Arnold Alexander McElhattan, 84, of South Second Avenue, Clarion, died Thursday, Aug. 12, 1999, at his residence. Born Nov. 1, 1914, in Beaver Township, Clarion County, he was the 11th child of Waldo Emerson and Laura Belle BARNETT McElhattan. Mr. McElhattan attended at the Amsler School throught eighth grade, then attended Edenburg School until 1932. The next year the name was changed to the Knox School. He lettered in football, earning an E and a K. He helped build the cement road to Fryburg until 1935, when he got a job at Owens-Illinois Glass Plant where he worked until he entered the Navy June 7, 1944, serving until Dec. 15, 1945. Prior to joining the Navy, he was an air raid warden. Mr. McElhattan saw active duty in the Atlantic and Pacific. He went to boot camp in Bainbride, Md., then attended gunnery school in Shelton, Va. He was then sent to the Armed Guard Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he was assigned to his first ship, The William Penn, a World War I tanker. During his tour of duty, he was assigned to merchant marine ships. The William Penn was the first tanker to cross the channel after D-Day, leaving Halifax, Nova Scotia, for Hull, England, amid a convoy of 80 ships. Mr. McElhattan's tanker got separated, and on arriving in Hull, found the city was leveled with everyone living in basements. The William Penn had to go the entire way around England and come back by way of the North Sea. It was then both engines on the tanker failed and it was junked, along with its 4-inch gun, which Mr. McElhattan said probably would have blown up if it had to be fired. Mr. McElhattan then went aboard the Joson, a ship hauling coal out of Norfolk, Va., to Boston, New Haven, Bridgeport and New York. He next went to the Armed Guard Center in New Orleans, La., going aboard the liberty ship Platt, sailing to Houston, Texas, where oil drums were loaded aboard. The ship returned to New Orleans to load everything imaginable on board, even filling the decks. The Platt went through the Panama Canal to the Pacific and then to Aparri in Northern Luzon. The ship had to anchor offshore and everything on board had to be taken ashore on barges. This is where Mr. McElhattan was when the war ended. He said en route home, all ammunition aboard was dumped but they soon learned that some of the enemy did not know the war was over and another ship was torpedoed. Mr. McElhattan went back to work at the glass plant on six-hour shifts and also worked part-time for McMaster Moving Co. He retired in 1975 from Owens-Illinois where he was a club officer for nearly 10 years. He received many awards and bonuses for his ideas while working 40 years in the decorating department. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarion for more than 50 years. He also was a member of the American Legion Post in Clarion. Mr. McElhattan's hobbies included gardening, fishing and hunting. He won a Huskie Muskie Award and had his picture in the newspaper with the 40-inch muskie he caught. He fought fire when the Clarion Hotel burned and also assisted with a forest fire close to Clarion. Mr. McElhattan was married July 15, 1934, to Helen Weil KAUFMAN, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Arnold Alexander McElhattan and friend, Lucretia Dittman, of Knox RD; a daughter, Cynthia Rose McElhattan DITTMAN of Clarion; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three brother, Ross McElhattan of Smethport RD, Ray McElhattan of Knox and Robert L. "Ted" McElhattan of Cochranton. In addition to his parents, Mr. McElhattan was preceded in death by two grandsons; one great-granddaughter; eight brothers; and two sisters. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday in the Goble Funeral Home of Clarion. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday in the First United Methodist Church of Clarion with the Rev. Dr. Madge Floyd and the Rev. William LaVelle officiating. Interment will be in Clarion Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made to the Clarion-Forest VNA Hospice.

Linda S. Johns, 50, of Oil City RD 1, died at 3:50 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11, 1999, in Northwest Medical Center at Franklin. Born Sept. 21, 1948, in Oil City, she was a daughter of Winifred OSGOOD Cropp and the late Clarence E. CROPP. She was a 1966 graduate of Cranberry Hight School. Mrs. Johns was an organ and tissue donor. She worked part-time at Tri-City Raceway and in the cafeteria for the Oil City School District. Mrs. Johns was a member of the Oakland United Methodist Church and the Oakland Volumteer Fire Department Auxiliary. She was a former 4-H leader. She enjoyed quilting, arts and crafts and playing cards with family. Mrs. Johns was married Aug. 16, 1969, to Neil F. Johns, who survives. Also Surviving are her mother, Winifred Cropp of Oil City; two sons Jeffrey Allen Johns of Oil City and Jason Edward Johns of Reno; a daughter, Jeanna Lynn Johns at home, a student to Edinboro University; and a granddaughter, Bryanna FOSTER of Franklin. She also is survived by two sister, Mrs. Albert (Cindy) SCHUMANN of Warren and Trudy HOGUE of Venus; and two cousins, Sandra Lee Osgood of Madison, Ohio and John R. Osgood and his wife, Linda, of Franklin. The Morrison Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Oakland United Methodist Church with the Rev. Richard Roberts, pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Lamey Cemetery.

Louis G. "Louis" Saver, 50, of Sigel Star Route, Brookville, died Wednesday, Aug 11, 1999, in St. Marys. Born Dec. 7, 1948, in Canonsburg, he was a son of Louis and Gladys Saver. Mr. Saver was a 1998 graduate of Penn State University. He served in the Vietnam Conflict with the U.S. Navy. Mr. Saver was employed as a lab technician at GKN Metals in Emporium. He was a member of the Brookville Fireman's Club and the VFW Post in Emporium. Mr. Saver enjoyed racing and motorcycles. He was married to Sabrina MYERS, who survives. Also surviving are his father and stepmother, Louis and Phyllis Saver of Brookville; one daughter, Roxanne Leigh Saver at home; two stepsons, Bryan VOGLE and Adam Vogle, both of Sligo; and one stepdaughter. He also is survived by one brother, Larry J. Saver of Falls Creek; three sisters, Linda BISHOP of Falls Creek, Lois FOSTER of North Augusta, S.C., and Lana SIVERLING of DuBois; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 today in the McKinney Funeral Home, 345 Main St., Brookville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home with the Rev. Rob Hernan officiating. Interment will be in Butler Cemetery, Pinecreek Township, Jefferson County.

Ruth E. Spence, 86, formerly of Barrett's Manor II and 405 1/2 W. Fourth St., died at 6:25 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, 1999, in Beverly Healthcare-Oil City. Born July 21, 1913, in Franklin, she was a daughter of William and Jennie PROPER EAKIN. She was raised in the Wallaceville area. Mrs. Spence was a homemaker. She was of the Protestant faith. Mrs. Spence was married in Ripley, N.Y., in 1932 to Clifford M. Spence, who died April 25, 1959. Surviving are three sons, Richard E. Spence, Harry A. Spence and Clifford M. Spence, all of Oil City; six grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. She also is survived by one sister, Harriet PATTON of Lomita, Calif. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Spence was preceded in death by one son, William Spence; an infant daughter, Ruth Janet Spence; one brother, William Robert Eakin; one sister, Helen FRANK; and a good friend, Christie M. Russell. The Reinsel Funderal Home is in charge of arrangements. There will be no viewing or visitation. Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. The Rev. John H. Steele will preside. Interment will follow in Sunville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Venango-Forest Unit, American Cancer Society, 10 W. Front St., Oil City, Pa. 16301

Alberta B. Walter Martz, 86, of Grove Manor Nursing Home, Grove City, mother of Alan Walter of Harrisville RD 1 and retired baked (sic) at Grove City College, died at 4:50 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, 1999, in Grove Manor.