The Derrick, April 18, 2009: Paul C. Keener, 539 Washington St., New Bethlehem Richard L. Kinch, formerly of Henrys Bend Robert W. Rugh, Knox Joanne Sonoski, Austinburg, Ohio, wife of a former Oil City man Kathleen B. Rech Stewart, formerly of Beatty Run Road, Franklin Paul C. Keener, 90, of 539 Washington St., New Bethlehem, a World War II veteran, died Thursday, April 16, 2009, in Clarion Hospital. Born June 3, 1918, at Distant, he was the son of James Henry and Lena Stegger Keener He was in the U.S. Army during World War II and served in Japan and the Philippines. Mr. Keener was married Nov. 27, 1946, to the former Helen J. Barrett, and she survives. He was employed as a laborer at Carpentertown Coal and Coke Co., and he was a member of Oakland Church of God at Distant. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Thomas Keener of New Bethlehem, Randy Keener of Shannondale and Donny Keener and Diane of Fairmount City; three daughters, Becky Himes and Mike of Brockway, Pat Bricker and Dan of Ohio and Kathy Divins and Rick of New Bethlehem; 21 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are five sisters, Elmo and Harry Welsh of Brookville, Opal Minich of New Bethlehem, Martha Vaughn of Warren, Doris Hopper of Templeton and Esther and John Matas of Johnstown. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, James P. Keener; and five brothers, Delbert Keener, Clarence Keener, Howard Keener, Melvin Keener and an infant. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Alcorn Funeral Home in Hawthorn. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Pastor Jimmy Swogger of the Oakland Church of God at Distant will officiate. Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery at Distant. Richard L. Kinch, 90, formerly of Henrys Bend, died at 11:50 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2009, at Juniper Village in Meadville. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hile-Best Funeral Home Inc. in Seneca. A complete obituary will be published Monday in The Derrick. Additional information will be available at www.hilebest.com Robert W. Rugh, 81, of Knox, a retired truck driver and veteran of World War II, died at 4:30 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2009, at his residence. Born Sept. 16, 1927, in New Bethlehem, he was the son of Clyde O. and Pansy Mays Rugh. Mr. Rugh was a truck driver for 42 years, working for Bowser-Campbell, Knox Glass and R & H Corp. and retiring from J. & M. Leasing. He was in the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He belonged to the Teamsters Union, Berlin-Bowser Post 277 of the American Legion in Knox and Knox United Methodist Church. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, cooking, Scrabble, his dog, Abby, and especially his grandchildren. He married Katy Winwood on Feb. 27, 1954, and she survives. Also surviving are four children, Janice Rhoades and her husband, Cris, of Selinsgrove, Jeff Ruth and Cara of Kane, Steve Rugh of Sigel and Robert Rugh of Bellefonte; five grandchildren, Shannon Videtti, Emily Devine, Tyler Rhoades, Chad Rugh and Sean Ruth; four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Traister; and two brothers, Elwood Rugh and Clyde Rugh. The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the David C. McEntire Funeral Home at 504 E. Penn St., Knox. Friends also will be received from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at Knox United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in the church. The Rev. Don Poole, pastor, and the Rev. Randy Evans, the Clarion-Forest VNA Hospice minister, will co-officiate. Interment will follow in Knox Union Cemetery, with full military honors accorded by Berlin-Bowser Post 277 of the American Legion in Knox. The family suggests memorials be made to the Clarion-Forest VNA Hospice program, P.O. Box 668, Knox, 16232.. Joanne Sonoski, 72, of Austinburg, Ohio, died Saturday, April 11, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Boardman, Ohio, after a six-month illness. Born Aug. 13, 1936, in North Girard, Pa., she was the daughter of Howard and Mary Wintemute. She was married for 53 years to Larry Sonoski Sr., a former Oil City resident and Pennzoil employee. She graduated from Girard High School, where she was a cheerleader. She enjoyed dancing, country western music and polkas. In fact, she met the love of her life, Larry, in Conneaut, Ohio, while he was playing for the Missouri Foxhunters and the Sonny Hayes Band. After they got married, she and the other wives of the band members would always attend the band's performances, dancing the night away. She watched her husband play the accordion on the "Polka Variety Show," which aired every Sunday on Erie television Channel 12. She also watched him play with Frank Yancovic, Art Perko and Frankie Kramer polka bands. She lived in eight different cities because of her husband's job responsibilities of managing different supermarket locations before settling down in Ashtabula County, Ohio, in 1964. When her children were younger, Joanne enjoyed camping and their annual vacation to Canada during Mother's Day, where they spent time together fishing and boating. She also loved to listen to Elvis and enjoyed bowling and working on crossword puzzles. Her grandchildren were her pride. She enjoyed spending time with them and attending their activities, especially watching them twirl the baton in local parades. She was co-owner of Jefferson Golden Dawn for the past 34 years. In addition to her husband, she is survived by six children, Cyndi Hamilton and her husband, Charles, Debbie Stapel and her husband, Tom, Laurie Calaway and her husband, Mike, Jacquie Brand and her husband, Jon, Larry Sonoski Jr. and his wife, Tanya, and Chris Sonoski and his wife, Tammy; 19 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Joyce Young; three brothers, Johnny Borsukoff, Danny English and Ronnie Wintemute; and an aunt, Mira Robson and her husband, Don. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda; a grandson, Jeffrey Jackson; a sister and two brothers. Private services will be held at the family's convenience. Arrangements are being handled by the Brunner Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, Ohio. Online condolences may be sent at www.brunners.com Kathleen B. Rech Stewart, formerly of Beatty Run Road, Franklin, died Tuesday, April 7, 2009, in Tucson, Ariz. Among her survivors is a daughter, Elizabeth Lytle and her husband, Chet, formerly of Franklin.