You requested obits for the following people: Rhoda A. (Archer) Crane   TAFT b. 06/25/1875  Ohio– d. 10/25/1965 Kern Co. Ca. Merle L. Black    TAFT b. 10/28/1895  Ohio- d. 12/06/1976 Kern Co.Ca. <A HREF="mailto:HSR26@aol.com">HSR26@aol.com</A> Daily Midway Driller Wednesday, October 27, 1965 Rhoda Ann Crane Taft Pioneer Dies at Age 90 Rhoda Ann Crane, one of the Taft area's first settlers, died in a local hospital Monday. She was 90 years old. Mrs. Crane came to this area in 1901, nine years before the city of Taft was incorporated. Graveside funeral rites will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at West Side Cemetery with Rev. Kenneth Slorpe officiating. Burial will be at the West Side Cemetery with Erickson and Brown Funeral Home in charge. Mrs. Crane, born June 25, 1875, was a native of North Baltimore, Ohio. She resided here at 327 Olive Street. Survivors are two sons, Harry F. and Merle Black, both of Cuyama; four grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren and one brother, Forrest Archer of North Baltimore. Daily Midway Driller, Taft, California Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1976 Services Tomorrow for Merle Leonard Black Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Westside District Cemetery for Merle L. Black, 81, of 411 Sixth St. Black was born Oct. 28, 1895 in Baltimore, Ohio and came to Taft in 1910. He was a retired employee of Mobil Oil Co. where he worked for 45 years. He was also a veteran of World War I and a 50 year member of the Taft Masonic Lodge. Survivors include his wife Lillie Black of Taft; and children Merle Black of Oakview, CA; Arlene Kelly of Los Angeles; Lloyd Pierce of Bakersfield; Roy Pierce of Ventura; Ninah Melton of Taft; Coy Pierce of North Carolina; and Jerry Pierce of Taft. Mr. Black is also survived by four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The Rev. Robert Leeds of the Freewill Baptist Church will officiate at the services. Taft Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Sharon Kern Co. Volunteer