U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Wilbur A. Wagner
Ulysses, Pa. - Wilbur A. Wagner, 93, of Wellsville, NY and Citrus Springs, FL, formerly of Ulysses, PA, died Friday, May 23, 2008 in the Wellsville Manor, Wellsville, NY.
Born May 8, 1915, in Ulysses, he was the son of Orlo and Lida Empson Wagner. On March 8, 1941, in Addison, NY, he married the former Jeannette E. Dykins, who predeceased him on July 12, 1990.
On September 3, 1998, in Ulysses, he married the former Margaret Mulford Watkins, who survives. A 1933 graduate of Lewisville Vocational School in Ulysses and a graduate of Bryant and Stratton School of Business in Buffalo, NY, he served honorably with the US Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theatre. Mr. Wagner owned and operated Wagner Hardware in Ulysses for many years, retiring to Citrus Springs, FL in 1979.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ulysses, founding member of the Community Congregational Christian Church in Citrus Springs, FL, Tri-Town Volunteer Fire Company (charter) in Ulysses, Carl E. Hyde American Legion Post #963 (charter) in Ulysses, Lewisville Lodge #556 F & AM in Ulysses, Coudersport Consistory, Sons of the American Revolution General James Potter Chapter, served as a director and chairman of the Ulysses board and the corporate board of First Citizens National Bank, and served as president of the Northern Potter School Board.
An avid golfer, he was a member of the Coudersport Golf Club and the Citrus Springs Golf Club. Wilbur had a lifelong love of music and sang in a quartet for several years.
Surviving besides his wife, Margaret, are: a son, Rev. Ralph O. (Susan) Wagner of Tempe, AZ; a daughter-in-law, Carolyn Wagner of Ulysses; foster daughter, Ann (William) Norman of Jersey Shore, PA; six grandsons, Andrew J. (Julie) Wagner of Turlock, CA, Nathan (Shihching) Wagner of Glendora, CA, Michael (Tiffany) Wagner of Coudersport, James W. Wagner of Ulysses, Eran (Melissa) Stone of Pompano Beach, FL, and Shawn Norman of Jersey Shore, PA; nine great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Betty Dykins of Glastonbury, CT; a step-daughter, Ann McCarthy of Belfast, NY; and a step-son, Barry (Diana) Watkins of Owego, NY.
In addition to his first wife, Jeannette, he was predeceased by a son, James A. Wagner; a grandson, Gregory J. Wagner; a sister, Sylvia Wagner; and a brother, Raymond Wagner.
Friends may call Wednesday, May 28, 2008 from 6:00 ? 8:00 PM at the Olney Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ulysses, PA.
Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM, Thursday in the Ulysses First Baptist Church. The Rev. Anna Shirey will officiate.
Burial will be in Ulysses Cemetery. Military Rites will be accorded by members of the Potter County Honor Guard.
Memorials may be made to the Ulysses Library, Ulysses, PA 16948.
EARL HENRY THEODORE HORNBURG
Montoursville, Pa. - Earl Henry Theodore Hornburg, 95, formerly of Olean, passed away Wednesday (May 21, 2008) at the Elmcroft Manor of Loyalsock, an assisted care living facility.
Born Nov. 16, 1912, in Wellsville, he was the son of Arthur and Henrietta Stechmann Hornburg. On Oct. 19, 1940, in Olean, he married the former Isabel Taylor, who preceded him in death on March 24, 2003.
Known to his family as “The Duke” Earl graduated as the valedictorian of his senior class from Wellsville High School at the age of 16, from Alfred University in 1934 and from Columbia University Law School in 1937. He started his legal career in Olean at Hornburg, Diggs & Andrews and was a partner in the firm for more than 40 years. Earl served in the U.S. Army during WWII. Earl served on the board of directors of the Exchange National Bank, the Olean General Hospital and the YMCA. He was also a member of Christ United Methodist Church and the Bartlett Country Club, where he was one of the few to acheive a hole-in-one. He and Isabel spent many enjoyable years of their retirement in Florida.
Besides his loving wife, Earl was preceded in death by his sister, Mildred (Howard) Walrod. Survivors include one son, Philip T. (Sandy) Hornburg of Visalia, Calif.; four daughters, Diane (Richard) Merlof Manassas, Va., Barbara (Kenneth) Barnes of Montoursville, Pa., Martha (Robert) Young of Almond, Karen (Steve) O’Keefe of Liverpool; 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; his cousins, Jim (Lonave) and Art (Doreen) Hornburg of Olean; and sister-in-law, Betty (Bob) Heck of Hagerstown, Md.
Friends are invited to attend a visitation at 1 p.m. Saturday (May 31, 2008) at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 West State Rd., Olean. A service of remembrance will take place at 2 p.m., to be immediately followed by a graveside ceremony at Mt. View Cemetery, Olean.
Memorial contributions may take the form of a donation to the Olean YMCA, 1101 Wayne St., Olean, N.Y. 14760.
Helen Marie Gath
WELLSVILLE - Memorial services for Helen Marie Gath, who died Feb. 10, 2008, will be held Friday in the Mulholland-Crowell Funeral Home in Wellsville. Visitation will be held from 3-4 p.m., at which time services will be held. The Rev. Ralph Eastlack will officiate.
