Larry Orval Sweitzer

Larry O. Sweitzer, 69, of Rocky Grove, passed away on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at the Meadville Medical Center after a long battle with Pancreatic Cancer.      Born November 24, 1949 in Indiana, PA, he was the son of the late Orval P. Sweitzer and the former Martha Robbins.     On February 16, 1968, he married the love of his life, the former Dianna Lou Geer; she survives him.     For 18 years, Larry worked for Oil Well Supply Co. in their Maintenance department. After leaving Oil Well, he spent the next 25 years as a Shop Supervisor for Harrington Machine & Tool Co. in Franklin, until his retirement.     In his spare time, Larry enjoyed his time outdoors camping, fishing, hunting, and enjoyed baseball. He was also fond of woodworking and loved spending time with his family and close friends vacationing at "Vacationland" in the summer.      Most of all, Larry cherished the time he spent with his family, especially during the holidays, and all the activities he got to attend to cheer on his grandchildren.     In addition to his wife, Dianna Sweitzer of Rocky Grove, Larry is survived by his two daughters, Lori J. Sanner and her husband, Mark, and Melissa "Missy" A. Sweitzer, both of Franklin; his five grandchildren, Geoffrey Sanner and his fiancée, Elizabeth "Liz" Kolodziejczak, of Oil City, Hunter Sanner and his wife, Laurel, of Sylvania, OH, Nickolas Sanner and his girlfriend, Erika, of Franklin, and Haley Sweitzer and Sierra Sweitzer, both of Rocky Grove; and by his two great-grandchildren, Rey Lea Sanner and Parker Larry Sanner.     Larry is further survived by his three brothers, Howard Sweitzer and his wife, Julie, of Cherrytree, Orval "Paul" Sweitzer and his wife, Maxine, of Nickelville, and Gene Sweitzer and his wife, Cheryl, of Andover; his five sisters, Martha "Darlene" Graham of Franklin, Mary Williams and her husband, Bill, of Oil City, Diane Sparling and her husband, Dave, of Cooperstown, Ella Stewart and her husband, Sterling, and Betty Van Zandt and her husband, Ron, both of Franklin; and by several close nieces and nephews     Along with his parents, Larry was preceded in death by his step-mother, Mary Agnes McCool Sweitzer; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ken and Betty (Painter) Geer; his three infant children, Kenneth P., Kimberly L., and Larry O. Sweitzer; and by his brother, Thomas Sweitzer.     Family and friends will be received on Friday, October 11, 2019 at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, PA 16323, from 11 am to 1 pm.     Funeral services for Larry will be held on Friday, October 11, 2019 starting at 1 pm at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., with Revered Barry Markle, pastor of the Cooperstown Community Church of God, and David Bennett, a family friend of Larry's, co-officiating.     Larry will be laid to rest in the Fertigs Cemetery.     Memorial contributions can be made in Larry’s honor to the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Center of Meadville Medical Center, 16792 Conneaut Lake Road, Meadville, PA 16335, and/or to the Venango VNA Foundation, 491 Allegheny Blvd, Franklin, PA 16323.     The family of Mr. Sweitzer would like to thank everyone who cared for Larry over the years, especially Dr. Calvin Han and Dawnmel Grove.     To send flowers, cards, online condolences, or for further information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.