Margaret Egbert Thompson, 99, of Claverack, N.Y., a former Oil City resident, died Saturday, Aug. 14, 1999. Born Dec. 20, 1899, in Oil City, She was a daughter of Harry Taft and Frances TONKIN Egbert. Mrs. Thompson was a 1919 graduate of Oil City High School and a 1920 graduate of Hillside School in Norwalk, Conn. She attended Simmons College from 1920-22 before transferring to Barnard College in New York City, graduating there in 1924. She attended graduate school at the University of Michigan. She briefly taught English at South Side Junior High School until her marriage in 1926 to John Stanley Thompson, who later became president of Thompson Construction Corp. in Albany, N.Y. They lived in Brooklyn and Hudson, N.Y., before moving in 1931 to Claverack, N.Y. Mrs. Thompson was a lifelong devout Episcopalian and was baptized, confirmed and married in Christ Episcopal Church in Oil City. She was an avid gardener and was a charter member and past president of the Claverack Garden Club which was founded in 1936. She was the winner of many awards and blue ribbons for her flower arrangements. Mrs. Thompson co-authored with the late Gretta McAmber Sciutto, a Claverack friend and neighbor, a book titled "In the Very Name of Christmas," published March 7, 1951, by Chapman and Grimes, Inc., of Boston, Mass. The book, which had three printings, took its title from Dickens "There Seems A Magic in the Very Name of Christmas." It is a nostalgic collection of poems, holiday traditions from many cultures and reciples from all over the world. She served on the board of trustees of the Claverack Library and volunteered her services as a library aide. Surviving are three sons, John Henry Thompson of Delmar, N.Y., Frederick Egbert Thompson of Barrington, R.I., and Gustove Whyte Thompson II of Claverack; two daughters, Frances Ann WEDD of Longboat Key, Fla., and Margaret Mary MEYER of Mechanicsville, Va.; and 15 grandchildren. She also is survived by one niece, Pamela FORKER of Oil City; and one nephew, Robin Forker of Hingham, Mass. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Thompson was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Barnet "Polly" Forker and Winnifred Emma BROWNE; and a grandson, Frederick S. Thompson. Interment will be in the Reformed Dutch Church Cemetery in Claverack, N.Y. Memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church in Oil City.

Patricai B. Craig, 68, of 2223 W. Huntington, Quincy, Ill., formerly of Oil City, died Saturday morning, Aug. 14, 1999, in Blessing Hospital, Quincy. Born Oct. 10, 1930, in Oil City, she was a daughter of James Walker and Lucy LANE BLACK. She was a 1949 graduate of Oil City High School and had worked as a telephone operator. Mrs. Craign was an avid knitter and was a member of the Bayview Knitting Guild in Quincy. She was of the Episcopal faith. Mrs. Craig was married in Oil City, June 25, 1955, to William F. Craig, who survives. Also surviving are two daughter, Carol D. Craig of Decatur, Ill., and Elizabeth "Beth" Craig GITZ and her husband, Bradley R. Gitz of Batesville, Ark.; and three grandsons, Jarred, Cameron and Parker Gitz of Batesville, Ark. She also is survived by one brother, Ronald E. Black of Oil City. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Craig was preceded in death by one brother, James R. Black. Visitation will bbe held from 5 to 7 p.m. today in the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, Quincy, Ill. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with The Very Rev. Canon H.W. Herrmann, SSC, officiating. Interment will be in Greenmount Cemetery, Quincy, Ill. Memorias may be made to St. John Episcopal Church, Quincy, ll., or to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Frances A. Mackowiak, 78, of Sligo, died at 5:10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 15, 1999, in the emergency room of Clarion Hospital following a sudden illness at home. Born Oct. 1, 1920, in Pittsburgh, she was a daughter of Silvestrie and Angela VALLELUNGA CALTAGIRONE. Mrs. Mackowiak moved to Sligo 15 years ago. Prior to that, she was a member of St. Wendelins Catholic Church in Carrick. She also was a member of the AARP. She was a homemaker and enjoyed reading and playing bingo. Mrs. Mackowiak was married April 30, 1953, to Raymond Mackowiak, who died March 29, 1980. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Tom (Susan) BURNS Jr. of Sligo, with whom she resided, and Mrs. Albert (Pam) VERNACCHIO of Bethel Park; and six grandchildren, Jason and Tara CONLEY, Robbie Burns and Lisa, Dan and Paul Vernacchio. She also is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Theodore (Phyllis) RIZZI of Pittsburgh and Mrs. Ann DOMBROWSKI of Bethel Park; and two brothers, Joseph Caltagirone of Pittsburgh and Samuel Caltagirone of Merritt Island, Fla. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Mackowiak was preceded in death by two sisters, Marian BRUSCEMI and Antoinette ROUILEA. The family will receive friends form 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Varner Funeral Home in Sligo and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Beinhauer Funeral Home in Bethel Park. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. Wendelins Catholic Church in Carrick. Interment will be in St. Wendelins Catholic Cemetery. The family suggest memorial donation be made to the Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind, Pittsburgh, Pa.

