer; four brothers, Robert E. Shaffer, Jay Fred Shaffer, Homer R. Shaffer, and William J. Shaffer; and a sister, Norma J. Minich. Friends are welcome to attend a memorial service at noon Saturday at the Tionesta Church of God. Co-officiating the service are the Rev. Susan A. Evans, chaplain of the VNA of Venango County Hospice, and the Rev. Randy L. Evans, chaplain of the Clarion/Forest VNA Hospice. Memorials may be sent to the VNA of Venango County Foundation-Hospice 491 Allegheny Blvd., Franklin, 16323. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman J. Wimer Funeral Home of Tionesta. Condolences may be sent by e-mail to condolences@wimerfuneralhome.com Lawrence H. Tompkins, 85, of 306 Orange St., Oil City, died at 12:19 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, at Veterans Medical Center in Erie following an extended illness. Born Jan. 25, 1923, in Ossining, N.Y., he was the son of the late Herbert and Catherine Murphy Tompkins. Mr. Tompkins was educated in the Ossining, N.Y., area. Following World War II, he attended Allegheny College in Meadville and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business and economics. Mr. Tompkins first worked for First National Bank in Franklin and then went to Northwest Bank, the predecessor to Mellon, in Oil City. He worked there until ill health forced his early retirement at the age of 60 in 1983. Mr. Tompkins was a pilot in the Army Air Corps during World War II, seeing duty in the China, Burma India Theatre. He served as a first lieutenant from Nov. 28, 1942, through June, 26 1944. A member of Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Siverly, he also belonged to the Oil City Knights of Columbus and the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the BPOE (Elks), American Legion , VFW, Disabled American Veterans and the Catholic War Vets. Mr. Tompkins enjoyed playing poker and pinochle with his card club. He was an avid Pittsburgh Pirates fan. Mr. Tompkins was married Sept. 3, 1949, in New Haven, Conn., to the former Marion W. Teasdale, who survives. In addition to his wife, Mr. Tompkins is survived by five children, Gregory Tompkins and his wife, Gayle, of East Liverpool, Ohio; David Tompkins and his wife, Jane, of Carlisle, Donald Tompkins of Oil City, Barbara Bromley and her husband, Mitch, of Titusville, and Robert Tompkins and his wife, Janet, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; and seven grandchildren, Scott, Michael and Kate Tompkins, Melissa and Laura Bromley, and Bridget and Rachel Tompkins. He is also survived by a former daughter-in-law, Nancy Tompkins of Columbiana, Ohio; a brother, Robert Tompkins and his wife, Catherine, of Chatham Mass.; a sister-in-law, Barbara Teasdale of Meadville; and three nephews. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Reinsel Funeral Home in Oil City. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday in Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Siverly with Monsignor Gerald J. Koos, a chaplain at the VA Medical Center in Erie, presiding. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to the Patients Activity Fund at the VA Medical Center, 135 E 38th St., Erie, 16504. Condolences may be sent at www.reinselfuneralhome.com.