The Derrick, January 26, 2009: Patricia Ann "Pat" Eads, Sycamore Street, Oil City Robin Kay Fulkerson, Central Avenue Extension, Oil City Howard W. Hazlett, Old Route 8, Polk Arnold L. Lafferty, North East and Franklin Benedict J. (Ben) Lander, Lucinda Leslie F. "Les" McMurdy, Harrisville, formerly of Franklin Jean Louise Murray, Sligo, formerly of Monterrey Road, Rimersburg Stanley Robert Pliska, Mansfield, Conn., formerly of Oil City Patricia Ann "Pat" Eads, 60, of 1 Sycamore St., Oil City, died at 3:40 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, at Hamot Medical Center in Erie. Born Nov. 9, 1948, in Indianapolis, Ind., she was a daughter of the late Noel Washington and Willow Dean Binnion Fishburn. She married in January 1978 to Kenneth E. Eads, who survives. Mrs. Eads was a graduate of George Washington High School in Indianapolis, Ind. She loved bingo, playing cards, cooking and spending time with her family and grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Alycia Ann Trauterman and Dawn Kellie Hughes, both of Oil City; three grandchildren, Cheyenne Trauterman, Courtney Amsler and Cameron Amsler, all of Oil City; a brother, Eddie Fishburn and wife, Harriet, of Indianapolis, Ind.; three sisters, Wilma Thacker of Mooresville, Ind., Barbara Hodges and husband, Charles, of Trafalgar, Ind. and Dewana Rose and husband, Jeffrey, of Indianapolis, Ind.; a brother-in-law, Harry Eads and wife, Angela, of Danville, Ind.; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Pamela Whitling of Rockland. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Morrison Funeral Home in Oil City. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Heckathorn Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the family. Robin Kay Solinger Bard Fulkerson, 44, a resident of 905 Central Ave. Extension, Oil City, died Saturday morning, Jan. 24, 2009. Born Nov. 3, 1964, in Oil City, she was a daughter of Linda Hartsell Solinger and Larry Solinger. She was a 1982 graduate of Cranberry High School and later the J.H. Thompson Beauty School in Erie. Mrs. Fulkerson worked for Baker's Confectionery store in Oil City during her high school years and later as a veterinarian and dental assistant in Oil City. She managed the Sergeant's Temporary Employment Agency in Oil City and attended Clarion University-Venango Campus. Mrs. Fulkerson was a member of the OSB club and more recently served as tournament director for the Cranberry High School Wrestling Club. She and her husband, David, and family hosted a foreign exchange student from Lithuania in 2000. She was involved with her son Kyle's racing career through Hetrick Racing in Oil City, where he had won national awards in 2008. Mrs. Fulkerson was especially proud of Casey for his educational accomplishment and ability to "make your day a brighter one." She also enjoyed attending Jenna's music and dance programs. Surviving are her parents, Linda Solinger of Oil City and Larry Solinger and wife, Sandra, of Erie; her husband, David Fulkerson; two sons, Casey Ray Bard of Edinboro and Kyle Scott Bard of Oil City; a step-daughter, Jenna Fulkerson of Oil City; a half-sister, Nicole Ross of Erie; a sister, Kimberly Huegel of Oil City; two brothers, Mark Solinger of Clintonville and Jeffrey Solinger of Bumpass, Va.; her mother and father-in-law, Dave and Lynda Fulkerson; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Mrs. Fulkerson was preceded in death by her grandparents, Alfred and Dorothy Solinger and Fritz and Lucille Hartsell. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Morrison Funeral Home in Oil City. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with the Rev. Howard Gaston, pastor of Second Presbyterian Church, officiating. Entombment will be held in the Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the family to help with expenses. Howard W. Hazlett, 82, of 3583 Old Route 8, Polk, died at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, at his residence. Born Feb. 20, 1926, in Franklin, he was a son of the late Calvin Eugene Hazlett and Mary Magdeline Barnicle. He was married Dec. 18, 1945, to Pauline Collingwood, who preceded him in death. Mr. Hazlett worked as an electrician for CPT until his retirement in 1982. He was a member of The Potter's House and enjoyed bee keeping, archery, fishing and hunting. He lived most his life in Victory Heights until three years ago and enjoyed being around his family and dog, Niki. Mr. Hazlett is survived by four sons, Calvin W. Hazlett and wife, Jocye, of Franklin, David C. Hazlett and wife, Charlene, of Polk, Robert J. Hazlett and wife, Mary, of Franklin and Douglas K. Hazlett of Franklin; two daughters, Judy A. Ream and husband, Robert, of Polk and Diana E. Bean of Franklin; a sister, Charlotte Woods and husband, Gerry, of Franklin; a brother, Francis Benjamin Hazlett of Polk; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Hazlett was preceded in death by a son, Richard Hazlett; a brother, Kenneth James Hazlett; and four sisters, Virginia Wagner, Janet Pierce, Dorothy Tingley and Marilyn Hazlett. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Gardinier Funeral Home in Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with the Rev. Gary Bailey, pastor for the Cornerstone Church in Hyde, officiating. Interment will be in the Graham Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Kirtland Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 108 in Franklin or the VNA Foundation, 491 Allegheny Boulevard in Franklin. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.gardinierfuneralhome.com. Arnold L. Lafferty, 65, of North East and Franklin, died Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, at UPMC Northwest in Seneca. Born Jan. 16, 1944, in Erie, he was a son of the late Arnold S. and Lillian Chapman Lafferty. Mr. Lafferty served in the U.S. Army and was formerly employed as a machinist at Electric Material in North East for several years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in North East and currently attended the Brethern Baptist Church in Franklin. Mr. Lafferty was involved with the Boy Scouts of America and enjoyed volunteering. He is survived by two daughters, Theresa Zuendel and husband, Gary, of North East and Danielle Lafferty of Franklin; a son, Kenneth Lafferty and wife, Lisa, of North East; a brother, Kenneth Lafferty and wife, Denise, of North East; and two sisters, Darlene Greene and husband, William, of North East and Patricia Arlington and husband, Dale, of Erie. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Kathleen, Alyssa, Madison, Devon, Lillian, Ashley and Danielle. Mr. Lafferty was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Lafferty, and a sister, Bonnie Bahm. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the William D. Elkin Funeral Home, 65 South Lake Street, North East. Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home. Interment will be held in the St. Gregory Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family in care of the funeral home. Benedict J. "Ben" Lander, 87, of Lucinda, died Saturday night, Jan. 24, 2009, at Clarion Hospital. Born Oct. 29, 1921, in Lucinda, he was the son of the late Henry A. and M. Irene Engel Lander. He was married Oct. 7, 1948, to the C. Rita Dechant, who preceded him in death on Oct. 3, 1993. Mr. Lander served in the U.S. Army Air Corp as a medic in the Pacific Theatre. He was self-employed as a carpenter in the Lucinda area until his retirement. He was a member of St. Joseph Church in Lucinda, St. Joseph Men's Society and the American Legion in Clarion. He enjoyed hunting, gardening, working in his sawmill, playing cards and spending time with his family. Mr. Lander is survived by 10 children, George Lander and wife, Marie, of Edinboro, Diann Sporer and husband, Charles, of Venus, Alfred Lander and wife, Janet, of Lucinda, Mary Lou Sporer and husband, John, of Marble, Marie Fletcher and husband, Kim, of Shippenville, Ruth Rhea and husband, Bruce, of Sanford, Fla., Susan Mealy and husband, Greg, of Lucinda, Dorothy Allio and husband, Francis, of Tylersburg, Alice Stewart and husband, Mark, of Kossuth and Virginia Miklaszewski and husband, Anthony, of Plainville, Mass. He is also survived by two brothers, Pete Lander and wife, Ardelle and Steve Lander and wife, Betty, all of Lucinda; 30 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and his dog, Jack. In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Lander was preceded in death by a brother, Ed; two sisters, Evelyn Hoover and Edith Akin; and a grandson, Nicholas Fletcher. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Borland Funeral Home, Inc. in Leeper. A Mass of Christian Burial Celebrating Life will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Church in Lucinda with the Rev. William C. Miller, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the St. Joseph School in Lucinda. Leslie F. "Les" McMurdy, 64, a resident of Harrisville, formerly of Franklin, died at 6:10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, at the residence of his brother in Harrisville, where he resided for the past six months. Born Aug. 18, 1944, in Belleview, he was a son of the late Robert W. McMurdy and Roberta F. (Weeter) McMurdy. Mr. McMurdy served in the U.S. Air Force from 1962 to 1970 as a sergeant first class lineman. He fought in the Vietnam War, serving two tours of duty, and receiving the Meritorious Service Award. He was a 1962 graduate of Rocky Grove High School and worked with his brother, the owner of McMurdy Excavating of Harrisville, as a heavy equipment operator for 35 years. He was Protestant in faith. Mr. McMurdy was a former member of the Harrisville Deer Hunters' Association and a life member of the American Trap Association. He is survived by a daughter, Bethany Alice McMurdy of Polk; his first ex-wife, Charlene Woolstrum of Grove City, who helped care for him over the past year; two sisters, Patricia Hughes and husband, Walter, of Elbridge, N.Y. and Joelyn Yurchisin of Bowling Green, Ky.; and three brothers, Jerry A. McMurdy and wife, Alice, of Harrsiville, the Rev. Paul D. McMurdy and wife, Cheryl, of Lancaster and Frederick R. McMurdy and wife, Nina, of Texas. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Sheriden McMurdy. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Jamison Funeral Home, 117 North Main St., Harrisville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Funeral Home with the Rev. Paul D. McMurdy, brother and retired minister, officiating. Interment will follow at the Harmony Cemetery in Harrisville. Memorial contributions may be made the Harrisville Deer Hunters' Association, Eau Claire Road, Harrisville, 16038. Jean Louise Murray, 88, a resident of Clarview Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, Sligo, formerly of Monterrey Road, Rimersburg, passed away at 3:57 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, following a period of failing health. Born April 17, 1920, in East Brady, she was a daughter of the late Ross Wiles and Mae Forringer Wiles. She was married Nov. 2, 1934, in Cumberland, Md., to Masson E. Murray, who preceded her in death on June 20, 2006. Mrs. Murray was a longtime member of the Rimersburg United Methodist Church and operated Jeans Beauty Shop from her home for 25 years. A self-taught musician, she appeared several times on Kittanning's radio station in the 1950s, playing the organ and yodeling. In addition, she played the guitar and accompanied the Adams Sisters, a local vocal group at that time. Mrs. Murray also enjoyed crocheting baby booties, knitting and baking and decorating wedding cakes. She is survived by two daughters, Shirley A. Dunkle and husband, William L., of Homosassa, Fla. and Catherine M. Lerch and husband, Henry Grant, of Punta Gorda, Fla.; a daughter-in-law, Patricia Murray of New Bethlehem; four grandchildren, Christine J. Lerch of Port Charlotte, Fla., Kevin G. Lerch of North Port, Fla., Tim Murray and wife, Jenna, of New Bethlehem and Jodi Reed and husband, David, of New Bethlehem; and a great-grandson, David Grant Lerch of Port Charlotte, Fla. She is also survived by two brothers, Walter Wiles and wife, June and Vern Wiles, all of East Brady; seven sisters, Marguerite Heginbotham of East Brady, Rosie Young of East Brady, Julia Simpson and husband, Eugene, of Sligo, Virginia Delano and husband, James, of Somerset, Eileen Wissinger and husband, Earl, of Kittanning, Genevieve Zellers and Susie Wiles, both of East Brady; and a number of nieces. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sons, Ray Murray in 1935 and Clair Murray in 2004; a daughter, Ruby Murray in 1936; and three grandsons, Michael Dunkle in 1982, David Dunkle in 1983 and Brian Dunkle in 1985. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Richard D. Hillis Funeral Home in Rimersburg. Friends may also call from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Rimersburg United Methodist Church. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the church with the Rev. Brock R. Beveridge officiating. Interment will be held in the Rimersburg Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Rimersburg United Methodist Church, Rimersburg, 16248 or to the VNA Hospice, Knox, 16232. Stanley Robert Pliska, 91, professor emeritus at Old Dominion University, passed away peacefully Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, in Mansfield, Conn. Born in Franklin, he lived most his life in Oil City. He was married to his beloved wife Winifred (Medygro) Pliska, who preceded him in death on Oct. 11, 1992. Mr. Pliska served during World War II with the Air Corps in the Southwest Pacific and then after the war with USAFR, retired as a lieutenant colonel. He attended and received degrees from Penn State, Oberlin College and obtained a doctor of education degree from Columbia University. >From 1946 to 1987 he was on the faculty of Old Dominion, serving in turn as professor of history, chairman of the Social Studies Department and for 20 years was dean of the School of General Studies. For 30 years he was also a guest lecturer at the Arms Forces Staff College. During his active years, he was a member of several professional societies related to his profession and served as a parishioner with St. Jude in Willington In Norfolk, Conn., he was past president of the Northside Norfolk Rotary Club, an honorary member of the ODU Alumni Association, and a member of the Faculty Emeriti Association, American Association of University Professors, Polish American Society of Tidewater and Town and Gown. When he moved to Connecticut, he was active with the Willimantic Rotary Club, recording club history and lecturing. Mr. Pliska graced all he met with his southern charm, quick wit, and endless jokes and anecdotes. He will be missed by all those who had the pleasure of having him in their lives. He is survived by two sisters, Ann Pudelkiewicz of Willington, Conn., and Mildred Parks of Vernon Conn.; a niece, Ann Phillips and husband, Roger, and their daughters, Kelly and Kasey, of Ashford, Conn.; a nephew, John Pudelkiewicz and wife, Irene "Rini," and their son, Tommy, of Tolland, Conn.; a niece, Judy (Zimoski) Kozek and husband, Robert, of Grove City, Ohio; a nephew, Edward Zimoski and wife, Kathy, of Virginia, a cousin, Irene Meyers of Oil City; and numerous other family members. There will be visitation. Funeral services will he held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Philip The Apostle Church, Route 44 in Ashford, Conn. Internment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Oil City. A committal service will be held in the mausoleum at Calvary Cemetery later this week. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. Philip The Apostle Church, P.O. Box 429, Ashford, Conn., 06278, or to the Willimantic Rotary Club, P.O. Box 104, Willimantic, Conn., 06226. Online condolences may be sent to www.potterfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Potter Funeral Home in Willimantic, Conn. and the Reinsel Funeral Home in Oil City.