John "Jack" Best

John Boyd "Jack" Best
John Boyd Best, 85, of Franklin, peacefully went to be with our Lord and Savior on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at home, surrounded by his beloved family. He was welcomed to Heaven by his parents, Herbert L. Best and Joanna (Blauser) Best, and was also preceded in death by his siblings: Herbert Jr. Best, Marge Best, Oakley Osborne, and Kathryn Osborne.
Better known as "Jack," he was a hard working family man who had a love for Jeeps, and all things outdoors. Jack had a big heart, a love of life, and a drive to succeed that was evident in his many accomplishments. His passions for life also carried over to his family. He loved his family with all of his heart! The light of his life was his wife of 67 years, Inez Best, and their two children, Deborah Karns and Daniel Best. He was the best father, supporting his children and including them in all aspects of his life. His love of the outdoors included Jeep racing in his early years, and hunting and fishing throughout the years in both Pennsylvania and Florida.
Jack graduated from Cranberry High School and worked at several shops before opening his own business, Best Auto Body & Repair. He also owned and operated Orchard Park. He grew up with a passion of building and racing Jeeps, and collecting antique cars throughout his life. Jack enjoyed the simple pleasures of being outdoors, often leaving at daylight and returning just before sunset, with new stories of his daytime adventures. He was a great storyteller, especially when it came to fishing stories!
Most of all, Jack enjoyed spending time with his family. He enjoyed vacations with his wife and children in Florida; and later with his grandchildren, spending summers tubing, knee boarding, and water skiing; making wonderful memories for his entire family.
Jack is survived by his wife, Inez Best; as well as their children, Deborah Karns and her husband David, and Daniel Best and his wife Jennifer; four grandchildren: Dustin Karns and his wife Dani, Danielle Best, Sheena Griffin and her husband Michael, and Cody Best; and seven great-grandchildren, Dalton, Cambree, and Kelsee Karns, Austin and Jozlynn Griffin, Gavin Barthen, and Kadin Irwin. He is also survived by a sister, Barbara Kifer and her husband Bud.
Jack was a life-loving hard worker who inspired his family. He will be truly missed.
Visitation will be held Tuesday (Nov. 11) from 4 - 7 p.m. in Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home Wednesday at 11 a.m. Private interment in Brandon Cemetery will follow for the immediate family only.
Jack's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the nurses and staff at the VNA Hospice for their care and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Hospice through the Venango VNA Foundation, 491 Allegheny Blvd., Franklin, PA 16323.
To express online condolences to Jack's family, visit www.hilebest.com
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