U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
LAURIE ANN GIDDINGS
Wellsville, NY
LAURIE ANN GIDDINGS, 24, of 47 Franklin St., passed away Tuesday, January 18, 2005, at Jones Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. She was born September 30, 1980 in Wellsville. She was a 2001 graduate of Wellsville High School, and attended the Allegany County ARC Dayhab Program from 2001 until her death. She participated in the Special Olympics, enjoyed her friends at the ARC, her doll collection, and country music. Laurie had touched many lives, and will be greatly missed. Laurie is survived by her mother: Debra Rambuski (Bradley) Thompson of Wellsville; her father: John Giddings of Wellsville, a brother: Jason Dunlap of Cuba; 3 sisters: Mandy Thompson of Wellsville, Dawn Giddings of Wellsville, and Rebecca (Charles) Erdman of Suffolk, VA. She is also survived by her maternal grandparents: Harley and Shirley Poore of Cuba; her paternal grandmother: Joan Giddings of TN, several aunts and uncles including Betsy (Tim) Resch of Cuba, Kathy (Bob Hults) Rambuski of Andover, Edwin J. Rambuski of Templeton, CA, Kris and Eva Thompson of Wellsville, Fred and Judy Giddings Springfield, MA, Tom and Julie Giddings of Crossville, TN, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and many special friends. Laurie was predeceased by her sister: Jennifer Dunlap in 1988, her grandfather: Edwin Rambuski, Paternal grandparents; Thorold, Janet and Mary Thompson and George and Betty Giddings. Friends are invited to call on Friday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, Inc. in Wellsville. The funeral service will be Saturday, January 22 at 2:00 pm in the Brookside Wesleyan Church in Wellsville, with Rev. Michael Poore presiding. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorial suggestions include the Allegany County ARC, the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps, or the Children's Section of the David A. Howe Library.
MARY ALICE MOYER
Wellsville, NY
MARY ALICE MOYER, 83, of 59 Martin Street, passed away on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at Jones Memorial Hospital. She was born December 8, 1921 in DuBois, PA, the daughter of John and Elsie (McGreagor) Durkin. On July 9, 1947 in DuBois, she married Lloyd Moyer who survives. She was a graduate of Sandy High School DuBois and had been employed at the Meter Works in DuBois. In 1948, she and Lloyd moved to Wellsville, where she worked at the Silk factory. She later was employed by the Wellsville Central School System at the Martin Street and WashingtonElementary schools. Alice was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church and was a long-time volunteer at the Fun Fair and for the Wellsville Little League. She loved to watch her children and grandchildren at their numerous ball games. Surviving, in addition to her husband, Lloyd, are 3 children, Rose Marie Scott of Alma, Richard (Jody) Moyer of Erie, PA, Mark (Sue) Moyer of Scio, 8 grandchildren, 2 brothers; Jack and James Durkin, both of California and several nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by 2 sisters, Kate Tankalauaga and Susan Rideout. 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. Services will begin on Saturday, January 22nd, with a prayer at 9:30 am in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville, with Rev. Dennis Wolf as celebrant. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorial suggestions include the SPCA Serving Allegany County or the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
RALPH KAPLAN
Belmont, NY
RALPH KAPLAN, 84, of 4701 Ingraham Road, passed away on Tuesday January 18, 2005 at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville, NY. He was born September 12, 1920 in Allentown, PA, the son of Charles and Dora ( ) Kaplan. On March 28, 1954, in Brooklyn, NY, he married Ethel Bialer who survives. Ralph was a former resident of Commack, NY and West Palm Beach, FL. prior to moving Belmont in 2003. He was a self-employed paperhanger for many years and was a member of the Knights of the Pythias on Long Island. Surviving, in addition to his wife, Ethel, are 2 sons; Bruce (Cathleen) Kaplan of Belmont and Eric (Laurie) Kaplan of Oceanside, NY, 3 grandchildren and several nieces & nephews. A service was held on Thursday, January 20th at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Belmont, NY.
