U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Francis J. Campbell
WELLSVILLE - Francis J. Campbell of 4192 Bolivar Road passed away Monday (June 23, 2008) in the Wellsville Manor Care Center. He was born June 24, 1927, in Brooklyn, to Francis A. and Elizabeth Healy Campbell.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during WWII, and had been a printing press operator in Brooklyn. Francis was a member of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Brooklyn and enjoyed bowling.
Burial will take place in the Bath National Cemetery in Bath. Arrangements are under the direction of the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, Inc. in Wellsville.
Leo Johnson
WELLSVILLE - Leo John Johnson, 88, of 138 Hill St. passed away Friday (June 20, 2008) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester following a sudden illness. He was born Jan. 30, 1920, in the Town of West Union, the son of Daniel and Clara (Ward) Johnson. On Aug. 7, 1951, in Port Allegany, Pa., he married the former Marion Ludden, who survives.
Leo was first employed by an independent deep well gas drilling contractor in Pennsylvania for many years. He later worked for C. E. Air Preheater Company in Wellsville, until his retirement in 1982. He ended his career with the Whitesville Water Company, retiring in 1999. He was a member of the Wellsville Moose Lodge No. 601, the Whitesville Senior Citizens and a social member of the Frank B. Church Post No. 2530 VFW in Wellsville.
Surviving in addition to his wife are two daughters, MaryAnn (Gus) Weber of Andover and Marlee (Brian) Cannon of Wellsville; three grandsons, Gus D. (Juleen) Weber II, Matthew J. Cannon and Ian Patrick Cannon; one great grandson, Ardell Spinder; a first cousin, Mary Krenzer; several nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as his extended family, Shallee (Paul) Lauzze, and their sons, Joe and Nick Lauzze, of Whitesville. He was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, seven brothers and one nephew.
Friends are invited to call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville, where the rosary will be recited at 8:30 p.m. A prayer will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville, with Monsignor Vincent Becker as celebrant. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wellsville. Memorial suggestions include the Immaculate Conception Church or the David A. Howe Public Library.
BARTON G. JEFFREY
WELLSVILLE - Barton G. Jeffrey, 68, of 1935 County Road 18, died Monday (March 24, 2008) at home following a long battle with cancer. He was born Jan. 8, 1940, in Melrose, Maine, the son of Robert and Barbara (Willis) Jeffrey.
Bart was raised in Montpelier, Vt., was a graduate of Montpelier High School in 1957 and attended the University of Vermont. He left Vermont in 1959, and was employed at Terry Steam Turbine in Hartford, Conn. for many years. He came to Wellsville in 1987, and became the Production Control Manager at Dresser-Rand Corporation until his retirement in 2003. He was an avid college basketball and Yankees fan, he enjoyed Fantasy Baseball, was a voracious reader and loved all sorts of music, especially jazz and music from the 50’s.
He is survived by two brothers, David Jeffrey of East Calais, Vt.; his twin, Martha Murphy of Newport, N.C. and Laurie Jeffrey of New York City; two daughters, Allison Hanauer of Collierville, Tenn. and Leigh Jeffrey of Memphis, Tenn.; as well as several loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Philip Jeffrey, in December of 1991.
A gathering in Bart’s memory will be planned for a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. Memorial suggestions include the SPCA Serving Allegany County, P.O. Box 381, Wellsville, N.Y. 14895 or the David A. Howe Public Library, 155 N. Main St., Wellsville, N.Y. 14895.
Alice Deichmann
FERRUM, Va. - Alice Deichmann, 75 of Ferrum, Va., went to be with Jesus Monday (Aug. 4, 2008).
She is survived by her husband, Charles Deichmann; seven children, Jonathan of Austin, Texas; Rebecca Cudahy of Wellsville, N.Y., Wendy Deichmann Edwards of Dayton, Ohio, Heidi Whitehouse of Castle Rock, Colo., Charles Jr. of Belmont, N.Y., Rachel of Ferrum and Joel of Nashua, N.H.; and 17 grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ferrum Volunteer Rescue Squad, c/o Capt. Lisa McCaul, 1392 Jamison Mill Road, Ferrum VA 24088. Memorial services were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Twin Oaks Baptist Church, Ferrum. Arrangements were under the direction of Flora Funeral Service, Rocky Mount.
Richard E. Neal
WELLSVILLE - Richard E. Neal, 82, of 48 Rauber Street, passed away Friday (Aug. 15, 2008) at his home.
He was born July, 23, 1926 in Lima, Ohio, the son of Victor L. and Carrie Ruth (Coffman) Neal. On Oct. 11, 1952, he married Bonnie Blackman, who survives.
Dick was a 1944 graduate of Wellsville High School. He was a veteran of WWII, serving with the U.S. Navy as a tail gunner in the Pacific Theater of Operation. He then graduated from the School of Modern Photography in New York City. He was formerly employed as a machinist at Butler-Larkin Company and Worthington Corporation, both of Wellsville. He later owned and operated Neal’s Photography in Wellsville for 30 years. He was well known for his historical photographs of the flood of 1972 and several of those photos can be found on the Allegany County Historical Website. He was also known for his historical post cards of the Wellsville area. Many of his photographs won awards at the New York State Photographers Convention.
He was a life member of the Wellsville Moose Lodge No. 601, was a past District Governor on the Moose and was a former member of the Morrison-Hayes Post No. 702 American Legion. He founded the Wellsville Horseshoe League and was an avid bowler, golfer and fisherman.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 55 years, are four children, Charles Neal and his wife, Suzanne Spicer of Wellsville, Lisa Neal Keegan and her husband, Chip of Rodman, Douglas Neal and his wife, Stella Young of Wellsville, and Thomas Neal and his companion, Debbie Ireland of Fort Ann; ten grandchildren; and one aunt, Mary Russell of Ovid. He was predeceased by two brothers, William and Robert Neal.
Friends are invited to call from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Monday at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc., 34 W. State St., Wellsville. A memorial service will take place 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with Rev. Lewis Mericle presiding. Military honors will follow the service. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial suggestions include Home Care & Hospice or the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
MINONA PIERCE
WELLSVILLE - Minona Pierce, 90, formerly of Alfred Station, passed away peacefully Friday (March 28, 2008) at Highland Healthcare Center.
Mrs. Pierce was born on Sept. 16, 1917, in Alfred to Milo and Louella Hutchinson Moland. On Sept. 16, 1936, in Alfred, she married Lloyd W. Pierce, who predeceased her on Feb. 13, 2002.
Minona is survived by a daughter, Betty and Lyle Sutton of Friendship; a daughter-in-law, Anne Pierce of Corning; one brother, E. Clyde Moland; three sisters, Mildred Moore, Maude Lower and Harriet Jones; and seven grandchildren and their families, Wendy Cocca of Springville, Eric Sutton of McDonough, Peggy Chroniger of Alfred Station, Steven Sutton of Red Hook, Karen Matteson and Kim McNaney, both of Corning and Amy Tanner of Tioga, Pa.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her son, Frederick Milo Pierce on Sept. 20, 2004; three brothers, Richard Moland, Milo Moland and Max Moland; and one sister, Myra Williams.
Minona lived her entire life in Alfred and was a long time member of the Alfred Station Seventh Day Baptist Church. She actively participated in church and was involved in many community organizations. But more than this, she was a loving and devoted wife of 65 years and cherished the time spent with her family. She was greatly loved by all.
There will be a Sabbath day memorial service held at 3 p.m. Saturday (April 5) at the Alfred Station Seventh Day Baptist Church with Rev. Ken Chroninger officiating. There will be a time of remembrance and fellowship following the service. Burial in Alfred Rural Cemetery will be at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions in Minona’s name may be made to Alfred Station Seventh Day Baptist Church, 587 SR 244, Alfred Station, N.Y. 14803. Arrangements are in care of Baker-Swan Funeral Home, Andover.
BONITA J. “BONNIE” FANTON
ANDOVER - Bonita J. “Bonnie” Fanton, 61, passed away Wednesday (July 2, 2008) at Jones Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Fanton was born on Dec. 21, 1946 in Wellsville to Bruno and Marlene (Coats) Moline. She was a 1964 graduate of Wellsville High School. On April 3, 1966 she married Coy Fanton, who survives.
Bonnie worked for Jones Memorial Hospital as a senior billing clerk for 25 years until her retirement in Jan. 2008.
In addition to her husband, Bonnie is survived by four sons, Tim (Amy) Fanton and P. J. Fanton, both of Andover, Todd (Karmen) Fanton of Pine Knot, Ky. and Kevin (Mary) Fanton of Wellsville; one brother, Robert (Vivian) Moline of Andover; four grandchildren, Savannah Fanton, Gracie Fanton, Jesse Fanton and Joseph Fanton; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bonnie loved shopping QVC for her grandchildren and planning her annual trip to Vanity Fair. She greatly enjoyed her many friends from work. But more than this, she was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who cherished her time spent with family.
At the family and her request, there will be no visitation or services.
Memorial contributions may be made to SPCA, PO Box 381, Wellsville, NY 14895.
Arrangements are under the direction of Baker-Swan Funeral Home, Andover.
J. STEVEN MAYES
ALFRED - John Steven “Steve” Mayes, of 33 Pine Hill Drive, Alfred passed away at home on June 18, 2008 surrounded by his family.
He was born July 18, 1956 in Newport News, Va., and graduated from Menchville High School. Steve studied mechanical engineering and business administration at Old Dominion College, and earned a master’s degree in structural engineering at George Washington University. He completed his doctorate in mechanical engineering at the University of Wyoming in 1999.
On August 17, 1991 Steve married Debra Spangler in Arlington, Va. Their daughter, Stacy, was born in 1995, and Mathew was born in 1998. Steve is survived by his parents, John and Betty Mayes, brother Rodney, and sister Joyce, all of Yorktown, VA, and extended family members.
Steve had a successful career as an engineer, working for 18 years in government research. He was part of the research team at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., and then at the Navy’s David Taylor Research Center in Bethesda, MD. After completing his doctorate, he moved to Alfred in 2000 to begin his academic career as an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Alfred University. He was a recognized expert in composite materials design and fabrication.
Steve loved the outdoors, especially his ancestral farm in West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest, which he visited several times a year. An avid outdoor sportsman, Steve enjoyed skiing, sailing, bicycling, backpacking, and camping. He was a member of the University Union Church, where he held a position as trustee. Steve will be remembered for his “relentless pursuit of a good life” and his devotion to his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made in his name to the Union University Church, 29 North Main St., Alfred, N.Y. 14802.
Friends are invited to join a memorial celebration of Steve’s life on Sunday, June 22, at 4 p.m. at the Union University Church.
