The Derrick, January 14, 2009: Sandra K. Bessetti, Oil City area Julia Mae Walter Ditz, Fryburg, formerly of Leeper John P. "Jack" Downie, Moon Township Kristine L. Fink, Shippenville Donald Benson Kinkead, Wichita, Kan. Judith E. "Judy" Lepley, 292 Meadville Pike, Franklin Clarence E. "Buck" Miller, formerly of 216 Bissell Ave., Oil City Mary E. Perry, West Home Road, Emlenton Carl Ray Roelfs, Rehoboth Church Road, Clarion Sandra K. Bessetti, 58, of the Oil City area, died Tuesday morning, Jan. 13, 2009, at UPMC Northwest in Seneca. The Hile-Best Funeral Home Inc. of Seneca, Cranberry Township, is handling funeral arrangements. A complete obituary will be published Thursday. More information will also be available at www.hilebest.com. Julia Mae Walter Ditz, 91, of Fryburg, formerly of Leeper, died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, at her home. The Borland Funeral Home Inc. in Leeper is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary will be published Thursday in The Derrick. John P "Jack" Downie, 66, of Moon Township, died Monday, Jan. 12, 2009. Born Oct. 7, 1942, in Pittsburgh, he was a son of the late John M. Downie and Elizabeth Baer Downie. Mr. Downie served as CEO of several manufacturing corporations, where he was a pioneer and promoter of the plastics industry. Most recently, he was the COO of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, where he shared God's love with those he touched. He was a member of St. Philip Episcopal Church in Moon Township. Mr. Downie was adored by all his family. In addition to his wife, Judith A Weber, he is survived by five daughters, Adrienne D. Fournier and her husband, Bob, of Connecticut, Michelle E. Downie of Texas, Janet Anderson and her husband, Mike, of Erie, Tracy Butler and her husband, Wesley, of Virginia, and Jill Bohannon and her husband, Chad, of York; eight grandchildren, Simone, Gil, Morgan, Johanna, Amber, Andrew, Jakob and Claire; and two brothers, William Downie and Thomas Downie and his wife, Kate. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Moon Township (corner of Beaver Grade and Coraopolis Heights Road). Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Philip Episcopal Church in Moon Township. Private interment will take place at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Bridgeville. Memorial contributions may be made to The Shepard's Heart Fellowship in Pittsburgh. Kristine L. Fink, 51, of Shippenville, passed away unexpectedly Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, at her home. She was born Jan. 11, 1958, in Clarion, the daughter of Clair and the late Dorothy Groner Bauer. She graduated from North Clarion High School in 1975. She was married to Rodney Fink on Oct. 15, 1977, and he preceded her in death. She was member of St. Michael Church in Fryburg and the Clarion Civic Club. She was employed for 34 years at Farmers Mutual Insurance of Marble. In her spare time she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandson, Joey, and watching her son race through the years. She was the proud godmother of Brock McCloskey, Stacy Siegel and Kayla Bauer. She is survived by a daughter, Jill Spence and her husband, Tom, of Shippenville; a son, Daniel Fink and his wife, Rachel, of Emlenton; her grandson, Joseph Spence of Shippenville; her father, Clair Bauer of Tionesta; two sisters, Angelene McCloskey and her husband, Doug, of Lickingville, and Pauline Hargenrader and her husband, Perry, of Venus; and a brother, Kenneth Bauer and his wife, Barb, of Wattsburg. Also surviving are two brothers-in-law, William Fink and his wife, Twila, of Clarion, and Brian Fink and his wife, Terrie, of Strattenville; and nieces and nephews Brock, Garret and Brent McCloskey, Stacy Siegel and her husband, Brian, Karlie and Kayla Bauer, Jennifer Fink and Kyle and Brilyn Fink. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rodney Fink; her mother, Dorothy Bauer; a sister, Jolene Bauer; a brother-in-law, William Fink; and grandparents Ambrose and Regina Bauer and Henry and M. Susan Groner Friends will be received from 1 to 3 and 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Faller Funeral Home Inc. in Fryburg. Parish prayer services will be held at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Michael Church in Fryburg with the Rev. David Poulson, church pastor, as the presider and the Rev. Monty Sayers as concelebrant. Burial will be in the St. Michael cemetery following the Mass. The family suggests memorials be made to St. Michael Church or the Charitable Deeds Foundation, 98 Hickory Nut Lane, Knox, 16232. Donald Benson Kinkead, 80, died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, at Via Christi Medical Center, St. Francis Campus in Wichita, Kan. Born June 4, 1928, in Philipsburg, he was the son of Lawrence and Ella Lupton Kinkead. He was a 1946 graduate of Philipsburg High School and a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Mr. Kinkead was a veteran who served with the U.S. Army from 1946-48. Most of his service was in Kyoto, Japan. He retired from Love Box Co. in 2003 where he was a