U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Harold R. Rahr
BELMONT - Harold R. Rahr, 81, of 7 Willard St., passed away at home Friday (June 6, 2008) with his family at his side.
He was born Sept. 5, 1926, in Wellsville, the son of the late Harold L. and Ethel (Tait) Rahr. On Nov. 15, 1947, in Wellsville, he married Joanne E. Griswold, who survives.
Harold served with the US Navy in the Pacific theater of operation during WWII, on board the USS Gage. He was a 35-year employee of the C.E. Air Preheater Company in Wellsville, retiring in 1983. He was a life member of the Herbert Delong Post No. 808 American Legion in Belmont, a member of the VFW Post No. 2721 in Cuba, and a member of the former Belmont Conservation Club.
Surviving in addition to his wife, are two children, Joyce (Dale) Bledsoe of Belmont and Donovon (Debra) Rahr of Scio; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; three brothers, Lyle (Mary) Rahr of Wellsville, Kenny (Pat) Rahr of Hornell, and John (Joan) Rahr of Belmont; a brother-in-law, Lyle Eymer of Wellsville, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Doris Eymer and Myrtle Jackson.
Friends are invited to call 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday in the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc., 17 Schuyler St., Belmont. The funeral will follow visitation in the funeral home with Rev. Diane Cox presiding. Burial, with military honors, will be in Forest Hills Cemetery, Belmont. Memorial suggestions include the Amity Rescue Squad or Home Care & Hospice.
James E. Evans
LAWTONS - James E. Evans of Lawtons, N.Y. died Saturday (Aug. 2, 2008).
He was the beloved husband of Margaret (Coyle) Evans.
He was the father of Sara Jayne (Ralph) Johannes, Matthew James (Kristy) Evans, Molly (Matthew) Green, Debra (Brian) Weber, Denise Creedon, Diane (William) Mesler and James (Cindy) Hann. He was the grandfather of many grandchildren. He was a brother of William G. Evans, David A. Evans, Nancy Hutchings and the late Rita Shunk, and Lori Hirsh.
Funeral services were held at the family’s convenience.
Arrangement were under the care of the Wentland Funeral Home, North Collins, N.Y.
Shirley S. Wilkins
SCIO - Shirley S. Wilkins, 91, of East Sciota Street, died unexpectedly Sunday (June 8, 2008) in the Highland Healthcare Center in Wellsville.
She was born Dec. 25, 1916, the daughter of C. Ellsworth and Mildred Wooley Smith.
On July 1, 1939, in Sardina, she was married to Raymond E. Wilkins, who predeceased her in 1998.
She resided in Scio since 1939.
She was a graduate of Delevan High School and received her RN degree through the Wyoming Community Hospital School of Nursing in Warsaw. She was employed as a registered nurse at both the Wyoming Community Hospital and Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville.
In 1968, she went to work for the Allegany County Department of Social Services as a caseworker, retiring in 1981.
She was a member of the Scio United Methodist Church for over 65 years and was a member of the Belmont chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Scio Beautification Committee.
She enjoyed going on family vacations, playing cards and volunteering for many good causes.
She loved her animals, especially Pebbles, her calico cat, who survives.
She will always be remembered as a kind, gentle and compassionate person who cared deeply for her family, friends and those in need.
She is survived by a son, Richard (Bonnie) Wilkins of Fort Myers, Fla.; daughters, Patricia Kennedy of Medina, Trudy (Joseph) Fernandez of Voorheesville and Deborah (Paul) Wright of Wellsville; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Rowena Barnes; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents and husband; a sister, Marjorie (Smith) Thompsett; and a son-in-law, Donald F. Kennedy.
Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at the Mulholland-Crowell Funeral Home in Wellsville. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home with Pastor Douglas Childress of the Scio United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in the Rural Cemetery in Curriers.
Memorials in Shirley’s name may be made to the Scio United Methodist Church or to the SPCA Serving Allegany County.
STERLING A. STEWART
WHITESVILLE - Sterling A. Stewart, 70, of the Snow Road passed away Sunday (July 27, 2008) at the Veterans Administration Nursing Care Facility in Bath.
