Farren

Daniel Hamilton Farren, also known as “Trapper,” “Grackle,” “Handsome Dan,” or “Spaniel,” 74, of West Sunbury, passed away Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at his home.

Born on Sept. 8, 1948, he was the son of the late James Herman Farren and the late Mary Lillian Hamilton Farren. When Dan was 13, he attended the East Butler Conservation School for one year and later returned for their tenth anniversary, where as a participant new to spectators, he took third place in trapshooting.

While in high school, Dan worked with a family friend, Lewis “Ez” McGinnis, in the plastering business and continued to work there after graduation. He then started working at Bessemer in the limestone quarry as a car dropper while attending welding school in Pulaski, Ohio. After working two years at the Bessemer quarry, he went to work at Armco steel mill in Butler. He began working as a laborer in the wheel works on the track gang and finally ended up in the transportation department, where he retired after 43 years of service.

One year after his graduation from high school, Dan joined the National Guard where he participated in protection during the Pittsburgh riots, the trucker’s strike on Interstate 80 and against looters at Wilkes-Barre during the flooding. He attended advanced summer camps for several years to prepare the rest of the troops. He attained the rank of sergeant first class as a gunnery sergeant in charge of a six-gun 105 mm howitzer firing battery and retired after twenty and a half years.

Dan married his wife, Doris, on Aug. 10, 1979, and they shared 43 years. Together they shared the ups and downs life gave them by being a loving support for each other. They shared pride in their two sons, Daniel David Farren, who preceded him in death, and Vance James Farren, and in their adopted daughter, Janice Kay Klaric Farren Craig. His family gave him many opportunities for boasting.

Dan was a very active hunter, trapper and fisherman. For several years, he took monthlong trapping trips when the work was slow at Armco, which earned him the name “Trapper.” His trips included Alabama, Arizona and Louisiana, and he also snared in Florida. He achieved a triple trophy one year by shooting a buck, turkey and bear in the same year. Out of three Colorado trips, he shot a bull elk on one and a cow elk on another. Dan also spent time as a fishing guide and guide for bear hunters in Canada. The first day of buck season was spent on the family property in the treestand where both sons shot their first bucks. Cooking over the camp stove also was enjoyed.

Dan and Vance took up the hobby of power paragliding in 2009. Dan always wanted to fly, trying many homemade devices as a kid. He and Vance also enjoyed floating, camping and snorkeling trips. Many hours were spent on the Clarion River enjoying water activities with his family. The whole family was certified in scuba diving and enjoyed water skiing and boating. The boys and Dan were strong swimmers and liked to snorkel. He always spent the first day of trout season with family in a boat on Harbor Acres.

He also enjoyed riding his motorcycle and driving his truck. Family vacations included many trips to Myrtle Beach as well as cross country to Colorado, where they stayed at a dude ranch, a week to Lake Powell in Arizona, Disneyland in Florida, Sea World in San Antonio, Texas, Jazzland in Florida and across the upper and lower United States. In 2006, the family took their first cruise. It was a great time and Danny said it was the best family vacation ever.

More recently, in 2020, alongside his golden retriever, Watson, and two hunting friends, Dan was able to bag 74 ring-necked pheasants, which was greatly enjoyed by all concerned. Watson has been a real hunting companion.

Dan is survived by his wife, Doris Farren; and son, Vance James Farren, of Baltimore, Md.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Mark James Farren; and son, Daniel David Farren.

FARREN — Family and friends of Daniel Hamilton Farren, who died Wednesday, July 26, 2023, will be received for visitation from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at WILLIAM F. YOUNG FUNERAL HOME, 132 Main St., West Sunbury. Additional visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with Pastor Boyd Smith of West Unity Community Church officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, with military honors accorded by the Harrisville American Legion Post 852.

If desired, online condolences may be sent to www.williamfyoungfh.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.