F. Darl Kerr, 93, formerly of South Bethlehem, died Saturday, Aug. 14, 1999, in Jefferson Manor, Brookville, where he had been a resident. Born Aug. 9, 1906, in Proptown, Armstrong County, he was a son of Frederick C. and Martha Ellen BIGLEY Kerr. Mr. Kerr was a retired elementary school teacher and principal, and also worked as an insurance agent. He taught in the New Bethlehem and surrounding area schools for 38 years, in addition to selling insurance for 28 years from his office in South Bethlehem. After retiring in 1963, Mr. Kerr and his wife spent the winters in Vero Beach, Fla., and the summer months in the Sigel area and New Bethlehem. While in Florida, he was a member of the Vero Beach Church of God. Mr. Kerr enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and traveling. He was married May 12, 1928, to Iva Irene LUCAS, who died Oct. 12, 1986. Surviving are four sons, James L. Kerr of Pittsburgh, Fred C. Kerr of Warren, Pa., O. Glenn Kerr of New Bethlehem and Melvin D. Kerr of Punxsutawney; three daughters, Mrs. Wade (Shirley) PANCIERA of Seminole, Fla., Ms. Lois Carol Kerr of Pittsfield and Mrs. John (Ellen) HERRON of Chambersburg; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. He also is survived by one brother, T. Bruce Kerr of Brookville. In addition to his parents and wife, M. Kerr was preceded in death by two brothers, George Kerr and an infant, James Kerr; and three infant sister, Irene, Jane and Martha. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Goble Funeral Home of Brookville with the Rev. James Swogger, pastor of the Oakland Church of God, officiating. Interment will be in the New Bethlehem Cemetery.

Dorothy M. Colwell, 87, of Knox, died at 3:40 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, 1999, in Beverly Healthcare-Shippenville. Born Nov. 14, 1911, in Buckhorn, Knox RD, she was a daughter of Charles and Sarah HARTMAN DELO. She was married Sept. 17, 1928, to Russell W. Colwell, who died Feb. 13, 1981. Mrs. Colwell farmed along with her husband. She also had worked for eight years at Knox Glass Co. She was a homemaker. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Joseph (Ruth) CLARK of Sheffield; three sons, Jim Colwell, Sam Colwell and Harold Colwell, all of Knox; 13 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She also is survived by two sisters, Mable REESE of Evans City and Martha SLAUGHENHAUPT of Vandergrift. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Colwell was preceded in death by two daughters, Lois A. Colwell and Louise A. BUNCH; two brothers, Richard Delo and Charles Delo; five sisters, Zelda SHENK, Twila BAUM, Hazel CLARK, Viola MOYER and Cora TAYLOR; and one great-grandson, Jared Bunch. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the William N. Ruper Mortuary in Knox. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with the Rev. Lind Porter, pastor of the United Methodist Church at Providence, officiating. Interment will be in the Providence Church Cemetery.

