Karnes

Emma Ruth Helsel Karnes, 96, of Parker passed away at the Clarview Nursing Home on Thursday, following an extended illness.

Born on June 9, 1915, in Perry Township, Clarion, County, she was the daughter of the late Simeon and Chelsea Kriebel Helsel.

Ruth was married to Glenn R. Karnes on Oct. 2, 1975, who survives.

Ruth, along with her husband Glenn, was a charter member and founder of the Alamo Squares square dancing club in Parker. She enjoyed traveling with her husband to the National Square Dancing Convention every year for over 30 years as well as attending the National Square Dancing Caller Conventions.

Ruth looked forward to wintering in Myrtle Beach for 29 years. She loved flowers and was a blue ribbon winner for her gladiolus at the county fair. Ruth was a long time member of the Foxburg Country Club and the Tuesday Night Ladies League.

She was a member of the Concord Presbyterian Church in Clarion County.

She was employed for a number of years by the former Parker Drug Co. and later a long time employee of J.&M. Market.

In addition to her husband, Ruth is survived by one sister, Rose and her husband, Ed Snyder, of Parker; one sister in-law, Betty Helsel; and two nieces, Sharon Master and Janice Fisher.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Amelia “Grace” Helsel, and one brother, David Helsel.

<B>KARNES</B> — Friends of Emma Ruth Helsel Karnes, who died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, may call Sunday at the <B>H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home</B>, Wayne St., Parker, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday. Funeral services will be at the funeral home on Monday at 11 a.m. with Pastor Ken Hughes and Pastor Nancy Dunmire officiating. Interment to follow at the Perryville CemeteryTo view or to send condolences, sympathy cards or flowers, visit www.buzardfuneralhomes.com.