U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Ann Riker Wood Stopper
SUN CITY WEST, Ariz. - Ann Riker Wood Stopper passed away Sunday (Aug. 10, 2008) in her home in Sun City West. She was born Oct. 7, 1929 in Orange, N.J., to Florence (Fox) and Donald B. Riker. She lived in Maplewood, N.J., graduated from Columbia High School, Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., and SUNY Geneseo in New York.
She married Robert E. Wood Jr. and lived in Alfred, N.Y. for over 35 years, where their son, Marc, grew up. Bob and Marc predeceased Ann. She married William Stopper of Alfred in 1992. They lived in Colorado and Arizona. He has also predeceased Ann. Ann worked as director of social services in Wellsville and Hornell, N.Y., the last at Bethesda Hospital.
Throughout her life she enjoyed reading, music, swimming, fishing, canoeing, the violin, gardening, auctions, digging fossils, playing bridge, traveling, and volunteering in museums in Florida and Arizona. She was a member of the DAR and the Desert Garden United Church, where she was part of the Care Ministries.
She is survived by a sister, Lynn Gignac; nieces, Jill Hanson and Amy Brady; nephews, John Gignac, David Gignac, and Bobby Long; great-nieces, Samantha and Emily Brady; and her faithful cat, Beauregard.
She will be buried in Pennsylvania with Bob and Marc Wood at the convenience of her family.
Edith M. Black
WELLSVILLE - Edith M. Black, 78, of 2772 County Road 18, went to be with her Lord Tuesday (Aug. 12, 2008) shortly after admission to Jones Memorial Hospital.
She was born Jan. 31, 1930, in Portville, the daughter of Percy and Bessie Dutton Skiver.
On Dec. 29, 1951, in Olean, she was married to Richard A. Black, who survives.
She was a member of the O.ES and the Wellsville First United Methodist Church.
She had been a Mary Kay Cosmetics beauty consultant for over 37 years.
Edith was a loving and caring companion to her husband, Richard, and was the happiest sharing her love and devotion with her “kids,” especially “Little Bryce,” who now asks his “Bompa,” “Who will read to me now?”
She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.
Surviving are her husband, Richard; sons, Richard W. (Jeanne) Black of Greenbush, Va. and James A. (Lilia) Black of San Diego, Calif.; grandsons, Brian J. (Sandra) Black of Wellsville, Corey C. (April) Black of Eden, Md. and Jeffrey D. Black of Greenbush; a granddaughter, Nicole Marie Black of San Diego; great-grandchildren, Bryce J. Black of Scio and Lucas R. Black of Eden; special step-great-grandchildren, Brandon and Tianna Baker of Scio; sister, Marian Shaffer of Allegany; sister-in-law, Betty Skiver of Florida; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her parents; sisters, Clara Jerge, Edna Mix, Dorothy Harmon, Virginia Miller and Agnes Skiver; and brothers, Richard, Howard, Alton, Arthur, James and Clifford Skiver.
Friends may call at the Mulholland-Crowell Funeral Home from 7-9 p.m. Friday and from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, at which time services will be held. Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery in Scio.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Association or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Richard E. Neal
WELLSVILLE - Richard E. Neal of 48 Rauber St. passed away at home today (Aug. 15, 2008). Arrangements, under the direction of the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, Inc.
GENE ADELL PHILLIPS
WELLSVILLE - Gene Adell Phillips, 68, a former resident of Alfred and Scio, died Friday (May 9, 2008) at the Highland Healthcare Center after a long illness. She was born July 9, 1939, in North Hornell, the daughter of the late Egbert and Lillian (Austin) Phillips.
Gene graduated from Alfred-Almond Central School in 1957 and from Alfred University with a BA in music education. She taught music at Mount Morris, Allegany, Wellsville, Scio, Farmersville Station and the Baptist Bible College in Clark Summit, Pa. Her enjoyment in teaching music, especially to the younger children, was very evident.
In her early years, Gene enjoyed a trip to the Holy Land, visiting Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Germany. She also enjoyed making corsages and pine cone wreaths for family and friends, and which are enjoyed to this day. She attended the Belmont First Baptist Church for many years. Her love for her God and her devout faith sustained her during her long illness.
She is survived by a brother, E. Ward Phillips of Belmont; a sister, Eloise Draggett of Fredonia; one aunt, Lucille Richmond of Wellsville; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased, in addition to her parents, by an infant niece and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Friends are invited to a graveside service at 11 a.m. June 7 in the Alfred Rural Cemetery with Rev. Michael Brady presiding.
Memorial suggestions include the Arthritis Foundation or any charity of the donor’s choice.
