Elsie R. Erwin, 93, of Venus RD 1, died at 5:37 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, 1999, at Sugar Creek Station. Born Aug. 8, 1906, in Seneca, she was a daughter of Frank O. and Eva WHITEHILL LEWIS. On Aug. 26, 1925, she married John Albert Erwin and he preceded her in death on April 27, 1974. She worked at Woolworth's and CPT during World War II and later at Raymond Dry Cleaners. Mrs. Erwin was a member of the Free Methodist Church in Oil City. She was a seamstress and enjoyed knitting and crocheting. Mrs. Erwin is survived by a son, Richard Erwin of Venus RD 1; a sister One RHODES of Texas; three grandchildren, James I. HEALD of Chester County, Edward Heald of Greenville and Rebecca JONES of Delphus, Ohio; and seven great-grandchildren, Matthew SCHOTT and Andrew Schott of Delphus, Nicole Heald and Nedra Heald of Chester County and Brandie Heald, Sara Heald and Benjamin Heald of Greenville. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Phyllis L. Heald; two brothers; and one sister. There will be no visitation. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Morrison Funeral Home with the Rev. Chritopher Hill, pastor of the Free Methodist Church of Oil City, officiating. Interment will be in Brandon Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Free Methodist Church of Oil City.

Gertrude "Mae" Beers, 76, of 370 Grant St., Saegertown, died Thursday, Sept. 16, 1999, at her residence. Born July 19, 1923, in Thayerton, she was a daughter of James FLICK and Dorothea FUNK. On March 20, 1941, she married Raymond Beers and he survives. She was affiliated with the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Erie. Mrs. Beers owned and operated Beers Beauty Shop in Saegertown from 1972 to 1995, when she retired due to failing health. She attended beauty schools in Meadville, Pittsburgh and New York City. While going to beauty school, she was a nurse's aid at Wesbury United Methodist Community. She was an active member of her church, where she was involved with youth programs and education. She and her husband were first aid instructors for the American Red Cross for many years. Mrs. Beers loved the outdoors, especially hiking and gardening. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Allan Beers and his wife, Dang, of Atlanta and Randy Beers and his wife, Tammy, of Saegertown; two daughters, Carla GROSSMAN and her husband, Ron, of Cochranton and Kimberly STEWART and her husband, Mark, of Saegertown; 15 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Caroletta DOVERSPIKE and her husband, Jack, of New Bedford; several nieces; and several nephews. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Byham-Miller-Mizner Funeral Home in Meadville. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with the Rev. Jerry Finneman, pastor of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Erie, officiating. Interment will be in the Greendale Cemetery in West Mead Township. Memorials can be made to the Hospice of Crawford County, Inc., 448 Pine St., Meadville, Pa., 16335, or to the American Diabetes Assoc. Pa. Affiliate, 300 Penn Central Blvd., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15235.

W. Duane Kiser, 72, of South Third Ave., Clarion, died Friday, Sept. 17,1999, at his residence. Born Oct. 3, 1926, in Clarion he was a son of Wilbur Homer and Gladys Marie ELSLAGER Kiser. On Feb. 14, 1948, he married Louise McENTIRE Kiser in the First United Methodist Church in Clarion. Mrs. Kiser survives. Mr. Kiser was the owner of W. Duane Kiser Coal Co. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarion. Mr. Kiser served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II. He was a member of the Clarion Masonic Lodge No. 277, the Zem Zem Shrine, the Pinecrest Country Club and the American Legion. He was a charter member of the Clarion Wild Life Conservation Association and the Clarion Elks Club. Mr. Kiser was an avid sportsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, being with his family and spending time at "The Farm." In addition to his wife, he is survived by 16 children, Gail and Kendall KING of Virginia Beach, Va., Bruce and Carol Kiser of Shippenville, David and Rita Kiser of Rochester, N.Y., Marcia and Roy LEVITT of Ambler, Valerie and Bruce BUFFINGTON of Vero Beach, Fla., and Lisa and Tom WILLIAMS of Clarion, Linda and Jesse SMITH of Knox, Philip and Kelly Kiser of Clarion, Randy and Lisa Kiser of Castanea, Robin and Mark McGINLEY of Clarion, Jill and Jimmy GREENAWALT of Fisher, Wendy and Kevein HEAGERTY of Cantonsville, Md., Brad and Jody Kiser of Corsica, Matthew Kiser of Alexandria, Va., Mark and Michelle Kiser of Pittsburgh and Shawn and Tammy Kiser of Milesburg; 33 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Gary Kiser of Butler; four sisters, Beatrice Louise HANST of Mesa, Ariz., Marie MILEY of Indian Harbor Beach, Fla., Shirley HILDEBRAND of Fenelton and Marion RAKOVAN of Brookville. Mr. Kiser was preceded in death by his parents; and one grandson. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Goble Funeral Home of Clarion. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. William LaVelle, officiating. Interment will follow in the Clarion Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Clarion-Forest V.N.A.

