Ruth M. Walker-Daniels

              Ruth M. Walker-Daniels, of Oil City, died just five days before her 100th birthday. 

            She was born April 26, 1918 in Pittsburgh, the daughter of the late Andrew Howard and Elsie Lillian (Palmer) Moreland. 

            Ruth was a 1935 graduate of Harborcreek High School and earned a degree in special education/speech therapy from Edinboro University in 1972.  She served as a speech therapist for the Valley Grove, Oil City, and Cranberry school districts, retiring in 1983.  She was a member of the Pennsylvania Speech and Hearing Association.

            Ruth was married in 1975 to Adrian Daniels, who preceded her in death in 1978.

            She was a spinner and weaver, and was instrumental in initiating the “Spin-Ins” in Cook Forest, a craft festival that continued for ten years.  She was an excellent spinner and won recognition for her skill in the 'Spin-Out' magazine.  She was a very active member of the Northwest PA Spinners and Weavers Guild, and participated with other Guilds as well. 

            Ruth was a “citizen activist” most of her life.  She served on the board of directors for the Area Agency on Aging.  She will be remembered for regularly attending the Venango County Commissioner's meetings, where she encouraged the commissioners to ban smoking in the courthouse.  She was a special honoree for her attendance and participation at the meetings.  She also attended the Cranberry Township Supervisor's meetings; and was instrumental in starting the Cranberry Area Senior Center, and she encouraged the supervisors to institute the recycling program which continues to be very beneficial to everyone today. 

            As a young woman she worked for Talon, Inc. in Meadville. During World War II she worked for a short while in the defense industry where she operated a lathe; and then she worked in the lab for Keystone Ordinance.  After the war, she was employed for twenty years with Erie Technological Products.  During that time, she was a car enthusiast with an early interest in sports cars, which included membership in the Presque Isle Sports Car Club where she published their newsletter.  She will be remembered for having seasonal flowers on the antenna of her car. 

            Ruth was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Oil City. 

            She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.  In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Edward, Raymond, and Donald  Moreland. 

            There will be no visitation.  A memorial service will be held Thursday (April 26th) at 11:30 am in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, Inc., 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, Cranberry Township. Father Mark Elliston, pastor of Christ Episcopal Church in Oil City will officiate. Following the service, a celebration of her life will continue with a luncheon. 

            Those who were close to Ruth would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the staff at Oakwood Heights in Oil City for their professional and tender care they gave to Ruth over the past several years. 

            In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Venango County Humane Society, 286 South Main St., Seneca, PA  16346; or to the Oil City Library, 2 Central Ave., Oil City, PA  16301.

            To express condolences online, please visit www.hilebest.com

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