Derwood A. "Jack" Beighley, Jr.

Derwood A. “Jack” Beighley, Jr. of Oil City, died on Sunday,  August 18, 2019 at the age of 97. He was born September 28, 1921 in Oil City, PA to Mildred Weaver Beighley and D.A. Beighley.  Mr. Beighley graduated in 1939 from Oil City High School. He was a Petroleum Engineer by trade, and upon graduating from the Pennsylvania State University in 1943, he began his 40 year career with the Pennzoil Company as a Process Engineer. He retired in 1983 as Director of Safety and Training for the Eastern Division of Pennzoil. His wife Martha preceded him in death in September of 2006, after 60 years of marriage.

Mr. Beighley was a 32nd degree Mason, and a member of Second Presbyterian Church, serving as Deacon, then Elder. He participated for many years in the choir, as well as Men’s Fellowship groups.

He was a member of the National Petroleum Refiners Association and a life member of the Penn State Alumni Association. Mr. Beighley and his wife were active volunteers for Meals on Wheels and most recently the Salvation Army. He was one of the original volunteer guides on the Oil Creek and Titusville railroad and delighted in taking his grandchildren on train rides through the Oil Valley.

Upon his retirement, he and his wife traveled extensively and participated in Elder Hostel programs. He and his wife were also avid gardeners, and for a brief time operated a bed and breakfast from their home called “The Flower Cottage”. His favorite pastime was reading spy novels. He was also a dog lover, and an avid Penn State Football and Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

Mr. Beighley is survived by 2 sisters: Maryann Blackburn and Susan Spencer; 4 children: George Beighley and wife Phyllis of Columbia, SC, Jack Beighley and wife Lynda of Chatham, NJ, Sarah Beighley of Arlington, VA, and David Beighley and wife Celeste of Myrtle Beach, SC.;  7 grandchildren: George Beighley Jr., Kathryn Dinkins, Matthew Beighley, Grant Beighley, Kristin Snyder, Brooke Morrison, and William Beighley; and 2 Great-Grand daughters:  Kenna Snyder and Parker Dinkins. He is also survived by his devoted best friends Doris Kahle and Josh Botts.

A Memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2019  at the Second Presbyterian Church, 111 Reed Street in Oil City. The Rev. Tim Harmon, church pastor, will officiate.  His family will greet visitors in the church immediately following the service.  Private interment will be in the Franklin Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jack’s memory to the Second Presbyterian Church Scholarship Fund, 111 Reed St., Oil City, PA  16301; or to the Oil City Fire Dept./EMS, 404 Central Ave., Oil City, PA  16301.

Funeral arrangements are being completed by Hile-Best Funeral Home in Seneca, Cranberry Township.  To submit condolences to the family online, please visit www.hilebest.com

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