U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
WILHELMINA SALVA ‘WILLIE’ ALLEN
WELLSVILLE - Wilhelmina Salva “Willie” Allen, 74, passed away peacefully at home Thursday (April 17, 2008).
She was born in Glen Lyon, Pa., to Joseph and Caroline Wozniak Salva Dec. 29, 1933. She moved with her family to Western New York, where she graduated from high school in Niagara Falls and began work at the Niagara Falls Public Library. She also assisted with the Niagara Falls Little Theatre until she married Raymond J. Allen on Dec. 26, 1957, at St. George’s Church. The newlyweds moved to Bathgate, N.D. for his first teaching position and the birth of their daughter, Barbara. Willie and Ray then moved to Wellsville in 1959, shortly before the birth of their son, Raymond.
Willie worked for the radio station WLSV for 13 years, where she was best-known on air for the daily social calendar. She was an early board member who went on to serve as the executive director of the Allegany Arts Association until 2005. An active, loyal member of the Immaculate Conception Church, she became a eucharistic minister and served Communion to parishioners at nursing homes as well as in private homes.
Willie was an avid bridge player and an active member of the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Willie was also very active in the Nancy Howe Players and was an honorary board member of The Players of Allegany County. She worked on costumes, ticket sales and advertising. She loved the theater.
Willie is survived by her husband, Raymond J. Allen; daughter, Barbara (Dale) Smith of Richmond, Va.; son, Raymond W. (Rebecca) Allen of Niceville, Fla.; sister, Mary (Frederick) DeVries of Chadds Ford, Pa.; sisters-in-law, Cora Abel and Pattie Allen; brother-in-law, James (Nancy) Allen; and nine grandchildren and one great-grandson.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the Immaculate Conception Church with Monsignor Vincent Becker celebrating.
Burial was in Sacred Heart Cemetery and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Allegany Arts Association or to Immaculate Conception School in her memory.
Diane Cline-Creech
OZARK, Ala. - Mrs. Diane Cline-Creech, a resident of Ozark, Ala., went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Monday (June 16, 2008) following a long battle with ovarian cancer. She was 56.
Diane Mary “Bird” Schwab was born Oct. 7, 1951, in Cuba, N.Y. She was raised in Friendship, N.Y., with three sisters and three brothers. Soon after high school, Diane began her family, giving birth to three sons and one daughter by the age of 28. She attended Alfred State College, graduating in 1984 with an associate’s degree in nursing. She spent the majority of her career in Lakeland, Fla. Diane met the love of her life and her husband of 14 years, Roy Creech, and they were married in 1994. Diane enjoyed the great outdoors and traveling with her husband for many years. In 2001, they bought their first home together in Ozark. Diane attended church at Lighthouse Holiness Church in Ozark.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jay S. and Dorothy A. Schwab; and a sister, Linda S. Barnett.
Survivors include her husband, Roy L. Creech of Ozark; sons, Matthew G. VanGilder, Aaron J. VanGilder and Todd D. VanGilder, all of Rochester, N.Y.; daughter, Tenneal Cline of Rochester; stepson, Michael Creech of Ozark; stepdaughter, Renea Faulkner of Hazlehurst, Ga.; nephew, Tony Creech of Lady Lake, Fla.; brothers, Jay A. Schwab of Yankeetown, Fla., Richard P. Schwab of Ligioner, Pa. and James W. Schwab of Annapolis, Md.; sisters, Amy S. Palmer of Wellsville, N.Y., Tina Yanke of Yankeetown, Fla.; and grandchildren, Kristen Creech of Lake Wales, Fla. and Joshua Creech and Katy Creech, both of Cottonwood. Diane also left behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and so many wonderful friends.
A celebration of life service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Parsons Memorial Presbyterian Church, 5850 Riverside Drive, P.O. Box 6, Yankeetown, FL. An additional celebration will be held at a later date for family and friends in New York.
PATRICIA CARTER McDERMOTT
WESTMONT, Ill. - A memorial service was held Dec. 15, in the Toon Funeral Home, Westmont.
Mrs. McDermott was a retired financial analyst with American Express. She enjoyed vacationing with her husband, bird watching and dog Maggie.
Survivors include her husband of 30 years, James C.; her step-daughter, Kelli McDermott-Caudill (Glen); her sister, Carol Ludden; her mother, Barbara Carter and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Julian; and her sister, Juel Lessard.
Memorials may be sent to West Suburban Human Society, 1901 Ogden Ave., Downers Grove, IL., 60515.
WILLIAM H. FORD
ANGELICA - William H. Ford, 90, of 106 E. Main St., passed away Friday (April 4, 2008) at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville.
Born in Buffalo, April 19, 1917, the son of James and Annie Juson Ford, he had resided in Angelica for many years. He had served his country as a member of the United States Army from 1940-1945 and received the Bronze Star Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Conspicuous Service Cross of New York state. He had been employed at the former Air Preheater in Wellsville prior to his retirement in 1981. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Angelica where he had served as a Sunday School teacher and Deacon. Bill enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting especially pheasant hunting.
