U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-CurrentMargaret E. Bernhard
Margaret E. Bernhard, 95, formerly of Prospect St., died at 2:06 a.m. Monday (Nov. 22, 1999) in Heritage Park Health Care Center. She was born June 5, 1904, in Munson, Pa., the daughter of J. Fred and Lydia Wilkinson Herbert. A Jamestown resident since marriage, she was a member of the Pilgrim Memorial United Church of Christ for more than 60 years and its Women's Guild and Scrooby Club. She was a Grey Lady Volunteer at WCA Hospital for more than 20 years. Surviving are two daughters: Jean Johnson of Ashville and Florence Christian of Jamestown; six grandchildren: Linda Murphy, Margaret ''Peggy'' Franiewicz and Jill Johnson all of Jamestown, James D. and John H. Nelson of Bohemia, N.Y. and Julie Edborg of Lakewood; eight great-grandchildren; two great- great-grandchildren; and two brothers: Eugene and Fred Herbert. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. today in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Gilbert J. Pearson, pastor of Pilgrim Memorial United Church of Christ. The Rev. Gerald A. Haglund, chaplain of Heritage Park Health Center, will officiate. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received one hour prior to the service today in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Pilgrim Memorial United Church of Christ, 70 McKinley Ave., Jamestown, or The Salvation Army Christmas Fund, 83 South Main St., Jamestown, N.Y., 14701.
Aletha M. Caster
Aletha M. Caster, 93, of 1325 Forest Ave. Ext., formerly of Oswego, N.Y., died at 6:32 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 22, 1999) in her home. She was born Feb. 22, 1906, in Eagle Bend, Minn., a daughter of George and Myrtle Allen Cossentine. Prior to retiring, she had been employed for many years at the Harwood Nursing Home in Oswego. She had also driven a school bus in the Oswego area and, in earlier years, had been an elementary school teacher in St. Augustine, Fla. She was a member of the Jamestown Seventh Day Adventist Church. She was a grandmother to everyone and a great mentor to the children in her life. She enjoyed sewing, knitting and crocheting, and loved vegetable and flower gardening. Surviving are two sons: Donald G. Caster of Yucaipa, Calif., and Gordon W. Caster of Jamestown; a daughter, Beverly L. Bonnier of Pell Lake, Wisc.; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Myrtle Aldrich of Avon Park, Fla. She was preceded in death by her husband, Galen W. Caster, who died Sept. 30, 1964; two brothers; and a sister. The funeral will be Sunday in Oswego. Burial will be in Fairdale Cemetery, Hannibal, N.Y. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Powers, Present and Sixbey Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Hospice Chautauqua County, 188 S. Erie St., Mayville, N.Y., 14757, or to 3 ABN, P.O. Box 220, West Frankfort, Ill., 62896.
W. John Evans
FREDONIA - Walter "Big John" John Evans, 45, of Webster Road, died Monday (Nov. 22, 1999) in Brooks Memorial Hospital. He was born April 25, 1954, in Upper Marlboro, Md., the son of Wallace and the late Louise E. Booth Evans. He was a graduate of Westfield Academy Central School where he held several school records in football and track, specifically discus and shot put, and was employed by Morgan David Wine of Westfield. He owned and operated the J & C Archery Shop on Webster Road in Fredonia. He was a member of the Ducks Unlimited, Buck Masters, the National Rifle Association, and was a master instructor of the National Bowhunters Educational Program and conducted many Hunter Safety courses on Chautauqua County. He was a member of the Dunkirk Conservation Club, South Shore Rod and Gun Club, Bear Lake Rod and Gun Club and the Beaver Club of Fredonia. He was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman and pursued his love of the great outdoors. Surviving are two sons: Jason R. Evans of Westfield and Ryan J. Evans of Fredonia; two sisters: Elburta Evans of Manteca, Calif., and Sally Evans of Westfield; his father of Upper Marlboro; and his former wife, Cathy Ciambor Evans of Fredonia. The funeral service will be held at 9 p.m. Wednesday in the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton St., Westfield. A private burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family in c/o of MASON Funeral Home.
