Robert Hudson Neff
Husband of Maxine Alice nee DWIGGINS – m. 21 Dec 1940
Son of Roy John and Laura Mildred Noll Neff
B. 24 Jan 1916 in Canfield, Mahoning Co. OH
D. 24 July 2011 in Delray Beach, Palm Beach Co. FL at 95y 6m
Burial – 29 July 2011 in Canfield Village Cemetery, Section F Row 02, Canfield, Mahoning Co. OH
Youngstown Vindicator, Wed, 27 July 2011
Robert Hudson Neff, 95, died Sunday morning, July 24, in Delray Beach Florida. He was born on January 24, 1916 in Canfield, Ohio, to Roy and Laura Noll Neff.
After graduating from Canfield High School in 1935, Bob went to The Ohio State University, graduating in 1939 with a B.S. degree from the College of Commerce. Among other honors, he was president of the freshmen class and a member of Romophos, a sophomore class men's honorary society.
Most importantly O.S.U. is where he met his wife, Maxine Alice Dwiggins, his lifelong friend and companion whom he married on December 21, 1940 in Toronto, Ohio.
After graduation, Bob worked in sales for Sheaffer Pen Company at Fort Madison, Iowa. He served as territorial manager for central Ohio and parts of West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
In December of 1941 he applied for a naval commission. It was granted in June of 1942 and was one of the earliest in the nation. Bob served three and a half years as a naval officer in WW II. Duty took the newlyweds to Norfolk, Virginia, where Bob served as instructor teaching aircraft recognition. He ended his Navy career as a lieutenant and officer in charge of all classroom instruction at the U.S. Navy Training Center in Sampson, New York, where 25,000 recruits were trained each session.
At the end of WW II, Bob and Maxine moved to Canfield to make their permanent residence until the early 1980's when they became Florida residents and established a winter home at Sea Fields Club in Delray Beach. Canfield continued to be their summer home.
After WW II, Bob resumed work with Sheaffer Pen Company and in 1950 purchased Marshall's, a gift store in Columbus, Ohio. During this period of time, he also began his career as a land developer. Between 1941 and 1949, with his father and brother, Richard, he developed Callahan Road and North Hillside Drive in Canfield.
In 1950 he incorporated his own business, Neff Land Company. Eventually, he headed five land development corporations in Ohio and Florida. His developments featured high quality homesites including Sleepy Hollow Drive where his family lived for many years. He developed fourteen streets and 1,904 acres of land.
Among other achievements, he was one of Mahoning County's earliest Eagle Scouts. In 1932 he became the tenth Eagle in the county. In 1974 he headed a proxy battle at Farmers National Bank of Canfield to preserve it as an independent, locally owned bank. He presented testimony to congressional committees to ensure the signing of the first U.S. strip-mine reclamation legislation. President Carter invited him to a White House Rose Garden Ceremony to witness the signing of the legislation in 1977. In 1999 he served as Grand Marshall in Canfield's Fourth of July Parade. Forever up to a challenge, he won the Florida State Shuffleboard Championship at the age of eighty.
Among his many gifts to the community were his donation of the Eagle Cabin at Camp Stambaugh for the Boy Scouts; the purchasing of the building and grounds for the War Vet Museum; and funding for various Village Green Park projects, including several Ohio State historical markers.
At ninety-five years of age, he still had many projects in progress. The latest was starting an arboretum of native trees on the Abbey Delray grounds. In April an avocado tree was the first planted. He was working on the continued development of Delray's historical walk and over-seeing the installation and dedication of six new state historical markers – one in Ohio and five in Delray. In October he was going to be honored at Delray's 100th anniversary celebration.
He served on the board of Campfire Girls and was former chairman of Camp Kiwatani in Ellsworth. Robert was a life long member of the Canfield United Methodist Church. Among other memberships, he belonged to the American Legion, Rotary Club, Elks Club, Canfield Historical Society, Canfield Heritage Foundation, Delray Beach Historical Society, Gyro Club, Salem Golf Club, and Inner Circle Golf Club in Delray.
