Howard E. Whitehill, 85, of Nickleville, Emlenton RD 1, died at 8:50 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 28, 1999, in The Caring Place at Franklin. Born Aug. 21, 1914, in Richmond, W.Va., he was a son of John and Lucretia THOMAS Whitehill. Mr. Whitehill was employed as a truck driver all his adult life, working for Pennland Tankers and later for Refiners. He was an avid CB radio enthusiast, using the handle, Load N Go. He was a member of the VIP CB Club. Mr. Whitehill enjoyed working on cars in his garage at home. He attended the Nickleville Presbyterian Church. Mr. Whitehill was married June 24, 1947, to Deloris WINTERS, who survives. Also surviving are four sons and their wives, Howard E. and Sandra Whitehill of Freehold, N.J., Dan E. and Karen Whitehill and David J. and Diane Whitehill, all of Nickleville, and Ted J. and Laurie Whitehill of Knox; seven daughters, Mrs. Roger (Nola) CHASE of Clintonville, Dorothy Whitehill of Seneca, Mrs. James (Alice Jane) EATON of New Cumberland, W.Va., Lucretia DITTMAN of Knox and Mrs. Ronald (Patricia) KERLIN, Debra Whitehill and Mrs. Richard (Brenda) SLOAN, all of Nickleville; 26 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Whitehill was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret DUNLAP, and a grandson, Christopher H. Kerlin. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Christopher M. Hile Funeral Home, Emlenton. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with the Rev. Sue S. Montgomery, pastor of the Nickleville Presbyterian Church, officiating. Interment will be in Nickleville Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Ray Paul Mascharka, 83, a resident of the Captain Loomis Hotel, Clarion, died Saturday evening, Nov. 27, 1999, in Clarion Hospital. Born Dec. 7, 1915, in Erie, he was a son of Michael A. and Mary BOLLA Mascharka. He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the Army. Mr. Mascharka was retired as a tool and die maker from R & J Manufacturing in Passaic, N.J. He was a member of the VFW Post and the American Legion Post No. 66, both of Clarion. Mr. Mascharka attended the Immaculate Conception Church in Clarion. Surviving are one son, Paul S. Mascharka of Clovis, Calif.; one daughter, Chris Mascharka of Newport Beach, Calif.; four grandchildren; and one greatgrandson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Joe, Mike and Ed; and three sisters, Theresa, Helen and Frances. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today in the Robert V. Burns Funeral Home, Clarion. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. today in the funeral home with the Rev. Frank Przepierski, pastor of the Immaculate Conception Church, officiating.

Kathryn E. Sloan, 84, of Terrace Gardens Apartments, Franklin, formerly of Clintonville, died at 12:50 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, 1999, in Northwest Medical Center at Franklin following an extended ill ness. Born Dec. 15, 1914, in Clintonville, Venango County, she was a daughter of James F. and Cora M. JONES DAUGHERTY. Mrs. Sloan attended Clintonville Grade School and was a graduate of Clintonville High School. She was married in April 1943 to Thomas Vincent Sloan, who died in 1971. Mrs. Sloan and her husband owned and operated T.V. Sloan Hardware in Clintonville for more than 40 years. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Clintonville, where she was organist for a number of years. Mrs. Sloan also was a member of the Clintonville AARP, the Ladies Auxiliary of the MealsHoffman American Legion Post No. 912 of Clintonville and the Order of Eastern Star in Parker. She enjoyed playing the piano, sewing and crocheting. Mrs. Sloan owned a number of collie dogs. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Lawrence I. (Martha A.) GILL of Hermitage; a son and his wife, Thomas and Terri Sloan of Franklin; one nephew, Gale Daugherty of California; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Alton '' Ace'' (Thelma) Daugherty of Franklin; six grand children; 12 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Sloan was preceded in death by two brothers, Alton and Adrian Daugherty. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Larry E. McKinley Funeral Home, 103 Emlenton St., Clintonville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with the Rev. Edward Clarke, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church, Clintonville, officiating. Interment will be in Clintonville Methodist Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, Franklin Street, Clintonville, Pa. 16372; the American Cancer Society; or to the American Heart Association.

