Vernon Webster Flinchbaugh, II

                Vernon Webster Flinchbaugh, II, 83, of Victory Heights, died at his home on Tuesday afternoon, June 11, 2024, following a brief illness and surrounded by his loving family. 

                He was born in Cleveland, Ohio on April 7, 1941 to the late Vernon Webster Flinchbaugh I and Esther Jean (Boice) Flinchbaugh.  He moved to the Franklin area in 1943 and has lived on his family farmstead ever since. 

                He was a 1959 graduate of Cranberry High School.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1963 through 1965 and was stationed in Europe. 

                Vern was a farmer and took things over when his Dad passed away.  He served an apprenticeship as a bricklayer and then had a 30 year career as a self-employed contractor.  He also worked as a mail sorter for 32 years for the U.S. Postal Service in the Oil City and Erie facilities.  He retired at the age of 80. 

                He was a member of the Victory Heights United Brethren Church, as well as the N.R.A.

                Vern enjoyed square dancing with his wife, playing cards, hunting, shooting skeet, riding around his farm on his golf cart, and loved mowing grass on his zero-turn mower.  He loved western movies and has an extensive John Wayne collection.  He was an avid reader and enjoyed books by Louis L'Amour; as well as a faithful reader of the Oil City Derrick newspaper - he enjoyed the comics and cartoons page.  Vern enjoyed playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He was a loving father and husband who always put his family first. 

                Vern was blessed with an early Father's Day gift! -- on May 31st, he was able to experience the joy of a helicopter flight that gave him an awesome aerial view over his beloved farm property.   

                He was married in Good Hope Lutheran Church in Oil City on February 19, 1966 to the former June Marie O'Neil, who survives.  They celebrated 58 years of marriage. 

                Also surviving are four children: Kelly Neidich and husband Terry, Misty Slater-McGhee and husband Jim, Jenny Cyphert and husband Troy, and Vernon Webster Flinchbaugh III "Buddy" and wife Kelli; his grandchildren: Meagan (Sam), Kirstin (Trevor), Remington, Saige, Bailey (Danielle), Britney (Justin), Stormi, Mac, Bobbi (Dereck), Emily, and Alexa; and his great-grandchildren: Harrison, Elias, Ellie, Benjamin, Hunter, Hoyt, Hudson, Aryanna, and Mikey. 

                He is also survived by two sisters, Esther Mae O'Neil, and Hilda Marie Bailey; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

                In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Sandra Kay Pankratz; three brothers-in-law, Richard Allen O'Neil, Dennis William O'Neil, and Kenneth William Bailey; and a son-in-law, Stacy Eugene Slater. 

                Visitation will be held Friday (June 14) from 1 - 3 and 6 - 8 p.m. in Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca.  A funeral service will be held in the funeral home Saturday (June 15) at 11 a.m. with Pastor Mike Heim, pastor of Victory Heights United Brethren Church, officiating.  Military honors will be accorded by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard at the beginning of the funeral service.  Private interment will be in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens. 

                In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a local veterans charity of your choice; the VNA Hospice Foundation, 491 Allegheny Blvd., Franklin PA  16323; or to the Victory Heights U.B. Church Memorial Building Fund, 5978 US 322, Franklin PA  16323.

                To express online condolences to Vern's family, visit www.hilebest.com

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