Traveling was a favorite activity. He was able to visit all of the seven continents but Antarctica. Hunting and fishing were of great interest to Bob. He fished throughout North America and in the Aegean Sea; the Nile River in Uganda, and in the lakes of Kenya. He caught rainbow trout in New Zealand and salmon in Alaska. Many elk hunting seasons were spent in Idaho, Colorado and Wyoming. Ohio Camp near Emporium, Pennsylvania, was a favorite place to enjoy nature. Robert always enjoyed life to the fullest and always looked forward to more.
He leaves his ninety-four year old wife, Maxine, with whom he celebrated a seventieth wedding anniversary in 2010; three daughters, Jennifer Neff of Canfield, Ohio, Holly (Gordon) Broom of Edwardsville, Illinois and Candace Neff of Lantana, Florida.
He also leaves seven treasured grandchildren, Mary Alexis (Hank) Mathews, of Louisville, Kentucky; George Fiffick (Chandler) of Chicago, Illinois; Max (Amy) Fiffick of Kernersville, North Carolina; Ben (Amy) Broom of Fortville, Indiana; Becky Broom of Delray Beach, Florida; Joe (Jessica) Broom of Frisco, Colorado; and Anastasia Neff of Lantana, Florida. His eight great grandchildren will miss him greatly. They are Aaron, Joan and Adam Mathews; Sam and Isabella Fiffick; and Grace, Max and Claire Broom. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Gwen (Richard) Neff of Jackson, Ohio as well as a large extended family and many friends. His nephew Bruce (Clara) Neff resides in Canfield.
Besides his parents and an infant son, he had three brothers who preceded him in death, Charles (Evelyn), Edward (Martha) and Richard (Gwen). The family descended from pioneer settlers in the Western Reserve and they spent most of their lives in this village. Ancestors, Conrad and Magdalena Weaver Neff, who settled in Canfield in 1804, built a log home on Route 224 now known as the Loghurst Museum. Their great grandmothers were from the early Canfield families of Kline, Wilson and Sanzenbacher. The Noll family emigrated from Western Pennsylvania to the Mahoning Valley after the Civil War. They were prominent in the growth of the steel industry. After eleven years of research Robert completed a Neff family history book, "Bits and Pieces," for future generations to enjoy.
Respecting the wishes of the deceased, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests it would be an honor to have contributions in his memory be made to the Canfield Historical Society at P.O. Box 3, Canfield, OH 44406; Canfield Heritage Foundation at P.O. Box 411, Canfield; Delray Beach Historical Society, 3 NE 1st St, Delray Beach, FL 33444; Canfield United Methodist Church; or the charity of your choice.
On Friday, July 29th, an 11:00 a.m. graveside ceremony will be held at the Canfield Village Cemetery. Lunch to follow at the Canfield Methodist Church. Casual attire please.
Wasko Funeral Home is making arrangements.
Husband of Maxine Alice nee DWIGGINS – m. 21 Dec 1940
Son of Roy John and Laura Mildred Noll Neff
B. 24 Jan 1916 in Canfield, Mahoning Co. OH
D. 24 July 2011 in Delray Beach, Palm Beach Co. FL at 95y 6m
Burial – 29 July 2011 in Canfield Village Cemetery, Section F Row 02, Canfield, Mahoning Co. OH
Youngstown Vindicator, Wed, 27 July 2011
Robert Hudson Neff, 95, died Sunday morning, July 24, in Delray Beach Florida. He was born on January 24, 1916 in Canfield, Ohio, to Roy and Laura Noll Neff.
After graduating from Canfield High School in 1935, Bob went to The Ohio State University, graduating in 1939 with a B.S. degree from the College of Commerce. Among other honors, he was president of the freshmen class and a member of Romophos, a sophomore class men's honorary society.
