Clarence O. "Ogie" Ellenberger, 87, of Slippery Rock Road, Slippery Rock Township, died Saturday at Grove City Medical Center after a three-month illness.

Born June 28, 1919, in Fairview Township, he was the son of Clarence Walter and Lillie Morris Ellenberger.

He retired in 1982 from Witco Chemical in Petrolia.

He was a member of the Highland Presbyterian Church.

After retirement, he enjoyed playing Santa Claus for many years for a number of local organizations, restaurants and grocery stores. He also enjoyed camping.

He was a member and past state director for National Camping Travelers. He was a 50-year-member of Argyle Free and Accepted Masons Lodge 540 in Chicora.

He was a member of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of New Castle.

He was a member of Syria Shriners in Pittsburgh.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, entering in 1941 and discharged in 1945. He was involved in eight major campaigns: Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was a regular Jeep driver for Gen. Malin Craig and had the honor of driving Gen. Dwight Eisenhower and Prime Minister Winston Churchill. He was a recipient of numerous medals and citations.

He was a member of the Slippery Rock American Legion and the Parker VFW.

He is survived by his wife, Kizzie Steele Ellenberger of Slippery Rock; four step children, David W. Steele and his wife, Joyce, of Jackson Center, Robert J. Steele and his wife, Mary Sue, of Slippery Rock, Ruth I. Stodolack and companion, Red Visniesky, of Grove City, and Bonnie K. and husband, Gary, Van Tassel of Seaford, Va.

Also surviving are nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Helen Ivey Ellenberger; a brother, Albert; and two sisters, Blanche Matthews and Charleen Sutton.

<B>Ellenberger</B> — Friends of Clarence O. "Ogie" Ellenberger, who died Saturday, July 8, 2006, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the <B>Smith Funeral Home</B>, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock.Further visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Highland Presbyterian Church, 310 Franklin St., Slippery Rock. Funeral services will follow with the Rev. Albert Rhodes Stuart officiating.Burial will be in Greenlawn Burial Estates in Mount Chestnut with full military honors.Masonic services will be observed at the funeral home.