The Derrick, December 31, 2008: Jean B. Baum, Imperiel, formerly of Oil City Mildred L. "Mid" Botz, Parker Margaret A. Courson, 81 School St., Rimersburg Harold Alvin Flick, Titusville, Fla., formerly of Clarion Everett E. Kifer, South Street, Clarion Gary W. Kriebel Sr., Dutch Hill, Perry Township, Clarion County Geraldine M. Matlock, Golden Living Center, Titusville William "Bill" McVay Petre, Warren, Pa. John A. Russell, 220 Christie Hill Road, Oil City Gloria R. Shick, Mayport Getting it Right - Raymond A. Sasso Jean B. Baum, 77, of Imperial, formerly of Oil City, died Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at Sewickley Valley Hospital in Sewickley. Born Aug. 30, 1931, in Oil City, she was a daughter of the late Melvin and Clarabelle MacDonald Bessler. She was married May 31, 1952, to Arthur J. "Mike" Baum, who preceded her in death on Jan. 10, 1983. Mrs. Baum had worked as a legal secretary for numerous area attorneys. She was a member of the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and had many friends at the Oakdale Senior Center. Mrs. Baum was an avid reader, card player and a devoted wife and mother. Mrs. Baum is survived by three children, Maurene Baum of Imperial, Kathy Lowrey and her husband, Jeff, of Oil City, and Peter Baum and his wife, Kim, of Oil City; seven grandchildren, Stephanie Kline and her significant other, Eric Aiken, of Seneca, Eric Stover of Raleigh, N.C., Eric Lowrey of Oil City, Jackson Mellring and Angie of Seneca, Jill Kenniston and Rob of Oil City, Jamie Trinch and Craig of Franklin, and Nicole Shreve of Edinboro; and several great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, Pete Bessler and Mary Ann Tologo of Oil City; and three sisters, Gladys Huffman and Robert of Knox, Joyce Bessler of Oil City, and Carol Deyoung and Jerry of Florida. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Baum was preceded in death by an infant brother, and a sister-in-law, Lee Bessler. There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the Morrison Funeral Home. Interment will be in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the family to help with expenses. Mildred L."Mid" Botz, 90, of Parker passed away late Monday afternoon, Dec. 29, 2008, in Clarion Hospital, following an illness. Born June 22, 1918, in Toledo, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Edna M. Goodale Gearhart. Mrs. Botz was a longtime faithful member of Parker United Methodist Church, and, as long as her health permitted, she was an active member of the United Methodist Women of the church. She was employed 28 years as food service director of the Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District, serving in all food service capacities prior to being named director. Mrs. Botz is survived by her son, Ronald "Ron" Botz, the longtime head basketball coach of the Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District, and his wife, Judie, of Parker; by three granddaughters, Paula Wetzel and her husband, Dan, of Foxburg, Ronda Futcher and her husband, Joe, of Knoxville, Tenn., and Leah Hopkins and her husband, Rodney, of Sandy Hook, Va., and seven great-grandchildren, Logan and Halee Wetzel, Marisa, Maraya, and Maddee Futcher, and Tyler and Alyssa Hopkins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Botz, who passed on July 18, 1973; a granddaughter, Madison Futcher; a sister, Ruth Mong; and a brother, Larry Gearhart. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home, Wayne Street, Parker. Funeral and committal services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Interment will be at 9 a.m. Friday at Perryville Cemetery, near Parker. Margaret A. Courson, 84, of 81 School St., Rimersburg, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, at her home. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 Thursday at the Varner Funeral Home of Rimersburg. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday from the funeral home. The complete obituary will be published in The Derrick Friday. Harold Alvin Flick, 85, of Titusville, Fla., formerly of Clarion, died Friday, Dec. 26, 2008, in Titusville, Fla. Born Oct. 15, 1923, in Union, Ky., he was the son of Tull Waring Flick and Maude Geneva Flick, nee Beemon. On Dec. 28, 1946, he married Mary Alice Smith of Clarion, who preceded him in death in 1987. Also preceding him in death were a son, Robert, and a brother, Thomas. Mr. Flick was a manager for Seagram's Distilleries. He then became the secretary of the Clarion Chamber of Commerce and was instrumental in the establishment of the Autumn Leaf Festival more than 50 years ago. He also headed the Hazleton Chamber of Commerce where he helped develop the CanDo Industrial Park. As vice president of the Toledo Foreign Trade Zone, Mr. Flick promoted expansion to the area. He was then promoted to vice president of site locations for major