Kelly Lehman
WELLSVILLE - Kelly C. Lehman, 43, of 140 E. State St., died Tuesday (May 27, 2008) in his home.
He was born Sept. 12, 1964, in North Hornell, the son of Herman “Sonny” and Sylvia Clark Lehman.
He resided in Scio, Rochester and Alaska prior to moving to the Wellsville area.
He was a graduate of Scio Central High School and also attended Finger Lakes Community College, studying conservation law.
He was employed as a machinist at the Dresser-Rand plant in Wellsville.
As an avid sportsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, golf, softball and prospecting for gold in Alaska.
He was a member of the Wellsville Moose Lodge and the Kappa Sigma Epsilon fraternity.
Surviving are his mother, Sylvia Lehman of Wellsville; sisters, Amy Elliott of Wellsville and Shelly (Brent) Harris of Friendship; a brother, Brian (Sheri) Lehman of Allentown; a loving friend, Rosa McDowell of Wellsville; nieces and nephews, Janelle and James Robbins, Jaedyn Shields, Katie Elliott, Dallas and Devan Glover and Madigan and McKinlee Harris; and many other close friends.
He was predeceased by his father, grandparents and an aunt.
Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the Mulholland-Crowell Funeral Home in Wellsville, at which time a celebration of life service will be held. Mr. Roger Downer will officiate.
Burial will be at the family’s convenience.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Association or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Michael E. Lehman
Bremen, Ga. - Michael E. Lehman, 49, formerly of Andover, passed away Friday (May 23, 2008) as a result of an automobile accident.
Mr. Lehman was born Dec. 17, 1958, in Bath to Charles and Delores (McGillivary) Lehman. He was a 1979 graduate of Andover Central School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1983-91. Michael worked in the automotive industry for Decoma Decostar in Georgia for the past three years. Previously, he was an over-the-road truck driver for many years.
Michael is survived by his father, Charles Lehman of Andover; his mother, Delores Gloss of Wellsville; five sisters, Brenda (Paul) Capluzzi of Hornell, Chris (Steve) Phelps of Scio, Susan (Dennis) Yarborough of Clayton, N.C., Toni (Larry) Wilson and Lisa Lehman, both of Willow Springs, N.C.; two brothers, Don Lehman of Andover and Jim (Paula) Lehman of Campbell; aunts and uncles, Jackie and Leroy Avery of Cohocton, Marilyn Brevee of Bath, Hazel Cornell of Andover, Mary Lou and Wendell Bennett of Andover, and Darlene and Mike Willis of Dansville; a special friend, Margo Muller of Bremen, Ga.; and many caring nieces, nephews and cousins.
Michael loved cars and was an avid NASCAR fan, especially Tony Stewart. He was a fan of the music rock group KISS and was a member of Andover’s “Ice Water Mansion” band. He also greatly enjoyed animals.
Friends may call from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday at the Baker-Swan Funeral Home, Andover. The funeral service will take place at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, immediately following visitation, with Rev. Frank Troutman of Andover Baptist Church officiating. Burial will full military honors will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Andover.
John P. Gianas
WELLSVILLE - John P. Gianas of North Brooklyn Avenue passed away Wednesday (July 23, 2008) at Jones Memorial Hospital.
He was born Feb. 24, 1935, in Sykea, Greece, to Panayiotis and Chrisouli Giannakopoulos. On Feb. 20, 1955, in Sparta, Greece, he married Annette Cretekos, who survives.
John spent his childhood in Greece that was under the control of Nazi Germany. He later came to the United States and graduated from Alfred University. He started working for Allegany County in 1960 as caseworker for the Department of Social Services. In 1964, he became a supervisor and in 1996, he retired as deputy commissioner of social services. He was known for his knowledge of the social service laws and that he worked hard for his clients. John was proud of his Greek heritage. He was a deep thinker who enjoyed listening to Greek music and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
Surviving besides his wife are a son, Dr. Peter Gianas of Stake, Fla.; two daughters, Sophia Gianas of Olean and Cynthia Schroeder of Wellsville; four grandchildren, Christina, Timothy, Courtney and Michael; a brother, Kiriakos Giannakopoulos of Sykea, Greece; and several cousins, nieces and nephews as well as a close family friend, Mike Closson.
John was predeceased by a sister, Kalliope Giannakopoulos; and five brothers, Demetrios, Theofani, Pantelli, Kostantinos and George Giannakopoulos.
Friends are invited to call from 7-9 p.m. today in the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, Inc. in Wellsville. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home with Father George Zervos presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Special Olympics or to the American Diabetes Association.
