The Derrick, January 8, 2008: Albert F. Green, 864 15th St., Franklin Ruthe L. Gutmiller, formerly of Sugarcreek Jeffrey N. "Jeff" Hagan, Parker Penny J. Hovis, Huckleberry Ridge Road, Knox Betty S. Hutchens, Easton, formerly of Butler and Oil City Gerald Maurice Lawrence, East Reidsburg Road, Monroe Township Paul B. Ossoff, Camp Hill, formerly of Oil City M. Maxine Richter, 106 Third St., Cochranton Albert F. "Al" Green, 90, of 864 15th St., Franklin, died Monday, Jan. 7, 2008, in UPMC Northwest, Seneca, of complications from pneumonia. Born Oct. 31, 1917, in Franklin, he was the son of Robert Franklin Green and Amanda Mae Dunlap Green and was from a family of seven brothers and eight sisters. The family moved to Happy, Texas, for a few years and then returned to Franklin and settled in the family homestead on 15th Street. In 1926 at age 9, he received a perfect attendance award for not being absent or tardy at the 14th Street School in Franklin's Second Ward. On June 10, 2001, Mr. Green received his Franklin High School diploma at age 84. This diploma was given to World War II veterans who had served their country during the time of war and were not able to finish their high school degree. During the Great Depression, Mr. Greene did odd jobs as a carpenter around Franklin with his older brother, George, in order to help support his family. In 1935. at age 18, he went to work as a sheet metal worker for J.B. Gyder in Franklin and also joined the Pennsylvania National Guard. Mr. Green enlisted in the U.S. Army Infantry Nov. 18, 1940, and served with the 28th Division Company L and K, 3rd Battalion, 112th Regiment, and trained as a platoon guide. He saw action in Normandy and Northern France. He was the recipient of the FAME Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon and Combat Infantry Badge. One of his last duties was as a camp guard for German prisoners of war. When leaving this assignment, the German prisoners of war lined up and saluted Sgt. Green as a sign of respect for his humane and fair treatment of them. He was honorably discharge Nov. 2, 1945, as a staff sergeant with the 397th Military Police, Company C. In 1945, Mr. Green started work at Joy Manufacturing Co. in Franklin as a carpenter in the maintenance department on Third Street where he worked with his brothers, Rob, Harold and Kash. He completed 37 years of employment with Joy on his retirement in 1982. Mr. Green was a life union members for more than 50 years, having been a member of Local 1842, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. He loved telling entertaining stories about working at Joy and serving in World War II. Mr. Green, along with his other brothers, were all highly skilled carpenters who helped build some of their brother's and sister's ranch homes as well as homes in the Franklin Heights. During Sunday afternoons in the summer, he took his four children fishing or would hit fly balls to them in their back yard. Summertime weekends were also the times when he would build a bonfire in the back yard and his wife, LaVerne, would have a wiener roast for their own children and their nieces and nephews. Mr. Green maintained a well-kept garden for more than 40 years on 15th Street and raised pet ducks that passers-by often admired while driving up 15th Street hill. He also had an arbor of grapes that his granddaughters loved to eat while they were growing up. Between 1983 and 1991, Mr. Green was often seen driving around town in his Ford truck, taking and picking up one of his three granddaughters from pre-school or kindergarten. His cairn terrier, Mary, also often occupied the front seat as he drove around Franklin. Mr. Green was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Franklin. He was married Oct. 17, 1947, in the First United Methodist parsonage to LaVerne Mae Williams, who died Nov. 26, 1986. They met at Joy Manufacturing where Mrs. Greene worked in the blueprint department and Al worked as a carpenter in the maintenance department at Third Street. Surviving are two daughters, Jeanne Green of Brookville and Franklin and June Chekanowsky and husband, William, of Franklin; two sons, Thomas Green and wife, Janet, and Kerry Green and wife, Susan, all of Franklin; and three grandchildren, Nicole Chekanowsky of Franklin, Lisa Chekanowsky of Edinboro and Kelly Chekanowsky, a student at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C. He also is survived by one brother, Cassius "Kash" Green and wife, Lois "Mick," of Franklin; and three sisters, Mrs Ruth Gemmill of Denver, Colo., Mrs. June A. Kal of Aurora, Colo., and Mrs. Dorothy McKinley of Denver; and several nieces and nephews in the Franklin, Oil City, Meadville and Denver areas. Mr. Green was preceded in death by the following brothers: Essington F. Green, Robert T. Green, Frank W. "Bunny" Green, George W. Green, Donald V. Green and Harold B. "Boy" Green., His deceased sisters include Mrs. Clara "Sis" Greene, Mrs. Sylvia "Dimp" Rugh, Mrs. Gladys Dunlap and Laura Belle Green and Sadie Mae Green, both of whom died in infancy. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday in the Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home Inc., 1315 Chestnut St., Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home with the Rev. Susan Evans, VNA Hospice minister, officiating. Interment will take place in Graham Cemetery with full military honors accorded by the VETS Honor Guard of Franklin. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Venango County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1045, Oil City, 16301; or to the Franklin Salvation Army in gratitude for the services the organization provided to the members of the armed forces during World War 11, P.O. Box 8, 302 13th St., Franklin, 16323. Condolences may be sent online to www.gardinierfuneralhome.com. Ruthe L. Gutmiller Ruthe L. Gutmiller, 85, a former resident of Sugartcreek, died at 12:50 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008, in the Golden Living Center, Oil City, where she had resided for a number of years. Among her survivors are a son, William Michael Gutmiller of Sugarcreek; a daughter, Cathe J. Miller of Polk; and a sister, Zena Marie Price of Oil City. Jeffrey N. 'Jeff' Hagan Jeffrey N. "Jeff" Hagan, 49, of Parker died in his home Monday due to natural causes, according to H. Jack Buzard, deputy coroner for Armstrong County. Mr. Hagan's wife, Kathryn A. "Kathy" Hagan, died at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4, 2008, in Montefiore Hospital Specialty Care, Pittsburgh, following an extended illness. A joint funeral service will be held Friday in the Buzard Funeral Home, Parker A complete obituary for Mr. Hagan will be published Wednesday in The Derrick. The Buzard Funeral Home of Parker is in charge of arrangements. Penny J. Hovis, 40, of Huckleberry Ridge Road, Knox, died peacefully at 7 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, 2008, in her home surrounded by her family. Born Aug. 14, 1967, in Oil City, she was the daughter of Karl E. Heighley of Oil City and the late Darlene L. Shawgo Heighley. Mrs. Hovis was a housewife and enjoyed gardening, her pet cats and being with her family. Surviving, in addition to her father, are two daughters, Elisha Heighley and fianc,, Jim Sowa, of Shippenville and Tabbatha Hovis of Knox. She also is survived by two sisters, Karen Heighley Sutton of Knox and Laurie McCoy and husband, Ivan, of Knox; a brother, Lonnie Heighley Sr. and wife, Barb, of Oil City; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and a special friend, Barbie Exley. In addition to her mother, Mrs. Hovis was preceded in death by a sister, Latricia Denny Heighley; her paternal grandparents, William and Helen Heighley; and an aunt, Marlene Kerr. There will be no visitation. Funeral services will be private and will be held at the convenience of the family. The David C. McEntire Funeral Home Inc. of Knox is in charge of arrangements. Betty S. Hutchens, 82, of Easton, formerly of Butler and Oil City, died at 10:50 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4, 2008, in The Moravian Village in Bethlehem of complications from cancer. Born Aug. 9, 1925, in Bellefonte, she was the daughter of Vincent H. and Twila Hoy Stevens. Mrs. Hutchens was retired from Pullman-Standard in Butler were she was a bookkeeper. She was a former volunteer at Oil City Hospital, a teacher's aide at Oil City public schools, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and the American Cancer Society. She also served Christ in many ways. She supplied Bible tracts at the Union 76 Truck Plaza in Bloomsbury. She attended bible studies, served as a Sunday school teacher and was a member of the Alter Guild at Good Hope Lutheran Church in Oil City. Mrs. Hutchens was married in Victoria, Texas, Aug. 10, 1945, to William B. Hutchens, who survives. Also surviving are one son, Scott A. Hutchens of Trexlertown; one daughter,: Joy A. McCreary and her husband Jeffrey, of Dillsburg; and four grandchildren, William McCreary and Jocelyn McCreary of Dillsburg and David Hutchens and Rachel Hutchens of Allentown. She also is survived by one sister, Jane L. Stevens of Pittsburgh; and one brother, Bob L. Stevens and his wife, Cathy, of Green Valley, Ariz. Friends will be received from noon to 1 p.m. Friday in the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in the funeral home with the Rev. Tim Bupp of Grace Calvary Lutheran Church, officiating. Interment will follow in Butler County Memorial Park. Gerald Maurice Lawrence Gerald Maurice Lawrence, 92, of East Reidsburg Road, Monroe Township, died at 6:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, 2008, in Clarion Hospital. Born June 19, 1915, in Clarion, he was the son of C.M. and Lulu Himes Lawrence. He was a graduate of Clarion High School and Clarion University. Mr. Lawrence retired from the U.S. Army with 30 years of service as a command sergeant major E9. During his career, he was a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the United Nations in the Pakistan-Israel conflict. He was the recipient of the Silver Star and the Bronze Star. He was a Master Mason and was a member of the Murral Temple in Indianapolis, Ind. Mr. Lawrence was an avid wood worker and enjoyed taking care of his farm. He was married May 23, 1946, to Bernice Lawrence, who survives. Also surviving are a son and his wife, James R. and Rose Marie Lawrence of Shippenville; six grandchildren, Alexandra Lawrence of Shippenville, Michael Lawrence and wife, Kim, of Erie, James Lawrence of Frederickburg, Va., Steven Lawrence and Catherine Borgia and husband, Nick, all of Maui, Hawaii, and Bonnie Chew of Alexandria, Va.; and one great-grandson, Jacob Lawrence of Erie. He also is survived by one brother, Byron J. Lawrence and wife, Shirley, of Cape Cod., Mass; and two sisters, Lois Devore and husband, Ray, of Caldonia, N.Y., and Doris Lawrence of Clarion. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, C.M. Lawrence, Newell Ross Lawrence, Everett C. Lawrence and Donald Lawrence; and one sister, Helen Knorpp. There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Robert V. Burns Funeral Home, Clarion. The Rev. James Dietrich, pastor of the New Rehoboth-Greenville Presbyterian Church in Clarion, will officiate. Memorials may be made to the Clarion-Forest VNA, P.O. Box 668, Knox, 16232. Paul B. Ossoff, 94, a former Oil City businessman, died at 2:44 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, in the Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill. Born May 19, 1913, in Oil City, he was the son of the late David and Barbara Michalkiewicz Ossoff. He was a 1933 graduate of Oil City High School. In 1935 Paul's mother gave him his life savings that she had saved for him from his selling newspapers throughout his childhood and bought The Army Store from a Mr. Ben Erdy, whom he had worked for. He operated the store for the next 40 years at its Seneca Street location and then sold the business to his daughter and son in-law, Paula and Bob Culbertson. His civic accomplishments included serving as a chairman of the postal committee for the Oil City Area Chamber of Commerce in building a new post office and serving on the Gcneral Authority remodeling the City Water System. He was a director for 10 years of the Public Assistance Board. Mr. Ossoff was a past president of the Oil City Rotary Club and was a past president of the Hayrake League for 20 years, scouting area teams for the Detroit Tigers. An avid handball player he was a life long member of the YMCA from age 7. He golfed in the Senior League at Speers and was an avid fisherman and hunter. Mr. Ossoff was a member of St. Joseph Church, Oil City, and was an usher for many years. He also belonged to the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Assembly. He was married in St. Agatha Church, Meadville, Jan. 1, 1939, to the former Virginia B. Sylow, who preceded him in death Jan. 6, 1991. Surviving are one daughter, Barbara Skelly of Harrisburg; five grandchildren, Mame Skelly of Collegeville, Christopher Culbertson of Virginia, Gregory Culbertson and Meghan Gallia, both of Harrisburg amd Stephen Skelly of Philadelpiia; and five great-grandchildren, Conner, Evan, Skyler, Ella and Elise. He also is survived by a son-in-law, Robert Culbertson of Salisburg, Md.; one brother, Edwared Ossoff of Cleveland, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his daughter, Paula Culbertson; and four brothers, Ted, Tom, George and his twin, Peter Ossoff; and three sisters, Mame, Latiffia and Sadie Ossoff. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the Reinsel Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Joseph Church with Msgr. John W. Swoger, pastor, presiding. Entombment will follow in the Bishop McManaman Memorial Mausoleum in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Holy Spirit Hospital, 503 N. 21st St., Camp Hill, 17011. Condolences may be left at www.reinselfuneralhome.com. M. Maxine Richter, 81, of 106 Third St. Cochranton, died Sunday Jan. 6, 2008, in UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh. Born June 22, 1926, in Deckards Run, she was the daughter of Perry and Jessie Deeter Rough. Mrs. Richter had worked for the H.L. Moore Co. in Cochranton for 23 years and then went to work at Channellock Inc. where she worked for 15 years, retiring in 1986. She had attended the Cochranton United Methodist Church. Mrs. Richter enjoyed playing cards, watching television and spending time with her family. She married J.C. Richter March 22, 1947, and he preceded her in death Dec. 19, 2004. Surviving are two sons, Larry Richter and his wife, Veronica, and Roger Richter and his wife, Cherie, all of Cochranton; four grandchildren, Jay Richter and his wife, Stacy, Corey Richter and his wife, Stacy, Chad Richter and his wife, Iris, and Jessie Richter and her fianc,e, Jack Staten; and six great-grandchildren, Brandon, Carly, MacKenzie, and Emma Richter, Nathaniel Richter and Lydia Staten. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Phyllis McILroy. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Dickson Family Funeral Home Inc., 123 S. Franklin St., Cochranton. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with the Rev. Bruce Judy of the Cochranton United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Peters Cemetery, Venango County. The family suggests memorials be made to the Cochranton Ambulance Service, East Adams Street, Cochranton. Condolences can be emailed to [email protected]