The Derrick, January 29, 2009: James Boyd Alexander, Clarion Ruth L. Blauser, Cranberry Peggy Lou Downes, formerly of Oil City Presbyterian Home Ellis B. Hoffman, Fellowship Manor, Grove City Gloria J. "Nana" Fenimore, 521 Spring St., Franklin Frank G. Hess, New Bethlehem Nancy J. O'Brien, 1100 Henrys Bend Road, Oil City Carolyn Elizabeth Siar, 176 Olean Road, Corsica James B. Warnsing, East Main Street, Clarion Romain G. Wenner, Van James Boyd Alexander, 52, of Clarion, fell to a three-year struggle with renal cell cancer on Monday afternoon, Jan. 26, 2009. Though his most recent stay in the hospital was trying, he lived happily through his illness since he was diagnosed in November 2005. A poet at heart, Jim graduated from the Pennsylvania State University Honors College with a B.A. in English literature in 1979. After two years in its English graduate program, he attended law school at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, graduating in 1985. Since returning home to Clarion County he has practiced law, eventually with his father, former Clarion County Judge Charles Alexander. Together they formed Alexander, Alexander, Troese and Seidle in June 2007. Jim was lucky enough to love his work, nearly as much as he enjoyed his partners, staff and clients. Jim took enormous pleasure in nearly all facets of life. He had a great passion for music, both the appreciation and writing of literature and the outdoors, especially fly-fishing and skiing, at which he was quite talented. But more than anything Jim loved people - he cared for nothing more than his family and friends, and always acted accordingly. Among those blessed to be a part of Jim's family, which he would say did not consist only of relatives, were his mother, Jean Taylor Sayer; his grandparents, George "Heap" Alexander II and Miriam Moore Alexander; his uncle, George "Heap" Alexander III; and his stepmother, Maxine Mackenzie Alexander, all of whom have passed. His loss is suffered by countless friends, nieces and nephews, but especially so by his father, Charles Robert Alexander; his stepmother, Peggy Alexander; his wife, Trudy Alexander, and their two children, Elizabeth Zoe and Ian James Alexander; his two brothers, Charles Howard and Stephen George; his mother-in-law, Dorismae Snyder; his cousin, Anne Gordon; and his stepfather, Ted Sayer. The family will be holding receptions from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from noon to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Robert V. Burns Funeral Home in Clarion. The family is asking that donations be made to the Clarion Hospital Foundation, which Jim proudly served, and to the Pet and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), which he actively supported. Those wishing to submit condolences may do so by visiting www.rvburnsfuneralhome.com. Ruth L. Blauser, 87, of Cranberry, died at 9:10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, at The Caring Place in Franklin. Born May 11, 1921 in Rockland, she was the daughter of the late Claude and Elsie Rembold Meade. Mrs. Blauser graduated from Rockland School in 1939. She then worked at General Manifold in Franklin until entering the Marine Corps. She was stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and after her discharge she attended business school in Franklin. She was married July 26, 1947, at Congress Hill Church of God to Paul H. Blauser, who survives. Mrs. Blauser attended the Oil City Church of the Nazarene. She was a homemaker and enjoyed her family, friends and studying the Bible. Mrs. Blauser is survived by two sons, Robert P. Blauser and his wife, Susan, of Franklin, and Brian K. Blauser and his wife, Carlotta, of Akron, Ohio; a daughter, Kathleen R. Stumpner and her husband, Terry, of Rome, Ohio; six grandchildren, Julia Greenlee of Columbus, Ohio, Andrew R. Blauser of Butler, Adam Blauser of Deerfield, Ill., Erin Blauser of Akron, Ohio, and Jason and Amy Stumpner of Rome, Ohio; and one great-grandson, Trenton Greenlee of Columbus, Ohio. She is also survived by one sister, Katie Miller and her husband, Dean, of Seneca; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Blauser was preceded in death by four brothers, Edward Rembold, Ronald Meade, Harold Meade and Robert Meade; and one sister, Dorothy Bigelow. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Morrison Funeral Home in Oil City. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. William Hopkins, pastor of the Oil City Church of the Nazarene, officiating. Interment will be in Brandon Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the Oil City Church of the Nazarene, 601 East Second St., Oil City. Peggy Lou Downes, 63, died at 7:06 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, at Titusville Area Hospital. Mrs. Downes has been residing in the Presbyterian Home in Oil City for several years. Funeral arrangements and a complete obituary will be published Friday. Arrangements are being handled by the Huff Chapel in Franklin. Ellis B. Hoffman, 86, a resident of Fellowship Manor, Grove City, for the past four years, formerly of Harrisville RD 1, died at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009, at Grove City Medical Center. Born Feb. 9, 1922, in Harrisville, he was the son of the late Roy Hoffman and Elsie (Hoffman) Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman was a 1938 graduate of Grove City High School. He was married April 28, 1948, to the former Vivian A. Walter, who preceded him in death Oct. 8, 1979. He was later married Jan. 15, 1994, to the former Florence Stevens, who preceded him in death Jan. 16, 2004. Mr. Hoffman served in the U.S. Army and was a World War II veteran. He was employed at Cooper-Energy Service in Grove City. He retired from there in 1984 with more than 30 years of service. Mr. Hoffman was of the Protestant faith. He was a former member of the American Legion, and he enjoyed old cars. Mr. Hoffman is survived by a daughter, Beverly J. Burrell of Grove City; three stepsons, Walter E. Gilmore of Harrisville, Edward L. Gilmore of Clintonville and John C. Gilmore of Dover; three grandchildren, Cynthia Kaylor, Wally Burrell and Wendy Russell; and five great-grandchildren, Tiffany Welton, Colleen Russell, Kennedy Russell, Cassidy Russell and Kaiden Russell. Friends may call from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Jamison Funeral Home, 117 N. Main St., Harrisville. Funeral services will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. Geoffrey M. Wild of the Church of Epiphany in Grove City officiating. Interment will be in Old Log Cemetery in Irwin Township, Venango County. Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled Veterans Association or the American Heart Association, 777 Penn Center Blvd., Pittsburgh, 15235. Gloria J. "Nana" Fenimore, 64, of 521 Spring St., Franklin, died at 2 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009, at her residence. Born April 19, 1944, in Bell Flower, Calif., she was the daughter of Wilbert L. Hutchen and the late Mary Busonavich. Mrs. Fenimore was a homemaker. She loved to shop and volunteer at the Franklin and Cranberry Goodwill stores. She enjoyed playing bingo and spending time with her family and grandchildren. Mrs. Fenimore loved life and had a big heart, and always welcomed everyone with a smile. She married Carl Allen Fenimore on Feb. 17, 1952, and he preceded her in death. Mrs. Fenimore is survived by her father, Wilbert L. Hutchen and his wife, Jo, of Squaw Valley, Calif.; and three children, Randy Poole and his wife, Cindy, of Tidioute, Steven Fenimore and his wife, Doris, of Wilmington, Calif., and Kelly Klinger and her husband, David, of Franklin. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Joey Poole of Clarksville, Tenn., Haylee Poole of Squaw Valley, Calif., and Michelle Klinger and her husband, Randy, of Franklin; four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to her husband and mother, Mrs. Fenimore was preceded in death by a sister, Janet White; and a grandson, Steve Fenimore. The Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home Inc. in Franklin is in charge of arrangements. A memorial service will be announced at a later time and will be held at the Franklin Salvation Army. Condolences may be sent online at www.gardinierfuneralhome.com. Frank G. Hess, 86, of New Bethlehem, died Wednesday morning, Jan. 28, 2009, in St. Louis, Mo., following a courageous battle with progressive supra-nuclear palsy (PSP). Born May 10, 1922, in Uniontown, he was a son of the late Moses Porter Hess and Anna Mae Gadd Hess. Mr. Hess graduated from Uniontown High School in 1940 and earned a bachelor of arts degree in accounting from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., in 1953. He was a U.S. Navy veteran serving in the Hospital Corps during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was stationed on the island of Samar with the Western Sea Frontier. He was married June 18, 1959, to the former June E. Jackson, who preceded him in death Nov. 25, 1998. As a young man, Mr. Hess worked in Washington, D.C., as an instructor for Dale Carnegie. It was during one of his courses that he first met his wife, June. In 1965, he and his brother, Wilbur, purchased the Culligan Water Conditioning franchise in New Bethlehem. They later acquired the Oil City and DuBois dealerships, consolidating DuBois and New Bethlehem into the Brookville franchise. He retired in 1986 when the franchises were sold. After his brother, Wilbur, passed away it was no longer enjoyable to work without him. Mr. Hess was an avid golfer and enjoyed working in his garden. