The Derrick, January 16, 2009: Jennie Isabelle Benkovich, Marienville Julia Klapec, 70 Horne Lane, Oil City Clyde B. Leasure, Polk Center Ronald G. Pay, Marienville Gloria Belle Weaver Rice, 736 Miller St., Knox Herbert E. Small, Tionesta William Whiting Stump Jr., Emlenton George Edwin "Ed" Wolfe Jr., Kennerdell Getting it right - Conrad L. Jiggs Minich Jennie Isabelle Benkovich, 89, a longtime resident of Marienville and former resident of Sheffield, passed away Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, at the Schervier Pavilion in Warwick, N.Y. Born Dec. 20, 1919, in Gilfoyle, Forest County, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Ada Hannah Rodgers. She was married Oct. 3, 1982, to Matthew Benkovich, who preceded her in death April 16, 1982. Mrs. Benkovich was a resident of Marienville most of her life. She was a homemaker, and her hobbies included gardening, reading and painting. She was employed for a time as a home health aide in Forest County and was a member of Marienville Methodist Church. Mrs. Benkovich is survived by two daughters, Mary Sullivan and her husband, William, of Milford, and Nancy Rupert and her husband, Stephen, of Uniontown, Ohio; three granddaughters, Laura Sullivan, Jessica Lehman and her husband, Bradley, and Cheryl Rupert; one great-granddaughter, Brianna Sullivan; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Benkovich was preceded in death by four brothers, Ernest Rodgers, Eugene Rodgers, Hugh Rodgers and James Rodgers; and three sisters, Goldie Sigworth, Clara Cochran and Edith Snyder. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Borden-Lloyd Funeral Home in Sheffield. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Terry Hurlbutt, pastor of Sheffield United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be at Roses Cemetery near Marienville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Marienville Area Library, P.O. Box 306, Marienville; or the Schervier Pavilion, 22 Van Duzer Place, Warwick, N.Y., 10990. Julia Klapec 78, of 70 Horne Lane, Oil City, died at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, at the home of her daughter, Kathy Karl, after an extended illness. Born May 23, 1930, in Franklin, she was the daughter of the late Dominic and Rosina Torzi Colella. She was a 1948 graduate of Franklin High School. She was married July 23, 1955, at St. Patrick Church in Franklin to Joseph Bernard "Bert" Klapec, who preceded her in death July 9, 2005. She was a member of St. Joseph Church in Oil City and the Rosary Society of the church. Mrs. Klapec had also belonged to the former Oil City Lioness Club and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She enjoyed doing crafts in her spare time. Mrs. Klapec is survived by her four children, Cynthia and Christopher Urban of Oil City, David and Jean Klapec of Oil City, Katherine and David Karl of Oil City and Lisa and Dale Caldwell of Butler; and 10 grandchildren, Gregory and Tracy Lander, Stephanie and Charlie Baker, Marc Lander, Bridget Lander, Chrisopher Klapec, Nicholas Klapec, Amber and Tom Brown, Ashley Karl, David Caldwell and Rachel Caldwell. Mrs. Klapec is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Kye Brown, Lucas Baker, James Baker and Mya Brown; and two sisters, Angelina and Sam Barbalaci of Franklin and Antoinette Hannon of Franklin. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Klapec was preceded in death by four sisters, Marietta Shoemaker and Anna Smith and her infant sisters Anna and Julia Colella. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Reinsel Funeral Home in Oil City and from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday in the gathering space at St. Joseph Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Church with Monsignor John W. Swoger, St. Joseph pastor, presiding. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the VNA Hospice, 491 Allegheny Blvd, Franklin; St. Joseph Church Development Fund, 35 Pearl Ave., Oil City; or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Western Pennsylvania Chapter, 960 Penn Ave., Suite 1000, Pittsburgh, 15222. Condolences may be sent at www.reinselfuneralhome.com. Clyde B. Leasure, 89, a resident of Polk Center, died at 9:50 a.m. Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, at UPMC Northwest in Seneca. Born May 3, 1919, in West Virginia, he was a son of the late Walter B. and Martha Strauser Leasure. Mr. Leasure was well-liked by the staff that supported him over the years at Polk Center. He is survived by several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Leasure was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert Leasure and Walter Leasure; and two sisters, Lillie Stearner and LaRue Leasure. Burial was in Cherrytree Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday at Polk Center. The Morrison Funeral Home in Oil City is in charge of arrangements. Ronald G. Pay, 87, of Marienville, died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009, at Butler Veterans Hospital. Born Dec. 15, 1921, in Akron, Ohio, he was the son of Joseph and Florence Mudredge Pay. Mr. Pay was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was married to Reita Pay, who preceded him in death in 2004. Mr. Pay was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in World War II. He was a self-employed cabinet maker with Pay Cabinet Co. of Akron, Ohio. Mr. Pay is survived by one daughter, Diane Freas of Akron, Ohio; two grandchildren, Randy Freas and his wife, Staci, and Heather Freas; and two great-grandchildren, Brandon and Miranda. In addition to his wife, Mr. Pay was preceded in death by one son, Paul Pay. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Ronald McDonald Funeral Home in Marienville. Funeral services, will full military honors, will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Randy Evans of the Clarion-Forest VNA Hospice officiating. Burial will be in North Forest Cemetery. Gloria Belle Weaver Rice, 70, of 736 Miller St., Lot 5, Knox, died at 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh. Mrs. Rice died from injuries she received from a fire at her home on Friday, Jan. 9, 2009. Born May 1, 1938, in Sarah Furnace, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Ida Jane Burt Weaver. She was married to John W. Rice, who preceded her in death July 5, 1984. Mrs. Rice is survived by her longtime companion, Larry "Squeak" Graham of Knox. She was a homemaker who enjoyed fishing, gardening and cooking. She was of the Protestant faith. Mrs. Rice was also an avid Steelers fan. She was a member of the Clarion County Rod and Gun Club and American Legion Auxiliary Post #720 of Knox. In addition to her companion, Larry Graham, Mrs. Rice is survived by five sisters, Barbara Vlassich of Fairmount City, Dolores Long of Brookville, Mary Lou Seybert of Rimersburg, Maxine Stockdale of West Freedom and Valjean Bartley of Shippenville; and six brothers, Harry Weaver of Sligo, James Weaver of Erie, William Weaver of Sligo, Phillip Weaver of Knox, Larry Weaver of Clarion and Stanley Weaver of Sligo. In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Rice was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Murray and Eileen Weaver. A memorial dinner will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the West Freedom Fire Hall. Inurnment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery at Conneration. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the West Penn Hospital Burn Unit in Pittsburgh. The Varner Funeral Home in Sligo is in charge of arrangements. Herbert E. Small, 82, of Tionesta, died Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, at Golden Living Center in Shippenville. Born Oct. 12, 1926, in the Nebraska area of Forest County, he was the son of the late Edgar K and Inez Weaver Small. Mr. Small was a self-employed barber for many years in Tionesta. He served in the U.S. Army Military Police during World War II. Mr. Small is survived by one brother, Edgar C. Small of Tionesta; two sisters, Phyllis Small and Elinor Small, both of Tionesta; two nephews, Keith Small of Washington County and Blaine Small of Tionesta; and a good comrade and friend, Douglas R. McMichael. In addition to his parents, Mr. Small was preceded in death by one brother, Jimmy Small; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Small; and his loving friends and caregivers, Jack and Grace McMichael. Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Norman J. Wimer Funeral Home of Tionesta. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Randy Evans, Clarion/Forest VNA Hospice chaplain, officiating. Interment will be at Mt. Collins Cemetery in Tionesta. Memorial contributions may be made to Tionesta Volunteer Fire Department or Tionesta Ambulance Service. Condolences may be sent by e-mail to condolences@wimerfuneralhome.com. William Whiting Stump Jr., 75, of Emlenton, formerly of Edinburg, a retired Emlenton and New Castle businessman, died at 2:08 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009, at his home on Sugar Valley Lane, Allegheny Township, Butler County. Born April 30, 1933, in New Castle, he was the son of the late William W. and Olive McNeal Stump. Mr. Stump was a 1951 graduate of Union High School in New Castle and a graduate of Bliss Electrical School of Montgomery College in Maryland. Mr. Stump was inducted into the U.S. Army in May 1952. He served with the last group of the 101st Airborne Rangers, stationed at Fort Breckingridge, Ky. His military service included action in Korea with the 101st Airborne's Special Operations Force. He also served with the Adjunct General Corps and spent time in Nancy, France. He had obtained the rank of sergeant first class when he was discharged in May 1955. Mr. Stump was employed by