Ilona T. Hurley
Ilona T. "Helen" Hurley, 88, formerly of 3921 S. Ralph Ave., Bemus Point, Corry and Sugar Grove, died at 9:40 a.m. Monday (Nov. 22, 1999) in the Rouse Home, Youngsville. An area resident since 1943, she was born Sept. 1, 1911, in Hungary, the daughter of Andrew and Julia F. Firkala Guzi. In earlier years she was employed by the Corry Arrow Supply, the former Remington Arms in Conn. and had also worked for Alaska Airlines in Fairbanks, Alaska. Before retiring she was employed by the former Jamestown Plywood Corporation in Jamestown. She was a communicant of Our Lady of the Snow Catholic Church in Panama and while living in Bemus Point had attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Surviving are two daughters: Pat Giordon of Sugar Grove and Mary T. Davis of Bemus Point; a son, Joseph P. Hurley of Mauii, Hawaii; 20 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; a sister, Mary T. Peterson of Corry; and a step-sister, Grace Yuchnyk of South Bury, Conn. She was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew T. Hurley, whom she married Oct. 18, 1929 and who died Jan. 18, 1974; two sons: William C. Hurley, March 9, 1982, and Francis J. Hurley, Sept. 5, 1977; a grandson, John C. Davis, July 14, 1987; two brothers: Paul and Frank Guzi; and three step-brothers: John, Ted and Frank Fazekas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. John Catholic Church, 270 Newton Ave., Jamestown. The Rev. Bernard Staszak, pastor of Our Lady of the Snow Catholic Church will be celebrant. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will received friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Lind Funeral Home, 805 West Third St. Memorials may be made to Our Lady of the Snow Catholic Church, Main St., Panama, N.Y., 14767 or the Rouse House, 701 Rouse Ave., Youngsville, Pa., 16371.
Raymond Wilbur Nelson
YOUNGSVILLE - Raymond Wilbur Nelson, 98, formerly of 109 Church St., Sheffield, died at 11:40 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 20, 1999) in the Rouse Home. He was born Feb. 3, 1901, Sheffield, the son of Clause and Rena Nelson. A lifelong Sheffield area resident, he was employed as a mail delivery contractor for 32 years. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Sheffield. Surviving are a son, John R. Nelson of Gaithersburg, Md.; and one granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mabel Louise Whitton Nelson, whom he married July 19, 1933, in Tidioute, Pa.; a sister, Edith Pearce; and two brothers: Alvin and Justin Nelson. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. today in the Bordon Funeral Home, Sheffield. The Rev. Scott Mims, pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Sheffield Cemetery.
Ethel Smith
WARREN - Ethel Gustafson Smith, 88, died at 4:40 p.m. Friday (Nov. 19, 1999) in Beverly Healthcare, Warren. She was born Dec. 31, 1910, in Jamestown, the daughter of the Carl and Yerda Danielson Gustafson. Surviving are a daughter, Greta Smith of Brooklyn. She was preceded in death by a brother, Elmer Gustafson. No visitation will be observed. Arrangements are by the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home.
Roger A. Carlson
LAFAYETTE, N.Y. - Roger A. Carlson, 72, of 6056 Route 20, Lafayette, died Saturday (Nov. 20, 1999) at home. Carlson was born Feb. 10, 1927, in Jamestown, the son of Allene and Aldore Carlson. He was a deep sea diver with the Navy from 1944-1946, specializing in salvage and demolition. He was involved in all phases of the lumber industry, including procurement, manufacturing, sales and special projects in the U.S., Europe and Asia. He was employed by Eastern Plywood from 1948 to 1963, Booher Lumber Co. from 1963 to 1981 and Gutchess International from 1981 to 1994. After his retirement in 1994, he was recognized as an industry expert and continued to work as an independent consultant. He was a life member of VFW Post 53, an active Boy Scout leader, the 1967 club champion at Hill and Dale Country Club, an active member of the Penn York Lumberman's Club, Canadian Lumber Association and National Hardwood Lumber Association. He also was a former board member of Empire State Forest Product Association. Carlson was a gourmet cook and included fishing, golfing and woodworking among his hobbies. Survivors include his wife, Renee M. Carlson, whom he married in 1948; two daughters: Katherine Bishop of Norton, Mass., and Lori Lawless of Minoa, N.Y.; a son, Jeffrey Carlson of Grand Rapids, Mich.; a sister, Janet Anderson of Ashville; and five grandchildren. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in Hall Funeral Home. Interment will be in Lafayette Rural Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today in the funeral home, 6033 Cherry Valley Road, Lafayette. Memorials may be made to the Lafayette Ambulance Fund.