U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
L. JOHN PROKOPCHUK
WELLSVILLE - L. John Prokopchuk, 70, of 2129 Stannards Road died Monday (Jan. 27, 2003) in Jones Memorial Hospital after a long illness.
Born Sept. 5, 1932, in Genesee, Pa., he was a son of Nickolas and Doris M. Scoville Prokopchuk. On Dec. 16, 1951, in Ellisburg, Pa., he married Grace Hallock, who survives. They had been married 51 years.
Mr. Prokopchuk attended schools in Canton, Ohio, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War.
A lifelong resident of Wellsville, Mr. Prokopchuk was employed by Dresser-Rand before retiring due to ill health.
He was a member of the Christian Union Church in Wellsville, was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and he enjoyed working in his shop.
Surviving besides his wife are three sons, Richard Prokopchuk of Tucson, Ariz., Howard Prokopchuk of Scio and John (Kathy) Prokopchuk of Cleveland, Tenn.; two daughters, Rhonda (Roy) Dunn of Groton and Michelle (Dave) Wigdon of Murfreesboro, Tenn; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Merle Clark of Shinglehouse, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews.
There was no visitation. A memorial service and burial will be held at the convenience of the family.
Memorials may be made to the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
Arrangements are under direction of the Muiholland-Crowell Funeral Home, Wellsville.
SHIRLEY L. RICHARDSON
WESTON’S MILLS - Shirley L. Richardson of 1445 W. Chestnut St. passed away Wednesday (Jan. 22, 2003) in the Olean General Hospital following an illness.
Born June 19, 1939, in Shinglehouse, Pa., she was a daughter of Raymond and Emma Puff James. On July 14, 1963, in Weston’s Mills, she married Guy E. Richardson, who survives.
Mrs. Richardson was an avid bird and small animal watcher. She enjoyed going to country and western concerts. She also enjoyed shopping on Saturdays and then going for something to eat. She truly loved her family and especially spending time with her grandchildren.
Surviving besides her husband are her mother, Emma L. Brockel of Olean; two daughters, Emma L. (Mark) Vanschaick of Cuba and Monica L. (Ed) Miller of Houston, Texas; three grandchildren; a brother, William (Kathy) James of Hinsdale; and three sisters, Dorothy Bartlett of Olean, Karen (Dave) Troutman of Portville and Cindy (Robert) Williams of Cuba.
She was predeceased by two brothers, Jerry James and Ernest James.
Friends were received Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.m. at the Letro-Mclntosh-Spink Funeral Home Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean, where funeral and committal services were held Saturday (Jan. 25, 2003) at 10 a.m. The Rev. Willis L. Webb officiated. Burial was in the Veterans Field of Honor, Mount View Cemetery, Olean.
BERNICE A. SANDFORD
HUME - Bernice A. Sanford of Claybed Rd. died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003 in Olean General Hospital. She was born on Feb. 20, 1917 in Wellsville a daughter of Wesley and Irene Scott Irwin. On Aug. 29, 1939 in Caneadea she married William A. Sandford who died in 1987.
Mrs. Sandford was a graduate of Geneseo State Normal School and taught school in the area for several years.
She was a member of the Hume United Methodist Church and it’s U.M.W. She was also a member of the American Legion Post No. 1155 of Fillmore.
Surviving are a son, Kent (Dorothy) Sandford of Cheektowaga, two daughters, Kay Daley (Virginia Husted) of Sierra Vista, Ariz., Mildred (Robert) Garcia of Middletown, N.J., 4 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband she was predeceased by a sister, Esther Hampton in 1983.
Family and friends gathered on Wed. from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at Kopler- Williams Funeral Home, 21 N. Genesee St., Fillmore. Funeral services were held on Thurs. Jan. 30, 2003 at 11:00 am in Hume United Methodist Church. The Rev. David Wickins, Pastor, officiated. Burial was in Pine Grove Cemetery, Fillmore.
Memorials if desired may be made to Hume United Methodist Church, PO BOX 220, Hume, NY 14745.
DALE C. SHARP
LIMESTONE - Dale C. Sharp of 143 Chipmonk Road passed away Thursday (Jan. 23, 2003) in the Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo.
Born Dec. 18, 1919, in Munderf Pa., he was a son of Chester and Annie Wingard Sharp. On Oct. 15, 1940, in Wellsville, he married Gladys Hosmer, who survives.
Mr. Sharp served with the U.S. Navy from June 1944 to January 1946. During that time, he served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater as a motor machinist mechanic second class on the USS Derrick.
He was employed by Pennzoil for 40 years, retiring in 1983 as production superin- tendent.
Mr. Sharp enjoyed working around his home and yard, and he enjoyed going out to dinner with his wife. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Knapp Creek.
Surviving besides his wife are two sons, Gerald L. (Cheryl) Sharp and Michael D. (Anita) Sharp, both of Cuba; three daughters, Dail L. (Bruce) Effis of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Linda L. (Gregory) Kellogg of Fredonia and Wendy S. (Terry) Hughes of Umatilla, Fla.; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a brother, Russell Sharp of Spencerport.
He was predeceased by three brothers, Ralph Sharp, George Sharp and Roy Sharp; and five sisters, Mellie Jones, Myrtle Greene, Mary Cassavaugh, Golda Tarr and Juanita Hoye.
Friends were received at the Letro-Mclntosh-Spiiik Funeral Home Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003 from 2 to 4 p.m., at which time funeral and committal services were held. The Rev. Paul Cauvel officiated. Burial was in Maple Lawn Cemetery Bolivar.
Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church of Knapp Creek.
TODD M. WHITE
BOLIVAR - Todd M. White, 22, of 855 Salt Rising Road died Sunday (Jan. 26, 2003) at home.
Born Nov. 22, 1979, in Olean, he was a son of Terry and Barb Higby White.
Mr. White was a graduate of the Bolivar-Richburg Central School, class of 1998, and. had attended Alfred State College.
He was a self-employed building contractor in the Bolivar area and enjoyed working on cars.
Surviving are his parents, Terry and Barb White of Bolivar; a brother, Shawn (Renee) White of Olean; maternal grandfather, Ray Higby of Cuba; paternal grandfather, Homer White of Rochester; two nephews; and several aunts and uncles.
He was predeceased by a sister, Lynn White, in 1982.
Friends called at the Schaffner Funeral Home Inc., Bolivar, Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. only. Funeral and committal services were held Thursday (Jan. 30, 2003) at 11 a.m. in the funeral home, with the Rev. David Herne of the Heritage AFlame Ministries of Bolivar, officiating. Burial was in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Bolivar.
Memorials to the Bolivar Fire Department Ambulance Fund would be appreciated by the family.
BERNICE L. AYERS
HOUGHTON - Bernice L. Ayers, 89, of the Whitesville and Allentown areas, died Thursday (March 13, 2003) at The Waters of Houghton after a long illness.
Born Nov. 27, 1913, she was a daughter of William J. and Iva Douglas Ayers.
Miss Ayers had resided all of her life in the Whitesville and Allentown areas and had been a resident of the Waters of Houghton since 1990. As a young person she attended Houghton Academy. She loved nature and had corresponded with missionaries and shut-ins.
She was a member of Houghton Wesleyan Methodist Church and attended Belfast Free Methodist Church.
Surviving are a niece, Joyce B. (Edward) DeJaeger of Farmington and several grand- nieces and grandnephews.
She was predeceased by a brother, Robert Ayers; and a sister, Aleda Baker.
There was no visitation. A memorial service was held at Fillmore Wesleyan Church at a time and date to be announced. Burial was in Houghton Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Waters of Houghton Nursing Home.
