U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
THEROLD “TERRY” COOK
Wellsville, NY
THEROLD “TERRY” COOK, 86, of the Andover Road, passed away on Saturday, April 24, 2004 at Jones Memorial Hospital. He was born on December 24, 1917 in Duke Center, PA the son of LaVern F. and Eva (Keiser) Cook. He married Marguerite “Peg” Dates who predeceased him on January 29, 2000.
He started the Swingsters Orchestra in Wellsville. From 1938 until his death, he owned and operated Cook’s Tire and Automotive. He built and owned Cook’s Motel for 10 years, was a local U-Haul dealer for over 50 years, and owned Cook’s Storage. He loved both playing and listening to music and played the piano until his death.
Terry was also a charter member of the Wellsville Lions Club, which was started in 1942. He was active until his military service in the US Army as he was in Europe during the later part of World War II. He was also in the service after the war stationed in Germany. He returned to Wellsville and continued his membership with the Wellsville Lions Club. He will be known for his dedication to service with chairmanship of such committees as club history, citizenship committee, and music and songs committee for the Lions Minstrel Shows, which he actively performed in over 55 shows. He is best known as an accomplished piano player for meetings and playing God Bless America and “In Our Den” to close out Lion meetings and Minstrel shows. He also sponsored 2 members of the Lions club of Wellsville. He has had 23 years of perfect attendance, and was awarded Life Member in 1989. In 1995 he was awarded the highest honor in Lions International and the Wellsville Lions Club, the Melvin Jones Fellow. Terry enjoyed the Lions Club and enjoyed the friendship and most of all the service to a community he loved. He was also a member of the Wellsville Moose Lodge #601, Wellsville Masonic Lodge #230 F & AM and the First United Methodist Church in Wellsville to whom he donated money for an air conditioning system.
Terry is survived by 1 sister: June (James) Williams of Ocala, FL; 1 niece: Sandra (David) Goodsell of Wellsville; 1 nephew: Jerry (Alice) Carpenter of Wellsville; 2 grandchildren: Michele D. Gebhart of Colorado, Jason Hartman of Oklahoma City, OK; 2 step grandchildren: Jennifer Ludden, Michael Ludden Jr.; and a special friend Danny Coats of Wellsville.
In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his daughter: Judy Hartman.
Friends are invited to call on Thursday, April 29, 2004 from 2-4 and 7-9pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, Inc. in Wellsville. A funeral service with full military honors will be held at 11am on Friday April 30 in the funeral home with Rev. Lee Williams presiding. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorial suggestions include the First United Methodist Church and the Wellsville Lions Club.
THOMAS B. SLAWSON
Wellsville, NY
THOMAS B. SLAWSON, 67, of 3371A Hallsport Road passed away Thursday, May 13, 2004 at Jones Memorial Hospital. He was born August 11, 1936 in Genesee, PA the son of Bernard and Emma (Robbins) Slawson. In 1997 in Hallsport he married Anna Valdez who survives.
Thomas was a graduate of Genesee High School. He was employed by Dresser Rand Corp. in Wellsville for 34 years retiring in 1997, after which he worked security for Dresser Rand. He served as a negotiator for the International Association of Machinists Moore Lodge # 1580 and was a member of the Frank B. Church Post #2530 V.F.W. in Wellsville. Thomas will be remembered for his love of his many friends and nature.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by 1 daughter: Denise (Les) Francus of Wellsville; 2 sons: Thomas (Marilyn) Slawson of Genesee, PA and David Slawson of Florida; 3 stepdaughters: Teresa (Jay) Slawson of Whitesville, LaFrance Simons of Sulphur, OK, Felicia Shutt of Davis, OK; 1 stepson: Geronmo Carter of Carlyle, IL; 9 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 1 brother: Jack Slawson of Wellsville; and several nieces and nephews He was predeceased by his parents and 1 brother: Robert Slawson.
There will be no prior visitation and a memorial service will be scheduled for a later date. The family suggests memorials to the SPCA Serving Allegany County. Arrangements are under the direction of the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc.
Vincent J. Helmhold
Wellsville, NY
Vincent J. Helmhold, of Helmhold Road, died Tuesday, December 2, 2003 at Jones Memorial Hospital. He was born on August 29, 1912 to August and Martha Sekoll Helmhold. On June 28, 1933 in Belmont he married Valda Sherwood who predeceased him on December 29, 2001.
Vince was the owner and operator of Helmhold Drilling in New York and Pennsylvania. His memberships include the First Trinity Lutheran Church of Wellsville and its Men’s Club, Oil Producers Association and the Wellsville Flying Club.
Survivors include: a daughter, Carol J. [Thomas] Barnes of Wellsville; 2 granddaughters: Kimberly S. [Rick] Scutt of Wellsville and Kelley H. Hartman of Alden; 5 great grandchildren Jennifer, Tyler and Judson Scutt and Kyle and Claire Hartman; a brother Marion Rogers of Wellsville as well as several nieces and nephews.
