Ellis "Red" Huff

Ellis R. Huff, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away quietly at home on Wednesday March 16, 2011. Ellis was born in Atlanta, GA. on November 14, 1922. As a young man, he worked at WGST Radio. He can be seen standing in the WGST broadcast booth in the iconic picture of the 1939 premier of “Gone With The Wind” at the Atlantic Lowe’s Grand Theatre. He joined the United States Navy in World War II. While stationed in Toledo he met his future bride, Allene Ruth Eberly. They were married on April 21, 1944 in Norfolk, VA. He served on the USS Norton Sound in the South Pacific at the assault and occupation of Okinawa. While at sea, his first daughter Jennifer was born. After the war, he returned to Toledo to raise a family. He drove many routes for Tastee Bread until his retirement in 1984. The longest was 26 years with route 22 in the old Polish/LaGrange St. area. Friends and family knew him for his love of travel, a good (or not so good) joke, dancing, a glass of wine, and big band music. He was a fan of Johnny Knorr’s Orchestra and the Jeff McDonald Band - Tuesday’s at Trotters and Thursday’s at South Brier. He also loved flying and recently co-piloted a 1941 Stearman bi-plane, went up in a B-17 Bomber, and at 86 went skydiving with his nurse. He loved poker at the Maumee Senior Center and enjoyed hosting Flag Day Parties. He never met a stranger. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Allene; his daughters, Jennifer (Jim Bush), Bonnie (Terry Turner) and Elaine (Jim Fuller); grandchildren Lindsey, Brian and Chris; four great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. Friends may visit at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S Reynolds Rd. on Friday March 18, 2011 from 2-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the mortuary on Saturday March 19 at 2:00 p.m. Mary Michel will officiate. Interment will follow in Toledo Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be to the Wood County Special Olympics, 11160 E Gypsy Lane, Bowling Green, OH, 43402, or to Journey of the Heart, 2050 S. Byrne Rd. Toledo, OH, 43614, or to the Northwest Honor Flight. Thank you to all his nurses for the love and care; Hospice of Northwest Ohio; and special friend Marilyn Fox. Please view and sign the on-line guest registry at CoyleFuneralhome.com

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Ellis "Red" Huff

November 14, 1922 - March 16, 2011