Wayne Eugene Deeter

Wayne Eugene Deeter, 86, of 451 Deckards Run Road, Utica, died peacefully at 11:21 AM ,May 13, 2013 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Born December 6, 1926 in Canal Township, Wayne was the son of the late Frank and Dora (Billig) Deeter. He was the last surviving member of his family. On April 18, 1952 he married Rose Ralph, whom during the past few years he devoted himself to taking care of, preceded him in death on January 13, 2013. He proudly served his country in the Army Air Corps during the World War II era. Wayne was a life-long dairy farmer who together with his wife owned and operated Wayne Deeter and Sons Dairy Farm, which has been operating for more than 100 years. For over 50 years he hauled hay and farm products in the tri-state area. He was well known for driving the big red hay truck youd meet along the road. He was a member of the National Farmers Organization, PA Farm Bureau, Farmers Union Milk Producers, and the Mercer County Farm Bureau. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including many countless hours he proudly spent watching them show their 4-H animals. Wayne is survived by his son, Robert Lynn Deeter and his wife, Debra; his daughter, Diane Elizabeth Deeter and her fiance, Dave Smith; and his daughter-in-law, Debra Ann Deeter, all of Utica. He is additionally survived by his five grandchildren, Holly Johnson and her husband, Kevin, of Cochranton, Paula Deeter of Volant, Brad Deeter and his wife, Brittany of Cochranton, Barbie Tolla and her husband, Dan, of Orwell, OH, and Becky Deeter of Utica; his four great-grandchildren, Madison Rose Johnson, Kyle Ross Johnson, Brooke Nicole Tolla, and Brandon Wayne Deeter; his sister-in-law Jean Gesin; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and his son, Paul Deeter; five brothers, Fred, Donald, Kenneth, Oakley and Cliff Deeter; and two sisters, Elsie Wood and Helen Sollinger. Friends will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, from 2-4 and 7-9 PM, and at the Canal Wesleyan Methodist Church on Thursday, May 16, 2013 from 11 AM-1 PM. Funeral services will be held following visitation at 1 PM with Rev. David Cope pastor of the Canal Wesleyan Methodist Church and Rev. Mark Deeter pastor of the Rimersburg Wesleyan Methodist Church, officiating. Military honors will be accorded by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard. Interment will be in Peters Cemetery . The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Venango County Fair, Inc., Building Fund, 867 Mercer Road, Franklin, PA 16323 and/or Utica Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 83, 3860 Academy Street, Utica, PA 16362 and/or Yolanda Barco Oncology Institute, 16792 Conneaut Lake Road, Meadville, PA 16335. To send online condolences, flowers, cards, or for further information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.