structural designer. He had worked as a designer and graphic artist in the box industry for more than 40 years, including employment in North Tonawanda, N.Y., Washington, Pa., and Jeannette. The early years of his career included work in outdoor advertising, designing and selling placemats and menus to restaurants in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. He was also an art supervisor for East Brady High School and five elementary schools. Mr. Kinkead had a desire to be a servant of God and to share his faith and gifts with others. During his lifetime, he was an active member of the United Methodist church , including St. Paul United Methodist, Wichita, Kan.; First United Methodist, North Tonawanda, N.Y.; First United Methodist, Jeannette; Mars United Methodist; East Brady United Methodist; Smithfield Street United Methodist, Pittsburgh, where Mr. Kinkead made many life-long friends; and Trinity United Methodist, Philipsburg. In his free time, he was active in the Protestant ministry and a servicemen's choir that toured surrounding communities. His church activities included service as a lay leader, choir member, youth leader, sign painter, creative consultant, member of the ABC Sunday School class and United Methodist men. An avid gardener, Mr. Kinkead maintained beautiful flower beds and abundant vegetable gardens until his health prohibited that pastime. Mr. Kinkead is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dolores E. McKinney Kinkead, whom he met at Smithfield Street United Methodist in Pittsburgh. In addition to his wife, Mr. Kinkead is survived by a daughter, the Rev. Angela Gay Kinkead of Buckhannon, W.Va., one son, Sterling Dean Kinkead of Wichita, Kan.; one sister, Jean Kinkead Fooks and her husband, Bob, of Philipsburg; four sisters-in-law, Adean McKinney of Brookville, Marion McKinney McNaughton of Palmetto, Fla., Marilyn McKinney of Youngsville and Carolyn McKinney Motter and her husband, Clair, of Brookville; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Kinkead was preceded in death by an infant brother. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Sligo Presbyterian Church. A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the church following visitation. Interment will follow at Grandview Cemetery in Sligo. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, Wichita, Kan. Condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilymortuaries.com. The Culbertson-Smith Mortuary, 115 S. Seneca, Wichita, Kan., is in charge of arrangements, assisted by McKinney Funeral Home, Brookville. Judith E. "Judy" Lepley, 60, a resident of 292 Meadville Pike, Franklin, died Tuesday morning, Jan. 13, 2009, at UPMC Northwest in Seneca, following a courageous battle with cancer. Born Nov. 7, 1948, in Oil City, she was a beloved daughter of the late Leroy E. Ziegler Sr. and Genevieve (McDonald) Ziegler. She was married Nov. 12, 1971, to Larry E. Lepley, who survives. She attended the Oil City area schools and was a 1967 graduate of A-C Valley High School. As her health permitted, Mrs. Lepley was employed as an activities assistant at both the Venango Manor and Sugar Creek Station, where she had previously worked for 35 years. Her greatest joy was as a caregiver to the elderly residents for whom she had cared and with whom she had become friends. She enjoyed bowling and spending quality time with her family and was a member of the Lupher Chapel United Methodist Church. Mrs. Lepley will be deeply missed by all who had come to know her. In addition to her husband of 37 years, she is survived by two brothers, Leroy E. "Gene" Ziegler Jr. and wife, Joyce, of Oil City and Ronald Ziegler and wife, Roxanne, of Cooperstown; and six sisters, Mary England of Franklin, Jackie Goughler and husband, Barry, of Rocky Grove, Donna Slatton and husband, Dennis, of Zebulon, N.C., Lily Krizon and husband Larry, of Cooperstown, Brenda Pressley and husband, Dan, of Quakertown and Victoria Jackson and husband, Rick, of Titusville. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and extended family members. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Timothy E. Hartle Funeral Home, 1328 Elk St., Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 11 a..m. Friday in the funeral home with the Rev. Henrietta Serrins, pastor of the Lupher Chapel United Methodist Church, officiating. Entombment will follow in the Cooperstown Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 10 West Front St., Oil City, 16301, or to the Venango County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1045, Oil City, 16301. Clarence E. "Buck" Miller, 91, formerly of 216 Bissell Ave., Oil City, died at 1:36 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, at the Golden Living Center in Oil City after a period of failing health. Born Aug. 25, 1917, in Oil City, he was the son of the late William and Mabel Schneider Miller. He was a 1936 graduate of Oil City High School. Mr. Miller served as a T-sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he was a platoon leader with the Ninth Infantry Division. He was awarded numerous