shopping malls for the Debartolo Corp. Mr. Flick established Site Finders Inc., setting up locations for more than 100 Arby's, Pizza Huts and Wendy's. At one time he owned 13 Arby's franchises before retiring to Ft. Myers, Fla. Mr. Flick was a Roman Catholic. He was a graduate of Dartmouth College, an officer in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and the Korean Conflict, a member of the National Rifle Association and a member of The Boone Society and numerous other genealogy societies. He enjoyed history and researching and recording family genealogy going back to the 1600s. His favorite pastimes were reading, traveling and spending time with his family. Mr. Flick is survived by two sons, William of State College and John and his wife, Laura, of Roanoke, Va.; two daughters, Linda Pagani and her husband, Wayne, of State College, and Mary Westerman and her husband, Graham, of Snellville, Ga.; 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving are his long-time companion, Norma Pringle of Titusville, Fla., and her children and their spouses, Mary Pringle (Richard Smith), Catherine Pringle-Witten (Norbert), Matthew (Julie) and William (Catherine), along with Norma's 10 grandchildren. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory, 330 Wood St., Clarion. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Clarion with the Rev. Monty Sayers officiating. Interment will be in Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Clarion. Online condolences may be e-mailed to www.goblefh.net. Everett E. Kifer, 94, of South Street, Clarion, died Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at the VNA Hospice Home in Shippenville. Born on Sept. 4, 1914, in Nebraska, Pa., he was the son of L. L. and Sara Kirkwood Kifer. Mr. Kifer graduated from Clarion High School. Mr. Kifer was married in 1935 to the former Sylvia McKinley who died in 1982. In 1985 he married Lucille C. Corl, who survives. After school he went to work for Owens Illinois Glass Company where he worked for more than 40 years, starting at the bottom and retiring in 1977 as supervisor. Mr. Kifer was a 50 year member of the United Methodist Church of Clarion, Clarion Lodge No. 277 F and AM, Jefferson Chapter No. 255 Second Coudersport Consistory. He was also a member of Owens Golden Emblem and Quarter Century Clubs. Mr. Kifer enjoyed fishing, golfing and gardening. In addition to his second wife, Mr. Kifer is survived by a son, Gary E. Kifer and his wife, Donna, of Wilson, N.C., two daughters, Patricia Schwarz and her husband, Peter, of Severn, Md., and Janis L. Kifer of McKeesport, and 11 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three step-children, Peg Haskell and her husband, Jack, of Avon, Conn., Sandra Foster and her husband, Dale, of Clarion, and Pam Messenger and her husband, Brian, of Australia, six step-grandchildren and numerous great-step-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and his first wife, Mr. Kifer was preceded in death by a son, Dennis L. Kifer. The viewing will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Goble Funeral Home and Crematory, 330 Wood St., Clarion. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church in Clarion. The funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Deryl Larsen and the Rev. William Houben officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the VNA Hospice, Shippenville, or to the First United Methodist Church, Clarion. Online condolences may be made to www.goblefh.net. Gary W. Kriebel Sr., 66, of Dutch Hill, Perry Township, Clarion County, passed away at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, of natural causes shortly after arrival at the emergency room at Clarion Hospital. Born April 5, 1942, in West Monterey, he was the son of the late George and Ethel Barger Kriebel. Gary was a retired employee of the former Quaker State Refinery at Emlenton, retiring following 29 years of service. He later did general maintenance at the Plaza complex near Emlenton for a number of years. He was Protestant by faith. Surviving are his wife, Betsy Anderson Kriebel, whom he married April 13, 1963; one daughter, Jacqueline "Jackie" Kriebel and her husband, Kenneth Fisher, of Dutch Hill; two sons, Gary W. Kriebel Jr. of DuBois and Daniel D. Kriebel and his wife, Jill, of Eads, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Karen and Aaron Wulfert and Wyatt and Sadie Kriebel; one sister, Blanche Anthony of Parker; two brothers, Ivan Kriebel and his wife, Mary, of Callensburg, and Dennis "Denny" Kriebel of Parker; and a number of nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home, Wayne Geraldine M. Matlock, 84, of the Golden Living Center in Titusville, formerly of 503 W. Main St., Titusville, died at 4:20 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at the Golden Living Center. Born March 9, 1924, in Cooperstown, she