All Obituaries

                John K. "Chopper" Prenatt, Sr., 56, of Seneca, passed away at 9:55 a.m. on Monday, March 30, 2020, surrounded by his loving family.   John was so full of life and love.              John was born in Dearborn, Michigan on July 10, 1963, a son of the late Roland and Beverly (Kimes)...

            Samuel Fred Smith, of Seneca, died at his home following a battle with pancreatic cancer on Wednesday morning, March 25, 2020.                  He was born January 7, 1943 in Victory Heights, a son to the late Harold F. and Theodora (Stewart) Smith.                 ...

Gale Eugene Sanford, 92, of Rockland, passed away Saturday morning, March 7, 2020 at Oakwood Heights in Oil City.  He was the son of Harry R. and Ruth I. (Griffin) Sanford. Gale was born on December 24, 1927. He spent his entire life on the family homestead in Rockland. He graduated in 1945, from Rockland High School. He served 2 years in the Army 27th Engineer Equipment Company, spending one year in Verdun, France. He returned to Rockland to pursue his career as a building contractor....

                Jeffrey D. Babb, 63, of Cranberry, died at his residence, surrounded by his loving family at 11:28 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2020.                 He was born in Pittsburgh on January 12, 1957 to the late Richard D. and Martha A. (Dessell)...

                 Bertha L. Martin, 88, of Cranberry, formerly of California, died at 11:25 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at Oakwood Heights in Oil City.                 She was born in Punxsutawney on December 21, 1931 to the late Clair and Goldie (Moyer)...

                 Arlene M. "Lolly" Exley, 81, of Parker Avenue in Rocky Grove, died at 11:35 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at Hamot Hospital in Erie, surrounded by her loving family, following a lengthy illness.                  She was born January 5, 1939 in Sugarcreek Twp., Venango County to the late Harry Leroy...

Elva E. Fink, age 76, of Oil City, died Monday afternoon, February 17, 2020, at Oakwood Heights.  She is survived by her husband, Bernard; her daughter, Hazel Brown; and her son, David Fink. There will be no public services observed.  The Hile-Best Funeral Home in Seneca is completing funeral arrangements.  Online condolences may be submitted to the family by visiting www.hilebest.com  

                JoAnne Mary Sgro, age 66, of Rockland Township, Venango County, formerly of Pittsburgh, died Sunday afternoon, February 16, 2020, following a lengthy battle with cancer.                  She was born in Pittsburgh on April 20, 1953 to the late Joseph and Beverly (Klette)...

                 Daniel Manning Shaw, 71, of Seneca, died peacefully Sunday morning, February 9, 2020, at UPMC Hamot Hospital in Erie, following a lengthy illness.                 He was born in Oil City on January 4, 1949 to the late Manning and Marie (Leicht)...

Gretchen L. White, age 83, of Oil City, a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, died early Friday morning, February 7, 2020, at St. Vincent Hospital in Erie, following a brief illness. She was born September 25, 1936 in Butler, to the late Leo and Grace (Phinecy) McNamee.  Gretchen grew up in the Parker area.  She was a 1956 graduate of St. Joseph Catholic High School in Oil City.  Mrs. White was a longtime member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Oil City.  She...