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of New Bethlehem, where he sang in the choir, served on the board of trustees and was chair of the memorial committee. Mr. Hess was a past member of New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, serving on the board of session, and he was past president of the board of trustees. His other past memberships included the American Legion, VFW and NBC Chorus, where he served as a past president and was Barbershopper of the Year in 1993; New Bethlehem Masonic Lodge 522, Coundersport Consistory, Armstrong Airys Caravan and Syria Temple. His past associations included president of the Western Pennsylvania Culligan Dealers Association, two-term president of the Eastern Water Conditioning Association, secretary of the Pennsylvania Water Quality Association, board of regents of the Water Quality Association, an international organization headquartered in Chicago; New Bethelehem Area Free Public Library Board, New Bethlehem Lions Club King Lion in 1971 and 1972, president of the Clarion County Fair Association-changed fair name from the Farmers and Merchants Picnic, and the New Bethlehem Shade Tree Committee. Mr. Hess is survived by four children, Patty Murray and her husband, Bob, of St. Louis, Mo., Bill Hess and his wife, Tina, of Princeton, N.J., Greg Hess and his wife, Susan, of Tucson, Ariz., and Suzy Wyant and her husband, Richard, of Tipp City, Ohio; and eight grandchildren, Gwen and Erin Murray, Carson, Braden and Austin Hess, and Matthew, Lauren and Jack Wyant. Also surviving are a sister, Iva M. Hess of Oil City; a brother, John R. Hess and his wife, Marilynn, of Kilmarnock, Va.; and several nieces and nephews, Donna Wells and Janet Cline of Virginia and their families, Nancy Hess of Oil City, Christopher Hess of Illinois, and Karrie Hess McMillan and Trevor and Liam McMillan, all of Virginia. In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Hess was preceded in death by a son, Ronald Hess; and two brothers, Wilbur Hess and George Hess. Friends will be received from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Rupert Funeral Home, 301 Penn St., New Bethlehem, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church, 234 Penn St., New Bethlehem. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Joe Short, church pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at New Bethlehem Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to First United Methodist Church of New Bethlehem at 234 Penn St., New Bethlehem, 16242; New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, 403 Penn St., New Bethlehem; or New Bethlehem Area Free Public Library, 720 Broad St., New Bethlehem. Online condolences may be sent to Frank's family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com. Nancy J. O'Brien, 72, of 1100 Henrys Bend Road, Oil City, died at 6:47 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, at the Florida Hospital in Zephyr Hills, Fla. The Reinsel Funeral Home and Crematory in Oil City is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary will be published Saturday in The Derrick. Carolyn Elizabeth Siar, 59, of 176 Olean Road, Corsica, was at home surrounded by her loving family before going home to be with her Lord and Savior at 10:40 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26, 2009. She passed away peacefully after battling 12 courageous years with breast cancer. Born April 29, 1949, in Brookville, she was the daughter of Keith D. Martz, who survives in Corsica, and the late Clara E. Lutz Martz, who preceded her in death Nov. 5, 2007. She was married Nov. 11, 1967, in Corsica, to Robert E. Siar, and he survives. Mrs. Siar was a homemaker for many years before becoming employed by Clarion-Limestone School District as a cafeteria aide and custodian. She enjoyed spending time with her family, working, gardening, planting flowers and baking, especially with her grandchildren. In addition to her husband and father, she is survived by four children, Tina Liebman and her husband, Tom, of Brookville, Misse Smith and her husband, Don, of Corsica, Brett Siar and his wife, Amber, of Brookville, and Bradley Siar and his fiance, Joda Schena, of Brookville; and 10 grandchildren, Daniel, Amanda, Jenna and Erin Liebman, Kysaac, Kaiben, Keidon, Kothan and Kamlor Smith, and Corinne Siar. She is also survived by two sisters, Shirley Semanco and brother-in-law John Semanco of New Bethlehem and Kathy Bauer and brother-in-law Gary "Bud" Bauer of Wilson, N.C.; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother. Friends were received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the McKinney Funeral Home in Brookville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today at the funeral home with the Rev. Larry Dahlborg, pastor of Pleasant Hill Bible Church in Summerville, officiating. Interment will be at Mt. Pleasant Independent Baptist Cemetery in Corsica. Memorial donations can be made to Clarion-Forest VNA Hospice, P.O. Box 668, Knox; 16232; or the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Foundation, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, Texas, 75265-0309. James B. Warnsing, 43, of East Main Street, Clarion, died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, in the Clarion Hospital after a long illness. Born July 23, 1965, in McKeesport, he was the son of Donald Warnsing Sr. and Rose Ambler Warnsing. He was married March 22, 2002, to Cheri Stromyer, who survives. Mr. Warnsing was a 1984 graduate of Maury High School in Virginia. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1984 to 1996 as a radioman (RM2), and he received a medical retirement due to an illness he contracted during Operation Desert Storm. He was director/owner of the High Rollers drill team for the past 14 years. He enjoyed teaching children from all over the tri-county area. Mr. Warnsing was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and was looking forward to the Super Bowl. He was also looking forward to the birth of his first grandchild, Serenity JaLynn Warnsing. He was a patient of Renal Care of Clarion and had been a previous volunteer for Passages in Clarion County. Mr. Warnsing is survived by his father, Donald Warnsing Sr. and his wife, Peggy, of Nokomis, Ill.; his mother, Rose Warnsing of Spotsylvania, Va.; his wife, Cheri Warnsing of Clarion; a son, Kenneth Warnsing of Elyria, Ohio; and two daughters, Mandalyn Warnsing of Clarion and Melinda Warnsing at home. Also surviving are four brothers, Donald Warnsing Jr. of DuBois, Joe McKittrick of Knox, Randy Best of St. Petersburg and Sean Summerville of Strattanville; a niece, Meghyn Warnsing; and a nephew, Zayne Summerville. Mr. Warnsing was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Joseph and Tillie Ambler; his paternal grandparents, Wayne and Myrtle Warnsing; and an uncle, Jack Summerville. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Goble Funeral Home & Crematory, 330 Wood St., Clarion. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Deryl Larson of First United Methodist Church officiating. Full military honors will be performed by the Clarion American Legion at 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home prior to the service. The family requests friends and family to be in black and gold for the Steelers in his honor during visitation and funeral services. Interment will follow in Clarion Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Kidney Foundation. Online memorials may be made to www.goblefh.net. Romain G. Wenner, 89, of Van, went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009, at UPMC Montefiore in Pittsburgh. Born Jan. 6, 1920, in Van, he was a son of Leroy and Cecil Whitling Wenner. The most important day in Mr. Wenner's life was when he accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of 12. From that day forward, he was committed to sharing his love for Christ with those he came in contact with. Mr. Wenner was a 1937 graduate of Rockland High School. He was married Nov. 25, 1943, to the former Roberta M. Dreibelbis, who survives. He worked at Struthers Wells, Oilwell Supply and Eakin Novelty Works, and he had owned and operated Van Lumber and Supply since 1951. Mr. Wenner attended Seneca Evangelical Congregational Church. He belonged to the Gideon's and was a former board member of Christian Life Academy. Mr. Wenner enjoyed farming, gardening and hunting with his wife and family. His love for his family was demonstrated by the countless hours he spent being involved in their lives. Mr. Wenner is survived by three sons, Dwight R. Wenner of Van, Douglas K. Wenner and his wife, Jacqueline, of Van, and Derwin G. Wenner and his wife, Pam, of Nickleville; a daughter, Darla S. Babb and her husband, Gary, of Canfield, Ohio; nine grandchildren, Darren Wenner, Dustin Wenner, Kelly Wenner, Brett Wenner, Autumn Wenner, Dolan Wenner, Dalena Custer, Denton Wenner and Chase Wenner; and five great-grandchildren, Allyson Wenner, Danica Wenner, Dane Wenner, Dalton Wenner and Darien Wenner. He is also survived by a brother, Jay Wenner and his wife, Betty, of Oil City; a brother-in-law, Duane Sweet of New Mexico; a sister-in-law, Doris Wenner of Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Wenner was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Karla Wenner; five brothers, Gerald Wenner, DO Wenner, Richard Wenner, Harry Wenner and Thomas Wenner; and two sisters, Ellen Sweet and Irene Wenner. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Morrison Funeral Home in Oil City. Friends will also be received from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Seneca Evangelical Congregational Church. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Josh Reinders, church pastor, officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Gideon 's.