Homer Ivan Tarr

Homer Ivan Tarr, 90, of Rocky Grove, died May 19, 2016, at his home. Homer was born on December 17, 1925, in Oil City. He was the son of the late Sherman M. and Gertrude L. Becker Tarr. Mr. Tarr was a member of the Donation Hill Community Church. He loved camping at Vacation Land Camp Ground, flower gardening, fishing, and most especially the company of his grand and great grandchildren. He was a life member of the Rocky Grove Volunteer Fire Department, the VFW, and the American Legion. Homer was drafted into the U.S. Army in March of 1944. He fought on the front lines in the Battle of the Bulge in France in December of 1944. While on the front lines, he laid telephone line for the 276th infantry. For his service, he received two battle stars. Following the war, Homer was the driver for the Provost Marshall of the Military Police. During this time, he met President Eisenhower and received orders to travel to Nuremburg, Germany to investigate underground gas chambers. Homer was honorably discharged in May of 1946. After returning home from the war, he worked at Hunter Wilson Barrel Works, Oil Well Supply, Ward's Banking Company, and retired from the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company. On September 14, 1947, Homer married Dorothy L. Burke, who survives. In addition to his wife he is survived by his daughters, Brenda Fry of East Lansing, MI, and Shirley Sheatz and her husband James of Rocky Grove. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren: Tara Fry and her husband Brian Surgener of Lansing, MI, Jared Sheatz and his wife Megan of Pittsburgh, Chantel Miller and her husband Nate of Franklin, and Audra Shontz and her husband Brian of Franklin; five great grandchildren, Mason and Wyatt Surgener of Lansing, MI, Lincoln Shontz and Brielle Miller both of Franklin, and Oskar Homer Sheatz of Pittsburgh. Also surviving is a brother William Tarr of Rocky Grove as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Homer was preceded in death by six brothers: Wallace, Robert, Donald, Sherman, Richard, and Clarence and three sisters: Frances Reiser, Janet Cochran, and Betty Fry. Family and friends will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut St. from 2-4 and 6-8 pm Sunday. A funeral service will be held at the Funeral Home at 11 am on Monday, May 23, with the Rev. Glenn Walker officiating. Interment and full military honors, accorded by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard, will be in Cooperstown Cemetery.Memorial contributions in Mr. Tarr's name may be made to the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard P.O. Box 137 Franklin, Pa 16323.To send online condolences, flowers, cards, or for further information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.