A Requiem Mass for Edward William Puffer, of Brookhaven, will be celebrated today, May 23, 2017, at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Brookhaven with burial at Riverwood Memorial Park. Father Henry Shelton will officiate the Mass. Riverwood Family Funeral Service in Brookhaven is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation was held Monday, May 22, 2017, from 5 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mr. Puffer, 88, died Friday, May 19, 2017, peacefully at home while surrounded by his family whom he loved dearly. He was born Dec.18, 1928, in Duluth, Minnesota to Richard and Emma Puffer.

Around 1949, he joined the Naval Reserves, was honorably discharged in 1950 then joined the Air Force occupying the rank of staff sergeant upon his honorable discharge in 1954. While serving in the Air Force, he was transferred to West Palm Beach, Florida, where on Christmas Day of 1951, he met his future wife, Mrs. Janet. On June 24, 1952, he married Janet Frances Wilderotter and was devoted to her until her death did they part. They were happily married for 46 years.

Anyone who knew Mr. Puffer never questioned his collegiate pick — the Florida Gators. He entered the University of Florida on a GI Bill. He received a bachelor’s in industrial engineering and a master’s in professional engineering. In 2008, he was recognized as a member of the University of Florida’s Alumni Grand Guard. This recognition was in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Class of 1958 of which Mr. Puffer was a member. He was also a member of the Bull Gators and faithfully attended any and all Gator sporting events. If he couldn’t travel to Gainesville to attend, he watched the game on TV.

For many years, he was a faithful member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church where he served as reader. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus where he involved himself in charitable drives such as the Tootsie Roll drive and pancake breakfasts.

His marriage and family were of the utmost importance to him. During Mrs. Janet’s failing health, he was her constant, loving caregiver and never left her side. He loved taking his family fishing, tubing, flying, and of course, watching the Gators play. A hobby that he enjoyed sharing with his daughters and grandchildren was building model airplanes. He was a member of the Brookhaven Model Airplane Club and had his pilot’s license. He was also a member of the Bass Master’s and a lifetime member of the NRA.

He had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren. It was always important to him to be an exceptional role model, especially to his grandsons. He led by example and spent as much time as possible with them.

If you were never able to try his famous banana bread or his cookies, you sure did miss out. Mr. Puffer was quite the baker.

Monday nights for Mr. Puffer meant poker night with his poker buddies. For the last 18 years, he and his poker buddies would play poker while enjoying each other’s company.

He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; and a son-in-law, Jeffrey Smith.

Survivors are two daughters and their spouses, Irene Jackson and John, and Peggy Henriquez and John; grandchildren; Tina and Scott Dulac, Chelsea Smith, Edward and Kimberly Jackson, Keagan and Alexis Smith and Philip Henriquez; great-grandchildren, Maia and Grayson Gibney, Ella Rodgers, Hannah Jackson and Elliott Smith.

Pallbearers are two of his grandsons, Keagan Smith and Edward Jackson, Kyle Nations, Trent Sandifer, and two of his poker buddies.

The family would like to thank his nurses Angela Jackson, Carrie Wilson, Susie Waldrop and all of the staff at Hospice Ministries for the genuine compassion and understanding shown to them during Mr. Puffer’s care.

To express your thoughts to the family, visit riverwoodfamily.com and click on his name to leave a comment.