Most importantly O.S.U. is where he met his wife, Maxine Alice Dwiggins, his lifelong friend and companion whom he married on December 21, 1940 in Toronto, Ohio.
After graduation, Bob worked in sales for Sheaffer Pen Company at Fort Madison, Iowa. He served as territorial manager for central Ohio and parts of West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
In December of 1941 he applied for a naval commission. It was granted in June of 1942 and was one of the earliest in the nation. Bob served three and a half years as a naval officer in WW II. Duty took the newlyweds to Norfolk, Virginia, where Bob served as instructor teaching aircraft recognition. He ended his Navy career as a lieutenant and officer in charge of all classroom instruction at the U.S. Navy Training Center in Sampson, New York, where 25,000 recruits were trained each session.
At the end of WW II, Bob and Maxine moved to Canfield to make their permanent residence until the early 1980's when they became Florida residents and established a winter home at Sea Fields Club in Delray Beach. Canfield continued to be their summer home.
After WW II, Bob resumed work with Sheaffer Pen Company and in 1950 purchased Marshall's, a gift store in Columbus, Ohio. During this period of time, he also began his career as a land developer. Between 1941 and 1949, with his father and brother, Richard, he developed Callahan Road and North Hillside Drive in Canfield.
In 1950 he incorporated his own business, Neff Land Company. Eventually, he headed five land development corporations in Ohio and Florida. His developments featured high quality homesites including Sleepy Hollow Drive where his family lived for many years. He developed fourteen streets and 1,904 acres of land.
Among other achievements, he was one of Mahoning County's earliest Eagle Scouts. In 1932 he became the tenth Eagle in the county. In 1974 he headed a proxy battle at Farmers National Bank of Canfield to preserve it as an independent, locally owned bank. He presented testimony to congressional committees to ensure the signing of the first U.S. strip-mine reclamation legislation. President Carter invited him to a White House Rose Garden Ceremony to witness the signing of the legislation in 1977. In 1999 he served as Grand Marshall in Canfield's Fourth of July Parade. Forever up to a challenge, he won the Florida State Shuffleboard Championship at the age of eighty.
Among his many gifts to the community were his donation of the Eagle Cabin at Camp Stambaugh for the Boy Scouts; the purchasing of the building and grounds for the War Vet Museum; and funding for various Village Green Park projects, including several Ohio State historical markers.
At ninety-five years of age, he still had many projects in progress. The latest was starting an arboretum of native trees on the Abbey Delray grounds. In April an avocado tree was the first planted. He was working on the continued development of Delray's historical walk and over-seeing the installation and dedication of six new state historical markers – one in Ohio and five in Delray. In October he was going to be honored at Delray's 100th anniversary celebration.
He served on the board of Campfire Girls and was former chairman of Camp Kiwatani in Ellsworth. Robert was a life long member of the Canfield United Methodist Church. Among other memberships, he belonged to the American Legion, Rotary Club, Elks Club, Canfield Historical Society, Canfield Heritage Foundation, Delray Beach Historical Society, Gyro Club, Salem Golf Club, and Inner Circle Golf Club in Delray.
Traveling was a favorite activity. He was able to visit all of the seven continents but Antarctica. Hunting and fishing were of great interest to Bob. He fished throughout North America and in the Aegean Sea; the Nile River in Uganda, and in the lakes of Kenya. He caught rainbow trout in New Zealand and salmon in Alaska. Many elk hunting seasons were spent in Idaho, Colorado and Wyoming. Ohio Camp near Emporium, Pennsylvania, was a favorite place to enjoy nature. Robert always enjoyed life to the fullest and always looked forward to more.
He leaves his ninety-four year old wife, Maxine, with whom he celebrated a seventieth wedding anniversary in 2010; three daughters, Jennifer Neff of Canfield, Ohio, Holly (Gordon) Broom of Edwardsville, Illinois and Candace Neff of Lantana, Florida.
