Dakota Eugene Lipinsky-Braden

Dakota E. Lipinsky-Braden, 13, of Franklin, passed away after fighting a long and courageous battle with his illness on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at the UPMC Northwest Hospital in Seneca.Born January 3, 2008 in Titusville, Dakota was the beloved son of Elyssa Lipinsky and the late Jerry Braden, Sr. Dakota had a love for fun and was an avid collector of NERF guns, Pokémon Trading Cards, as well as WWE Wrestling, where he would spend hours upon hours showing them off and telling stories of what he had. Never missing a beat, Dakota enjoyed running around outdoors and having NERF gun battles while listening to his favorite song, "5-1-5-0" by Dierks Bentley. He also enjoyed spending time on the boat with his Papa Gene, going to Ohio to visit his Grandma Rita nd Papa Bills, just to chill by the campfire, and “scrapping” with his dad, Scott Tarr. He had big dreams to one day be a Mechanic for Lepley’s Bus Service.Armed with an infectious smile (and most often one of his prized NERF guns in hand) Dakota made it his life mission to spread joy and kindness to everyone he met. His vivacious spirit impacted many in his community, and his loving heart will be missed by all who knew and loved him. In addition to his mother, Elyssa Lipinsky and her fiancé, Scott Tarr, Dakota will be forever remembered and missed by his grandparents, Bill and Rita Woodworth, of Andover, OH, Gene Lipinsky of Townville, PA, Nana Deb Rhodes of Columbus, OH, and Walle and Bonnie Woodworth, of Andover OH; his great-grandmother, Judy Wallace, of Andover, OH; his uncle, Christopher Lipinsky, of Warren, OH; and his aunt and uncle, Kelli and Mathew Mack, of Burghill, OH. He is additionally survived by his siblings, Khloi Tarr, Natosha Tarr and her fiancé, Michael, Elizabeth Drohn and her wife, Amanda, Michael Tarr, Jr., Jerry Braden Jr., Erik Braden; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.Dakota was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Braden, Sr.; paternal grandparents, William and Beverly Braden; and his grandmother, Patricia "Pat" Tarr.Family and friends are invited to gather on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, PA 16323, from 11 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 7 pm. Those planning to attend are asked to wear clothes in red and black, as these were Dakota's two favorite colors.Funeral services for Dakota will be held privately for the family, with Reverend Jonathan Bell, pastor of the Franklin Wesleyan Methodist Church, officiating.A livestream of Dakota's funeral service will be broadcast on the funeral home's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/gardinierfuneralhome beginning at 11 am on Friday, March 19, 2021. For those that wish to receive a notification when the services begin, it is recommended that intended watchers "Like" the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc.'s Facebook page for any updates.The funeral home will have social distancing protocols in place and strongly recommends those who are attending to wear masks. We respectfully ask if you feel sick or have other health conditions to stay home and watch the livestream.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, PA 16323 and/or to Team Dakota Strong: Franklin-Oil Region Credit Union at the Franklin office at 101 N 13th Street, Franklin, PA 16323 / their Oil City office at 25 E First Street, Oil City, PA 16301.To send cards, online condolences, or for further information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.