Clarion native    

     BRIDGEVILLE – Virginia Kaufman, 90, of Bridgeville, a groundbreaking Pittsburgh advertising executive and granddaughter of one of the original Clarion settlers died April 18, 2008 .

     Born June 29, 1917 , in Clarion, she was the daughter of Myer M. and Minnie Hermann Kaufman. 

     She was also the granddaughter of Charles and Rosa Kaufman, two of the original settlers and leaders of Clarion Borough.

     Miss. Kaufman was a partner with Penn-Art Associates in Pittsburgh for over 50 years, helping guide the graphic arts firm through numerous changes and worked with some of the country’s major companies.

     One of the first women to call on clients in Pittsburgh , she quickly became a respected liaison and advertising representative.

     Miss Kaufman was elected Woman of the Year in 1964 by the Pittsburgh Advertising Club.

     Before joining Penn-Art, she also worked with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in market research and promotions and was assistant to the director of advertising and merchandising for the Pittsburgh group of Sears, Roebuck and Company.

     A 1937 graduate of Clarion State Teacher’s College, she also attended business school when she decided she did not feel she would pursue a teaching career.

     Miss Kaufman returned briefly to Clarion where she worked as assistant manager for the Clarion County Thrift Plan before working in Pittsburgh . She often said the education and experience as a writer with the student newspaper she received at Clarion was a major factor in her later success in the business world. 

     Miss Kaufman and her family also supported the Clarion and Pittsburgh communities for over a century. Miss Kaufman was honored with the Clarion University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award in 1994 for her professional accomplishments and support of the university. The award is the highest honor bestowed on Clarion graduates.

     Miss Kaufman is survived by her brother, Charles, of Bridgeville.

     Graveside services and interment will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2008 , at Clarion Cemetery .

     Memorial gifts may be made to the Virginia Kaufman Charitable Fund, c/o Clarion University Foundation, Inc., Seifert-Mooney Center , 840 Wood Street , Clarion, 16214.

     Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., Pittsburgh , (1-888-621-8282).

Gary Stephen McKinney

Owned and operated Allegheny-Valley Memorials

PITTSBURGH – Gary Stephen McKinney, 55, of St. Petersburg passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2008 , at UPMC Hospital in Pittsburgh .

Born June 17, 1952 , at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Tarentum, he was the son of Adean Ruth Willman McKinney who survives in Brookville, and the late Karle D. McKinney.

On March 26, 1977 , he married his wife Helene Mae Longenecker who survives.

Mr. McKinney was a 1970 graduate of Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School and earned a bachelor of science degree in education in 1975 from Clarion State College.

He owned and operated Allegheny-Valley Memorials since 1984 and took great pride in his work often meeting with families in their home to customize each monument to their specific needs.

Mr. McKinney was most definitely a unique and one of a kind person. When he was a boy he would travel the woods around St. Petersburg and collect all sorts of things. He had a fascination with history and the Civil War, especially one particular soldier named J.J. Ashbaugh. In fact in those woods he found Ashbaugh’s Civil War pin.

Mr. McKinney resurrected Clarion County ’s oldest piece of fire fighting equipment which was a hose cart that was rotting under an old tree. The St. Petersburg Fire and Hose cart can be seen at the St. Petersburg ’s local museum.

Mr. McKinney developed a love of local oil history from his boyhood adventures. He collected pictures, books, and memorabilia his entire life. The results of all his work and much research are the three editions of his book “Oil on the Brain”. His latest book, published in December of 2007, tells of the oil boom and excitement in Clarion, Butler , and Armstrong Counties .

Mr. McKinney was a Boy Scout and earned the distinction of the Eagle Scout in 1967.

Mr. McKinney was a member of the St. Petersburg United Methodist Church and enjoyed attending Sunday school there, and was also a member of the Camby Lodge #520 Free and Accepted Masons of St. Petersburg.

As far as politics were concerned, he was the Mayor of St. Petersburg for many years and has always been interested in politics and definitely cast his votes with convictions.

Some of his other interests were in his collection of Mustang cars, antiques, dogs, and his “cabin” in the woods.