He also leaves seven treasured grandchildren, Mary Alexis (Hank) Mathews, of Louisville, Kentucky; George Fiffick (Chandler) of Chicago, Illinois; Max (Amy) Fiffick of Kernersville, North Carolina; Ben (Amy) Broom of Fortville, Indiana; Becky Broom of Delray Beach, Florida; Joe (Jessica) Broom of Frisco, Colorado; and Anastasia Neff of Lantana, Florida. His eight great grandchildren will miss him greatly. They are Aaron, Joan and Adam Mathews; Sam and Isabella Fiffick; and Grace, Max and Claire Broom. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Gwen (Richard) Neff of Jackson, Ohio as well as a large extended family and many friends. His nephew Bruce (Clara) Neff resides in Canfield.
Besides his parents and an infant son, he had three brothers who preceded him in death, Charles (Evelyn), Edward (Martha) and Richard (Gwen). The family descended from pioneer settlers in the Western Reserve and they spent most of their lives in this village. Ancestors, Conrad and Magdalena Weaver Neff, who settled in Canfield in 1804, built a log home on Route 224 now known as the Loghurst Museum. Their great grandmothers were from the early Canfield families of Kline, Wilson and Sanzenbacher. The Noll family emigrated from Western Pennsylvania to the Mahoning Valley after the Civil War. They were prominent in the growth of the steel industry. After eleven years of research Robert completed a Neff family history book, "Bits and Pieces," for future generations to enjoy.
Respecting the wishes of the deceased, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests it would be an honor to have contributions in his memory be made to the Canfield Historical Society at P.O. Box 3, Canfield, OH 44406; Canfield Heritage Foundation at P.O. Box 411, Canfield; Delray Beach Historical Society, 3 NE 1st St, Delray Beach, FL 33444; Canfield United Methodist Church; or the charity of your choice.
On Friday, July 29th, an 11:00 a.m. graveside ceremony will be held at the Canfield Village Cemetery. Lunch to follow at the Canfield Methodist Church. Casual attire please.
Wasko Funeral Home is making arrangements.
Robert Hudson Neff
Husband of Maxine Alice nee DWIGGINS – m. 21 Dec 1940
Son of Roy John and Laura Mildred Noll Neff
B. 24 Jan 1916 in Canfield, Mahoning Co. OH
D. 24 July 2011 in Delray Beach, Palm Beach Co. FL at 95y 6m
Burial – 29 July 2011 in Canfield Village Cemetery, Section F Row 02, Canfield, Mahoning Co. OH
Youngstown Vindicator, Wed, 27 July 2011
Robert Hudson Neff, 95, died Sunday morning, July 24, in Delray Beach Florida. He was born on January 24, 1916 in Canfield, Ohio, to Roy and Laura Noll Neff.
After graduating from Canfield High School in 1935, Bob went to The Ohio State University, graduating in 1939 with a B.S. degree from the College of Commerce. Among other honors, he was president of the freshmen class and a member of Romophos, a sophomore class men's honorary society.
Most importantly O.S.U. is where he met his wife, Maxine Alice Dwiggins, his lifelong friend and companion whom he married on December 21, 1940 in Toronto, Ohio.
After graduation, Bob worked in sales for Sheaffer Pen Company at Fort Madison, Iowa. He served as territorial manager for central Ohio and parts of West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
In December of 1941 he applied for a naval commission. It was granted in June of 1942 and was one of the earliest in the nation. Bob served three and a half years as a naval officer in WW II. Duty took the newlyweds to Norfolk, Virginia, where Bob served as instructor teaching aircraft recognition. He ended his Navy career as a lieutenant and officer in charge of all classroom instruction at the U.S. Navy Training Center in Sampson, New York, where 25,000 recruits were trained each session.
At the end of WW II, Bob and Maxine moved to Canfield to make their permanent residence until the early 1980's when they became Florida residents and established a winter home at Sea Fields Club in Delray Beach. Canfield continued to be their summer home.
