U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
John C. Dunham
Wellsville, NY
John C. Dunham, of Meservey Hill Road, passed away on Thursday March 23, 2006 at the Wellsville Manor Care Center. He was born on June 23, 1912 in Wellsville to John B. and Orpha Barton Dunham. John was a life long resident of Wellsville. He graduated from WellsvilleHigh School in 1931 and attended AlfredUniversity. John served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII as a Technical Sergeant with the 499th Bomb Squadron in Saipan. He held the position of Cryptologist which he also taught. John was awarded the American Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Before entering the service he was employed by the Sinclair Refinery and by the Pink House as caretaker and gardener. After his discharge he was employed as a caretaker and gardener for several families in Wellsville. John retired at the age of 75 and enjoyed gardening, reading, keeping up with current events and was a history buff and will be most remembered for his profound knowledge of local history. John is survived by 7 great nieces and nephews, Dennis Dunham, Cort Dunham, Scott Dunham, Diane Jeffers, Jeanette Inzana, Rickie Dunham and Leona Pensyl; close friends Dr. Julian and Marcile Woelfl, Dr. Raiz Din, Frank Jensen and Tom Hancock. Besides his parents he was predeceased 2 brothers Arnold and George Dunham; and 3 nephews. Friends may call on Tuesday March 28 from 2 to 4 pm in the J.W. Embser & Sons F.H. in Wellsville at which time a funeral service will be held with Rev. Mason Sorensen presiding. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery and in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the David A. Howe Library or to the donor’s choice.
Ruby Peterson Jennings
Belmont, NY
Ruby Peterson Jennings, formerly of Feathers Creek Road, passed away on Friday March 24, 2006 in the Wellsville Manor Care Center. She was born on September 3, 1912 in Almond to Fay and Sarah Stearns Ferrin. On April 27, 1928 in Wellsville she married Victor Peterson who predeceased her on August 29, 1983 and on August 12, 1989 in Belmont she married Paul Jennings who predeceased her on September 13, 1997. Ruby was employed by Daystrom’s Furniture in Friendship, was seamstress and owned and operated Peterson’s Ceramics in Belmont for many years. She is a member of the AngelicaBibleChurch. Ruby had been a member of the Belmont Presbyterian Church and the First Baptist Church of Belmont. Survivors include: 2 sons, Carl [Marilyn] Peterson of Belmont and Donald Peterson of Wellsville; 2 daughters, June [Herbert] Harrington of Belmont and Sarah [James] Bassinger of Petersburg, MI.; a sister Alice Stephens of Canisteo; 21 grandchildren, several great and great great grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a daughter Carol Burdick in 1997. Friends may call on Monday March 27 from 7-9 pm in the J.W. Embser & Sons F.H. in Belmont. A funeral service will take place on Tuesday March 28 at 2 pm in the First Baptist Church of Belmont. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery and memorials may be made to the Angelica Bible Church.
Dwight E. “Ike” Clayson
Scio, NY
Dwight E. “Ike” Clayson, 53, of 3133 Knights Creek Road, died on Sunday March 26, 2006 at home following a year long battle with cancer. He was born August 21, 1952 in Wellsville the son of Clayton and Carol (Jackson) Clayson. On August 16, 1975 he married Linda Merry who survives. Ike was a 1970 graduated of WellsvilleHigh School and was employed as a machinist at Dresser – Rand Corporation in Wellsville since 1975. He was a member of the KnightsCreekEvangelicalChurch and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1580. He loved spending time with his great nieces & nephews and was an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting and being at his cabin. Surviving in addition to his wife Linda, are 2 sons, Aaron Clayson and Brian Clayson both of Scio, 1 brother, Dean (Paula) Clayson of Wellsville, 2 sisters, Debra (Herb) Christian and Dale (James) Vossler both of Wellsville, his in-laws, Paul and Sylvia Merry of Scio and several nieces & nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Daniel Clayson. Friends are invited to call on Wednesday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in WELLSVILLE. The funeral will be Thursday March 30th at 1:00 pm in the funeral home with Pastor Carl Kemp presiding. Burial will be in Knights Creek Cemetery. Memorial suggestions include HomeCare & Hospice 118 N. Main Street Wellsville, NY14895 or Falck Cancer Center 600 Roe Avenue Elmira, NY 14905.
Lyle M. “Tunney” Perkins
Wellsville, NY
Lyle M. “Tunney” Perkins, 80, of 215 Madison Street, died on Tuesday March 14, 2006 at Jones Memorial Hospital. He was born April 10, 1925 in Scio, NY the son of Ary Alonzo and Flossie (Cornish) Perkins. He married Marilyn (Weber) Perkins on August 10, 1946 in Allentown, NY, a marriage lasting nearly 60 years. Tunney was raised in Hallsport and moved to Shinglehouse, PA in 1938. He graduated from high school in 1942 and then joined the U.S. Army. He served during WW II with the 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 17th Airborne Division. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge outside of Bastogne, where he lost many friends and fellow soldiers. He was employed at C. E. Air Preheater Company in Wellsville for 42 years, retiring in 1985. He coached youth baseball, football and basketball in the Wellsville area. He loved to hunt; fish and most of all watch his children play sports over the past 6 decades. He was also a member of the Morrison Hayes Post 702 American Legion in Wellsville. Surviving in addition to his wife Marilyn are 4 sons, Danny (Carol) Perkins of Tega Cay, SC, Butch (Hope) Perkins, Mike (Kim) Perkins and Jon Perkins all of Wellsville, 1 daughter, Cathy Litzburg of Chandler, AZ, 13 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, 1 brother, Robert (Faith) Perkins of Bolivar and several nieces & nephews. He was predeceased by 3 brothers, Howard, Richard and Donald Perkins and 1 sister, Ruth Daily. Friends are invited to call on Friday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. The funeral will be Saturday March 18th at 1:00 pm in the funeral home, with Rev. Randy Headley presiding. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Wellsville. Memorial suggestions include the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps or the Jones Memorial Hospital Memorial Fund.
Louis P. ”Louie” Bianco
Wellsville, NY
Louis P. ”Louie” Bianco, of Trapping Brook Road, passed away Friday March 31, 2006 at Jones Memorial Hospital. On November 28, 1913 in Wellsville he was born to Vincent and Nicola Bianco. He married Constance Hodges in 1944 in Wellsville who predeceased him on December 9, 1996. Louie was a life long resident of Wellsville and long time businessman in shoe repair and concessions. At the age of 12 he started working for his Uncle Patsey Congelli in the shoe repair business and later owned his own repair shop. He became involved with concessions through Leon Paulman and became a fixture and many local fairs including over 30 years at the Andover Maple Festival. Louie had planned on attending the Festival this year so in his honor his concession stand will be opened. He was active in the Wellsville Lions Club for 49 years where he was a past president, worked on the minstrel show sets and will be remembered as walk on in the skit “Whistling Midgets”. His memberships include the Immaculate Conception Church, Life member of the Elks, member of the Moose and Life member of the Wellsville Lions Club. Survivors include: 2 daughters, Pam [John] Gena of Wellsville and Penny Bianco of Clifton Springs; a grandson, Brad [Rebekah] Gena of Sevierville, TN.; 2 great grandchildren Jael and Daniel Gena; Godson Michael [Debbie] Lynch of Richburg and their children, Julie, Jennifer and Chris; best friend and neighbor Janice Davis. Louie was predeceased by a grandson Jamie John Gena and a sister Mary Scarlato. Friends are invited to call Sunday April 2 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm and on Monday from 10:00 to 10:30 am in theJ.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. A prayer service will follow at 10:30 am in the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am Monday in the Immaculate Conception Church with Monsignor Vincent Becker as Celebrant. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery and memorial suggestions include Children’s Hospital in Buffalo or to the Immaculate Conception School.