Margaret T. Flanagan
Wellsville, NY
Margaret T. Flanagan, 85, of 160 Seneca Street, passed away on January 27, 2005 at the Highland Health Care Center. She was born on March 27, 1919 in the Town of Willing, to George and Agnes Trahey Flanagan. She was a graduate of Wellsville High School and Myer Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Buffalo. She was a private duty nurse and then worked at Jones Memorial Hospital until 1944. Margaret served with the Army Nurses Corp from 1944 to 1946. After the war, she worked in both the Buffalo and Batavia VA's and later, was an Industrial Nurse for Union Carbide in Niagara Falls, Western Electric in Buffalo, and for Cincinnati Bell retiring in 1984. Margaret was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville, and is survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by 2 brothers, Robert and Walter Flanagan, and 4 sisters, Mary Catherine Reed, Ruth Flanagan, Jane Englebaugh and Betty Flanagan. Friends are invited to call on Saturday from 10 am to 10:30 am at which time a prayer service will be held in the J.W. Embser & Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am in the Immaculate Conception Church with Father Dennis Wolf as celebrant. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery and memorials may be to either the Immaculate Conception Memorial Fund or to the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
HAROLD G. THOMPSON
Wellsville, NY
HAROLD G. THOMPSON, 90, of 120 S. Brooklyn Avenue, passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2005 at Jones Memorial Hospital. He was born February 21, 1914 in Roulette, PA the son of Claude and Mabel (Grover) Thompson. On June 13, 1941, in Wellsville, he married Norma Mae Wightman who survives. Harold was a resident of Wellsville since 1923, and was a 1934 graduate of Wellsville High School. He was employed by CE Air Preheater and retired as the senior welding engineer in 1976 after 40 years of service. He was the co-founder of the Wellsville Concert Band, and spent 11 years with the Junior Rifle Club teaching young people to use firearms safely. Harold was a member of the Civil Air Patrol during World War II and the Allegany County Civil Defense. He was also a member of the National Rifle Association, American Welding Society, Allegany County BOCES Advisory Board, Wellsville Grand Squares Dance Club, Penn-NY Promenaders, and the Christian Temple in Wellsville. Harold also enjoyed woodworking, candy making, and he loved music. In addition to his wife, Harold is survived by 2 sons: Douglas (Sue) Thompson of Taylors, SC; Robert (Priscilla) Thompson of Wellsville; 4 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and several cousins. Friends are invited to call on Saturday, February 5th from noon to 2:00 pm at the J.W. Embser and Sons Funeral Home, Inc. in Wellsville. The funeral service will follow visitation at 2:00 pm with Rev. Anna Shirey presiding. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Wellsville.
William R. Thompson
Wellsville, NY
William R. Thompson, 92, of Larchwood Drive, passed away on Wednesday February 9, 2005 at the Wellsville Manor Care Center. He was born May 7, 1912 in Dunkirk, NY the son of John and Mary (Jefferson) Thompson. On January 16, 1938 in Fredonia, NY, he married Frances Powell who predeceased him on February 4, 1998. Bill came to Wellsville in 1935 to work for the Market Basket. During World War II, he was employed by Moore Steam Turbine and later by the Wellsville Water & Light Department, Jones Memorial Hospital, the First Trust Company, the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, Inc. and Arnoys & Dye Auto Parts. He was a life member of the Duke Hose Company #1 and a charter member of the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church.
He is survived by many nieces & nephews and several special friends including, Norm & Wilda Miller, Connie Stepp, Roger & Kathy Moyer and Jessica Silsby all of Wellsville. He was predeceased in addition to his wife by 4 brothers, Lawrence, Gordon, Roy and Walter Thompson and 4 sisters, Sadie Thompson, Florence Bannister, Teannie Orlando and Ruth Luczkowiak. Friends are invited to call on Friday, February 11th from noon to 2:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, Inc. in Wellsville. The funeral will follow visitation at 2:00 pm in the funeral home with Rev. Dr. Carl Knitter presiding. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery and memorial suggestions include the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church or any charity of the donor's choice.
