Lawrence (aka Larry) William Lauffer, 81, of 43 Keen Circle, DuBois, died at 1:33 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, of a heart attack at the home of his companion, Betty Smith in Marion Center.

Larry was born in Greensburg on March 1, 1931, a son of Rev. William Fisher Lauffer and Genevieve May (Shetler) Lauffer. He was formerly married to Ruth Etta Wescott on May 12,1951 (divorced 1964); then married Leona Christine Emery on July 11,1964 (divorced 2005).

From 1951 until 1965 Larry resided in the Meadville area; then in 1965 until his death the Brookville/DuBois area was where he hung his hat! He was an avid sportsman who loved hunting & fishing; was constantly working on a "Do It Yourself" home improvement project; and his car always sparkled like a shiny new dime! Larry insisted on nothing less than a well manicured lawn, thanks to his John Deere lawn tractor (his pride & joy)!

Larry's home on 16482 Davis Road, Meadville, PA was his biggest Home Improvement Project! Purchased about 1956, the house was a real "Fixer-Upper" with a crumbling basement. On April 18, 1959, Larry and a local construction crew literally rolled the house to the front of the lot onto a new foundation, that Larry (himself) had laid. Then he redesigned the first floor, so as to add a dining room; added a 2nd floor of bedrooms; and constructed front & back porches and sidewalks. Due to a financially "messy" divorce, the house went up for Sheriff's Sale in 1964.

He loved to BBQ and flames roared high, whenever Larry manned the grill. While visiting the Meadville area, Larry always had to stop at the Pizza Villa, Eddie's Footlongs and/or Hank's Frozen Custard, so as to enjoy his "All-Time" favorite treats!

Larry played the piano, organ, and trombone by ear, but his favorite instrument was his beloved accordion! Hobbies included boating, camping and motorcycling (not neccesarily in that order). He always lived life to the fullest, enjoying long distance road trips and at age 60 bought a speed boat and began water skiing!

On a more serious note, his unyielding and most annoying response to every problem or issue was "Under the circumstances..." And due to his extremely "nasty" temper, Larry suffered 2 divorces and broken relationships with every one of his children.

Larry is survived by a son, John Oliver (aka Lawrence, Jr. or Buddy) Lauffer, and wife Martha (Tuny) of Conneaut Lake; three daughters, Shirley Kohler and husband, Terry of Linesville; Betty Doane and husband, Dean of Reynoldsville and Patty Strange and husband, Kane of Lowell, Fla.; an adopted daughter, Lori Dilks and husband, Craig of Sinking Spring; 9 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Ruth (Winnie) Lauffer of Walnutport; several nieces and nephews; plus Larry's companion, Betty Smith of Marion Center.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Clarence Edward Lauffer; and a sister, Blanche Louise Bair.

Lawrence was a 1949 graduate of Greensburg High School and also attended the former Allentown Bible Institute/Eastern Pilgrim College in Allentown, PA.

Larry was formerly employed at Meadville's ESSO (full- service) Gas Station as the Auto Mechanic and also as a Maintenance Worker with Roselawn Memorial Gardens. He retired as Plant Mgr. from the former Erickson Tool & Die in DuBois.

Calling hours were Saturday, Jan. 19th from 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. at Bernard P. Snyder Funeral Home, 206 Main Street, Reynoldsville, PA.

The funeral followed calling hours at 1:00 p.m. with the Revs. Robert and Mark Myers officiating.

Interment was in Emerickville Lutheran Cemetery, Brookville, PA.