Paul J. Huff

Paul J. Huff, 86 of Lodgepole, passed away at the Sidney Regional Medical Center on Monday Feb. 22, 2016.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27, at Lodgepole United Methodist Church with Reverend David Abbott and Reverend Leonard Suhr officiating. Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery north of Lodgepole. Visitation for Paul will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26 at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel in Sidney. Memorial contributions may be made in Paul's name to Lodgepole United Methodist Church or to the Lodgepole Fire Department. Gehrig- Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of the arrangements.

Paul J. Huff was born Aug. 30, 1929 to Robert Nelson Huff and Hazel Ione (Bills) Huff in the sod house belonging to his grandparents, Charles O. and Ruth (Werhan) Bills, which still stands north of Lodgepole.

As a young man, he was an avid football and basketball player, and he loved his cars. Paul graduated Lodgepole High School in 1947.

He was united in marriage on Oct. 2, 1951 to Leila Lois Dykman. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary prior to Leila's passing on Feb. 22, 2003. To this union four children were born: Ken (Teresa) of Alliance, Karen (Duane Miller) of Lodgepole, Kurt (Lisa Ault) of Lodgepole, and Keith (Carrie) of Littleton, Colo. Their grandchildren include: Megan, Kelly; Angala (Dale) Frerichs, Krista (Adam) Deal; Kacey (Melissa), Justin; Kristin, Karli, Koby and Makenzie (Greg Hensley) Ault. great-grandchildren include Devani and Emerson Frerichs, Dalton Deal and Jayla Paulsen.

Paul was employed at Kripal Motors, Ovid Sugar Beet Factory, Farmers Coop tank wagon, Cheyenne County Commissioner, and was also a self-employed farmer/rancher. Paul retired from the United States Postal Service with 30 years of service.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church and Choir and the Lodgepole Fire Department. For many years Paul was chairman of the Old Settlers Parade Committee. Paul and Leila were named the Old Settlers King and Queen in 2002.

Highlights of Paul's life include farming, driving his Peterbilt semi, and singing in The Fort Sidney Colonels, which was at the top of his list.

Paul is survived by his very special friend Donna Oliverius, his brothers Roy Huff and Edwin Bills, children Ken, Karen, Kurt, and Keith, (14) grandchildren and (4) great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife Leila (Dykman) Huff, his parents R.N. Ted and Hazel Huff, brother Robert, sister Nicola Fraass, brother-in-law Don Fraass, Sister-in-law Laverna Huff, and son-in-law Duane Miller.