Walter John Burkhardt, 91, of Polk RD 1, died at 8:45 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, 1999, in Sugar Creek Station, Franklin RD 3. Born Dec. 19, 1907, in Franklin he was a son of Alfred and Elizabeth WHITTEN Burkhardt. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Mr. Burkhardt first worked for 20 years in the oil fields in Bradford, leaving there in 1945 to work for A.M. Burkhardt Paving Co. He then owned B&B Taxi service with his brother, Loyal, until 1970. After that, he worked as a school bus driver for Lepley's Bus Service. He was a Protestant. Mr. Burkhardt was a former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Franklin. He was married Aug. 17, 1945, to Gertrude CLANCY, who survives. Also surviving are a daughter and her husband, Cheryl and Don KNOX of Franklin; a son and his wife, Ronald and Patricia Burkhardt of Polk; five grandchildren, Debra MOOK and her husband, Robert, of Polk; Ronda SCHENGBER and her husband, James, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Thomas Burkhardt and his wife, Sharon, Gary Knox and his wife, Melissa, and Darren Knox, all of Franklin; and eight great-grand children, Brian Mook of Polk, Andrew and Allison Schengber of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Lauren, Brandon and Tyler Burkhardt, Lindsay CURREN and Matthew Knox, all of Franklin. In addition to his parents, Mr. Burkhardt was preceded in death by two sons, Billy and Richard Burkhardt; two brothers, Arthur and Loyal Burkhardt; and four sisters, Rose SHUFFSTALL, Martha HOLSOPPLE, Velma THUMMLER and Irene SPOTTS. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with the Rev. James H. Hogg, retired minister, officiating. Interment will be in Franklin Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Sandycreek Volunteer Fire Department or to Sugar Creek Station.

Ruth B. Gallagher, 78, of Sugar Creek Station, Franklin RD 3, died at 4:05 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, 1999, in Northwest Medical Center at Franklin. Born May 12, 1921, in Franklin, she was a daughter of Lewis W. and Elnora BAKER CRAMER. Mrs. Gallagher was a retired cook from Shamrock Tavern, Oil City, where she made pizzas. She was a Protestant. Mrs. Gallagher was married March 23, 1942, to Richard F. Gallagher, who preceded her in death. Surviving are a niece, Sherry Swab LUNNEY of Franklin RD 3, whom she raised; a brother, Lewis Cramer of Franklin; and a sister, Hazel BAUGHMAN of Franklin. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Gallagher was preceded in death by five brothers, Oakley, Glenn, Edgar, Clair and Howard Cramer; and two sisters, Gertrude LEPLEY and Vivian FRANKENBERGER. The Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. There will be no calling hours and no services. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Oil City.

N. Violet Stoops, 91, a resident of Autumn Grove Care Center, Harrisville, for the past six years, formerly of Marion Township, Butler County, died at 3:02 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, 1999, in United Community Hospital, Grove City. Born April 27, 1908, in Marion Township, Butler County, she was a daughter of John H. and Lillian McNEESE DICKEY. Mrs. Stoops was a member of Boyers United Methodist Church and the Ladies Sunday School Class of the church. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Stoops was married Nov. 24, 1925, to Albert C. Stoops, who survives in Boyers. Also surviving are a daughter, Mrs. William M. (Jean) BETROS of Boyers; four sons, James A. Stoops and David Larry Stoops, both of Harrisville, Donald L. Stoops of Palm Harbor, Fla., and Francis E. Stoops of Boyers; nine grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren. She also is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Charles (Hazel) RICHARDSON of Plano, Texas, and Katherine SMITH of Dover, Del. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Stoops was preceded in death by a sister, Mae CAMERON, and a brother, Merle Dickey. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Jamison Funeral Home, 117 N. Main St., Harrisville, branch of Huff Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with the Rev. Kathleen S. Soltis, pastor of the Boyers United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Old Annandale Cemetery, Cherry Township.