Bruce V. Taggart
WELLSVILLE - Bruce V. Taggart, 86, of 11 Washington St., died Monday (July 14, 2008) at the Wellsville Manor Care Center following a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born Aug. 23, 1921, in Wellsville, the son of George and Lula Bell (Ryder) Taggart. On Aug. 4, 1945, in Olean, he married Wilma Withey, who survives.
Bruce was a graduate of Wellsville High School and St. Bonaventure University. He served with the U. S. Marine Corps during the WW II era. He was a 41-year employee of C. E. Air Preheater Company in Wellsville. He retired as a cost accountant in 1983. After retirement, he enjoyed worked for Allegany County ARC and the First Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Christian Temple in Wellsville and passionately attended his vegetable garden.
Surviving in addition to his wife are three daughters, Cheryl (Joseph) Greenfield of Delhi, Cherese (Hank) Gould and Cherlayne (Frank) Short, both of Wellsville; one son, Bruce (Laura) Taggart Jr. of Delmar; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a daughter, Cherie Taggart, in 1998; and a brother, Gordon Taggart.
Friends will be invited to an outdoor memorial service to be announced at a later date. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorial suggestions include the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps, The National Audubon Society or the American Cancer Society.
RITA C. ROESKE
WELLSVILLE - There will be a Memorial Service held to celebrate the life of Rita C. Roeske, who went to be with her Lord on December 12, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Woodlawn Cemetery Route 19, Wellsville with Mary Nevol of CTM Word of Faith Ministries officiating. All friends and family are welcome to attend.
Juanita B. Stanley
WARREN, Ohio - Juanita B. Stanley, 91, of Warren, died Saturday (Aug. 9, 2008) at Imperial Skilled Care Center.
She was born March 24, 1917, in Elmira, N.Y., the daughter of the late Frank F. and Ethel Mae Rushmore Buckholtz.
Juanita was a homemaker and she formerly worked at Kautz Heating in Youngstown and also at Carlisle’s in Niles. She was a member of the Ali Baba Cauldron No. 31. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and sewing.
Survivors include her daughters, Jo Ann (Glenn Sr.) Wilson of Bristolville and Karen (Carmen Sr.) Zone of Chino Hill, Calif.; six grandchildren, Melissa, Kevin and Carmen Jr. Zone and Randy (Amy), Norman (Terri) and Glenn M. Jr. Wilson; eight great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Thomas, Austin, Andrew and Samantha Zone and Kaylee Robinette, Ashley and Michael Wilson; one stepbrother, Bruce Reuning; and one stepsister, Mary Ellen Perry, both of Wellsville, N.Y.
Other than her parents, Juanita was preceded in death by her husband, Richard E. Stanley, whom she married Nov. 30, 1939, on Aug. 25, 1975; her stepfather, Henry Reuning; one stepbrother, H.J. “Jack” Reuning Jr.; and one stepsister, Roberta Rugaber.
Private committal services will be held Thursday at Crown Hill Burial Park in Vienna. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Bristolville United Methodist Church for Hand Bell Choir, P.O. Box 234, Bristolville, OH 44402.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Carl W. Hall Funeral Home.
SUSAN SAUNDERS
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Former Wellsville, N.Y. resident Susan Saunders, 67, of Phoenix died Sunday (Dec. 9, 2007) after a brief illness.
Born Feb. 19, 1940, Sue was born and raised in Wellsville, and graduated from Wellsville High School in 1958. In 1959, she joined the Navy and married James Boyle. Later, she married William Dunning of Wellsville and lived in Wellsville until 1986, when she moved to Phoenix.
She is survived by daughters, Lori Boyle, Angie (William) Dunning Baker and son, Steve Dunning, all of Phoenix; and four grandsons, Jacob Schneble, Ryan Hammersley, John Baker, Andy Baker, and grandson Conor Dunning. She is also survived by her sister, Lois Flahive of Attica, N.Y.; and brother, Frederick Saunders of Phoenix.
After relocating to Phoenix, she worked for the Paradise Valley School system, driving a school bus until she retired in 2004.
Funeral services were held in Mesa for the immediate family, with a memorial service set for January for friends and family.
The family requests any memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Nelson M. ‘Nellie’ Starks Jr.
ZephyrHills, Fla. - Nelson “Nellie” M. Starks Jr., of Zephyrhills, Fla., formerly of Wellsville, N.Y., passed away peacefully March 20, 2008, surrounded by his loving family.
Nelson was born Aug. 4, 1936, in Arcade, N.Y., the son of Nelson M. Starks Sr. and Effie Starks and graduated from Wellsville Central School.
He is survived by his loving wife, Caroline; three loving children, Robert (Kate) Starks, Steven (Elaine) Starks and Lisa (Tom) Corrigan. He was a devoted and loving grandfather to his seven grandchildren, Joshua, Jeremy, Kristen, Brianne, Gregory, Adam and Samantha.
He was predeceased by his parents; two brothers and two sisters. Surviving are three sisters, Mildred Tait, Lois Kuzara, Norma Sisson; and a very special brother, Bill (Edie) Starks.
Nelson was a veteran of the United States Army and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant E-5.
Nelson was employed by Scoville Brown & Co. and the L.C. Whitford Company for many years. After his retirement, Nelson enjoyed spending time with his wife, family, golfing and traveling. He particularly loved his home in Zephyrhills, Fla., and the many friends he made there.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. July 19 at the North Bingham Community Church in North Bingham, Pa. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Hernando Pasco Hospice, East Pasco Care Center, 37439 Clinton Ave. Dade City, FL 33525 in Nelson’s memory.
