JOE EUGENE HUFFMAN

Joe Eugene Huffman, age 84, formerly of South Whitley and currently of Columbia City, passed away at 3:40 p.m., Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at the Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester. Born on September 28, 1926 in North Manchester, he was the son of Grover Cleveland and Myrtle (Shireman) Huffman.

He lived in Akron and South Whitley and in December 1991 moved to Columbia City.For many years the Huffman's have spent their summers at Ponderosa Camp rural North Webster.He graduated from Akron High School with the Class of 1944 and on July 3, 1945, he married Helen Louise Brandenburg in Silver Lake.He served in the United States Army.He owned and operator Huffman Trucking and Hauling, delivering coal, hogs and grain. He then went to work for Leckrone Hardward, Akron and in 1954 he purchased Matson Hardware later becoming Huffman-Deaton Hardware for 31 years until his retirement in 1985. As a retirement job he worked 15 years as a courier for Whitley Manufacturing, South Whitley.He was a member of Cleveland Township Fire Department where he served for 25 years and during that time he was Fire Chief and Secretary, Eel River Masonic Lodge #510 where served as Secretary for 17 years and was Past Worshipful Master, he was a member of South Whitley Church of the Brethren and was the church secretary of the board. Also South Whitley Chamber of Commerce where he served as past president, Lifetime member of South Whitley VFW, South Whitley American Veterans and for 37 years he was a member of American Legion Post #253, North Webster and Post #98 American Legion of Columbia City. He was also a charter member of New Hope Weslyan Church where he joined in 1993-1994. He was an avid fisherman and wood worker.

Survivors include his wife, Helen Louise Huffman of Columbia City; daughter, Carolyn Sue Rozow of North Webster; son, Jay Alan (Susan) Huffman of Columbia City; 7 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers and 4 sisters.

Visitation is 2-6:00 p.m. Sunday, October 17, 2010 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.Eel River Masonic Lodge #510 will conduct Twilight Memorial services on Sunday evening at 5:45 at the funeral home. Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 18, 2010 at New Hope Wesleyan Church with Pastors Jason Tash and Barry Faucett officiating. Burial will follow at South Whitley Cemetery.Memorials may be given in memory of Mr. Huffman's to New Hope Wesleyan Church Building Fund.Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.