James H. Harley, 81, of Franklin RD 1, died at 4:05 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, 1999, in The Caring Place in Franklin. Born Feb. 10, 1918, in Hite, he was a son of the late John H. and Mary Ellen BOYD Harley. He was a graduate of Rockland High School and later attended Welsh's Business School in Oil City. He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Army in the European Theatre. Mr. Harley was employed as a blueprint machine operator at the time of his retirement form PennDOT. He had been employed there for 18 years. He had previously worked to Koppers. He was of the Protestant faith, and he was also an outdoors enthusiast. On Aug. 9, 1945, he married the former Margaret FOSTER, and she survives. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, James F. Harley of Franklin; a granddaughter, Susan Harley of Florida; a sister, Mrs. Milton (Laura) FELTENBERGER of Kennerdell RD; a brother Robert E. Harley of Kennerdell RD; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Howard Harley; and two sisters, May KEPPLE and Florence BARGER. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in the Huff Chapel in Franklin. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Caring Place with the Rev. George E. Himes, a retired United Methodist Minister, officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. 10 West Front St., Oil City, 16301.

Helen R. Elslager, 84, formerly of Shippenville RD 1, died Friday, Aug. l3, 1999, at Clarion Hospital. Born Sept. 25, 1914, in Lucinda, she was a daughter of the late Bernard and Regina DECHANT. She was married to Paul Elslager, who preceded her in death in 1961. She was retired from Bankers Supply House in Clarion. Mrs. Elslager was of the Catholic faith. She is survived by a son, Paul Elslager Jr. of Phoenix; a sister, Mary GUTH of Oil City; and a grandson, David Paul Elslager. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother and a sister. There will be no visitation, and funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. The Goble Funeral Home in Clarion is in charge of arrangements.

Betty June Obenreder, 77, of Fryburg, died Thursday, Aaug. 12, 1999, at Northwest Medical Center in Franklin. Born Dec. 29, 1921, near Marble in Clarion County, she was a daughter of Harry "Dewey" and Lorena SCHILL HARTLE. On June 2, 1945, she married Robert A. Obenreder and he preceded her in death on March 10, 1996. She was a lifelong resident of Marble and Fryburg. Mrs. Obenreder graduated from Shippenville High School and received a degree in elementary education form Clarion University. She was a elementary teacher in Erie before she married. Mrs. Obenreder was a homemaker with interests in gardening and baking. She was a member of St. Michael Church in Fryburg. Mrs. Obernreder is survived by three sons, Rob and his wife Linda, of Silver Spring, Md., Steve of Oakmont and Pete and his wife, Laura, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; two daughters and their husbands, Gail and Barry O'DONNELL of West Chester and Rena and Reuben SANCHEZ of Walden, N.Y.; a brother and his wife, Ralph and Yvonne Hartle of Jordan, N.Y.; four grandchildren, Emily O'Donnell, Andrew and Ethan Obenreder and Joshua Obenreder. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Emily Hartle in 1980; and a brother, F. Duane Hartle in 1999. Friends will be recieved from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Faller Funeral Home. Parish vigil services will held at 3:45 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday on St. Michael Church with the Rev. William Driscoll officiating. Interment will be in St. Michael Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Msgr. Theobald Fund of St. Michael Church or to Habitat for Humanity.

Daniel James Herdman, 66, of Marienville, died Friday, Aug. 13, 1999, at his home on Muzzette Road. Born July 3, 1933, in Cleveland, he was the son of the late Daniel and Roseanne LEITH Herdman. He was married to Virginia GUZMAN for 48 years. Mr. Herdman served with the U.S. Army. After his discharge from the service, he worked as a bricklayer. He was a firefighter with the Lakewood Fire Department for 28 years, retiring as captain. He was also a commercial pilot in the Cleveland area. Mr. Herdman was a member of the Quiet Birdman flying club. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Daniel Herdman of Lakewood, Ohio; three daughters, Debra Herdman of Memphis, Tenn., Virginia SPAGANLO of Lakewood and Mrs. Rosemary (Allan) ZANG of Pittsburgh; and a sister, Mrs. Rosemary (Joe) BOGGINS of Bookpark, Ohio. He was a grandfather and a great-grandfather. Local arrangements are being handled by the Boreland Funeral Home, in Leeper. The family suggests memorial donations be made to Clarion - Forest VNA.

Ruth Boyer Diril, 87, of Melbourne, Fla., died Thursday, Aug. 12, 1999, in Melbourne. (Formerly of the Rock Grove area)

Matthew D. Neal, 18, of Franklin RD 1, died Friday, Aug. 13, 1999, at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsbugh.