The Derrick, April 28, 2009: Richard H. Burk, Grandview Road, Oil City Michael Mittaga, Autumn Grove Health Care, Harrisville, formerly of Lawsonham Road, Rimersburg Hazel N. Snow, The Caring Place, Franklin James C. "Jim" Stroup, Bruin Getting it right - Linda L. Buck Richard H. Burk, 47, of Grandview Road, Oil City, formerly of Cooperstown, passed away Saturday, April 25, 2009, at UPMC Northwest in Seneca. Born Aug. 3, 1961, in Franklin, he was the son of Daniel and Jacqueline "Jackie" Burk. He was a special fireman with Cooperstown Volunteer Fire Department. In addition to his mother, he is survived by two brothers, Daniel and his wife, Lori, and John and his wife, Missy, of Franklin; five nieces and nephews, William "Billy" Burk and his wife, Krystal, and Heather Long and her husband, Shayne, all of Cooperstown, Kareana "Kari" Marano and her husband, Michael, of Hermitage, and Matthew and Debbie Burk of Franklin; and eight great-nieces and great-nephews, Brittany, Alyssa, Sierra and Aaron of Hermitage, and Mekenzie, Aillie, Garrett and Isaiah of Cooperstown. He is also survived by his maternal grandmother, Helen "Honey" D. Gibson of Cooperstown; and several aunts and uncles. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather and paternal grandparents. A memorial service will be held at the convenience of Richard's family. The family suggests memorial donations be made to a charity of one's choice. Michael Mittaga, 82, of Autumn Grove Health Care, Harrisville, formerly of Lawsonham Road, Rimersburg, passed away Saturday afternoon, April 25, 2009, at United Community Hospital of Grove City, following a period of failing health. Born May 14, 1926, in Hamler, Clarion County, he was the son of Michael Mittiga and Santa Contanzarita Mittiga. He was of the Catholic faith. Mr. Mittaga completed 11 years of education in Union School District until being drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. He served with the U.S. Army Infantry during the war and was wounded in action in 1944 at the Elb River near Berlin, Germany. He was awarded the Purple Heart. He is survived by one sister, Mrs. Christina Conner of Rimersburg; six nieces and nephews, Steve Crowley of Oil City, Larry Conner and Patricia Myers, both of Rimersburg, James Conner and Tony Spatara, both of Butler, and Patricia Mittiga of Florida. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Antoinetta (Tona) Silvis on April 17, 2009, Elva Crowley on Dec. 23, 2008, Mary Mittiga Dunkle and Betty Spatara; and two brothers, Albert Mittiga and Frank Mittiga. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Richard D. Hillis Funeral Home in Rimersburg. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Richard Roman Catholic Church, Purity Avenue, Rimersburg, with the Rev. William M. Kuba as celebrant. Military honors will be accorded by members of the Rimersburg VFW and American Legion. Interment will be in Crestview Memorial Park, Grove City. Online condolences may be sent to www.hillisfuneralhome.com Hazel M. Snow, 91, died at 7:15 a.m. Monday, April 27, 2009, in The Caring Place in Franklin. Born Oct. 27, 1917, in Bradys Bend, Armstrong County, she was a daughter of Vern and Beulah Smith McChesney. She was employed at one time at the Franklin Business Women's Club. She married the Rev. Howard H. Snow on April 26, 1938, and he preceded her in death Feb. 2, 1995. Mrs. Snow was a faithful pastor's wife, assisting her husband in his ministry. She was a prayer warrior and was always there when someone needed her, visiting many of those in her husband's congregations. She was a member of the Fox Street Church of God. She enjoyed reading, but her biggest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by two daughters, Judy Kauffman and her husband, Gaylord, of New Wilmington, and Cindy Heiden and her husband, Edward, of Rochester, N.Y.; and eight grandchildren, the Rev. Mark Overmyer and his wife, Tina, of New Hampshire, Leigh Ann Emmons and her husband, Tom, of Delaware, Ohio, Sharon Friar of Galloway, Ohio, Laurie Ault and her husband, Doug, of New Castle, Brian Kauffman and his wife, Lori, of New Castle, Brad Kaufman and his wife, Diana, of Wexford, Jason Post and his wife, Deanna, of Windsor, N.Y., and Jennifer Fiordeliso of Rochester, N.Y. Also surviving are 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; two brothers, Robert McChesney of Franklin and Gene McChesney and his wife, Erlene, of Oil City; two sisters, Lorraine Grandelis and Shirley Pierson, both of Franklin; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Henry and James McChesney; three sisters, Aletha Snow, Ethel Deeter and a sister in infancy; a daughter, Carole Overmyer; a granddaughter, Karen Overmyer; and a great-great-grandson, Hayden Swartz. Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Huff Chapel, 312 W. Park St., Franklin. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday in the funeral home with Mrs. Snow's grandson, the Rev. Mark Overmyer, officiating. He will be assisted by Brenda Aughenbaugh, associate pastor of the Fox Street Church of God. Interment will be in Rockland Cemetery. The family suggests donations be made to The Caring Place, 103 N. 13th St., Franklin; or Fox Street Church of God, 229 Fox St., Franklin, 16323. Online condolences may be sent at www.huffchapel.com James C. "Jim" Stroup, 72, of Bruin passed away peacefully at 8.10 a.m Monday, April 27, 2009, at his residence, surrounded by his loving family and following an extended and courageous battle with cancer. Born May 2, 1936, in Concord Township, Butler County, he was the son of the late Dean and Ruth Armstrong Stroup. After attending the former Concord High School, he followed his dream of owning and operating his own trucking company and owning his own stock car racing team which he did for many years. He then became a master mechanic and driver for Penreco in Karns City, retiring after 29 years of service. He was also a member of Western Pennsylvania Local 273 of the Teamsters Union. His hobbies included racing stock cars and watching NASCAR, being an avid outdoorsman, mechanics and woodworking. He was married Feb. 14, 1999, to Wilda Fannin-Stroup, who survives. In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Jamie Stroup and his wife, Melinda, of Hooker; one daughter, Tammy Sue Sutton of North Washington; one stepdaughter, Pearl Ellen Fannin-Walker and her husband, Ronnie, of Valencia; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Mr. Stroup is also survived by eight siblings, Dean Stroup Jr., Ken Stroup, Inez Whitmire, Pat Dobson, Shirley Wilson, Terry Stroup, Dave Stroup and Gary Stroup. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Stacey Stroup-Potts; a grandaughter, Casey Sue Potts; and a son-in-law, Dale "Diesel" Sutton Jr. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home, Main Street, Route 38, in Eau Claire. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Mathias officiating. Interment will follow at Slippery Rock Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the James C. Stroup Memorial Scholarship Fund, Moniteau School District, Box 226, West Sunbury, Pa., 16061 Getting it right - Linda L. Buck Linda L. Buck, 59, of 211 E. Third St., Oil City, died Saturday, April 25, 2009, at Meadville Medical Center. She was born Jan. 23, 1950, in Oil City, and she was a daughter of the late John B. and Shirley M. Wood Sanner.