ARCHIE BILLINGS
WELLSVILLE -- Archie Billings, 78, of 1720 Casey Rd., died Friday (June 13, 2003) at the Wellsville Manor.
Born April 2, 1925, in Willing, he was the son of Alfred and Ella (Teater) Billings. On May 6, 1950, in Wellsville, he married Cora M. Tait, who predeceased him on April 11, 2002. He attended Wellsville schools. Archie worked at the Scovile & Brown store in Wellsville, Borden's in Belmont, area oil fields and Air PreHeater in Wellsville until his retirement. He was well known in the area for his special care and giving to Whitesville area seniors.
Surviving are two daughters, JoAnn (Dale) Green of Wellsville, and Gayle (Dennis) Clark of Belmont; three sons, Terry (Theresa) Billings of Greenwood, Doug (Dawn) Billings of Andover, and Dale Billings of Florida; two sisters, Margaret Hunt of Whitesville, and Catherine Hunt of Wellsville; as well as nine grandchildren.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by a son, Michael Steven Billings in 1957; and seven brothers, Alfred Billings, Jr., Burton Billings, John Billings, Virgil Billings, Roy Billings, Ronnie Billings, and James Billings.
Friends will be received today at Howard's Funeral Home, 931 Maple Ave., Whitesville, from 5-7 p.m. with a memorial service to follow at 7 p.m. The Rev. Regina Shaw of the Whitesville United Methodist Church will officiate.
Interment
will immediately follow the service at the Hallsport Cemetery, Hallsport.
Memorials may be made to the Town of Independence Emergency Squad, 508 Main St., Whitesville, N.Y. 14897.
ROBERT L. ALLEN
REXVILLE -- Robert L. Allen, 68, of 859 Co. Road 98, died Wednesday (June 11, 2003) at his mother's home.
Born Oct. 26, 1934, in Rexville, he was the son of Robert A. and Lera (Smith) Allen.
Robert attended Whitesville School and served in the Army during World War II.
On March 30, 1957, in Canisteo, he was married to the former Sandra Casey, who survives.
He worked for the town of West Union in construction, then at the Air PreHeater in Wellsville as a welder until his retirement. He was a member of the Greenwood American Legion, and a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
Robert is survived by his wife; three sons, Robert M. (Charolette) Allen of Rye, Texas, Randy Allen of Wellsville, and Jason Allen of Rexville; a daughter, Debbie Kerr of Dickinson, Texas; six grandchildren, Jamin Allen, Kacie Hosmer, Kane Hosmer, Katelynn Hosmer, Allison Allen, and Brittney Allen; one brother, Don L. (Darleen) Allen of Whitesville; one sister, Eleanor T. (Ed) Dutton of Long View, Texas; as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father, Robert; and a brother, John L. Allen.
The family will receive friends today at the West Union Mennonite Church in West Union from 2-4 p.m. A memorial service will follow at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Robert Walters officiating.
Interment
with military honors will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery, Greenwood.
Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Howard's Funeral Home, Whitesville.
RUTH A. WHEAT
WAYLAND -- Ruth A. Wheat, 91, of 217 South Lackawanna St., passed away Friday morning (June 13, 2003) at the McAuley Manor Health Care Facility in Hornell.
Ruth was born Dec. 26, 1911 in West Sparta, the daughter of Albert and Laura (Dillenbacker) Wolfanger. She resided for many years in the Dansville area. On Aug. 17, 1936, in Avoca, she was married to Fred Wheat, who survives. Ruth and Fred moved to the Wayland area in the late sixties, where they have enjoyed living together for over 66 years.
Ruth enjoyed employment for a short time at a local grocery store and especially enjoyed working at Meyer's Florist Shop. She loved to work with the flowers, Ruth enjoyed to bake cookies and cakes, however, it was also the feast prepared before the dessert that her family often enjoyed. Ruth loved the outdoors and as a young couple, Ruth and Fred often went hunting and fishing together. As the years went on, Ruth would take her daughter Anne and later her grandchildren on these fishing and hunting trips. She loved to hunt deer, and although she never shot the big buck, her passion for the sport was never diminished. Of most importance to Ruth, however, was her family. She was very devoted to her husband, her daughter, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren. There was no task she couldn't handle for any one of them.
