Margaret Karns

Margaret McBride Karns, daughter of Dr. Lewis E. and Emma Lamberton McBride and widow of Frederick P. Karns, died at 5:50 P.M. Sunday July 25, 2010 at her residence, 1242 Elk Street, Franklin, where she was born July 9, 1910.
Mrs. Karns was a graduate of Franklin High School in 1929. She graduated from Mount Vernon College, Washington, D. C. and the special course for college women, Katherine Gibbs School, Boston, Mass.
She was employed as an executive secretary by Pennzoil Company, Oil City, from 1933 to 1953.
She was a member of the Board of Directors of Franklin Hospital for six years, serving as Secretary of the Board for three years. She was Chairman of Advance Gifts for four years, while a member of Franklin Area United Fund. She was Women?s Chairman, Venango County Savings Bond Committee from September 20, 1961 to November 5, 1969.
Her volunteer work included serving as an American Red Cross volunteer nurse aide during World War II and worked with the Hospital Hostess Shop and worked on the eye screening program of Venango County Association for the Blind.
Drives for charitable organizations, such as Cerebral Palsy, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and United Way received her volunteer efforts.
Margaret Karns was a member of Monday Club of Oil City and Franklin, Wednesday Club of Franklin, The Franklin Club, Ladies Auxiliary of Franklin Commandery No. 44; Nursery Chapter No. 25, Order of Eastern Star; St. Hilda?s Guild of St. John Episcopal Church, a former and 25 year member of St. John?s Altar Guild; Friends of the Library and Franklin Library Association; honorary member of Northwest Health System Corporation, Northwest Medical Center Auxiliary, life member of Venango County Historical Society, Venango Chapter NSDAR, member of DAR Northwestern District Regent?s Club, The Retired Officers Association Auxiliary, and Historic Franklin Preservation Association.
As a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Franklin from 1927 to 1954 she served as Deacon and Secretary of the Board of Deacons 1952 to 1953. After her marriage, November 28, 1953 in The First Presbyterian Church to Frederick P. Karns, she was confirmed in 1954 in St. John Episcopal Church.
n 1962 she was recipient of Franklin Chamber of Commerce citizenship award,Woman of the Year�.
She also supported the DeBence Antique Music Museum, Barrow Civic Theatre and Franklin Fine Arts Council.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1984, and a brother Lewis E. McBride Jr in 1981.
Margaret Karns is survived by her niece, Mrs. Peggy A. Fornshell, Dublin, OH., a nephew, Richard L. McBride, Ft. Myers, FL, two grand nieces, Jennifer O?Donnell, Columbus, OH, Amy Louise Hempleman and her husband, Dave, Shawnee, KS; as well as four grandnephews: W. Jeffrey Fornshell, OH, Matthew L. Fornshell, OH, Richard L. McBride Jr., FL, and David B. McBride, NC.
She is also survived by five great-nieces and three great-nephews.
Friends will be received from 2-4&7-9 P.M. Thursday in the Huff Chapel Inc. 312 West Park St., Franklin.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Friday in St. John Episcopal Church, 1145 Buffalo St, Franklin with The Rev. Holly Davis, rector, officiating.
Interment will follow in the Dr. L.E. McBride lot in Franklin Cemetery.