He was predeceased March 24, 2005, by his wife, Alberta, whom he married on Oct. 11, 1947. He was also predeceased by his sister, Kathleen Adams, and his brothers, Alan James Ford, Alfred Ford and Harold Ford, and his grandson, Jeremiah Ford.
He is survived by five sons, James Ford of Brule, Neb., Jonathan (Donna) Ford of Angelica, Daniel (Debbie) Ford of Angelica, David (Sandy) Ford of Angelica and Stephen (Gail) Ford of Easton, Pa.; his sister, Margaret Schneider of Angelica; 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
To send a remembrance, please visit, www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com.
The family will be present to receive friends from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday at the Brown & Powers Funeral Home, 101 West Ave., Angelica. Funeral services will take place at the First Baptist Church of Angelica at 11 a.m. Tuesday, with his son, Rev. David Ford officiating. Burial will be in Until The Day Cemetery, Angelica.
Friends may make memorial contributions to the First Baptist Church of Angelica, 18 Park Circle, Angelica, N.Y. 14709.
Joseph James Banish
Schenectady - Joseph James Banish of 40 Kallen Ave. died Tuesday (April 1, 2008) in his home. He was born Aug. 4, 1972, in Buffalo, a son of James and Charlotte Kaluzny Banish.
Mr. Banish was a lieutenant for the New York State Police. He was a member of the PBA and was an avid hunter and golfer, but his greatest love was his family. He was a graduate of St. Bonaventure University.
Surviving in addition to his longtime companion, Tina Sanford, are his parents of Fillmore, his brothers and sisters, Jennifer L. (Christopher) Austin of Fillmore, Mary E. Banish of Leesburg, Va., James H. Banish (Brandy Harris) of Ticonderoga and Michael J. (Tasha) Banish of Leesburg; and his nieces and nephews, Zachary, Elliott, Elizabeth and Tara Austin, Gabrielle and Gianna Banish, Domanic and Jarrett Banish and Alexander Banish.
Family and friends may gather from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday at the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home, 21 N. Genesee St., Fillmore. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Patrick’s Church, Fillmore. Father Dennis J.J. Mancuso, pastor, will be celebrant. Burial will be in Assumption Cemetery, Portageville.
JOHN F. ‘JACK’ GARDNER
INDIANAPOLIS, N.Y. - John F. “Jack” Gardner, 81, of 2619 Dawn Lake Drive, Indianapolis, died Friday (March 28, 2008) at home.
Born April 15, 1926, in Wellsville, N.Y., he was the son of James M. and Marie (Myers) Gardner. On July 10, 1953, he married Margaret F. Hamblin, who died Dec. 9, 2005.
Jack worked at Ingram-Richardson from 1955-1974 as a ceramic engineer. He then worked at C.C.C. in Florence, Ky., as plant manager from 1978-1986. He retired from A.O. Smith in research and development in 1998.
He was past president of Toast Masters, former scout master, past president of the PTA of Kyger School and past president of the Band Parents Association. He attended Florence and Southport United Methodist churches.
Jack graduated from Wellsville High School in 1944 and from Alfred University in 1949. He played basketball in high school and college. Jack played a percussion instrument in a dance band during the 1940s. Jack excelled in the game of golf and he was an avid IU and Cincinnati Reds fan.
Surviving are a son, John R. “Jack” (Diana) Gardner of Marion, Ind.; a daughter, Marilyn Jean (Tim) Cummins of Greenwood, Ind.; a sister, Jean Brady of Utah; four grandchildren, Tegan and Tyra Cummins, and Eric and Ryan Gardner.
He was predeceased by his parents and wife.
Friends may call from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday at the Genda Funeral Home, 608 N. Main St., Frankfort, Ind. Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Bunnell Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
LILLIAN F. CARLIN
WELLSVILLE - Lillian F. Carlin, 92, of 160 Seneca St., died Thursday (March 20, 2008) in the Highland Healthcare Center in Wellsville after a long illness.
She was born July 25, 1915, in Hornell, the daughter of Albert and Catherine Brown Sr. On Aug. 17, 1930, she was married to Charles D. Carlin, who predeceased her Aug. 1, 1960.
She attended the Petrolia District School and for more than 20 years was employed at the Cooks Motel in Wellsville. A lifelong resident of the area she enjoyed both reading and playing bingo.
Surviving are daughters, Wanda Nelson of Portville, Tookie Cole of Wellsville, Ted (Starr) Carlin of Bolivar and Judd (Arlene) Carlin of Wellsville; several grand, great-grand and great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Clifford Brown of Wellsville and Albert Brown Jr. of Warren, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, parents, daughters, Carol Norman and Barbara Carlin; and sons, Frank C., Ben and Ned Carlin.
Friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Monday at the Mulholland-Crowell Funeral Home, Wellsville, where services will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, with Rev. Carl Kemp officiating. Burial will be in the Fairlawn Cemetery, Scio.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
