Earl William Blauser, 82, formerly of Fertigs, died Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1999, in Sugar Valley Loadge, Franklin RD 3. Born June 5, 1917, in Fertigs, Pinegrove Township, he was a son of Harvey and Mae WISE Blauser. In 1969, Mr. Blauser and his sister, Viola, moved from the family farm in Fertigs to Hampton Station where he resided until moving in 1996 to Sugar Valley Lodge. He was the last surviving member of his family. Mr. Blauser had been employed by Oil Well Division of U.S. Steel Corp. in Oil City and in his earlier years, he had worked for Zuck Coal Co. He also worked in the logging industry where he was a log skidder with a team of horses. He was very fond of horses and often shod horses for others in the Fertigs area. While he owned and used a tractor, Mr. Blauser preferred waling behind a team of horses to riding on his tractor. Mr. Blauser was a member of the Fertigs United Methodist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Viola Blauser. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday in the William N. Rupert Mortuary, Knox. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home with the Rev. James Bartholomew, pastor of the Fertigs United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in the Perry Cemetery at Fertigs.

Lillian K. Gustafson, 77, formerly of Kramer Avenue and Towne Towers, Oil City, died at 9:25 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1999, in the Oil City Presbyterian Home were she had resided. Born Nov. 13, 1921, in Oil City, she was a daughter of Albert and Leah MOHNKERN GEORGE. Mrs. Gustafson was a sales clerk at the J.C. Penney store from 1975 to 1986. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and was a former member of the YWCA. Mrs. Gustafson enjoyed traveling, crafts, crocheting and spending time with her grandchildren. She was married April 30, 1941, to John A. Gustafson, who died June 27, 1970. Surviving are a daughter and her husband, Karen and James BARR of Rouseville; a daughter-in-law, Maureen McCONNELL Gustafson of Erie; six grandchildren, Tammy DUBOSE, Amy BELVAL and her husband, Jason, Eric Barr and his wife, Amy, Steve Gustafson, Mike Gustafson and Kathleen Gustafson; and seven great-grandchildren. She also is survived by a brother, Jack "Zuck" George and his friend, Belle Motter, of Oil City; two sisters, Mrs. Walter (Nellie) HAUPT Jr. of Reno and Mrs. Merle (Jean) McCAY of Titusville; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Gustafson was preceded in death by two sons, James Kent Gustafson and Jon D. Gustafson; one brother, Paul George; two sisters, Marian "Cookie" SMERKAR and Leah Jane George; and a sister-in-law, Georgie George. 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 2 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home with the Rev. John R. Friggle officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens. The family suggest memorials be made to the Oil City Presbyterian Home, Grace United Methodist Church or a charity of one's choice.

Joseph J. Goral, 79, of 630 Pacific St., Franklin, a self-employed carpenter, died at 3:11 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999, in the emergency room of Northwest Medical Center at Franklin.