Vera Ellen Huffman, 89, North Manchester, Ind., formerly of Clearwater, Fla., Lima and Mendon, passed away March 15, 2014, in North Manchester.

She was born March 25, 1924, in Neptune, to Floyd George and Doris Loree Harruff Young. On Aug. 15, 1942, she married William Ream Huffman, who preceded her in death in 1994.

Surviving are two children, William Lee (Darlene) Huffman, Jacksonville, Fla., and Rebecca Loree Huffman, Fort Wayne, Ind.; three grandsons, Brett (Leslie) Huffman, Cary, N.C, Brian Huffman, Atlanta, Ga., and David (Lucy) Buerger, Miami, Fla.; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Suzanne (Don) Bauman, Mt. Gilead; sisters-in-law, Betty Lou Young, Celina, and Ruthann Huffman McCullough, Arlington, Texas; a cousin, Dortha Hays Baer, Celina; special nieces, Kathy Kay Young (Chris) Garber of North Manchester and Cynthia L. Huffman, Clearwater; and many other wonderful nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews whom she loved dearly.

She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Judith Lynn, in 2007; a sister, June Davis, in 1993, and her dear brother, Richard Lee Young, in November 2013.

She was a 1942 graduate of Mendon-Union High School, where she was a cheerleader and sang in the choir. She especially liked math, which helped her in raising her children and working as a head cashier at JC Penney Co. She was a longtime and active member of Northwood Presbyterian in Clearwater, where she was a member of the Chancel Choir for over 15 years and involved in Christian education and leadership. Her previous churches were Calvary Presbyterian in Fort Wayne, Ind., and Forest Park United Methodist in Lima.

She loved music, from Broadway musicals to classical and modern. She used her singing talents in her church choirs and for all who visited her during her last weeks. Her love of travel and art are well spelled out in her photo albums and memory books, in which she took great pride. Her most recent interests included scrapbooking, jigsaw puzzles and Sudoku. She enjoyed baseball, especially following her favorite Tampa Bay Rays.

Memorial services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford, the Rev. Chip Steffy officiating, Burial will be in Mendon Cemetery.

Calling is one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.

Donations may be made in her name to Visiting Nurse Hospice Care of Fort Wayne or Timbercrest Senior Living Facility, North Manchester.

Condolences may be expressed at ketchamripley.com.