The Derrick, March 16, 2009: Lovedy S. McCleery, 6583 East Wayne Road, Cooperstown Paul J. Peterson, 503 Plummer St., Oil City, former of Knox Douglas L. Swires, West Hickory James S. Urda, 929 Liberty St., Franklin Geraldine Lois Vidunas, 236 Main St., Rimersburg Lovedy S. McCleery, 95, of 6583 East Wayne Road, Cooperstown, died Thursday afternoon March 12, 2009, at her residence. Born Oct. 26, 1913, in Franklin, she was a daughter of the late Samuel and Viola Horner Sheffer. She was married Dec. 12, 1936, in Youngsville, to the Rev. Marshall J. McCleery, who preceded her in death July 22, 2004. Mrs. McCleery was a 1931 graduate of the Youngsville High School where she was the first girl to be awarded the high school key. She was also a 1935 graduate of Houghton College, earning a bachelor of arts degree. While at Houghton she was again the first woman to be awarded a sports letter, having participated in five college sports. Mrs. McCleery was a teacher at Oakdale Vocational School in Oakdale, Ky., from 1935 to 1936 where she met her husband. After raising her family, she returned to teaching in 1957 in the Union City area, teaching special education. She retired from teaching in 1976. She was a member of the East Titusville Evangelical Wesleyan Church. She was a very dedicated pastor's wife, supporting him in his ministry. She encouraged missionary reading and especially encouraged the young to have open hearts to missionary service. She loved music, enjoyed singing the hymns of the church, as well as playing the organ and piano. Mrs. McCleery is survived by two sons, Charles W. McCleery and his wife, Lela of Summerfield, Fla. and George H. McCleery and his wife, Cheryl, of Northville, N.Y.; a daughter, Carolyn M. Sperl of Williamsville, N.Y.; nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; a sister, Oneita B. DeVore of Sugar Grove; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. McCleery was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Darla McCleery and Christina Sperl; a son-in-law, Gottlieb Sperl; two brothers, Walter Sheffer and Dr. John Sheffer; and a sister, Prudence West. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home, 303 N. Washington St., Titusville. Further visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Evangelistic Tabernacle in Cooperstown Funeral services will be at noon Wednesday at the church with the Rev. Larry D. Smith officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Paul J. Peterson, 56, of 503 Plummer St., Oil City, died at 6:36 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 2009, at UPMC Northwest after and extended illness. He was born Sept. 12, 1952, in Brookville, the son of Paul A. and Jean Wesner Peterson. He was a graduate of Keystone High School and had lived in the Knox area most of his life. He has lived in the Oil City area for the past six years. Mr. Peterson enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling and loved cooking and baking. He is survived by his fiance Ella VanZandt of Oil City, a sister, Linda Gates and husband, George of Wentling Corners; a brother, Robert "Rick" Peterson and wife, Sherri of Pine City; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a great niece, Chloey Quinn Gates. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Hutchinson Funeral Home, 201 Bissell Ave. Oil City. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home with the Rev. Alberta Smith, pastor of the Fellowship of De Labor Church in Centerville, officiating. Interment will be in the Dempseytown Lutheran Cemetery. Douglas L. Swires, 80, of West Hickory, formerly of Akron, Ohio, died Friday, March 13, 2009, at UPMC Northwest Hospital, Seneca, due to injuries suffered in a traffic crash. Born March 22, 1928, in Kenmore, Ohio, he was a son of the late Clarenece W. and Edith Bailey Swires. He was career military serving in the U.S. Navy during both World War II and the Korean Wars. Doug was Past Commander of the Cliff Hockley VFW Post and Past Commander of the American Legion, both of Akron, Ohio. His favorite quote was "I don't know how the rich people are doing but us poor folk are doing mighty fine." Mr. Swires is survived by three sons, Jerry Swires of Washington state, Gary Hagen and his wife, Mona, of Akron, Ohio and Michael Hagen and his wife, Caroljean, of Ashville, N.C.; three daughters, Charlene Swires of Alabama, Becki Mullen of Akron, Ohio and Marie Rizzo and her husband, Vince, of Akron, Ohio; three daughters-in-law, Becky Hagen and Debbie Hagen, both of Akron, Ohio and Alta Hagen of Clinton, Ohio; and many grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Swires was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Hagen, and companion, Sandy McChesney; a sister, Dolores Swires; and three sons, Richard Hagen, James Hagen and Mark Hagen. There will be no pubic visitation; all services held will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to charity of one's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman J. Wimer Funeral Home