The Derrick, December 15, 2008: James "Dean" Bowersox, New Bethlehem Eleanor Minor Keener Carnahan, New Castle and New Wilmington, formerly of Clarion County Mildred Jean Konkle Klingler, Parker Personal Care Center, formerly of Emlenton James Mast Jr., 317 Hasson Ave., Oil City James H. Nagel, 438 Byllesby Ave., Meadville Stephen Shkuratoff, Crossingville Richard L. Wheeling, 1080 Patchel Run Road, Franklin James "Dean" Bowersox, 93, of New Bethlehem, died Friday evening, Dec. 12, 2008, at McKinley Health Center in Brookville, following a brief illness. Born June 28, 1915, in Porter Township, Clarion County, he was a son of the late Blaine and Floy Shook Bowersox. As a young man, Mr. Bowersox worked as a farmer and delivered milk. During World War II, he worked at the Glen Martin Company in Baltimore, Md. He returned to New Bethlehem after the war and built and operated the Bowersox Food Locker Service. He also worked at Rola Manufacturing in Hawthorn then at their facility in Punxsutawney. In later years, he was employed by J.M. Smucker PA. He received an award for outstanding service as vice president of the New Bethlehem Area Development Corporation, when he helped bring the Crawford Furniture Manufacturing Co. to the area. He was a member of the Oakwood Presbyterian Church. In his spare time, he enjoyed automotive maintenance and fixing refrigeration equipment and greatly enjoyed spending time with his family. He was married Aug. 12, 1948, to Betty "Jean" Laughlin, who survives. In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, James E. Bowersox and his wife, Mickey, of Shippenville; a daughter, Jane Mercatoris and her husband, Gerry, of Brookville; four grandchildren, Julie Hagen and her husband, Dan, Jenny Sturgeon and her husband, Casey, C.G. Mercatoris and Elaina Mercatoris; and two great Grandchildren, Ally and Kaden. Also surviving are two sisters, Viola Shumaker of Oil City and Lois Stuart and her husband, Jim, of State College. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Marilyn Jean Snyder Truitt, on June 10, 2007; a grandson, Alan Snyder, on Sept.14, 2006; a brother, Merle Bowersox; and two sisters, Ruth Dickerson and Grace Milliron. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Rupert Funeral Home in New Bethlehem. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Oakwood Presbyterian Church, 9296 Curllsville Road, New Bethlehem, with the Rev. John McCall and the Rev. Robert Moore co-officiating. Interment will follow at the Squirrel Hill Cemetery in Porter Township, Clarion County. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Oakwood Presbyterian Church, 9296 Curllsville Road, New Bethlehem, 16242, the New Bethlehem Area Free Public Library, 720 Broad Street, New Bethlehem, 16242, or WRC Senior Services, RR 5, Brookville, 16825. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com. Eleanor Minor Keener Carnahan, 92, of New Castle and New Wilmington, formerly of Clarion County, died Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, at UPMC Horizon in Farrell. Born Feb. 26, 1916, in West Union, she was a daughter of Sylva G. and Lillian Conger Minor. Eleanor grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania. As a young woman, she showed American saddle-bred horses which were bred and trained by her father. She graduated from Waynesburg High School and earned the bachelor of arts degree in French and history from Waynesburg College in 1937. She was the 1937 May Queen. She married George W. Keener in 1941. During Lt. Commander Keener's service in World War II, they lived in Massachusetts, Washington, and Kansas. She worked at the Washington Observer newspaper in Washington, Pa., and taught for two years at Mapletown High School. Eleanor and George settled in Clarion County in 1948, where they lived until George's passing in 1981. Eleanor was involved in the Bi-County Artists, Clarion Garden Club, and the Civic Club, and served as a substitute librarian and girl-scout leader. At the First Presbyterian Church, she served as an elder, deacon, and librarian. Eleanor married Thomas A. Carnahan in 1983. He preceded her in death in 2001. Eleanor resided in New Castle and New Wilmington since 1994. She is survived by her son, George F. Keener and his wife, Chris, of Clarion; her daughter, Sarah (Sally) K. Huey and her husband, Darwin, of New Wilmington; her step-son, Tom Carnahan and his wife, Ellen, of Florida; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren and another on the way. In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by a brother, William Minor; and a sister, Jane Minor Adams. Friends will be received from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church of Clarion, 700 Wood St. A memorial service will be held at noon Thursday in the church. The Goble Funeral Home & Crematory of Clarion is in charge of arrangements. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Clarion or a charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.goblefh.net. Mildred Jean Konkle Klingler, 84, of Parker Personal Care Center, formerly of Emlenton, the widow of the late Carlos William Klingler, and mother of Cindy Drozda of Parker, and a son, Daniel (Kathy) Klingler of Emlenton, passed away Saturday morning, Dec. 13, 2008, at UPMC Northwest following an illness. In addition to husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Sandy Sproull, and a son, C. William Klingler. James Mast Jr., 74, of 317 Hasson Ave., Oil City, died at the home of his daughter Sonja at 10:15p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, after an extended illness. Born Jan. 14, 1934, in Oil City, he was a son of the late James E. and Virginia Miller Mast Sr. He attended Oil City High School. A U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War, he served from Dec. 4, 1951, through Dec. 2, 1954. He served on the USS Pollux AKS-4 and saw duty in Japan. He was of the Protestant faith. He lived in Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Mr. Mast had been employed by the Oil City Area School District in the maintenance department, the Franklin YMCA and Magdovitz Beverage. He was a chief of police in Rouseville and in East Lake, Ohio, and last worked for Tyson Chicken in Missouri. His hobbies included going to flea markets, roller skating, swimming and diving, and racketball. Most of all he enjoyed golfing with his brother Jake. Mr. Mast was first married to Nancy Louise Drake of Cranberry on Aug. 4, 1956, and she died Dec. 16, 1975. He later married Shirley Mast of Missouri,and she preceded him in death in May 1998. Surviving are six children and their spouses, Sonja and Charles Bowser of Oil City, Jacqueline L. Greek of Oil City, Theresa and Patrick Rodgers of Franklin, James E. Mast III of Franklin, Benjamin and Elaine Mast of Easton, and Andrew Mast of Wilkes-Barre; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are three sisters, June Smith of East Lake, Ohio, Fran Harkless and her husband, Jim, of Oil City and Jesse Macko of Oil City; a brother and his wife, Jacob and Sharon Mast of Oil City; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wives, he was preceded by two sisters, Virginia Aites and Leona White. There will be no viewing or visitation. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at the Trinity United Methodist Church. Internment will be in Heckathorn Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made to VNA Hospice, 491 Allegheny Blvd., Franklin, 16323. The Reinsel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.reinselfuneralhome.com James H. Nagel, 76, of 438 Byllesby Ave., Meadville, died at 6:20 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, at home after an extended illness. Born June 9, 1932, he was a son of Ernst A. and Nell E. Moore Nagel. Mr. Nagel was a 1951 graduate of Meadville High School and a 1955 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in chemical engineering. He was a pilot for the U.S. Navy for more than three years. He worked as a chemical engineer in the atomic-petro-pharmaceutical industry and also as a project manager in the construction field. Mr. Nagel was a Christian. He was a member of the Military Officers Association and the American Legion Post No. 111 of Meadville. He enjoyed playing euchre and woodworking. He was married June 9, 1986, to Shirley E. Harrison, who survives at home. Survivors also include two daughters, Deborah J. Ward and her husband, James, of Port Jarvis, N.Y., and Kathleen Zych and her husband, Dr. Gregory Zych, of Lighthouse Point, Fla.; a son, Mark H. Nagel and his wife, Elizabeth, of Newton, N.J.; a stepdaughter, Jacki Opitz and her husband, Robert, of Stoneboro; a stepson, Donald D. Harrison and his wife, Kathy, of Stoneboro; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. There will be no calling hours. A private funeral service for the family will be held in the Scott A. Black Funeral Home, 99 Franklin St., Stoneboro, with the Rev. Dr. Richard C. Steinlechner, pastor of the New Lebanon Community Church, officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Sandy