was the daughter of Grover Deeter and Mabel Overmoyer. She was married Sept. 1, 1951, to James Matlock Jr., who preceded her in death on May 18, 2005. Mrs. Matlock was employed at Polk State School and Hospital. She enjoyed socializing with neighbors and friends, circle word puzzles and taking care of her family. Mrs. Matlock was an excellent baker and always baked everyone's favorite dish when they visited. Her grandchildren loved to spend the summers with her. Later in life, she enjoyed all the time she spent with her great-grandchildren. Mrs. Matlock is survived by two children, Roger Matlock Sr. and his wife, Pansy, of Dempseytown and Karen Kelley and her husband, James, of Titusville; and eight grandchildren, John Halsted and his wife, Tina, of Meadville, Zena Halsted and her partner, Steve Peterson, of Titusville, Roger Matlock Jr. and his wife, Leighann, of Oil City, Robert Matlock of Dempseytown, Ronald Linton and his wife, Kelley, of Nevada, Sandy Yeager and her husband, Dan, of Windbar, Dale Linton and his wife, Mary, of Greenville, and Bryan Linton and his partner, April Barnhart, of Westford. She also is survived by a brother, Donald Deeter of Kaneville, 13 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Matlock was preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret Shay and Irene Bogardus, and a great-grandson, Brian Halsted. There will be no visitation or funeral services. Arrangements are being handled by the Robert Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc. in Franklin. Online condolences may be sent at www.gardinierfuneralhome.com. William McVay "Bill" Petre, 91, of Warren and Sarasota, Fla., died Monday, Dec. 22, 2008, at Warren General Hospital. Mr. Petre was a beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was born Oct. 13, 1917, in Hagerstown, Md., and moved with his family to Erie, where he graduated from Academy High School. After attending Allegheny College in Meadville, Mr. Petre received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1941. He served as a field artillery officer in the European theater during World War II. His experiences included participating in the liberation of the Dachau Concentration Camp. Honorably discharged as a lieutenant colonel, his military training and experience shaped the rest of his life and that of his family. He maintained a lifelong attachment to West Point. While still a cadet, Mr. Petre met Mary Prudence "Prue" Chipman, a student at Sarah Lawrence College. They were married in October 1943 and enjoyed a long and happy life together. Mr. Petre left the Army to work with his father-in-law in the family business as independent oil producers in Allegany County, N.Y. In 1955, he joined South Penn Oil Co., which later became Pennzoil Co., headquartered in Oil City. In 1966, Mr. Petre and his family moved to Warren where he worked for United Refining Co., serving as a director and secretary of the company. He retired in 1981. Mr. Petre and his wife traveled extensively, wintered in Sarasota, Fla. and enjoyed their summer homes in Warren and Cuba Lake, N.Y. Mr. Petre was an active member of Oil City's Grace United Methodist Church as well as the First United Methodist Church in Warren. He received an honorary lifetime membership to the Salvation Army Advisory Board in recognition of his years of service. Mr. Petre is survived by two daughters, Donna Petre Hampton of Lakewood, N.Y., and Pamela Petre Reis of Rolling Hills, Calif.; a daughter-in-law, Eileen Toner Petre of Chautauqua, N.Y.; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Mr. Petre was preceded in death by his wife, Prue, and a son, Charles John. A memorial service will be held in the spring. The family requests that memorial gifts be directed to the organ fund or the youth fund of the First United Methodist Church, 200 Market St., Warren, Pa., 16365; the Salvation Army, 311 Beech St., Warren, Pa., 16365; or another local charity of choice. Arrangements are being handled by the Lind Funeral Home of Jamestown, N.Y. John A. Russell, 77, of 220 Christie Hill Road, Oil City, died at 11:05 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008. The Reinsel Funeral Home in Oil City is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary will follow at a later date. Gloria R. Shick of Mayport died Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at DuBois Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are under the direction of the Alcorn Funeral Home in Hawthorn. A complete obituary will be published Friday in The Derrick. Getting it Right - Raymond A. Sasso Raymond A. Sasso: Raymond A. Sasso, 82, of Toms River, N.J. passed away on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, at his home. Born in Belleville, Mr. Sasso moved to Lakewood, N.J., in 1987 and then Toms River, N.J., in 1990. All of Mr. Sasso's survivors reside in New Jersey.