U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
VERONICA L. DOMBECK
OLEAN - Veronica L. Dombeck of 318 N. 12th St. died Saturday (Jan. 25, 2003) at her home following a brief illness.
Born on Oct. 6, 1919, in Great Valley, she was a daughter of the late Walter and Julia Pivel Brol. On May 18, 1946, in, Olean, she married John J. Dombeck, who passed away Feb. 5, 1996.
She had lived in Olean since 1946 and worked at the Olean High School Cafeteria until her retirement.
She was a member of The Church of the Transfiguration and its Rosary Society. She enjoyed gardening, knitting and crocheting.
Survivors include three sons, James (Carol) Dombeck of Henrietta, Robert (Nancy) Dombeck of Cuba and Donald (Can) Dombeck of Allegany; a daughter, Barbara (Mitch) Rakus of Livonia; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; five sisters, Leona Zuchek of Jmestown, Loretta Kuklewicz 6f .Venice, Fla., Helen (Joe) Mjrers of Sebastian, Fla., Bernice (Paul) Nolan of Allegany, and Sylvia (Dr. Jorge) Deju of Orlando, Fla.; five brothers, Chester (Fran) Brol of East Otto, Edward (Theresa) Brol of Great Valley, Walter (Theresa) Brol of Allegany, Gerald (Susan) Brol of Livonia, and Victor (Patricia) Brol of Salamanca; several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband she was predeceased by two sisters, Irene Woodarek in 1989 and Marian Karl in 1994; and a brother, David Brol in 2000.
Friends called Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Guenther Funeral Home Inc. 1303 E. State St., Olean. Funeral services were held Tuesday (Jan. 28, 2003) beginning with a prayer service at the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in The Church of the Transfiguration at 10 a.m. Father Jerome Stelmach, pas tor, was celebrant.
Burial was in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany.
Memorials may be made to the Transfiguration Church Repair Fund or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
DUANE U. FULLER
JACKSON HEIGHTS - Duane U. “Dat” Fuller, 40, of 3555 73rd St. died Wednesday (Jan. 22, 2003) at his home.
Born April 1, 1962, in Hornell, he was a son of Arthur and Audrey Johnson Fuller.
“Duf” was raised in Belmont and was a 1980 graduate of Belmont Central School. He also graduated from Clarkson University in 1984 with a degree in chemical engineering.
At the time of his death, he was employed as an engineering manager with Thomas S. Brown & Associates in New York City. He was also a consulting engineering professor at DeVries University in New York City.
Mr. Fuller was a member of the Planetary Society of New York City and God’s Love We Deliver.
Surviving are four brothers, Daryl “Butch” (Mary) Fuller of Belmont, Duncan (Ellen) Fuller of Tulsa, Okla., Douglas (Faith) Fuller of Greenwood, S.C., and Darren (Ruby) Fuller of Gautier, Miss.; a sister, Diane (John) Maynard of Belmont; his partner, Sheldon Crooks of Jackson Heights; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends called Saturday in New York City and were invited to call Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc., Belmont. Funeral services were held Tuesday (Jan. 28, 2003) at 11 a.m. in the Belmont United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Sandra Lasher officiating. Burial was in Forest Hills Cemetery, Belmont.
Memorials may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 4053 Maple Road, Amherst, NY 14226.
RITA WATZ GELZ
BUFFALO - Rita Watz Gelz of Buffalo, formerly of Black Creek, died Sunday (Jan. 19, 2003) at the home of her daughter, Joanne Kasperek, in West Falls.
She was married to Joseph A. Gelz,who predeceased her.
Surviving are her children, Joanne (Donald) Kasperek, James (Patricia) Gelz, Joseph (Patricia) Gelz and Robert (Peggy) Gelz; grandchildren, Sheila and Amy Kapeiek, Christina (William) Schiller, Nicolett and. Gregory Gelz, Katie and Jenna Gelz; great- grandchildren, Brianna and Makayla Kasperek; sisters and brothers Katherine Keller,
Edward. (Connie) Watz, Anthony (Patricia) Watz, Anne (Charles) Whitford and Albert (Bretta) Watz.
She was predeceased by a sister, Dorothy Gross.
Friends called from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Stephan-Burns Funeral Home Inc., 266 East St., Buffalo. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Thursday (Jan. 23, 2003) at 9:30 a.m. in St. Margaret’s Church, Hertel Avenue, Buffalo. Burial was in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, town of Tonawanda.
