Donald Robert Verner

Donald Robert Verner, 85, of 736 Sugarcreek Dr. Franklin died at 10:35 P.M. Monday September 24, 2012 at UPMC Northwest in Seneca.

A son of William H. and Hazel D. Stone Verner he was born June 17, 1927, in Oil City. He was a 1945 graduate of Oil City High School.

Mr. Verner began a lifetime of entrepreneurial endeavors at the age of 10 as a home delivery newspaper boy for the Oil City Blizzard. He continued in the employ of the paper throughout high school working his way up to the circulation department until graduating. He also worked for the News Herald as a pressman in the Job Printing Department from 1947-1952. He also worked at J. C. Penny in both Franklin and Meadville from 1952-1957. He owned and operated the Spudnut Doughnut Shop in Meadville from 1959-1962. Mr. Verner and his growing family returned to Franklin where he went to work for General Manifold a division of Arnold Graphic Industries in 1962. Through several mergers over the years Arnold Graphic Industries eventually became Reynolds & Reynolds. He was continuously employed by the same company for 32 years until his retirement in 1994. Mr. Verner also developed a rental business in 1970 and continued to manage the properties until his death.

A veteran of World War II he served in the US Army Occupation Forces.
Active in the community he served in a number of organizations including the United Way, Kiwanis Club, American Cancer Society, Valley Grove School Board, Salvation Army Advisory Board, and the Franklin Library Board.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church where throughout his adult life he served as a deacon and trustee.

On August 8, 1949, he married the former Margaret (Peggy) L. Grove and she preceded him in death on May 22, 1975.

Surviving are three children Lisa A. Peaster of Franklin, Donald C. Verner, Saginaw, MI, and Joy A. Verner of Camp Hill; 2 sisters Mary Verner of Philadelphia, Barbara Barnes of Elverta, CA; and a brother Walt Verner of McCleary, WA.

In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by a son Timothy Verner, and two brothers, William Verner and Paul Verner.

Friends will be received from Noon ? 2:00 P.M. Friday at the First Baptist Church 1041 Liberty St. Franklin, where funeral services will follow at 2:00 P.M. with the Rev. Randy Powell, Pastor of the church, officiating.

Interment will follow in Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Huff Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc. 312 West Park St. Franklin.