After WW II, Bob resumed work with Sheaffer Pen Company and in 1950 purchased Marshall's, a gift store in Columbus, Ohio. During this period of time, he also began his career as a land developer. Between 1941 and 1949, with his father and brother, Richard, he developed Callahan Road and North Hillside Drive in Canfield.
In 1950 he incorporated his own business, Neff Land Company. Eventually, he headed five land development corporations in Ohio and Florida. His developments featured high quality homesites including Sleepy Hollow Drive where his family lived for many years. He developed fourteen streets and 1,904 acres of land.
Among other achievements, he was one of Mahoning County's earliest Eagle Scouts. In 1932 he became the tenth Eagle in the county. In 1974 he headed a proxy battle at Farmers National Bank of Canfield to preserve it as an independent, locally owned bank. He presented testimony to congressional committees to ensure the signing of the first U.S. strip-mine reclamation legislation. President Carter invited him to a White House Rose Garden Ceremony to witness the signing of the legislation in 1977. In 1999 he served as Grand Marshall in Canfield's Fourth of July Parade. Forever up to a challenge, he won the Florida State Shuffleboard Championship at the age of eighty.
Among his many gifts to the community were his donation of the Eagle Cabin at Camp Stambaugh for the Boy Scouts; the purchasing of the building and grounds for the War Vet Museum; and funding for various Village Green Park projects, including several Ohio State historical markers.
At ninety-five years of age, he still had many projects in progress. The latest was starting an arboretum of native trees on the Abbey Delray grounds. In April an avocado tree was the first planted. He was working on the continued development of Delray's historical walk and over-seeing the installation and dedication of six new state historical markers – one in Ohio and five in Delray. In October he was going to be honored at Delray's 100th anniversary celebration.
He served on the board of Campfire Girls and was former chairman of Camp Kiwatani in Ellsworth. Robert was a life long member of the Canfield United Methodist Church. Among other memberships, he belonged to the American Legion, Rotary Club, Elks Club, Canfield Historical Society, Canfield Heritage Foundation, Delray Beach Historical Society, Gyro Club, Salem Golf Club, and Inner Circle Golf Club in Delray.
Traveling was a favorite activity. He was able to visit all of the seven continents but Antarctica. Hunting and fishing were of great interest to Bob. He fished throughout North America and in the Aegean Sea; the Nile River in Uganda, and in the lakes of Kenya. He caught rainbow trout in New Zealand and salmon in Alaska. Many elk hunting seasons were spent in Idaho, Colorado and Wyoming. Ohio Camp near Emporium, Pennsylvania, was a favorite place to enjoy nature. Robert always enjoyed life to the fullest and always looked forward to more.
He leaves his ninety-four year old wife, Maxine, with whom he celebrated a seventieth wedding anniversary in 2010; three daughters, Jennifer Neff of Canfield, Ohio, Holly (Gordon) Broom of Edwardsville, Illinois and Candace Neff of Lantana, Florida.
He also leaves seven treasured grandchildren, Mary Alexis (Hank) Mathews, of Louisville, Kentucky; George Fiffick (Chandler) of Chicago, Illinois; Max (Amy) Fiffick of Kernersville, North Carolina; Ben (Amy) Broom of Fortville, Indiana; Becky Broom of Delray Beach, Florida; Joe (Jessica) Broom of Frisco, Colorado; and Anastasia Neff of Lantana, Florida. His eight great grandchildren will miss him greatly. They are Aaron, Joan and Adam Mathews; Sam and Isabella Fiffick; and Grace, Max and Claire Broom. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Gwen (Richard) Neff of Jackson, Ohio as well as a large extended family and many friends. His nephew Bruce (Clara) Neff resides in Canfield.
