Gary L. Wenner, 72, of Rockland, passed away Saturday morning, February 4, 2017 at UPMC Northwest in Seneca, following a lengthy illness.

He was born to the late Gerald and Viola (Karnes) Wenner in Oil City on July 20, 1944.

Gary graduated in 1964 from Cranberry High School and then served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1965 through 1971.

He was a member of the Clarion Rod & Gun Club, Berlin-Bowser American Legion Post 720 in Knox, Rockland Sportsman’s Club, and a lifetime member of the N.R.A.

Mr. Wenner was a member of the Rockland United Methodist Church.

Gary was an avid hunter, football fan, both college and NFL, enjoyed NASCAR, coon dog field trials, and raised Brittany Spaniels.

Gary was employed by Quaker State Refinery in Emlenton, drove for Venco Trucking (Guy Shoup) in Foxburg; owned and operated Gary’s Groceries & Sports Shop in Rockland for twenty years; and retired from truck driving in 2014 from Byrd Transportation.

He was married in Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Oil City on January 13, 1968 to the former Judith M. Curran, and she survives, along with two children: Gerald L. Wenner and his wife Gina of Grove City; and Jill M. Bradley and her husband A. Scott of Mercer; seven grandchildren, Devlin Tenney, Gavin and Savannah Wenner, Hannah and Danielle Combs, and Wendy and Noah Bradley; and one great-grandson, Wyatt Combs.

Also surviving are two sisters, Marilyn Ritts and her husband Ben of Lawrenceville, Georgia, and Trudy Hunsberger and her husband Terry of Rockland; a brother, Roger Wenner and his wife Sabrina of Lawrenceville, Georgia; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and aunts.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Edward Vernon Wenner and James Stanley Wenner; and his grandmother, Etta Coast.

Friends will be received Monday (Feb. 6) from 5 — 8 p.m. and on Tuesday (Feb. 7th) from 1 — 2 p.m. in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, Cranberry Township.

A funeral service will be held in the funeral home Tuesday at 2 p.m. with Rev. John Roble, pastor of the Franklin Free Methodist Church, officiating.

The V.E.T.S. Honor Guard will accord full military honors following the funeral service.

Private interment will be in the Rockland Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 11676 Perry Hwy., Wexford, PA 15090; or the Venango County Humane Society, 286 South Main St., Seneca, PA 16346.

Online condolences can be made at www.hilebest.com