J. Philip Huffman

Visitation for family and friends will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2015, at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home. A private funeral service will be held at a later date. J. Philip Huffman, 84, of Hiker Trace, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at Columbus Regional Hospital. Philip was born September 30, 1930, in Ladoga, Indiana, the son of Cecil and Gemima (Meltabarger) Huffman. He spent his early working career in residential construction, building many fine homes in Columbus. He also worked at Southwest Forest Industries, Dunlap's Home Improvement Center, and Riverside Carpet. He finished his working career at Irwin Management Company, retiring in 1995. During his retirement years he enjoyed volunteering at the Visitor's Center, taking photographs of flowers, reading, and helping his daughters with home improvement projects. At the age of 78, he used his extensive construction skills while volunteering in the repair of several homes damaged during the flood of 2008. Survivors include his daughters, Sheryl Fields of Columbus, Carol (Terry) Neville of Columbus, Beverly Kerner of Coconut Creek, Florida, and Melissa (Shannon Beaven) Huffman of Versailles, Kentucky; four grandchildren, Amanda Fields, Andrew (Libby) Neville, Joshua (Talea) Fields and Matthew (Laura) Neville; one great-grandchild, Ryker Joshua Fields; a sister, Carleen Rogers of Greenwood; and a brother, Don (Phyllis) Huffman of Plainfield. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Cecil Huffman Jr.