E. Beryl (Morrow) Stratton, 82, peacefully passed away and was reunited with her late husband, Charles, with her loving family surrounding her on the morning of Friday, January 6, 2017.  Beryl passed following a courageous eight year battle with cancer.  She recently resided at the home of her daughter, Pamela Lovett; and formerly lived in Victory Heights and Oil City. 

            She was born on November 20, 1934 (her parents' wedding anniversary) to the late Arthur T. and Bernice V. (Pennington) Morrow. 

            Beryl graduated from Cranberry High School with the class of 1952.

            Mrs. Stratton worked as a switchboard operator at the Franklin Hospital, and served as the Earned Income Tax Collector for Cranberry Township for 26 years.  She was an active member of the Seneca Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.  In her 30 plus years as an Auxiliary member, she served in all of the Officer positions.  Beryl was active in several local social and volunteer organizations including the Red Hat Society. 

            Beryl was a member of the Victory Heights United Brethren Church since her childhood, and attended the Atlantic Avenue United Brethren Church in Franklin for the past several years. 

            She was married on July 18, 1964 to Charles A. Stratton, and he preceded her in death on November 20, 2005. 

            Surviving are two daughters, Pamela Lovett of Harrisville and Wendy Gawrys and her husband Edward of Oil City, with whom she made her home with until her recent illness.  She is also survived by four grandchildren:  Shellie Bell, Chastity Zahner, Brett Lovett, and Mark Lepley; three great-grandchildren, Michelle Roxberry, Melanie Bell, and Owen Weaver of Franklin; and two great-great-grandchildren, Miley and Krew Angiolieri. 

            Also surviving is a sister, Wilda Cotton and her husband Ralph of Franklin; a step-son, Charles A. Stratton, Jr. and his wife Mary of Illinois; three sisters-in-law, Charlotte Morrow and Carolyn Morrow of Franklin, and Marlene Morrow of Mesa, Arizona; a brother-in-law, Robert Rouse of Grove City; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

            In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by five brothers, James, Delmar, Gerald, Larry, and Boyd "Pete" Morrow; a sister, Ninna Morrow Rouse;  a step-son, Thomas Stratton; and a son-in-law, Joseph Lovett, late husband of her daughter, Pamela. 

            Family and friends are invited and encouraged to attend a Celebration of Life Service, held at the Atlantic Avenue United Brethren Church, 160 Atlantic Avenue in Franklin on Sunday, January 15th at 3 p.m., with Pastor Gary Small officiating. 

            In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Atlantic Ave. U.B. Church (Building Fund), 160 Atlantic Ave., Franklin, PA  16323.

            Funeral arrangements are being completed by the Hile-Best Funeral Home in Seneca, Cranberry Township. 

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