Earl Eugene Latchaw

Earl E. Latchaw, 70, of 157 Park Ave., Franklin, died at 11:35 a.m. Saturday, March 21, 2009, at UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh. Born Oct. 20, 1938, in Oil City, he was a son of Homer Eugene Latchaw and Lois K. Kelley. He was married July 26, 1958, to the former Barbara Jean "Bobbie Jo" Snyder, who survives. Mr. Latchaw was owner and operator of Latchaw Plumbing & Heating. He very much enjoyed the time he served in the U.S. Army during peacetime. Mr. Latchaw was a member of Fox Street Church of God, president of Rocky Grove PTA, and president of Venango County Training Center. He was a member of Franklin Rotary, Venango County 4-H, Rocky Grove Fire Department, and Rocky Grove Fire Police. Mr. Latchaw was an avid Steelers fan. He enjoyed CB radios, fishing, horses and going to "hot dog" shops with his brother, Jim. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Mr. Latchaw loved his dog, "Baby," and his granddog, "Max." In addition to his wife, Mr. Latchaw is survived by three children, Doug Latchaw and his wife, Tammi, of Seneca, Debbie Cummings and her husband, Tone, of Meadville and Kelley Bell and her husband, Doug, of Franklin; 12 grandchildren, Ryan Latchaw and his wife, Mandy, of San Diego, Calif., Trevor Latchaw of Meadville, Tyler Jordan of Meadville, Matt Flinspach of Pittsburgh, Tony Flinspach of Franklin, Ashley Latchaw of Franklin, Levi Bell of New Bethlehem, Chelsea Rudolph and her husband, Johnny, of Virginia Beach, Va., Dusty Bell of Franklin, Kevin Wice of Oil City, Lynn Cubitt of Oil City and Autumn Doyle of Oil City. He is survived by eight great-grandchildren, Kaden Latchaw and Jaylen Latchaw, both of San Diego, Calif., Broc Rudolph of Virginia Beach, Va., Cambria Flinspach and Jackson Flinspach of Franklin, Alexsis Bish of Grove City, Jayda Robinson of Oil City and Camerin Shotts of Oil City. He is also survived by a sister, Jayne French and her husband, Richard, of Oil City; a sister-in-law, Sue Buchan of Franklin; a brother, James W. Latchaw and his wife, Patty, of Franklin; two brothers-in-law, David Snyder and his wife, Donna, of Franklin and William Snyder of Franklin; and a special niece and nephew, Stephen Buchan and his wife, Lisa, of Carlton and Christine Buchan-Yarilla and her husband, Mark, of Boca Raton, Fla. Mr. Latchaw was preceded in death by his parents, a niece, Monique Latchaw; and a nephew, Jaden French. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Gardinier Funeral Home, 1315 Chestnut St., Franklin. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Fox Street Church of God with the Rev. Lonnie Wolford, pastor, and the Rev. Phil Conklin, retired pastor of Fox Street Church of God, officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Hills Memorial with full military honors being accorded by the VETS Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to the Rocky Grove Volunteer Fire Department. Online condolences may be sent at www.gardinierfuneralhome.com