Besides his parents and an infant son, he had three brothers who preceded him in death, Charles (Evelyn), Edward (Martha) and Richard (Gwen). The family descended from pioneer settlers in the Western Reserve and they spent most of their lives in this village. Ancestors, Conrad and Magdalena Weaver Neff, who settled in Canfield in 1804, built a log home on Route 224 now known as the Loghurst Museum. Their great grandmothers were from the early Canfield families of Kline, Wilson and Sanzenbacher. The Noll family emigrated from Western Pennsylvania to the Mahoning Valley after the Civil War. They were prominent in the growth of the steel industry. After eleven years of research Robert completed a Neff family history book, "Bits and Pieces," for future generations to enjoy.
Respecting the wishes of the deceased, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests it would be an honor to have contributions in his memory be made to the Canfield Historical Society at P.O. Box 3, Canfield, OH 44406; Canfield Heritage Foundation at P.O. Box 411, Canfield; Delray Beach Historical Society, 3 NE 1st St, Delray Beach, FL 33444; Canfield United Methodist Church; or the charity of your choice.
On Friday, July 29th, an 11:00 a.m. graveside ceremony will be held at the Canfield Village Cemetery. Lunch to follow at the Canfield Methodist Church. Casual attire please.
Wasko Funeral Home is making arrangements.
Husband of Maxine Alice nee DWIGGINS – m. 21 Dec 1940
Son of Roy John and Laura Mildred Noll Neff
B. 24 Jan 1916 in Canfield, Mahoning Co. OH
D. 24 July 2011 in Delray Beach, Palm Beach Co. FL at 95y 6m
Burial – 29 July 2011 in Canfield Village Cemetery, Section F Row 02, Canfield, Mahoning Co. OH
Youngstown Vindicator, Wed, 27 July 2011
Robert Hudson Neff, 95, died Sunday morning, July 24, in Delray Beach Florida. He was born on January 24, 1916 in Canfield, Ohio, to Roy and Laura Noll Neff.
After graduating from Canfield High School in 1935, Bob went to The Ohio State University, graduating in 1939 with a B.S. degree from the College of Commerce. Among other honors, he was president of the freshmen class and a member of Romophos, a sophomore class men's honorary society.
Most importantly O.S.U. is where he met his wife, Maxine Alice Dwiggins, his lifelong friend and companion whom he married on December 21, 1940 in Toronto, Ohio.
After graduation, Bob worked in sales for Sheaffer Pen Company at Fort Madison, Iowa. He served as territorial manager for central Ohio and parts of West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
In December of 1941 he applied for a naval commission. It was granted in June of 1942 and was one of the earliest in the nation. Bob served three and a half years as a naval officer in WW II. Duty took the newlyweds to Norfolk, Virginia, where Bob served as instructor teaching aircraft recognition. He ended his Navy career as a lieutenant and officer in charge of all classroom instruction at the U.S. Navy Training Center in Sampson, New York, where 25,000 recruits were trained each session.
At the end of WW II, Bob and Maxine moved to Canfield to make their permanent residence until the early 1980's when they became Florida residents and established a winter home at Sea Fields Club in Delray Beach. Canfield continued to be their summer home.
After WW II, Bob resumed work with Sheaffer Pen Company and in 1950 purchased Marshall's, a gift store in Columbus, Ohio. During this period of time, he also began his career as a land developer. Between 1941 and 1949, with his father and brother, Richard, he developed Callahan Road and North Hillside Drive in Canfield.
In 1950 he incorporated his own business, Neff Land Company. Eventually, he headed five land development corporations in Ohio and Florida. His developments featured high quality homesites including Sleepy Hollow Drive where his family lived for many years. He developed fourteen streets and 1,904 acres of land.
Among other achievements, he was one of Mahoning County's earliest Eagle Scouts. In 1932 he became the tenth Eagle in the county. In 1974 he headed a proxy battle at Farmers National Bank of Canfield to preserve it as an independent, locally owned bank. He presented testimony to congressional committees to ensure the signing of the first U.S. strip-mine reclamation legislation. President Carter invited him to a White House Rose Garden Ceremony to witness the signing of the legislation in 1977. In 1999 he served as Grand Marshall in Canfield's Fourth of July Parade. Forever up to a challenge, he won the Florida State Shuffleboard Championship at the age of eighty.
