Merle W. Patterson, 77, of 336 Pacific St., Franklin, died at 10:55 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 1999, in Northwest Medical Center at Franklin. Born July 7, 1922, in Franklin, he was a son of Bert and Minnie SANFORD Patterson. Mr. Patterson was a veteran of World War II, serving with the Army in the European Theater. He first worked in his early years as a construction worker and then was a laborer at Polk Center, retiring in 1980. Mr. Patterson was a past member of the Franklin Loyal Order of the Moose and the Franklin VFW. He was a Protestant. Mr. Patterson enjoyed hunting, fishing, flea markets, camping and spending time with his grandchildren. He was married May 24, 1946, to Betty MOORE, who survives. Also surviving are a son and his wife, Norman G. and Kitty Moore of Franklin; four daughers, Mrs. Donald (Edith) FITZGERALD of Oil City, Cindy L. SCHILL and Pamela S. PATTERSON, both of Franklin, and Mrs. Wayne (Betty Mae) GREEN of Washington; 10 grandchildren, Mrs. Thomas (Kathleen) KISTLER, Mrs. Robert (April) BOLES, Willie MALONEY and wife, Cathie, Angel STEPHENS and Richard AUSTIN II, all of Franklin, Abe MOORE and wife Carrie, of New Hampshire, James Moore and Pam of Massachusetts, Dawn DAUGHERTY of Virginia and Mark and Jeff Green of Washington; and 17 great-grandchildren. He also is survived by one brother, Bert Patterson of Washington; three sisters, Marjorie PYLE and Ruth MARTIN, both of Franklin, and Louise McELHANEY of Texas; and a special friend William E. Maloney Jr. of Franklin. In addition to his parents, Mr. Patterson was preceded in death by three brothers, Frank Patterson, Charles Patterson and Robert Patterson. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home, Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Anderson, pastor of the Franklin Free Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the Visiting Nurses Association of Venango County; the Northwest Diabetes Foundation; or to the American Heart Association.

Barbara Jean Buie Feltenberter, 57, of 9680 New Road, North East, who had many relatives in Franklin and Oil City, died of cancer Sunday, Sept. 12, 1999, at her residence. She lived in the North East community for the past 25 years. Born Aug. 11, 1942, in Conneaut, Ohio, she was a daughter of Mary JONES BATTLES of Ashtabula, Ohio. Ms. Feltenberger was a graduate of Edinboro State College where she earned a bachelor of Science degree in secondary education mathematics. She was a secondary math teacher at Seneca, Harborcreek and North East High School. She loved teaching and also had taught in several other high schools in the area. Mrs. Feltenberger was a member of the Greenfield Baptist Church in North East. She was married June 10, 1964, to Dennis Feltenberger of North East. He survives. They were married 35 years. Also surviving are two daughters and their husbands, Amy and Jerre P. HEYER and Naomi and Michael GROVE, all of North East; and one son, Dennis C. Feltenberger of North East. She also is survived by her stepfather, Frank Battles of Ashtabula, Ohio; and two sisters and their husbands, Mary and John PIXLEY and Lois and Danny BURKE, all of Conneaut, Ohio. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the William D. Elkin Funeral Home, 65 South Lake St., North East. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with the Rev. David Waldo, pastor of the Greenfield Baptist Church, North East, officiating. Interment will be in Wattsburg Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Greenfield Baptist Church, 9028 Williams Road, North East, Pa. 16428, or to the Great Lakes Hospice of Erie, 300 State St., Erie, Pa. 16507.

Louise G. Hoffman, 93, of Georgetown Road, Franklin RD 1, died at 8:21 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 1999, in Sugar Creek Station, Franklin.

Albert Eugene Perry, 79, of Oil City RD 3, died at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 1999, in Clarion Hospital. Born Sept. 26, 1919, in Tippery, he was a son of Miles O. and Alice M. BLAUSER Perry. Mr. Perry owned and operated a coal hauling/delivery business with his father; later worked as a heavy equipment operator and driver for Louis Kraft; and retired in Septembeer 1978 as a heavy equipment operator and laborer for National Fuel after 28 years of service. He was a founding member of the Pinegrove Fire Department, was chief of the Venango County Fire Police and was former deputy sheriff and deputy state fire marshal. Mr. Perry was a member of the Heckathorn United Methodist Church, where he served as Sunday school superintendent and head usher. He was married in the parsonage of the Heckathorn United Methodist Church Nov. 27, 1940, to the former Grace Glendora FLOCKERZI, who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Glenn (Delores) GOODMAN of Oil City RD 2, Mrs. Rick (Judit) STAHLMAN of Seneca and Mrs. Howard (Marjorie) FYE of Knox RD 2; nine grandchildren, Mrs. William (Tina) MOON, Timothey Goodman, Mark Goodman and Mrs. Josh (Angela) CRAMER, all of Oil City, Mrs. Isaac (Marcie) RODRIGUEZ of Bonita Springs, Fla, Ryan Fye, Melissa Fye and Jacob Fye, all of Knox, and Sarah Stahlman of Seneca; three great-granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Perry was preceded in death by a brother, Everett Perry and two infant brothers, and a sister, Dorothy ALLEBACH. 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. Randy Sweet, pastor of the Heckathorn United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in the Heckathorn Cemetery. The family suggest memorials be made to the Clarion-Forest Visiting Nurses Association or to the Heckathorn United Methodist Church. (The Derrick, Tuesday, September 14, 1999) Among his survivors is a sister, Mrs. Alvin (Maxine) PYLER of Douglas, Ariz.

Marietta M. Lauffer, 81, formerly of Shippenville, died Friday, Sept. 10, 1999, in the Sara Reed Home, Erie, where she had resided. Born Oct. 31, 1917, in New Matamoras, Ohio, she was a daughter of John H. and Margie JEANNERAT Lauffer. Miss Lauffer was a secreatry for the Erie County D.P.A. She was a former member of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Shippenville. Surviving are a brother, John H. Lauffer of Marble Star Route; five nephews; and one niece. In addition to her parents, Miss Lauffer was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret PAFF; and a brother, George F. Lauffer. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Goble Funeral Home of Clarion. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with the Rev. Gary Hilfiger, pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Shippenville, officiating. Interment will follow in the Shippen Cemetery.

Lois Eleanor Remaley, 71, of Mudlick, died Saturday morning, Sept. 11, 1999, in Jefferson Manor, Brookville, following a lengthy illness. Born March 24, 1928, in Pittsburgh, she was a daughter of John and Gertrude MINK STULTZ. Mrs. Remaley moved in 1985 from the Penn Hills area to the New Bethlehem area. She was a member of the Oakland Church of God in Distant and a past member of the Order of Eastern Star. Mrs. Remaley was married Aug. 16, 1947, to Wilbur "Bibber" Remaley, who died July 11, 1994. Surviving are two sons and their wives, Larry and Mertie Remaley of Greenville and Wayne and Carl Remaley of Penn Hills; two daughters, Mrs. Stephen (Leslie) DUDRA of Penn Hills and Mrs. Barry (Phyllis) McANINCH of Mayport; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She also is survived by a sister, Phyllis SEYBERT of Somerset; and two brothers, Edward Stultz of Transfer and Ray Stultz of Monroeville. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Repert Funeral Home in New Bethlehem and from 10 to 11 p.m. Tuesday in the Oakland Church of God at Distant. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the church with the Rev. James Swogger, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in the Oakland Cemetery at Distant. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oakland Church of God or the Alzheimer's Foundation.