battle decorations including the Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster for action in Tunisia, Sicily, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. Mr. Miller worked for many years in the newsroom of The Derrick as assistant news editor and later manager of classified advertising. He later went to work for Quaker State where he became assistant sales promotion manager until his retirement in 1981. He was very active in the community, having served on the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Oil City Building and Housing Authority for many years. He was a long-time member of the Oil City Knights of Columbus and the Fourth Degree Assembly of the Knights of Columbus, and he was also a member of American Legion Post 32 in Oil City. Mr. Miller was also the master of ceremonies for the Good Friday Men's Breakfast for more than 25 years. He was a parishoner at St. Joseph Church in Oil City and was active in many church organizations including the Holy Name Society, Prime Timers, cemetery board and the ushers. Mr. Miller was married July 27, 1948, at St. Stephen Church in Oil City to the former Rita Smith of Cranberry, and she survives. Also surviving are one daughter, Holly Miller of Oil City; one son, William Miller of Oil City; three grandchildren, Vanessa and Tracy Sells, Cheryl and Mark Zihmer and Bryan and Beth Jolly; five great-grandsons, Noah, Gabe, Chase, Owen and Wyatt, all of Florida; one brother, Jack Miller of Colorado; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Sandra A. Jolly; one son, Gary E. Miller; and one sister, Dorothy Moon. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Reinsel Funeral Home in Oil City. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Church in Oil City with Msgr. John W. Swoger, pastor at St. Joseph, presiding. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery with full military honors provided by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard. Condolences may be sent at www.reinselfuneralhome.com. Mary E. Perry, 90, of West Home Road, Emlenton, Richland Township, Venango County, died Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, at Brookville Hospital following a short illness. Born Feb. 11, 1918, she was the daughter of Ernesto and Theresa Gallo Marziale. She was married Nov. 16, 1940, in Westview, to Franklin H. Perry, who preceded her in death Dec. 22, 2000. Mrs. Perry was a member of St. Michael Roman Catholic Church in Emlenton. She was a member of the church's RCIA, Altar Rosary Society and the pie and soup making group. Mrs. Perry was an avid reader who also enjoyed embroidery, playing cards and scrabble, and baking. She assisted her husband in taking communion to community shut-ins. Mrs. Perry is survived by two sons, Robert J. Perry and his wife, Debbie, of Parker, and Gary J. Perry and his wife, Teresa, of Marion Center; four daughters, Gloria Greenwood and her husband, Richard, of Howard, Ohio, Mary Beth Henshaw and her husband, Charles, of Franklin, Debra Butler and her husband, Thomas, of Clearfield, and Jean Armes and her husband, Norbert, of Greensburg; 16 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one sister, Madeline U'Ren of Pittsburgh. In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Perry was preceded in death by one sister, Josephine Anzaldi, and three brothers, Henry Marziale, Arthur Marziale and Fred Marziale. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 1 to 3 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Hile Funeral Home Inc., 1204 Kerr Ave., Emlenton. Members of the St. Michael Church will recite the rosary during the afternoon visitation Thursday. A prayer service will be at the funeral home Friday morning. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Michael Roman Catholic Church in Emlenton with the Rev. Jan Olowin, church pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in St. Michael Cemetery in Emlenton. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael Roman Catholic Church, P.O. Box 177, Emlenton, or the charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com. Carl Ray Roelfs, 47, of Rehoboth Church Road, Clarion, died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, at his residence. He was born Nov. 13, 1961, in Anchorage, Alaska. He was raised by Warren and Eleanor Harnish, formerly of Clarion, whom he called aunt and unc. Mr. Roelfs was a carpet layer and he loved fishing. He also served in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Roelfs is survived by a loving daughter, Rhea Lynn Roelfs of Fisher, who was his pride and joy. He is also survived by his mother, Eleanor Harnish of Easley, S.C.; one brother, Sam Harnish of Michigan City, Ind.; and three sisters, Lorie Glaser of Manhattan, Kan., Beth Weber of Seneca, S.C., and Janet Switzer of Franklin Preceding him in death was his father, Warren Harnish. There will be no visitation, and memorial services will be held at the convenience of the family. The Goble Funeral Home and Crematory, 330 Wood St., Clarion, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.goblefh.net.