Dale K. Bickel, 56, of Gene Drive, Seneca RD 2, died at 2:26 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, 1999, at Beverly Health Care of Oil City. Born Feb. 24, 1943, in Franklin, he was a son of James T. and Florence A. MILLER Bickel. He was a graduate of Rocky Grove High School. Mr. Bickel was a truck driver and last worked for Klapec Trucking. He wa a member of Good Hope Lutheran Church. Mr. Bickel enjoyed auctions, yard sales, his grandchildren and flea marketing. He was a vendor at the Leeper Flea Market and was known as "Uncle Dale." He married the former Susan E. GODINICH on Aug. 2, 1969, and she survives. He is also survived by a son, Jay L. Bickel of Oil City; a daughter, Mrs. Joseph (Cathleen) KOHOUTEK of Loganville, Ga.; two brothers, James Bickel and William Bickel, both of Franklin; two sisters, Betty KIMES of Oil City and Mrs. John (Beverly) HOFFMAN; and three grandchildren, Aaryn TAFT, Katelyn Dale Kohoutek and Donald Kohoutek, all of Loganville. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Harold Bickel; and a sister, Myrtle McKINLEY. Friends will be received at the Morrison Funeral Home from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Reno Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the West Unit of Northwest Medical Center or to the Visiting Nurses Association of Venango County.

Charles "Walt" Emick, 88, of the Poland Hill area of Tionesta, died Friday, Sept. 17, 1999, at Beverly Health Care, Canonsburg. Born Oct. 21, 1910, in Tionesta, he was a son the the late Charles F. and I. Marie EICKENBERG Emick. He was married Oct. 27, 1934, to Grace Katherine KINNARD, who preceded him in death Dec. 23, 1963. Mr. Emick was previously employed by the Howe Leather Co. of West Hickory --the West Hickory Tannery -- and at Cyclops of Titusville in the maintenance department. He retired in 1975. He graduated from Hickory Township High School, Endeavor, in 1929. Mr. Emick is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Alfred (Grace M.) MOTZER of Bethel Park, Ruth Emick of Hernand, Fla., and Mrs. Richard (Georgia C.) JENSEN of Crystal, Minn.; 13 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Charles Walter Emick Jr.; one brother, R. Gilbert Emick; two sisters, Phoebe HOBLITZELL and Zettie Emick, an infant. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Norman J. Wimer Funeral Home in Tionesta. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in the funeral home with the Rev. Anette V. Gerber, pastor of the Tionesta and West Hickory United Methodist Churchs, officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Tionesta. The family suggest memorial contributions be made to the charity of one's choice.

Anthony M. Ferrare of 2134 East Weldon Ave., Fresno, Calif., formerly of Franklin, died Monday, Sept. 13, 1999, at St. Agnes Hospital. His sisters, Louise Ferrare and Theresa BENNETT and a sister-in-law Francis FONZO all of Franklin, survive him.