Harold D. Dickens, 76, of 606 Main St., Polk, died at 3:28 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, 1999, at his residence. Born Aug. 10, 1923, in Springfield,Mo., he was a son of Carl Dickens and Willie May MURRY. He was a graduate of Pleasant Hope Missouri High School. On Oct. 15, 1948, he married Luella Marie DOUTT, with whom he recently celebratd his 50th wedding anniversary. Mrs. Dickens preceded him in death on Jan. 20, 1999. Mr. Dickens was a welder for the Local 47 Pipefitters Union. He was affiliated with Polk United Methodist Church. Mr. Dickens was a member of the Navy Seabees in World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater from 1943 to 1945. He enjoyed hunting, including trips to Iowa to hunt pheasant, and gardening. He recently returned from the Dickens family reunion in Springfield. He is survived by two children, Dwight Dickens and his wife, Kathy, of Stoneboro RD 2 and Mrs. David (Denise) STEWART of Washington; and three grandchildren, Nichole Dickens of Polk, Daniel Dickens of Clintonville and Ciara STEWART of Washington. Also surviving are one great-granddaughter, Morgan Marie SHAW of Polk; two brothers and their wives, Leonard and Ethel Dickens of Lebanon, Mo., and David and Pat Dickens of Ava, Mo.; and a sister, Mrs. Jean (Lucille) MILLER of Polk. In addition to his wife. he was preceded in death by his parents. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home in Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. George Nagel of Polk United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be in Old Sandy Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the VNA of Venango Count or Polk Volunteer Fire Department.

Maxine Stephens, 74, of 1363 Pittsburgh Road, Franklin, died at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, 1999, in the emergency room at Northwest Medical Center Born Sept. 5, 1924, in Oil City, she was a daughter of Emmanuel BETZ and Matilda SANDROCK. She graduated from East Hickory High School and Welch's Business School in Oil City. On Dec. 16, 1943, she married Jack R. Stephens, and he survives. Mrs. Stephens was a homemaker. She was affiliated with Grace Lutheran Church in Franklin. Mrs. Stephens enjoyed church, cooking and homemaking. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two children, Steve Stephens of Franklin and the Rev. David and Mrs. Stephanie Sue VAN of Canton, Ohio; and three grandchildren, Jason Stephens of Franklin, Greg Stephens and his wife, Laurie, of Youngstown, Ohio, and Jamie Van of Canton. Also surviving are two great-grandchildren, Brittany Stephens of Youngstown and Brandon Stephens of Franklin; and a brother and his wife Richard and Jane Betz of Franklin. In addition to her paents, she was precedd in death by two sisters, Ardell FAGLE and Phyllis RHODES; and one brother, Wilbur Betz. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home in Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, in Grace Luthern Church in Franklin with the Rev. Frederick Keller, pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Venus Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Grace Lutheran Church of Franklin.

Williard Arden Stephens, 68, of Euclid, Ohio, formerly of Seneca, died Thursday, Aug. 19, 1999, in the Brecksville Veteran Home in Brecksville, Ohio. Born Oct. 4, 1930, in Woodland Heights, Oil City, he was a son of Edwin and Irene HAGERTY Stephens. Mr. Stephens graduated from Cranberry High School. He served as an M.P. in the Army. Mr. Stephens enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking. He is survived by two sons, Daniel Stephens of Brunswick, Ohio, and Jay Stephens of Cleveland, Ohio; and three daughters, Deboarah KLINEFELD of Richmond, Va., Rebecca CRONK of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and Elizabeth WETMORE of Oklahoma City, Okla. Also surviving are eight grandchildren; three brother, Roland Stephens of Reading, Frank Stephens of Reading and John Stephens of Kennerdell; two sisters, Frances BERKGREN of Oakley, Kan., and Joan SHEFFER of Cranberry; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Evelyn, and an infant sister, Maxine. A memorial service will be held at a future date at the Veteran National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio.

Laurie A. Salsgiver Taylor, 30, of 206 Lytle School Road, Sandy Lake Township, Mercer County, died at 8:13 a.m. Friday, Aug. 27, 1999, in Wolf Creek Township, Mercer County, as the result of an automoble accident. She was a graduate of Union High School in Rimersburg, and she has surviving relative in Sligo, Tylersburg and Clarion.