Among his many gifts to the community were his donation of the Eagle Cabin at Camp Stambaugh for the Boy Scouts; the purchasing of the building and grounds for the War Vet Museum; and funding for various Village Green Park projects, including several Ohio State historical markers.
At ninety-five years of age, he still had many projects in progress. The latest was starting an arboretum of native trees on the Abbey Delray grounds. In April an avocado tree was the first planted. He was working on the continued development of Delray's historical walk and over-seeing the installation and dedication of six new state historical markers – one in Ohio and five in Delray. In October he was going to be honored at Delray's 100th anniversary celebration.
He served on the board of Campfire Girls and was former chairman of Camp Kiwatani in Ellsworth. Robert was a life long member of the Canfield United Methodist Church. Among other memberships, he belonged to the American Legion, Rotary Club, Elks Club, Canfield Historical Society, Canfield Heritage Foundation, Delray Beach Historical Society, Gyro Club, Salem Golf Club, and Inner Circle Golf Club in Delray.
Traveling was a favorite activity. He was able to visit all of the seven continents but Antarctica. Hunting and fishing were of great interest to Bob. He fished throughout North America and in the Aegean Sea; the Nile River in Uganda, and in the lakes of Kenya. He caught rainbow trout in New Zealand and salmon in Alaska. Many elk hunting seasons were spent in Idaho, Colorado and Wyoming. Ohio Camp near Emporium, Pennsylvania, was a favorite place to enjoy nature. Robert always enjoyed life to the fullest and always looked forward to more.
He leaves his ninety-four year old wife, Maxine, with whom he celebrated a seventieth wedding anniversary in 2010; three daughters, Jennifer Neff of Canfield, Ohio, Holly (Gordon) Broom of Edwardsville, Illinois and Candace Neff of Lantana, Florida.
He also leaves seven treasured grandchildren, Mary Alexis (Hank) Mathews, of Louisville, Kentucky; George Fiffick (Chandler) of Chicago, Illinois; Max (Amy) Fiffick of Kernersville, North Carolina; Ben (Amy) Broom of Fortville, Indiana; Becky Broom of Delray Beach, Florida; Joe (Jessica) Broom of Frisco, Colorado; and Anastasia Neff of Lantana, Florida. His eight great grandchildren will miss him greatly. They are Aaron, Joan and Adam Mathews; Sam and Isabella Fiffick; and Grace, Max and Claire Broom. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Gwen (Richard) Neff of Jackson, Ohio as well as a large extended family and many friends. His nephew Bruce (Clara) Neff resides in Canfield.
Besides his parents and an infant son, he had three brothers who preceded him in death, Charles (Evelyn), Edward (Martha) and Richard (Gwen). The family descended from pioneer settlers in the Western Reserve and they spent most of their lives in this village. Ancestors, Conrad and Magdalena Weaver Neff, who settled in Canfield in 1804, built a log home on Route 224 now known as the Loghurst Museum. Their great grandmothers were from the early Canfield families of Kline, Wilson and Sanzenbacher. The Noll family emigrated from Western Pennsylvania to the Mahoning Valley after the Civil War. They were prominent in the growth of the steel industry. After eleven years of research Robert completed a Neff family history book, "Bits and Pieces," for future generations to enjoy.
Respecting the wishes of the deceased, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests it would be an honor to have contributions in his memory be made to the Canfield Historical Society at P.O. Box 3, Canfield, OH 44406; Canfield Heritage Foundation at P.O. Box 411, Canfield; Delray Beach Historical Society, 3 NE 1st St, Delray Beach, FL 33444; Canfield United Methodist Church; or the charity of your choice.
On Friday, July 29th, an 11:00 a.m. graveside ceremony will be held at the Canfield Village Cemetery. Lunch to follow at the Canfield Methodist Church. Casual attire please.
Wasko Funeral Home is making arrangements.
