U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Audrey R. Dunham
Wellsville, NY
Audrey R. Dunham, 84, of 2885 Robbins Court, died Saturday October 8, 2005 at the EricCountyMedicalCenter in Buffalo. She was born March 19, 1921 in Wellsville the daughter of Claude and Florence (Howland) Hurd. On September 19, 1942 in Wellsville she married George Dunham who predeceased her on April 12, 2000. Audrey was a graduate of Wellsville High School and the Continental School of Beauty in Olean. She was a former resident of Angelica and St. Cloud, Minnesota. During WW II was a factory welder, and was later employed by the J. J. Newberry Company, the Modern Diner, St. Cloud Tech. High School and was a self employed beautician. She was a member of the Women of the Moose, Allegany Arts Association and the Senior Center Rhythm Band. She was a talented, self taught artist and musician. She played the piano, organ, harmonica, violin, mandolin, and ukulele. She loved to dance, most recently at Club Boomers, where she made many wonderful friends. She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She was especially thankful to her cousin Mattie Lounsberry and her many close friends for their devotion, kindness and compassion. She is survived by 2 sons, Dennis (Kathi) Dunham and Cort (Connie) Dunham both of Wellsville and an “adopted” son John (Jackie) Lewis of Baltimore, MD. 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and several nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Greg Dunham, her twin brother, Albert Hurd and brothers, Lester, Harold and Cecil Hurd. Friends are invited to the graveside service on Wednesday October 12th at 2:00 pm at Woodlawn Cemetery in Wellsville, with Pastor Wayne Voshell of the Christian Fellowship Church presiding. Memorial suggestions include the Allegany County Office for the Aging or the SPCA Serving Allegany County. Arrangements are under the direction of the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc.
Thomas W. Davis
Wellsville, NY
Thomas W. Davis, of Voorhees Hill Road, passed away on Tuesday October 18 at Jones Memorial Hospital. He was born in Wellsville to Woodrow and Beatrice Hardy Davis. Tom was a life long resident of Wellsville and graduated from WellsvilleHigh School. He served 3 years in the US Army from 1966 to early 1969 including one tour in Vietnam. Returning home in 1969 he went to work for the former Worthington Corp. and retired from Dresser Rand do to ill health after 36 years of service. He was a member of the Moore Lodge #1580 and the American Legion Post # 702 both of Wellsville. Tom will be remembered for his love of cats, being a gentleman farmer and being a very caring person.Survivors include: His mother of Wellsville as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins He was predeceased by his father and 2 brothers Timothy and Terrence Davis Friends are invited to call on Friday from 12 noon to 2 pm in the J.W. Embser & Sons F.H. in Wellsville. A funeral service will be held following calling hours at 2 pm in the funeral home. Burial will take place in the Stannards Cemetery. Ralph Eastlack will preside and memorials can be made to the S.P.C.A. serving Allegany County.
Vesta ”Maxine” Corbin
Wellsville, NY
Vesta ”Maxine” Corbin, of Dyke Street, passed away at home on Wednesday October 19, 2005. She was born on June 9, 1933 in Coudersport to Herman and Eva DeZutter Froebel. On June 19, 1954 she married Dorr Corbin who predeceased her in July of 1999. Maxine was retired from Key Bank. She was a member of the Lady Elks, Women of the Moose, American Legion Auxiliary and the Christian Temple Church all of Wellsville. She had delivered meals on wheels, enjoyed watching sports on T.V. and was proud of the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. Maxine will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Survivors include: 3 daughters Doreen [Hans] Arnold of New Hartford : Debra [Stephen] Margeson of Carlisle, PA. and Lisa [Walter] Gardner of Wellsville; 8 grandchildren: Matthew, Anna, and Ellen Arnold; Katy, Kyle, and Timothy Margeson : Jacob and Maureen Gardner; a brother Robert [Teresa] Froebel of Galeton, PA as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her sister Leona Hopper. Friends are invited to call today from 2-4 & 7-9 pm in the J.W. Embser & Sons F.H. in Wellsville. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11 am in the funeral home with Rev. Anna Shirey presiding. Memorials may be made to the David A. Howe Library, Allegany County S.P.C.A. of to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Larry Dean Hadsell
Belmont, NY
Larry Dean Hadsell, 30, of 7 Willetts Avenue, died unexpectedly on Friday October 28, 2005 in Belmont. He was born on September 9, 1975 in Cuba to Thomas and Mary Hadsell Layman. He had been married to Jenny Rose. Larry had attended Belmont Central School. He had worked for Gideon Erectors out of Smethport, PA. in several states and locally as a contractor and for his uncle Gary Gililand as a dry wall hanger. He was an avid outdoorsman who liked to hunt and fish. Larry loved all animals, working with his hands and will be remembered as one who lived life to the fullest. Survivors include: His wife Jenny; his parents of Belmont and his biological father Larry Geffers of Wellsville; 3 sons Joel Hadsell of Belmont, Damien Hadsell of Bolivar and Zachary Hadsell of Belmont; 2 stepsons Dustin Layman and Nathaniel Rose both of Belmont; Maternal grandmother Pearl Gelser of Belmont; Maternal step grandfather Orlo Gelser of Belmont and his paternal grandmother Donna Layman of Belmont; 2 brothers Thomas Layman III, and Josh Layman both of Belmont; a sister Karen Layman of Friendship; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews; a special aunt Christina Gelser of Holland and a special friend James Middaugh of Belmont He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather Raymond Hadsell. Friends may call on Tuesday from 2-4 & 7-9 pm in the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Belmont. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 2 pm in the funeral home with Deacon Frank Pasqule presiding. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery and memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.