of Tionesta. Condolences may be sent by e-mail to the family at doug@skedge.com or the family Web site at www.skedge.com. James S. Urda, 63, a well-known resident of 929 Liberty St., Franklin, died at 1:40 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2009, shortly after his arrival in the Emergency Department of UPMC-Northwest, Seneca. Mr. Urda was stricken earlier in his home with an apparent massive heart attack. Born Sept. 29, 1945, in Greenville, he was a beloved son of the late Michael and Mary Mischick Urda. He was married Jan. 22, 1972, in Holy Rosary Church in Lowellville, Ohio, to the former Helen Pavlov, who survives. Mr. Urda was a 1963 graduate of St. Michael High School in Greenville. Upon his graduation he attended Cauisius College in Buffalo, NY; where he had attained his bachelor's of science degree. Mr. Urda then enrolled in Duquesne University in Pittsburgh; where he was graduated from the School of Pharmacy. Throughout his working career, Mr. Urda had worked for several local pharmacies throughout the area. Mr. Urda proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was an active and faithful member of St. Patrick Church in Franklin; where he had served as a lector, Eucharistic minister and had sang with the funeral choir. Mr. Urda was a member of the Knights of Columbus and had volunteered his time at The Caring Place in Franklin. In his spare time, he was an active duplicate bridge player. In addition to his wife, Mr. Urda is survived by five children, Stephen Urda and his wife, Joy, of Hermitage, Kevin Urda of San Francisco, Calif., Julie Urda of Washington D.C, Bridget Urda of Pittsburgh and Jude Urda, a student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania; and two grandchildren, Ava Urda and Matthew Urda of Hermitage. He is also survived by five sisters, Suzanne Glosner and her husband, David, of Greenville, Ella McDougall and her husband, Norris, of Murraysville, Marjorie Morgan and her husband, Paul, of Madison, Wis., Kathryn Dayton and her husband, Michael, of Madison, Wis. and Phyllis Argo and her husband, Malcolm, of Americus, Ga.; a brother, Michael Urda and his wife, Mary, of Americus, Ga.; a brother-in-law, Michael Pavlov of Boardman, Ohio; and many loving nieces and nephews. Friends may call today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Timothy E. Hartle Funeral Home, 1328 Elk St., Franklin. A Christian wake service will be at 3:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. Patrick Church with Monsignor John J. Herbein, pastor, presiding. Interment will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery. Memorial contributions, if desired, may be directed to St. Patrick School or to St. Patrick Community Food Pantry, c/o St. Patrick Church, 949 Liberty St., Franklin, 16323. Geraldine Lois Vidunas, 79, of 236 Main St., Rimersburg, died peacefully March 14, 2009, at home surrounded by her family. Born May 15, 1929, in Ford City, she was the daughter of the late Joseph T. and Bertha Novak Valek. She was married June 26, 1954, in Ford City, to Richard P. Vidunas, who preceded her in death Nov. 13, 2003. Mrs. Vidunas was a homemaker and also managed the concession stand at the Union COG Pool Park in Sligo for many years while her husband was the manager. Mrs. Vidunas was an active member of St. Richard Parish, stitching her love into every quilt that was crafted there. Her unyielding religious faith comforted and guided her. Geraldine delighted in children and often wore fanciful hats with aplomb. Mrs. Vidunas' family said she was blessed with a quick wit and often used it liberally. She also embraced the beauty in the simplicity of humble living. She enjoyed attending activities at the Rimersburg Senior Citizen Center. Mrs. Vidunas is survived by nine children, Sonja Heeter and her husband, Cliff, of Rimersburg, Rita Heeter and her husband, Tom, of Seneca, Rochelle Verick and her husband, Arthur "Skip," of Mukwonago, Wis., Richard Paul Vidunas Jr. and his wife, Vivienne, of Mifflinburg, Marybeth Vidunas of Baltimore, Md., Michael Vidunas and his wife, Sabina, of Pittsburgh, Bridgette Vidunas of New York, N.Y., Joseph Vidunas and his wife, Sheri, of State College and Vanessa Vidunas of Annapolis, Md. She is also survived 12 grandchildren, Zachary and his wife Sarah, Jacob, Henry, Luke, Hannah, Gus, Jocey, Theresa, Nick, Alex, Annie and Benjamin. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Vidunas was preceded in death by a brother, Richard "Dick" Valek. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Varner Funeral Home of Rimersburg. A parish prayer service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Richard Roman Catholic Church in Rimersburg with the Rev. William Kuba as celebrant. Interment will follow at the St. Eusebius Cemetery near East Brady. Memorial contributions can be made to Rimersburg Senior Citizen Center, 7363 Route 68, Rimersburg, 16248 or the Richard P. Vidunas Scholarship Fund, c/o Northwest Savings Bank, 629 Main Street, Rimersburg, 16248.