Memorials may be made’th the Hospice Foundation, 225 Como Park Blvd., Cheektowaga, NY 14227; or the American Cancer Society.
JAMES M. GRAHAM
WELLSVILLE - James M. Graham, formerly of LeRoy died Sunday (January 26, 2003) at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville.
He was born on December 28, 1903 in Philadelphia, PA. a son of Charles and Lida Mary (Croasdale) Graham.
He was a retired District Sales Manager for Rome and Haas Chemical Co. in Philadelphia, former Mayor of LeRoy, former Trustee for the Village of LeRoy, former Chairman of the Water Board, a member of the Oatka Hose since 1939. Honorary Member of the Oatka Hose, member of the First Presbyterian Church in LeRoy, member of the Olive Branch Masonic Order and a member of the Stafford Country Club.
He is survived by a daughter Janet Jenkins of Mansfield, PA and sons James (Christine) Graham of Clarksville, AK, Dr. David (Melissa) Graham of Wellsville, a brother W. Earl Graham of Phoenixville, PA, 12 grandchildren, and nine great- grandchildren. He is predeceased by a brother David Graham, first wife Ruth Bolivar Graham, and second wife Dorothea Hanser Graham.
Family and friends called at the Cameron Brady and Steuber Funeral Home, 111 Wolcott Street (Rt. 19) LeRoy, on Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. where Funeral ser- vices were held at 2 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church.
Interment will be made at Machpelah Cemetery in the Spring.
WILLIAM S. LIVERGOOD
SCIO - William S. Livergood Sr., 60, died Monday (January 20. 2003) .
He was born July 5, 1942, in Scio. He was the son of the late Doyle David Livergood and Elva Livergood Teats Butler.
William lived most of his live in the areas of Upstate New York and the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.
He went to school in Nunda. He joined the Armed Forced at a later age and studied drafting at Alfred State College. He was unable to complete his degree due to medical reasons.
William worked in culinary arts, as a textile plant supervisor, in the farming industry, driving and various handyman jobs.
He was a previous member of the Burton Chapter O.E.S. and a current member of Wellsville Chapter 143 RAM and WeUsville Lodge 230 F&AM.
Mr. Livergood was a wonderful husband and father.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Nancy J. Livergood, his daughter Sue Ann and his son William S. Ill, two brothers, Doyle David Livergood Jr., Thomas Livergood, as well as two sisters, Bonnie (Salvitore) Bellomo and Ethel Devers.
He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Betty Lou and his brother Mike.
There was no calling hours as William unselfishly donated his body to science for the advance of research and study. The family will be planning a memorial service that will be announced at a later date.
William had a great love for all animals and memorial donations may be made in his honor at the SPCA Serving Allegany County.
GERALD W. PADDEN
ANDOVER - Gerald W. “Jug” Padden, 61, of 724 Route 417 passed away unexpectedly Saturday (Jan. 25, 2003) .
He was born Jan. 27, 1941, in Wellsville, one of 11 children raised in Andover. He graduated from Andover Central School in 1959.
He worked the next 42 years in grocery sales and management, ultimately owning his own store before retiring in 2000.
Jug, as he was commonly known, was a diehard Buffalo Bills and Sabres fan, as well as a NASCAR fan. He enjoyed playing golf and cared for wild and tame animals that surrounded him. But his favorite pastime and pride were his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.
He was the beloved father and grandfather of Tammy (Todd) Hilliard and, their chil- dren, Eric and Amber; Scott (Sue) Padden and their son, Gage; and Rodney (Kelly) Padden and their children, Crystal, Rachael, Christopher and Breanna.
Also surviving are brothers, Patrick (Marlene) Padden and Jimmy (Irene) Padden; sisters, Sara Rita (Skip) Johnson, Theresa (Art) Heinemann, Mary (George) Hahn, Ruth Anne (Bill) Culbert and Patricia (Jack) Joyce; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his twin brother, Louis, and two other brothers, Ed and Jack Padden.
Friends called Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Baker-Swan Funeral Home, Andover. A funeral service was held Thursday (Jan. 30, 2003) at 10 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church, Andover, with the Rev. Dennis G. Wolf officiating. Burial was in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Andover.
Immediately following the service, family and friends were welcome to a luncheon at the Andover Fire Hall.
Memorials may be made to Buffalo Children’s Hospital.