He was born Dec. 16, 1937, in Canisteo, the son of Clayton and Alta (Davis) Stewart. Sterling was raised in Canisteo and was a 1956 graduate of Canisteo High School. He was a veteran, serving with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. On April 8, 1966, in Hartsville, he married Patricia Graves who predeceased him on June 24, 2008.
He was a former long-time resident of North Tonawanda and was employed as a locksmith for various companies in the Buffalo area. He moved back to the Allegany County area after retiring in 2000. He enjoyed camping, fishing, tinkering and animals, especially his dog “Lady” and cat “Leslie.”
He is survived by five daughters, Sonja (Wayne) Kuehler of Wallingford, Pa., Michelle (Steven) Boissenin of Wellsville, Janet Stewart of Niagara Falls, Tammi (Richard) Reeves of North Tonawanda, and Stephanie (Cory) Feneran of Falconer; 14 grandchildren; two sisters, Alice Marvin of Reynoldsville, Pa., and Gleeda (Gordon) Plank of Almond; a son-in-law, Ed Fahs of Wellsville; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased, in addition to his parents, by a grandson, Richard Robert Reeves; a son-in-law, Timothy Emmick; and his step mother, Lula “Jean” Stewart.
A memorial service will be arranged at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Bath National Cemetery. Memorial suggestions include the SPCA Serving Allegany County, P.O. Box 381, Wellsville, N.Y. 14895. Arrangements are under the direction of the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville.
ROBERT LESTER PENDLETON
WELLSVILLE - Robert Lester Pendleton, 73, of 4192 Bolivar Road, passed away Friday (August 1, 2008) in the Wellsville Manor Care Center following a long illness.
He was born Jan. 8, 1935, in Wellsville, the son of Ivan and Florence Schultz Pendleton. He was a self-employed auto mechanic and was known affectionately to many as “Bicycle Bob.” He attended school in Belmont and resided in Scio prior to moving to Wellsville.
Robert is survived by son, Larry Pendleton of LeRoy; daughter, Lila Emmons of Castile; granddaughters, Beth (Ricky) Kish and Nikki (Justin) Ferrin, both of Castile; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Cecil Pendleton of Wellsville; sisters, Lillian (John) Serra of Buffalo, Eleanor (Terry) Thomas of Gywnn, Mich., and Linda Fenlon of Buffalo; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, Viola; sisters, Alberta and Barbara Pendleton; son, Francis Pendleton; granddaughter, Michaela Morgan; sister-in-law, Doris Pendleton; and brother-in-law, William Fenlon.
There will be no visitation. Services and interment will be at the family’s convenience in the Freedom Cemetery, Freedom.
Memorials may be made to the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo.
Arrangements are by the Mulholland-Crowell Funeral Home in Wellsville.
Richard F. Chandler
WELLSVILLE - Richard F. Chandler of Wellsville and Dade City, Fla. died Saturday (June 21, 2008) in Jones Memorial Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born April 4, 1924, to Robert A. and Clara M. Chandler. On Oct. 11, 1946, he was married to Helen Chaffee, who survives.
They would have celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary this year.
Dick was a veteran of World War II. He was very proud of his military service. He landed D-Day on Omaha Beach with the 1st Signal Company and is the holder of a Bronze Star with five battle stars and the distinguished Silver Star. He toured Europe and the battlefields on the anniversary of D-Day in 2004.
He was a life member of the 1st Infantry Division, the Big Red One and the Morrison Hayes American Legion Post No. 702. Dick worked at the M&W Tire Co. in Wellsville for 20 years before becoming employed in Rochester with General Tire and Rubber Co., retiring in 1989.
He held membership in the Toy Train Collectors Society as well as being a collector and operator of Lionel trains. He also enjoyed entering his Corvette in car shows and on cruise nights.
Dick is survived by his wife and daughter, Carrie (Kenneth) Blitz of Jamestown; three grandchildren and a great-grandson; a sister, Joan Quick of Statesville, N.C.; a brother, Victor L. Chandler of Arlington, Texas; and nieces and nephews.
At Dick’s request, there will be no funeral service. Burial will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery in Wellsville under the direction of the Mulholland-Crowell Funeral Home.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the National Cancer Society or a charity of the donor’s choice.
