On Dec. 14, 2023, Lloyd E. Ayres passed away peacefully at the Troy Community Hospital following a brief stay. Lloyd was born on Nov. 14, 1931, to O. Kenneth and Stella (Campbell) Ayres on the family farm in Windfall PA. Lloyd spent many years as a farmer and carpenter. In later years he became a prison guard at the Tioga County Jail. Lloyd's favorite job though was driving the huge Wabco truck for coal mining in Nauvoo and Beech Creek. He often drove two hours each way to work but didn't mind because he got to climb into the Wabco. During his mining years, Lloyd met his fiancé, Phyllis Davis of Blackwell. Lloyd was a very important part of his family and extended family. He had an older sister and four younger brothers. Lloyd loved kids and was always happy to have them around. He always wanted to hold the babies, even the newborns. Besides his own 4 children, Joy, Debbie, Harry and Terry, Lloyd had several nephews and neighbor kids who spent years helping on the farm. Gene and Roger Vermilya, Randy and Rick Storrs and Roger Bolt were very special to him. Lloyd was a second Dad to many people. Lloyd was part of a great group of friends who played euchre, softball, and rode snowmobiles. Many winter nights, the snowmobiles would meet at Lloyd's, ready to ride Armenia. Summer nights were spent at the ball field where he always played 3rd base, or at a tractor pull. Lloyd also enjoyed bowling and was once on the show "Bowling for Dollars". Lloyd was a loving and caring man who knew how to work but also how to have fun. The Canton Moose Lodge #429 was Lloyd's favorite hangout. He loved talking with everyone, watching pool and shuffleboard but mostly playing euchre. He was always up for a few games and taught many people how to play. Lloyd was usually good natured, unless you trumped his ace or spoiled his loner. Lloyd loved euchre tournaments and won many over the years. Even at 92, Lloyd was still one of the best. Lloyd lived many years in his little home on Armenia mountain. He was an avid deer hunter until the age of 88. He spent years hunting at brother Gary's with Travis and Cam Ayres, Roger and Ronnie Vermilya, grandson Jake Haven, and many family members. Lloyd canned his own deer meat and passed that knowledge down to others. In recent years, Lloyd moved to Cedar Ridge apartments in Canton and made new friends there. He was happy to see large bookshelves full of books. Lloyd was an avid reader, reading for a few hours a day, a book a week. Lloyd also loved watching football, baseball, and women's softball. He never cared who won, just loved watching a good game. Lloyd never had much but would give away anything he had. Lloyd treated everyone the same, from the prisoners to the preachers. He was a patriotic man who attended Memorial Day services at Windfall every year. Lloyd had a kind heart and was a great guy. If you knew him, you loved him.

Besides his parents, Lloyd was predeceased by his sister, Virginia Vermilya, brothers Earl and Marvin, brother-in-law Lyle Vermilya, sisters in law, Iva Ayres, and Donna Ayres.

Lloyd is survived and will be greatly missed by Phyllis Davis, daughters, Joy (Nate) Case of Troy and Debbie (Randy) Hickok of Troy, sons Harry Ayres of Elmira and Terry Ayres of Franklindale, grandchildren, Matthew Case, Danielle Cranmer, Leisl Case, Jessica Haven Orlowski, Jenna Haven, Jacob Haven, Devon Ayres, seven great grandchildren and one great greatgrandchild, two brothers, Marsden (Shirley) Ayres and Gary Ayres all of Canton. Lloyd will also be sorely missed by his nephew, friend and euchre partner, Roger Vermilya, who visited several times a week for many years.

Visiting hours will be Sunday, December 17th, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Pepper Funeral Home and Cremation Facility, 578 Springbrook Drive in Canton. A memorial service to celebrate his life will follow at 4 p.m. Burial at the Windfall Cemetery will be held at the family's convenience. In Lieu of flowers, memorial may be directed in Mr. Ayres loving memory to the Windfall United Methodist Church's Memorial Day Fund.

Memories of Lloyd and condolences to his family may be shared by visiting www.pepperfuneralhomes.com.