MARION – John H. Huffaker, Jr., age 78, Marion, died Thursday morning at Marion General Hospital from natural causes.  Born in Ft. Wayne on Oct. 22, 1935, he was the son of John H. Huffaker, Sr. and Jane (Randolph) Huffaker.  John grew up in Dunkirk and was a graduate of Dunkirk High School in 1953.  He served in the U.S. Air Force during the 1950's and worked at Kerr Glass (now Ardagh) in Dunkirk for thirty-three and one half years before retiring in 1990.  He was a resident of Marion and Dunkirk for several years.

John was a member of House of Worship, Marion, and Dunkirk Calvary United Methodist Church.  He was a pastor from 1980 until 1986 at Bethel A.M.E. Church, Portland, and Payne A.M.E. Church, Dunkirk.  He was a talented gospel singer that ministered through music in numerous churches, Millers Merry Manor in Dunkirk, and at various public events in Dunkirk.  He was even crowned Glass Days Senior King for the year of 2008.

Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Debbie Huffaker; 2 sons: John Edward Huffaker, Charlotte, NC, and Charles Huffaker, Marion; 4 daughters: Mary Hogue (husband: Henry), Marion, Dolah Dorsey (husband: Mark), Marion, Sheila Huffaker, Marion, and Paula Gentner (husband: Robert), Marion; 2 step-daughters: Amy Wills (husband: William), Alliance, OH, and Tammy Peacock, Indianapolis; also, considered a sister: Patricia Flagg (husband: Leon), Mohawk, TN; 10 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, nieces & nephews including Tommy Scruggs (wife: Oma), Dunkirk, and cousins including Bobby Mayo, Dunkirk, and Jill Mayo, Indianapolis.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter: Jennifer Huffaker, and Frances N. Huffaker, whom he was married to for forty years.

Services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014, at Marion National Cemetery.  Military rites will be performed by the U.S. Air Force and burial will follow.

Condolences may be sent to Alzheimer's Association.

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