In addition to his wife, Mr. McKinney is survived by three children, Meagan Leah McKinney of St. Petersburg , Chelsea Elizabeth McKinney of Pittsburgh and Joel Stephen McKinney of St. Petersburg ; one brother, Mark A. McKinney of North Pickering Street, Brookville; three aunts, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Saturday, April 19, 2008 , at the St. Petersburg United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dan Myers officiating.

Interment followed in the St. Petersburg Cemetery .

Memorials may be made to the St. Petersburg United Methodist Church , St. Petersburg , 16054 or the Venango County Humane Society, Deep Hollow Road , Franklin , 16323.

Arrangements were under the direction of the McKinney Funeral Home, 345 Main St. Brookville.

John C. Bobbert

SUMMERVILLE – John Clyde Bobbert, 68, of Burgoon Road , Summerville, Limestone Township , died at 6:42 p.m. Friday, April 18, 2008 , of injuries suffered in a traffic accident in Sandy Lake .

Karen S. Dean

MAYPORT – Karen S. Dean, 56, of Langville Road , Mayport, died unexpectedly of natural causes at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2008 , at her home.

Helen G. Hepler

BROOKVILLE – Helen G. Hepler, 90, of 133 Laurelbrooke Drive , Brookville, formerly of New Bethlehem, died Thursday, April 17, 2008 , in McKinley Health Center , Brookville.

Edwin A. Jones

NEW BETHLEHEM – Edwin Allison Jones, 66, of New Bethlehem, died early Friday morning, April 18, 2008 , at his residence following an illness.

Kierra Ann Motter

FORT HOOD , Texas – Kierra Ann Motter, 8 month, 28-day old daughter of Pfc. Charles E. and Christina R. Sparks Motter of Copperas Cove, Texas, granddaughter of Merle and Jane Motter of Venus, died Saturday, April 5, 2008 , in Darnall Army Medical Center , Fort Hood , Texas .

George E. Musser Jr.

NEW BETHLEHEM – George E. Musser Jr., 74, of New Bethlehem, died Saturday evening, April 19, 2008 , at this residence.

Dr. Harold Roberts

WYOMING , Del. – Dr. Harold Roberts, 59, of Wyoming , Del. , formerly of the Emlenton-Kennerdell area, died Thursday, April 10, 2008 , in his home after a long battle with ALS.

A. Irene Schrecengost

MESA , Ariz. – A. Irene Schrecengost, 83, of Mesa , Ariz. , died Tuesday, April 15, 2008 , in Banner Gardens Hospice House in Mesa surrounded by her family. Born March 24, 1925 , in New Bethlehem, she was the daughter of the late Leo Dale and Fay Reed Hanlon.

Mary E. Shrum

CLARION – Mary E. Shrum, 86, of Knox, died late Friday evening, April 18, 2008 , at the Clarion Hospital .

Margaret Smith

SLIGO – Margaret “Peg” Smith, 93, formerly of Chestnut Street , Rimersburg, died Wednesday morning, April 16, 2008 , in Clarview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center near Sligo .

Lulu C. Sowers

CLARION – Lulu C. Sowers, 93, of Strattanville, died at 3 a.m. Friday, April 18, 2008 , at the Golden Living Center , Clarion.

Betty J. Stumpner

SHIPPENVILLE – Betty Jane Neely Stumpner, 70, of Knox, died Thursday morning, April 17, 2008 , in the Clarion-Forest Visiting Nurses Association Hospice House in Shippenville following a lengthy bout with bone cancer.

Donald L. Thompson Jr.

TIONESTA – Donald L. “Cricket” Thompson Jr., 57, of Tionesta, formerly of Leeper, died Wednesday, April 16, 2008 , at his son’s residence.

Cecil E. Toombs Jr.

TITUSVILLE – Cecil Edgar Toombs Jr., 73, of Smokey Hill Road , Tionesta, died Friday, April 18, 2008 , at Titusville Area Hospital .

Earl E. Ziegler

CLARION – Earl E. Ziegler, 90, of Venus, died Friday afternoon, April 18, 2008 , at the Clarion Hospital following a lengthy illness.