Lake Township. Stephen Shkuratoff, 84, of Crossingville, went to his heavenly family on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008. Born Jan. 7, 1924, in McKees Rocks, he was a son of the late Michael and Mary Kushner Shkuratoff. Stephen lived on the farm in Crossingville his entire life. He worked for Zurn Industries in Erie, retiring from there with more than 30 years of service. He loved gardening, canning, flowers, and traveling to Florida. He will be sadly missed by everyone in his family. Surviving are two sisters, Mary McDonough of Valencia, and Mildred Merry of Wattsburg; four children, Dianna Gilbert and her husband, Jim, of Crossingville, Judy Willey of Crossingville, Stephen Shkuratoff of Meadville and Della Roseberry and her husband, Robert, of Ardmore, Ala.; and two step-children, Robert James Wyant of Edinboro and Carolyn "Sue" Hansen and her husband, Marvin "Craig", of Oil City, with whom Stephen lived occasionally over the past 19 months. He considered their home his second home. Also surviving are a step-son-in-law, Walter J. Pilewski of Titusville; and seven grandchildren, Kimberly Davis and her husband, Edward "Mike", James Gilbert Jr. and his wife, Candace, Buck Willey, Becky Fredrychowski and her husband, Todd, Charity Rhoades and her companion, John Flaugh, Stephenie Shkuratoff and her companion, Tom Parady, Peter Shkuratoff and his wife, Tina. Survivors also include 12 step-grandchildren, Melanie P. Hansen, Kevin A. Hansen and his wife, Sharon, Jennifer M. Pilewski, Craig Wyant and his wife, Brenda, Jeffrey Wyant and his wife, Linda, Bruce Wyant and his wife, Shannon, Rita Baker, Steven Wyant, Douglas Wyant and his wife, Ardie, Scott Wyant, Heather Owens and her husband, Tim, Denica Wyant; 20 great-grandchildren; 16 step-great-grandchildren; two step-great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Anna Shkuratoff in 1983; his second wife, Loretta Shkuratoff in 2007; two brothers, John Manko and Wasil M. Shkuratoff; two step-sons, William A. Wyant & Dennis A. Wyant; and one step-daughter, Sandra K. Pilewski. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Steff-Mattera Funeral Home, 188 East State Street, Albion. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home. Interment will be in St. James Cemetery, Crossingville. Richard L. Wheeling, 77, of 1080 Patchel Run Road, Franklin, died at 1:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, at his home. Born May 26, 1931, in Franklin, he was a son of Lawrence Kimble and Maryetta Goodspeed Wheeling. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Mr. Wheeling, who owned Dick's Mobil and Towing at Coefields Corners and Eighth Street, retired in 1979. He served on Sugarcreek Borough Council. He was a lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans and held all offices, was a lifetime member of the American Legion and held all offices, was a member of the Rocky Grove Lions Club and held all offices and was a zoning officer. He enjoyed NASCAR, wrestling, fishing and hunting, football and "Walker, Texas Ranger." He was married Oct. 9, 1954, to Ella Mae Ross, who survives. Survivors also include two daughters, Kathy Gee and her husband, John, of Coon Rapids, Minn., and Judy Johnson of Franklin; and eight grandchildren, Scott Miller of Oil City, Nicole Walters and her husband, George, of Cooperstown, Jonathan Walton and his wife, Kelly, of Akron, Ohio, Drake Wheeling of New Hampshire, Stacy Gee of Blaine, Minn., Robert Gee of Coon Rapids, Minn., Tamala Culp and her husband, Robert, of Oil City, and Jessica Heller and her husband, Timothy Heller Sr., of Franklin. Also surviving are three great-grandchildren, Zoei Heller of Franklin, Timothy Heller Jr. of Franklin and Trevin Boltman-Gee of Tampa, Fla.; a brother, William L. Wheeling and his wife, Jacque, of Auburn, Wash.; numerous nieces and nephews; an aunt, Fern Denbeck of Petrolia; and special friends of the family, the Dale Harry family of Franklin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Robert Eugene Wheeling in 2005; and two sisters, Elaine Griffin and Marilynn Wheeling. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home, 1315 Chestnut St., Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with the Rev. Susan Evans, VNA Hospice pastor, officiating. Interment will be at Lupher Chapel Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made to the charity of one's choice. On-line condolences may be sent at www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.