Helen L. MacEwan
Belmont, NY
Helen L. MacEwan, 87, of 4 Charles Street, died on Sunday April 2, 2006 at home. She was born on April 16, 1918 in Ellicottville, NY the daughter of Herman C. and Evelyn (Quinlan) Salzer. In 1939 she married Charles Baxter who predeceased her on February 15, 1945. In 1951 she married Duncan MacEwan who predeceased her in June 7, 1993. Helen was a 1935 graduate of Bolivar CentralS chool and was employed as the Secretary for Belmont Central School for 29 ½ years, retiring in 1974. She was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Belmont, St. Mary’s Altar Society and the Jones Memorial Hospital Lilac Twig. She is survived by 1 son, Thomas C. (Mary) Baxter of Penfield, 3 stepsons, Carlton (Joan) MacEwan of Fillmore, Douglas (Yong Ac) MacEwan of Antelope, CA, Robert MacEwan of Winter Haven, FL, 1 sister, Lucille MacEwan of Belmont, 3 grandchildren, 6 step grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, 3 step great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased in addition to her parents, by a brother, Thomas Eugene Salzer. Friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in BELMONT. Services will begin on Wednesday April 5th at 10:30 am with a prayer at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Church in Belmont with Rev. Dennis Mancuso as Celebrant. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Memorial suggestions include the Belmont Free Library, the Amity Rescue Squad or the Allegany County Office for the Aging.
Doris F. Washburn
Belmont, NY
Doris F. Washburn, of the Baker Valley Road, passed away on Monday March 20, 2006 at the Highland Health Care Center in Wellsville. She was born April 10, 1921 in Shinglehouse, PA. to Elmo and Dora Curtis Perkins. On February 3, 1940 in Bradford, PA., she married Donald Washburn who predeceased her on January 19,1993. Doris moved to Belmont with her husband in 1992. She had graduated from ShinglehouseHigh School and retired from CubaMemorialHospital’s business office after 16 years of service. She attended the BelmontUnitedMethodistChurch and was a member of the Order of the eastern Star in Cuba.Doris had a true passion for golf, she golfed at Six S three times a week with her friends. She enjoyed gardening, especially flowers and bird watching. For the past 2 years she had been living with Don and Joann Brown. Survivors include: 2 daughters Deborah Hunter of Belmont and Jean [John] Grafelman of Woodbury, MN.; 4 grandchildren; Kristen [Patrick] Byrnes of Greece, Mark [Sarah] Hunter of Belmont, Paul [Lani] Grafelman of Big Lake, MN. And Benjamin Grafelman of Woodbury, MN: 2 great grandchildren and one on the way; a sister Lois McClain of Shinglehouse and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son in law Bob Hunter: a sister Helen Voorhees: 3 brothers Curtis, Olin and Edgar Perkins. Friends are invited to call on Tuesday March 28, 2006 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm in the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Belmont. A funeral service will take place on Wednesday at 1:30 pm in the Funeral Home with Rev. Sandra Lasher presiding. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery and memorials may be made to the Belmont Library, BelmontUnitedMethodistChurch or to The Amity Rescue Squad.
George S. Brown
Belmont, NY
George S. Brown, 92, of 5592 Cemetery Hill Road, died on Saturday April 1, 2006 at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville. He was born January 6, 1914 in Canton, NY the son of Leon D. and Harriet E. (Shaw) Brown. On December 20, 1949 in New York City he married Ruth S. Odlin who predeceased him on June 22, 1999. George moved to Belmont in 1966 and had resided in Malone, NY from 1953 to 1966. He was a graduate of CantonHigh School and Syracuse University class of 1937 with a degree in Forestry Management. He was employed by the U. S. Department of Agriculture in Soil and Water Conservation. He retiring in 1974. He was a member of the Allegany County Bird Club, the NRA, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and was a former member of the United Church of Belmont. He is survived by 1 son, Leon G. Brown of Belmont, 1 brother, Hollis Brown of Canton and several nieces & nephews. Friends are invited to call on Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Belmont. A memorial service will be Friday April 7, 2006 at 11:00 am in the funeral home with Rev. Ron Sellers presiding. Memorial suggestions include the Environmental, Science and Forestry College Foundation 1 Forestry Drive Syracuse, NY 13210.
