Paul E "Ed" Lusher

Paul E. "Ed" Lusher, 79 of Franklin died suddenly Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at 1:38 pm at UPMC Northwest.

A son of George E. and Kathryn Bacher Lusher he was born in Franklin on July 17, 1935. He attended St. Patrick School and was a 1953 graduate of Franklin High School.

A veteran of the US Army he served in the Korean War.

Ed began his working career at George's Esso and Franklin Steel. Later as a member of the Teamsters Union he drove truck for Mushroom Transportation, Werner Continental, and Refiners Transportation until his retirement. After his retirement he still could be found helping out at Shingledecker's Welding and Schiffer Excavating.

He was a member of St. Patrick Church. Active in the community Ed was a life member of the Franklin Elks Lodge, a member of the Rocky Grove Vol. Fire Department, President of the Franklin Kiwanis Club, and a long time member and past president of the Franklin Cemetery Board. He had received recognition as a 14 gallon blood donor. Ed was always willing to lend a helping hand, particularly if it involved tree trimming and removal. He enjoyed the outdoors, traveling and mostly visiting with his many friends. The children of his neighborhood all considered Ed as another grandpa. For his community activities he was named Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year for 2009.

On April 18, 1959 he married the former Judy Jacoby who survives along with three daughters Linda Lusher and her fiancé John Smith of Franklin, Brenda Lusher of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Delora Petress and her husband Eddy of Coral Springs, FL; 4 grandchildren Ashley Rohlfing and her partner Jared Giran, Renee Tritten and her husband Eric all of Franklin, Mallory Spence and her fiancé Justin Bidish of Oil City and Rex Graham of Warren and a great-grandson Liam Bidish. Also surviving are two brothers Ronald L. Lusher and James Lusher and his wife Linda, a sister Eileen M. Lusher, his aunt Jean Bell all of Franklin and several nieces and nephews.

A family oriented man he is also survived by brother and sisters-in-law Joan and Chuck Haun, Henry Jacoby and Grace Solle.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by brothers-in-law Abe Solle and Donny Jacoby, sisters-in-law Linda Jacoby and Norma Lusher and his uncle Dick Bell.

Friends will be received in the Huff Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 312 W. Park St. from 3-7 p.m. Monday. A vigil service will be held at 6:30 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick Church with Monsignor John Herbein, presiding.

Interment in the Franklin Cemetery will be private with military honors rendered by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard.

Memorial donations may be made to Friends on a Mission, C/o St. Patrick Church, 949 Liberty St., Franklin PA 16323 or the Franklin Cemetery Association, 203 Rocky Grove Ave., Franklin PA16323.