The Rev. Russell W. Motter, 83, of Blue Ridge Road, Clarington, died Saturday, Aug. 14, 1999, in Jefferson Manor, Brookville. Born Oct. 37, 1915, in Clarington, he was a son of Gilbert W. and Hazel Amy SIMPSON Motter. Rev. Motter retired in 1981 at an equipment operator at Cook Forest State Park. In 1970, he became a minister and had continued to be active, currently with the Clarion River Church Charge, including Donahey, Edeburn and Pleasant Hill churches. He was a member of the Clarington United Methodist Church. Rev. Motter was an avid outdoorsman and coon hunter. He first was married to Vera R. REX, who died Nov. 37, 1986. He presently was married to Darlene Young GREENWALD, who survives. Also surviving are five daughter, Mrs. James (Bernice) McCULLOUGH of Alliance, Ohio, Mrs. Ken (Phyllis) CLARK of Cyclone, Mrs. Connell (Leah) HAZLETT of Dixonville, Mrs. Lou (Diane) ENOFF of Sykesville, Md., and Mrs. Rick (Sue Ellen) KNUTSON of Clarington; a son and his wife, John R. and Shirley Motter of Canton, Ohio; four stepdaughters, Mr. William (Bobi) Vincent of Brookville, Mrs. Brian (Tammy) Wolfgang of Sigel, Mrs. Joe (Bonnie) Glatt of Kersey and Mrs. Shawn (Maryann) Reichart of Clarington; 21 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and eight stepgrandchildren. He also is survived by a sister, Violet Dot REEDY of Jamestown, N.Y.; and a half brother and his wife, Larry and Ruth Motter of Dayton, Ohio. In addition to his parents and first wife, Rev. Motter was preceded in death by three sisters; one brother; one granddaughter; and one great-granddaughter. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.today in the McKinney Funeral Home, 345 Main St., Brookville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Sigel United Methodist Church with the Rev. Allen Maihle officiating. Interment will be in Mount Tabor Cemetery, Eldred Township, Jefferson County. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church Charge.

James Junior Miller, 61, of 205 E. Second St., died at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, 1999, in Northwest Medical Center at Franklin. Born June 21, 1938, in Shippenville, he was a son of Ada and Emma BUCK Miller. Mr. Miller had been employed at Electralloy. He was a member of the First Free Methodist Church of Oil City. Mr. Miller loved to read scriptures, enjoyed old cars, working on old cars, antiques and bottles, and spending time with his family. He also took care of his wife while she was on dialysis. He was married in Oil City May 28, 1957, to the former Shirley Ann LAWSON, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, James L. Miller and his wife, Selena, and Todd J. Miller, all of Oil city; three daughters, Mrs. Glenn (Emma Jean) DuPONT of Conneaut, Ohio, Mrs. Maurice (Cindy) McBRIDE of Oil City and Tammy Miller of Rouseville; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandson. He also is survived by one brother, Daniel Miller of Longview, Texas; two sisters, Mrs. George (Myrna) DeLONG of Oil City and Mrs. Robert (Mary) GREEN of Corry; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Miller was preceded in death by four brothers, Floyd Miller, Kenneth Miller, Charles Miller and Donald Miller; and two sisters, Betty SHARP and Shirley FEELY. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Morrison Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with the Rev. T. Christopher Hill, pastor of the First Free Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Lamey Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made to the First Free Methodist Church.

Laura Louise Williams, 87, of Tylersburg, died early Saturday morning, Aug. 14, 1999, in Clarion Hospital. Born Aug. 7, 1912, in Leeper, she was a daughter of George and Amelda GILMORE PHILLIPS. She was a graduate of Farmington High School. Mrs. Williams was a member of the congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in Shippenville. She was married Nov. 26, 1936, to Roy Williams, who died Sept. 25, 1981. They lived in Youngstown, Ohio, Warren, Ohio, and Titusville before moving in 1966 to Tylersburg. Surviving are two daughters and their husbands, Lavonne and Samuel WARD of Butler and Melinda and Duane SCHMADER of Leeper; two granddaughters, Lorie CHALKLEY of Milford and Kimberly Ward of Butler; and two grandsons, Duane Schmader Jr. and Joseph Schmader of Leeper. Also Surviving are three sisters, Eva ROBERTS of Oil City, Joyce PHILLIPS of Franklin and Mrs. Ray (Jessie) MASTER of Tylersburg. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Williams was preceded in death by three sisers, Catherine DAHLE, Gertrude McCLOSKEY and Cecil GESIN; and three brothers, Benjamin Phillips, Vaughn Phillips and James Phillips. Friends may call from noon to 2 p.m. today in the Faller Funeral Home in Fryburg. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today in the funeral home with Richard Marquette officiating. Interment will follow in the Washington Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made to the Farmington Ambulance Service or to the Clarion-Forest Visiting Nurses Association.

Rachel Pearl Kougher, 98, of 118 Center St., Franklin, formerly of Bully Hill, died at 1:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug 14, 1999, in the Oil City Presbyterian Home.

Ruth Agnes Pittman, 76, of 319 Pinoak Drive, Franklin, died at 5:20 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, 1999, in the Greenville Hospital.

Walter Whitman, 66, of Meadville, a Franklin native and retired employee of Conair, father of Randy Whitman and brother of James and Joseph Whitman, all of Cochranton, died Saturday, Aug. 14, 1999, in Crawford County Care Center, Saegertown.