Johnny Waitkus

John Waitkus, who starred on the Oilers' crack teams in 1930 and 1931, died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005, in The Caring Place, Franklin.

He was 92.

Waitkus scored 20 touchdowns and 121

points for the Oilers in 1930 and 1931 when they went 16-1-1.

His 32-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter gave the Oilers a 7-0 decision over Grove City on Nov. 8, 1930.

The next week he rushed for 126 yards and scored three TDs in a 38-6 victory over Sharon -- which came two years after the Oilers were mauled by the Tigers, 108-0.

The Oilers finished the 1930 campaign with an 8-0-1 record. A 0-0 tie with Franklin in the midst of a snowstorm in their final game spoiled an undefeated, untied season.

But Waitkus scored seven TDs and 39 points as the Oilers claimed the Skillen Cup that year. He was named to The Derrick's All-Skillen Cup team.

The Oilers returned a number of players from that team in 1931, and finished with an 8-1 record, the only loss coming to Sharon, 19-6.

Waitkus finished that season with 13 TDs -- including four in one of the games against Franklin -- and 82 points.

He was named to both the Meadville Tribune and Titusville Herald All-Skillen teams and to Titusville High School's all-opponent squad.

Waitkus played a number of sports, including baseball and track.

He worked for Quaker State for 33 years and as a construction inspector for PennDOT until his retirement.

His wife, the former Theresa M. Pullease, preceeded him in death in 1986.

He is survived by his son, John Joseph Waitkus Jr., and daughter-in-law Katherine, with whom he made his home in Franklin for the past 16 years.