Geraldine Bentley
Belmont, NY
Geraldine Bentley, of Plum Bottom Road, passed away on November 2, 2005 at Jones Memorial Hospital. She was born November 1, 1925 in Council Bluff, Iowa to Harry and Hazel Shipley Treft. In January of 1947 in Kansas she married Edward Bentley who predeceased her in 1990. Geraldine retired from Acme Electric after 25 years of service. She loved her family and animals especially her horses and cats. Survivors include: a son Randall [Lynn] Bentley of Belmont and a daughter Sharon [Larry] Boyce of Delaware, OH.; a step son Edward Bentley of Delevan and a step daughter Auverne Knarr of Cheektowaga. 14 grandchildren and several great grandchildren; a sister Evelyn [Marvin] Trotter of Council Bluff, Iowa and 2 nephews. She was predeceased by a daughter Linda Cross and a granddaughter Carol White. Friends are invited to call on Saturday from 12 noon to 2 pm in the J.W. Embser & Sons F. H. in Belmont at which time a funeral service will take place. Rev. Duane Broadwell will preside with burial in Forest Hills Cemetery and memorials may be made to the Amity Rescue Squad.
Phyllis R. Cole
Wellsville, NY
Phyllis R. Cole went to be with her Lord while surrounded by her loved ones on November 3, 2005 at the Wellsville Manor Nursing Home. Phyllis was born on February 7, 1933 in Wellsville at the home of her parents Peter T. and Lena M. [Johnson] Cole. She worked at Jones Memorial Hospital for 34 years and retired in 1988. Phyllis made her home with her brother, Irwin Cole at 141 N. Brooklyn Avenue in Wellsville. Phyllis loved the staff at the Manor and considered them all apart of her family. She was a proud member of the Red Hat Ladies. Phyllis is survived by: 2 sisters, Alice ”Peggy” VanDruff of Wellsville and Lena ”Lucille” Hackett of Binghamton; a brother Walter P. Cole, Sr. of Wellsville. She had no children of her own but she loved and helped raise her 3 nieces, 8 nephews, 14 great nieces, 12 great nephews, 9 great-great nieces and 6 great-great nephews. She was predeceased by her brother and best friend Irwin W. Cole, a sister Ernestine Cole : 2 nephews, Gerald B. VanDruff and S. Fred VanDruff : a brother in law Albert F. VanDruff and a sister in law Alice M. Cole and a great nephew Albert Van Druff III. Friends may call at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville on Sunday November 6 from 12 noon to 2 pm at which time a funeral service will take place with Rev. Anna Shirey presiding. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery and memorials may be made to the Office of the Aging.
Merle J. Shay
Wellsville, NY
Merle J. Shay, 89, of Route 19 S., passed away on Wednesday November 9, 2005 shortly after arrival at Jones Memorial Hospital. He was born on August 13, 1916 in the Town of Willing to James and Bertha Sekoll Shay. On July 1, 1946 in Buffalo he married Dorothy Joyce who predeceased him on November 19, 1991. He was a life long resident of the Wellsville area and graduated from Wellsville High School in 1933. He served in the U. S Army during WWII in the South Pacific. Merle retired from Air Preheater after many years of service. He was a life long member of the Willing Fire Department and the Immaculate Conception Church. Merle had a life long passion for the outdoors including fishing, hunting and gardening. Survivors include: 3 daughtersHelena “Ann” [Robert] Sherwood of Andover, Joan Norman [Robert Haney] of Wellsville and Teresa [Richard] Kennedy of Goldsboro, NC.; 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother Lloyd Shay. Friends may call at the J.W. Embser Sons F.H. in Wellsville on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9. A prayer service will be held on Monday at 10 am in the Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30 am in the Immaculate Conception Church with Monsignor Vincent Becker as Celebrant. Memorials may be made to the Willing Fire Department or to the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Cops.
Eugene “Gene” Perkins
Wellsville, NY
Eugene “Gene” Perkins, of the Hallsport Road, passed away November 10, 2005 at Jones Memorial Hospital. He was born July 31, 1930 in the Town of Willing to Orville and Cora Goodridge Perkins. On February 27, 1954 in Hallsport he married Lois Hough who survives. Gene attended Wellsville High School and served in the U.S. Army as a medic during the Korean Conflict. He had worked for the former Worthington Corp and for the Town of Wellsville. He enjoyed shooting pool and playing euchre. Surviving besides his wife include: 2 sons Michael [Bonnie] Perkins of Wellsville and Craig Perkins of Wellsville, a daughter Sheryl [Robert] Perkins of Wellsville; 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren; 2 brothers Orville [Florence] Perkins of Alfred and Revere Perkins of Bolivar; 2 sisters Mary Perry of Wellsville and Vivian [Richard] Sherwood of Wellsville and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son Darrell Perkins and a brother Merle Perkins. A private family service will be held in the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville followed by a burial in Hallsport Union Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.