She was predeceased by her parents, Albert and Laura (Dillenbacker) Wolfanger; her only child, Anne Wheat; and her two brothers, Harold and Robert Wolfanger.
Ruth is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Fred Wheat of Wayland; her grandchildren, Fred (Ann) Shutt of Wayland, Judy Kinney of Wayland, and Julie (Ken) Larson of Wayland; her six great-grandchildren, Jennifer and Justin Shutt, Jared, Kayla and Jenna Kinney, and Kaitlin Larson; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends may call from noon-2 p.m. Monday at the St. George-Stanton Funeral Home, 109 West Naples St., Wayland. Funeral services will be conducted at the end of calling hours at 2 p.m. with Rev. Dave Hotchkiss officiating.
Interment
will immediately follow at Greenmount Cemetery in Dansville.
WILLIAM L. LAFFERTY, JR.
ALLENTOWN -- William L. Lafferty, Jr., 51, of 5815 High St., died Thursday (June 12, 2003) at Olean General Hospital.
Born Feb. 26, 1952 in Wellsville, the son of William and Virginia (Lee) Lafferty Sr. On Dec. 14, 1991 in Shongo, he was married to Sheryl "Sherry" Cornelius, who survives.
Bill was raised in Wellsville, and was a 1972 graduate of Wellsville High School. He was an Over the Road truck driver, a life member of the Alma Rod and Gun Club, a member of the Yorks Corners Mennonite Church, and a former member of the Coven M.C.
He was also an avid pool player and enjoyed coaching girl's softball.
Bill is survived by his wife, Sherry; parents, Bill and Ginny of Wellsville; two sons, Todd Lafferty of Denver, Colo., and Travis Murray of Jamestown; four daughters, Gypsy Spicer of Wellsville, D. Diane Cornelius of Harrisburg, Pa., Tanya Cornelius of Wellsville, and Jme Lafferty of Allentown; seven grandchildren, Logan, Ayona, Breona, Terrien, Devyn, Dominie and Madilynne; two sisters, Linda (Dan) Sweeney of Hornell, and Mary Jo (Don) Bentley of Kent; one brother, Robert (Gayle) Lafferty of Austin, Texas; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Friends are invited to call today from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, Inc. in Wellsville. Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at the Yorks Corners Mennonite Church with Rev. Eugene Miller officiating.
Burial will be in Yorks Corners Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the SPCA serving Allegany County.
WILLIAM L. YERRICK
MACEDON -- William L. Yerrick, formerly of Wellsville, died Thursday (June 12, 2003).
He was a member of the Army Air Corps Band. He also taught music at Olean and Belmont.
Mr. Yerrick is survived by his wife, Eleanor; three sons, William (Olga) of Virginia, Charles (Cynthia) of Vermont, and Paul; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one sister, Barbara Potter of Wellsville; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to a memorial service at First Congregational UCC, E. Church Street, Fairport on Monday at 1 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the Memorial Fund of the Church in his memorial.
Arrangements by the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home.
KENNETH G. "KEN" AMES
CANASERAGA -- Kenneth G. "Ken" Ames, 58, of 1828 State Route 70, Canaseraga, died unexpectedly Sunday evening (June 15, 2003) in Canaseraga.
Born in North Hornell on May 22, 1945, he was the son of LaVerne and Rose (Witlock) Ames.
Ken was a graduate of Canaseraga Central School (class of 1965). Following high school, he was employed with several companies including General Railway Signal of Rochester, Birdseye Foods of Avon and Retsof Salt Mines. For the past 30 years he had been employed as a heavy equipment operator with the New York State Department of Transportation.
He was a member of the Canaseraga Fire Company for the past 20 years and had been a member of the Garwoods United Methodist Church.
Ken will be remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather, who enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son, Rodney Ames, who died in 1983.