Bell Telephone of Pennsylvania in the engineering department. Upon his return from military service, he continued his employment at Bell in the plant department. He was later promoted to PBX repair and then to management. He worked in Sharon, Rochester and New Castle and retired from Bell Telephone in 1971. Mr. Stump then partnered with Russell Forney Jr. in the formation of R.H. Forney Calibration Service which they operated as a partnership until 1976 when Mr. Stump purchased the company. The business later became Calibration Services Inc. which Mr. Stump and his son operated in New Castle and Emlenton for many years. As a calibration engineer, Mr. Stump traveled extensively, both nationally and internationally, working for clients in government, construction, consulting and education. He was an entrepreneur with several business interests in the local area. His endeavors included the development of the Old Emlenton Mill Corp., a landscaping business, and an excavating company. Mr. Stump held memberships in the American Legion and VFW. He was a member and past president of the Spring Creek Hunting and Fishing Club. He was a former Emlenton Borough councilman. Mr. Stump had been a local civil defense director as well as a Pennsylvania state sewage enforcement officer. He was a lifetime member of Edinburg Christian Church and had served as both an elder and deacon. He had also been a member of the church governing board. Mr. Stump is survived by his wife, Martha Hill Stump; two sons, William "Bill" Stump and John Stump; a daughter, Susan Stump Labardee; and nine grandchildren, Emily Stump, Rebecca Stump, Laura Stump, Leah Stump, Miles Stump, Madison Stump, Ross Labardee, Ian Labardee and Hannah Labardee. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Perin Labardee and Evian Labardee; a sister-in-law, Carol Stump; and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Stump was proceeded in death by a brother, Russell Stump. Friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Hile Funeral Home Inc., 1204 Kerr Ave., Emlenton. Additional visitation hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Cunningham Funeral Home in New Castle. Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Cunningham Funeral Home. Interment with full military honors provided by the New Castle Honor Guard will take place at Neshannock Cemetery in New Wilmington. Memorial contributions may be made to Edinburg Christian Church, 5700 N. Edinburg Rd, Edinburg, 16116. George Edwin "Ed" Wolfe Jr., 63, of Kennerdell, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, at home after an extended illness. Born Nov. 30, 1945, in Franklin, he was the son of the late George E. Wolfe Sr. and Lorraine Hoffman, who survives. He graduated from Victory High School. Mr. Wolfe was married July 2, 1966, to the former Kathleen E. Mundorf, who survives. Mr. Wolfe was self employed as an electrical contractor, having worked extensively in the Ohio area and some in Pennsylvania. He was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Murrinsville. In addition to his wife, Mr. Wolfe is survived by a daughter, Danielle D. Fyock and her husband, David, of Kennerdell; a granddaughter, Elizabeth C. Fyock of Kennerdell; two sisters, Shirley Marwood of McKean and Carolyn Wiegel and her husband, Rick, of Franklin; a sister-in-law, Paulette Harvey and her husband, Rick, of Harrisville; two stepbrothers, Kelse Hoffman and his wife, Lisa, of Pittsburgh, and Neil Hoffman and his wife, Diane, of Atlanta, Ga.; a stepsister, Nancy Huguenin and her husband, Bob, of Groton, Mass.; four nephews and six nieces. In addition to his father, Mr. Wolfe was preceded in death by a stepfather, Dr. Kelse Hoffman; and a brother-in-law, Clifford Marwood. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Murrinsville with Father James Bedillion of St. Alphonsus Parish of Boyers officiating. The Larry E. McKinley Funeral Home, Clintonville, is in charge of arrangements. The family has suggested memorial contributions be sent to The American Lung Association, 61 Broadway, New York, N.Y., 10006; or to St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Box 46, Boyers, 16020. Friends can e-mail condolences by visiting www.mckinleyfuneralhome.net Getting it right - Conrad L. Jiggs Minich Conrad L. Jiggs Minich, 76, of 2368 Carriage Road, Fairmount City, died Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, at Brookville Hospital. Mr. Minich's survivors include two half brothers, R.K. Ames of Brookville and Lewis B. Ames of Palm Coast, Fla.; one stepsister, Mrs. Milton (Ruby) Harp of Lakewood, N.Y.; one stepbrother, William O. Ames of Brookville; and a granddaughter, Jenna Minich of Henryville. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Walter J. Ames Sr.; three stepbrothers, Howard Ames, Walter J. Ames Jr. and Charles Ames; and one stepsister, Vesta Keough of Mayport.