Donald Duane "D.D." Lawrence, 71, of Wilson Avenue, Claion, died Saturday, Nov. 27, 1999, in Sanint Vincent Health Center, Erie. Born Sept. 4, 1928, in Clarion he was a son of Charles Mason and Lulu Ann HIMES Lawrence. Mr. Lawrence was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was a truck driver for 37 years for Lawrence Brother Inc. He also worked six years for Glenn Sand & Gravel Co. Mr. Lawrence was a member of the American Legion Post No. 66 of Clarion for 18 years. He was married Oct. 22, 1954, to Thelma LaRue SNYDER, who survives. Also surviving are a son and his wife, Donald Ray and Leslie Lawrence of Sligo; two daughters and their husbands, Patricia Ann and Richard BUHL of Kane and Margaret Elaine and Norman REAM of Millbrook, Ala.; and five grandchildren, Samantha Lea and Frederick Ray Lawrence, Jason Scott Buhl, and Katelen Erin and Alexander Emery Ream. He also is survived by three brothers, Gerald M. Lawrence of Sligo, Everett C. Lawrence of Clarion and Howard B. Lawrence of Cape Cod, Mass.; two sisters, Lois J. DeVORE of Caledonia, N.Y., and Doris M. Lawrence of Clarion; and several niceces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Lawrence was preceded in deah by two brothers, Mason Charles and Newell Ross Lawrence; and one sister, Helen V. KNORPP. Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 ap.m. Tuesday in the Goble Funeral Home of Clarion. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with Dr. Dana Still officiating. Interment will follow in Clarion Cemetery. Donations may be made to a charity of one's choice or to the American Legion Scholarship.

Arthur E. Lewis, 81, of Madison Street, Sligo, died at 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, 1999, in Clarion Hospital following a three-week illness. Born April 22, 1918, in Strattanville, he was a son of John and Bessie Myrtle Lewis. He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Air Force. Mr. Lewis was employed for many years as a meat cutter at Paul's Market in Sligo, retiring in 1983. He served as a tax collector for Sligo Borough for 47 years, retiring in 1997. Mr. Lewis was a member of the Sligo United Methodist Church and the Parker Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. He was married to the former Patricia J. HARTMAN, who survives. Also surviving are two sons and their wives, Dan and Rhonda Lewis of Rimersburg RD 1 and Jack and Marie Lewis of Limestone; one daughter, Debby Lewis of League City, Texas; and four granddaughters, Jenna HELLMAN, Lauren Lewis, Sarah Lewis and Rachel Lewis. In addition to his parents, Mrs. Lewis was preceded in death by one brother, Roy Lewis. The Varner Funeral Home in Sligo is in charge of arrangements. There will be no visitation. Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in Rimersburg Cemetery. The family suggest memorial donations be made to the Southern Clarion County Volunteer Ambulance Service or to a charity of one's choice.

Geraldine Elizabeth Barto Marano, 61, of Bridgeview Apartments, Emlenton, died at 4:35 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28, 1999, in The Caring Place, Franklin, following a short illness. Born Jan. 12, 1938, in Clearfield County, she was the daughter of Edward J. and Mary Belle CASSEL Barto. Mrs. Marano attended the Emlenton United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Emlenton Area Over-55 Club and the Emlenton Civic Club. Mrs. Marano was a homemaker and enjoyed crocheting, knitting and playing bingo. She was married to Samuel Marano, who preceded her in death. Surviving are four sons and their wives, Paul and Melissa Marano and Carl and Nancy Marano, all of Emlenton, Lawrence and Stacey Marano of Parker RD and Michael and Denise Marano of Kennerdell RD; two daughters, Evelyn BROSNAHAN and her husband, Mark, and Lorrie and her fiance, Vince Bartley, all of Emlenton RD; seven grandsons; one stepgranddaughter; two stepgrandsons; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Marano was preceded in death by a son, Steven. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Christopher M. Hile Funeral Home, Emlenton. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with the Rev. Steve Soltis, pastor of the Emlenton United Methodist Church, Officiating. Interment will be in St. Michael Cemetery, Emlenton.