Lawrence Clair Huff

Lawrence Clair Huff, 94, of 1549 Cherrytree Road, Franklin, died at 1:21 p.m. Friday, December 25, 2009 at UPMC Northwest in Seneca after a brief illness. Born on Easter morning, April 4, 1915, in Van, he was the son of Harry L. and Elsie Seyler Huff. He lived most of his life in Venango County except from the ages of 7-14 when the family resided in Duncan, OK. When the family returned from Oklahoma, Mr. Huff lived in the "Huff House" at Two Mile Run County Park until his marriage. He attended Oakland Township School and graduated from Franklin High School in 1934. In his early years he worked at the CPT but he quit to go into farming with his father. For many years he raised dairy and beef cattle. He also worked at Franklin Steel from 1964-1980. Lawrence also enjoyed hunting. Mr. Huff was a lifelong member of Bethel United Methodist on Route 417. He was also a member of the Bethel Cemetery Association, serving as treasurer for twenty years. Mr. Huff always loved horses and owned many during his lifetime. In 1988 he became the first person in Venango County to purchase a wild horse through the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Adopt-A-Mustang program. He named the horse Patty and he last rode her on his ninetieth birthday. Mr. Huff was married on August 12, 1942 to Maxine Turner Huff who preceded him in death on March 18, 2003. A son, Dennis Huff, Sr. also preceded him in death on Sept. 13, 2003. He is survived by three daughters: Linda Sollinger and her husband, Tom, and Nora Richey all of Cherrytree Road, Franklin and Margaret Benedict and her husband, Hugh, of York, and a daughter-in-law, Judy Huff of Jacksonville, NC. Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Sherri Jones of Jacksonville, NC, Dennis Huff, Jr. and his wife, Angela, of Beaver Creek, OH, Tracy Rodgers and her husband, Don, of Franklin, Travis Sollinger and his wife, Elaine, of Moon Township, Clinton Richey of Franklin, and his fiance, Amanda Kurpakus of New Kensington, Adam Richey and his wife, Missy, of Marienville, and Ethan and Alec Benedict of York. Other survivors are ten great grandchildren: Chassidy Kelley of Jacksonville, NC and her husband, Josh serving with the Marines in Afghanistan, Cara Laczynski of Jacksonville, NC, Brittney Green and her husband Nathaniel of Texico, IL, Bradley, Mallory, and Grant Rodgers of Franklin, Kayla and Matthew Huff of Beaver Creek, OH, Madeline and Rebecca Sollinger of Moon Township. He is also survived by three great-great grandchildren: Zeplyn and Xander Kelley and Aydia Green and two step-great-grandchildren, Morgan and Dominick Kurpakus. Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Dixie Huff of Utica, Bea Turner of Oil City and many nieces and nephews, and special friends Mike, Beth, and Lucas Blum of Rockland. In addition to his parents, wife, and son, Mr. Huff was preceded in death by three sisters, Elizabeth Turner, Christina Wilson, and Marjorie Huff, and two brothers, Raymond Huff, Sr. and Ernest Huff, who was killed in action during World War II. Friends may call at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut St., Franklin, Tuesday from 3-7 p.m. Funeral services for Lawrence will be held at Bethel United Methodist Church, Rte. 417, Franklin, Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Joseph P. Martin, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Bethel Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Bethel Cemetery Association in care of Mrs. Lois Prichard, 803 Speer Road, Cooperstown, PA 16317 or to the charity of one's choice. On-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.