Friends are invited to call on Thursday, December 4 from 12 noon to 1pm in the First Trinity Lutheran Church with a funeral service to be held at 1pm in the Church. His place of burial will be Woodlawn Cemetery and memorials can be made to the First Trinity Lutheran Church in Wellsville. Arrangements are under the direction of the J.W. Embser & Sons F.H. in Wellsville.
Wade M. Green
Wellsville, NY
Wade M. Green, age 73, formerly of East State St., passed away on June 17, 2004 in the Highland Health Care Center. He was born on July 6, 1930 in Greenwood to Chester and Hazel Bump Green. On January 8, 1949 he married the former Thelma Perry who predeceased him on January 8, 1997. He was a pipe liner who worked for several companies including Gas Field Specialists. He retired from North American and later worked for Wellsville Central School from where he retired on June 30, 1995.
Wade was a social member of both the American Legion Post 702 and the VFW Post 2530 of Wellsville as well as the Moose Lodge 601 of Wellsville.
Survivors include 2 sons: Larry [Karen] Green and Wade ”Chet” Green and Lynn Driscoll of Wellsville; 4 daughters: Ann [Irvin] Hall, Diana Pratt and Frank Crawford, Jr., Sandra [Robert] Campbell and Sally [Jim] Calhoun all of Wellsville; 22 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and a special friend Eva Skinner. He was predeceased by 3 brothers: Clyde, Clifford and Arnold Green and 3 sisters: Marion Mattison, Mildred Whitehall and Della Green and a grandson, Cody Golish.
Friends are invited to call on Saturday June 19 in the J.W. Embser Sons F.H. in Wellsville from 11am to 1pm at which time a funeral service will take place with Rev. Carol Sweigeart presiding. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery and memorials made be made to the Wellsville Girls Softball Association, P.O. Box 401, Wellsville, NY 14895.
WALTER E. SCOTT
Belvidere, NY
WALTER E. SCOTT, 77, of 5722 Church Road, passed away on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at Olean General Hospital. He was born on April 11, 1926 in Belvidere, NY the son of Edward and Rose (Maston) Scott. On December 22, 1951 he married Janice Bundy who survives.
Walter was a lifelong resident of Belvidere. He served in the US Army during World War II, earning a purple heart. He was employed by the block factory in Belvidere, the Friendship Foundry, and retired from Bitumens in 1987. He loved the outdoors, including hunting and fishing.
He is survived by 2 sons: Danny Scott of Belmont, Kevin (Rose) Scott of Belmont, 2 daughters: Debbie (John) Osterhout of Belmont, Donna Flores of Belmont, 12 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, 3 brothers: Donny Scott of Bolivar, Kenny Scott of Richburg, Jack Scott of Black Creek, 2 sisters: Clara Harris of Angelica, Pearl Gelser of Belmont, and several nieces and nephews.
Walter was predeceased by 5 brothers: Harold, George, Leon, Ernie, and Lavern Scott, and 2 sisters: Mabel Scott and Helen Peterson.
Friends are invited to call on Thursday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, Inc. in Belmont. The funeral service will be 11:00 am Friday, March 26, 2004 at the funeral home with Rev. Dawn Barrett presiding. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery. Memorial suggestions include the Amity Rescue Squad.
WILLIAM E. HOSMER
Belmont, NY
WILLIAM E. HOSMER, 74, of 5407 State Route 19 North, passed away on Saturday, June 19, 2004 in his home surrounded by his family. He was born on January 5, 1930 in Richburg, the son of Ira and Sarah (Warner) Hosmer. On July 4, 1978 in Scio he married Nancy Harrington, who survives.
He grew up in Richburg and has been a resident of Belmont for 18 years. William was employed in several different fields throughout his life. He was a farmer in Cuba, worked heavy equipment for Frances Root, was employed by the Erie Railroad, Acme Electric in Cuba, National Fuel Gas, Ebenezer Oil, and he retired from Alfred State as a maintenance man on the Wellsville Campus after 23 years of service.
William had been the president, Vice president, and Treasurer of the Southern Tier Saddle Club. He enjoyed riding horses, fairs, tractor pulls, horse pulls, and truck pulls. He loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and was inseparable from his loving wife.
In addition to his wife, William is survived by 4 sons: Chad (Kelly) Cumpston of Allentown Cody Hosmer of Belmont, Lloyd (Mirta) Rifenburg of Wellsville, Glenn (Dione) Rifenburg of Wellsville; 3 daughters: Linda “Minnie”Stuck of Bolivar, Angela Cumpston of Phoenix, AZ, and Tammy (Ron) Latham of Belmont; 18 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers: Charles Hosmer of Bolivar, Darwin Hosmer of La Luz, NM; and a sister: Clara Whitesell of Tucson, AZ.
He is predeceased by a brother: Lyle Hosmer and a sister: Iris Covert.
Friends are invited to call on Monday from 7-9 pm and Tuesday from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, Inc. in Belmont. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 at 11 am in the funeral home with Rev. Michael Brady presiding. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery in Belmont. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Kidney Dialysis, or 4H Groups.