RONALD F. SOROCHIN
Belmont, NY
RONALD F. SOROCHIN, 59, of Amity Lake Road, passed away Friday, February 11, 2005 at home after a long illness. He was born December 26, 1945 in Kenmore, NY, the son of Joseph and Mary (Sroka) Sorochin. On August 5, 1967, he married Catherine Beazley, who survives. Ron graduated from Archbishop Walsh High School in 1964, and received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1968, and a Masters of Science Degree in Biology Education from Alfred University. He served in the United States Air Force from 1969-1972, where he reached the rank of Staff Sergeant. From 1972-1976, he was the Senior Laboratory Technologist at Olean General Hospital, Chief Technologist at Bethesda Hospital from 1976-1980, Clinical Laboratory Manager at Jones Memorial Hospital from 1980-1986. In 1986, Ron became an Associate Professor, then Medical Laboratory Program Director for the Department of Allied Health at Alfred State College until 1995. While at Alfred, Ron received the Alfred State College Department of Allied Health Teacher of the Year award in 1992. He published two laboratory manuals (Hematology and Coagulation, in 1995 and Urinalysis and Body Fluids, in 1995) and several articles in Medical Laboratory Observatory Magazine. He was an inspector for NAACLs and is listed in Who's Who Among America's Teachers. Ron was also an avid fisherman and a great friend to many. In addition to his wife, Ron is survived by 2 sons: Adam (Jennifer Spicer) Sorochin, of Wellsville, Craig (Donna Aiken) Sorochin of Barboursville, VA, 4 grandchildren: Michael, Megan, and Gabrielle Sorochin and Scott McMorris, a sister: Jean (Donald) Bell and a niece: Diane (Scott) Witzigman of Hinsdale. Ron was predeceased by his parents. Friends are invited to call from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm Monday at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, Inc. in Wellsville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church in Scio on Tuesday, February 15 at 11:00 am with Father Dennis Mancuso as celebrant. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wellsville. Memorial suggestions include the American Cancer Society, Homecare and Hospice, and the SPCA Serving Allegany County.
ROBERT G. GARDNER
Wellsville, NY
ROBERT G. GARDNER, 83, of 153 W. State Street, passed away on Wednesday February 16, 2005 at Jones Memorial Hospital. He was born on April 25, 1921 at the home of his grandparents on Harder Place in Wellsville, the son of James and Marie (Myers) Gardner. He was a 1939 graduate of Wellsville High School, a veteran of WW II, serving from 1943 to 1946 in the U.S. Army, with the 253rd Combat Engineers Battalion, Company C. in the European Theater of Operation. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant. In 1946, he returned to the Gardner Pattern Works in Wellsville as an apprenticed wood pattern maker. He learned the trade from his father, who operated the business until his death in 1966. Bob then operated the pattern shop until it closed in 1993, when he retired. Bob was a 52-year member of the B.P.O.E. Lodge #1495, serving as Exalted Ruler in 1952. He joined the Grant Duke Hose Company #1 in Wellsville, in 1941 and after the war, held every elected office within the hose company. In 1959, he was elected 2nd. Asst. Chief and in April of 1961, was elected chief of the Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department. He held the office of Town Councilman for 4 years and when he was elected Mayor of Wellsville in April of 1963; he was Fire Chief, Town Councilman and Mayor concurrently. He served as the Democrat Mayor of Wellsville for 29 years. During this period, he held several positions with the NYS Conference of Mayors culminating with his election as President in June of 1974. In September of 1972, Mayor Gardner was appointed by Governor Nelson Rockefeller to the Intergovernmental Fiscal Advisory Board, representing more than 500 villages in New York State. He was a life member of the Morrison Hayes Post #702 American Legion and the Frank B. Church Post #2530 VFW for over 50 years. He was a proud member of his last man's group the L.O.P.E.S. He was the Chamber of Commerce "Man of the Year" in 1987 and the "Elk of the Year" in 1992. He was a life-long member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Wellsville; baptized in 1923 and confirmed in 1934. He served on the Vestry of St. John's for many years, held the office of Senior Warden for 2 terms and Junior Warden for 2 terms. He is survived by his wife, Norma Geoppner-Gardner, 7 children; Cheryl (Donald) Andrews of St. Petersburg, FL, Sandra Le Crone of Amarillo, TX, Robert (Jackie) Gardner of Saranac Lake, NY, Stephen Gardner of San Francisco, CA, Donald Gardner of Amarillo, TX, Mary (James) Ruch of Almond, NY, Brian (Paula) Gardner of Wellsville, 2 stepsons, Dan (Rita) Geoppner of Wellsville, William (Sally) Geoppner of Angelica, 15 Grandchildren, 5 Great Grandchildren, a brother, John (Peggy) Gardner of Independence, KY, a sister, Jean (Charles) Brady of Wellsville and several nieces & nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, James Gardner on July 28, 2002. Friends are invited to call on Sunday from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, Inc. in Wellsville. The Elks service will follow visitation at 8:30 pm. The funeral will be Monday, February 21st at 11:00 am at St. John's Episcopal Church in Wellsville, with Rev. James Curl as Celebrant. Military Honors will follow the service and burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorial suggestions include St. John's Episcopal Church or the Wellsville Elks Lodge Scholarship Fund.