He was married July 3, 1965, to the former Loretta Butler, who survives. In addition to his wife, survivors include one son, Orlin "Pete" Ames of Canaseraga; one daughter, Tina Whitesell of Canaseraga; one sister, Elizabeth (Olaf) Gates of Swain; four brothers, Lester (Faustine) Ames of Kentucky, Edward Ames of Leroy, Robert (Arlene) Ames of Canaseraga and George (Carol) Ames of Florida; nine grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
The family of Kenneth G. "Ken" Ames will receive friends today from 7-9 p.m. and on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, where funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m., with Rev. Gary Wirkard officiating. Burial will be in Canaseraga Cemetery.
MARIETTA WAGER
DANSVILLE/WAYLAND -- Marietta Wager, 83, formerly of 237 Main St., Dansville, passed away Friday (June 13, 2003) at the Mt. Morris Health Care Related Facility.
Marietta was born Sept. 2, 1919, in Avoca, the daughter of George and Gretchen (Thompson) Cooley. She resided the first few years of her life in the Avoca area and then at different times during her life she lived in Springwater, Cohocton and Dansville.
Marietta was married to Charles Davison, who predeceased her. She then married Rupert Wager, and together they lived in Wayland. When Rupert passed away in 1990, Marietta moved back to Dansville where she resided until 1996. It was then that Marietta moved to Mt. Morris Health Care Related Facility.
During her life, Marietta was a self-employed hairdresser in Cohocton and Dansville. She also spent time as a buyer for the former Outdoor Store in Dansville.
Marietta was predeceased by her first husband, Charles Davison; and her second husband, Rupert Wager.
Marietta is survived by her two daughters, Sandra (Craig) LaBell of York, S.C., and Sharon (Gary) Sauerbier of New Port Richey, Fla.; her son, James (Bessy) Davison of New Port Richey, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Betty (Stanley) Gilbert of Wayland and Alma Forrester of Dansville; along with several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be conducted for Marietta at 2 p.m. Thursday at the St. George-Stanton Funeral Home, 109 West Naples St., Wayland. Rev. Steven Kraus will officiate the service. Interment
will take place at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Hammondsport.
BENJAMIN L. BRIGGS
HORNELL -- Benjamin L. Briggs, 96, died Monday (June 16, 2003) at St. James Mercy Hospital, Hornell.
Arrangements are incomplete at this time. A complete obituary will be announced by the Robertson Funeral Home, Inc., Hornell.
JOHN E. WESTLAKE
ALMOND -- John E. Westlake, 72, of 333 State Route 21, died Friday (June 13, 2003) at the Wellsville Manor, Wellsville, where he had resided for the past nine months.
Born Aug. 22, 1930 in Hornell, he was the son of Melvin R. and Luella (Wright) Westlake. He was married on April 17, 1954 in Alfred, to the former Mary Ellen Tucker, who survives.
John resided most of his life in the Almond area. He graduated from Alfred-Almond Central School in 1948 and attended Alfred State College before serving with the U.S. Army in the Korean Conflict. He was a civil engineer for the NYSDOT in Hornell for 32 years, retiring in 1986.
He was a member of the Almond Historical Society, Arthur H. Cunningham American Legion Post #440 and the Hornellsville Lodge #44 F & AM, both of Hornell, Friends of Allegany County ARC, Friends of the Bristol Valley Theater in Naples, and the Sunnyside Homeowners Association of Canandaigua Lake. John was an avid hunter, fisherman, gardener and do-it-yourself house remodeler.
Besides his parents, John was predeceased by a sister, Carolyn Westlake.
In addition to his wife, Mary Ellen, survivors include one daughter, Susan (Thomas) Steere of Almond; six grandchildren, Carrie, Daniel, Artemas, John, James, and David; as well as several cousins.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today at the Robertson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday with Rev. Jane Shumway officiating. Burial will be in the Alfred Rural Cemetery, Alfred.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Almond Ambulance Fund, Almond, N.Y. 14804.
