Vo Vann Decker

Wellsville, NY - Vo Vann Decker of Stevens Street passed away on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at Jones Memorial Hospital shortly after arrival. He was born on March 7, 1974 in Hershey, Pennsylvania to David and Hanh Vo Thi Decker. On June 7, 2003 in Wellsville he married Rebecca Fisk who survives him.

Vo graduated from Wellsville High School in 1992. He later graduated from Alfred State College with an Associate's Degree in Information Technology. He worked as Director of Information Technology at Allegany Arc for 18 years. Vo was a well-loved member of the Wellsville Area Small Plane Society (WASPS). His hobbies included building and flying model airplanes, target shooting, and Toby, his beloved dog.

Vo was a very loving husband, father, and son and the love of Rebecca's life. He will be remembered as a quiet, gentle man who was a good friend to everyone lucky enough to know him.

Surviving besides his wife are his mother of Wellsville; 3 daughters, Sarah Decker, Allison Decker and Erika Howard; a sister Trang (Preston) Powell Decker of Nyack; 3 brothers, Hoang Decker of Syracuse, Kim (Helen) Decker of Belmont and David (Barbara) Decker of Addison; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; his mother in law, Evelyn Fisk of Richburg.

Vo was predeceased by his father David Decker and his father in law William Fisk.

Friends are invited to call on Friday, March 16, 2012, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. Vo's funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday at 11 am with Rev. Marc Chamberlin presiding. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery and memorials may be made to the Friends of Allegany Arc. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com

Robert V. Broughton

Wellsville, NY - Robert V. Broughton 85, of Wellsville NY passed away peacefully on Monday, March 12, 2012 at the Jones Memorial Hospital after having lived a long and very full life.

Robert was born September 11th, 1926 in Wellsville, the son of the late George and Ruth Broughton.

He is survived by two daughters, Bonnie (Richard) Ives of Wellsville, and Barbara (Mark) Tolbert of Horseheads, two sons Bruce (Anne) Broughton of Painted Post and William (Audrey) Broughton of Wellsville, a Grand-daughter, Rebecca Tolbert (Craig) Player of Inwood NY, a Great Grand-daughter, Hailey E. Player, a Grandson, Richard (Kristin) Ives, two step grand daughters, three step great grandchildren, two sisters, Eva Sinsebox of Henrietta and Margaret Green of Wellsville and a brother, Ronald Broughton of Wellsville.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Beulah, his brother James, two sisters Alice McGillivray and Velma Demming and a grandson, Jeremy Ives.

Robert spent his childhood in Almond and Birdsall NY, later moving to Wellsville where he attended high school until the age of 17 when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving on a Liberty Ship during WWII in the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign.

After serving his country Robert found employment on the Great lakes, working his way up to Wheelsman, piloting freighters throughout the lakes and the Welland canal. On July 4th 1953 he married Beulah H. Sick in the old Trinity Lutheran Church in Wellsville.

For a time Robert and Beulah owned and operated a tour boat, the Anna III on the Lower Niagara River where they once accompanied Florence Chadwick, a world renown long distance swimmer, on her Lake Ontario crossing attempt.

After selling the tour boat business Robert & Beulah moved to Horseheads NY where Robert worked for the next twenty years in construction as a Union Lather working on many projects locally including the Jones Memorial Hospital and Wellsville Schools. Robert and a friend, Gene Conners; bought some machines and put together a small machine shop in Horseheads where they made and sold various tools related to their trade. Robert applied for and was granted a U.S. patent for a unique automotive lug wrench. Robert loved big projects. He finished one partially built house in Horseheads where they raised their four children, built a large stone home on the same property and later built a home in Wellsville where he and Beulah lived until they passed away. In 1977 they bought the Wellsville Dry Cleaners on Fassett Street in Wellsville which they operated until their retirement.

In retirement Robert enjoyed amateur photography and made frequent trips to Letchworth State Park and other points along the Genesee River. Many of his photos found their way into homes and businesses' around town including Tops Market and his favorite eating spot, The Texas Hot, where several still hang. Robert was a member of the Creative Writers of the Southern Tier and wrote several short stories which he later compiled into his book, "The Dumbest Kid in the 3rd Grade".

Robert will be remembered for his ambition, his humor and his quick wit which always made him the life of the party. He loved his wife and his family and will be missed by all who knew him.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Jones Memorial Hospital, the Wellsville Ambulance Corps and especially the Veteran's Association for all their support over the last few years.

Family and friends may call Thursday March 15th from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, Wellsville NY with funeral services to be held at 11:00 on Friday, March 16th, Rev. Ralph Eastlack, officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, memorials may be made to either the Hart Comfort House or the Allegany Count

Shirley J. Heysham

Wellsville, NY - Shirley J. Heysham, 74, of 90 Johnson Street died on Sunday, March 11, 2012 shortly after arrival at Jones Memorial Hospital. She was born May 9, 1937 in Wellsville the daughter of the late, Robert and Margaret (Rogers) Heysham.

Shirley was a 1956 graduate of Wellsville High School. She was employed as a school crossing guard for the Village of Wellsville and was a day care provider. She worked at Marsh's Convalescence Home in Wellsville and helped prepare the Pennysaver for delivery. She was also a volunteer for the Allegany County Head Start Program.

She is survived by two sisters, Jane Price of Wellsville and Donna (Neil) Culhane of West Palm Beach, FL, three brothers, Robert Heysham of Limestone, James (Mary) Heysham and Donald Heysham both of Olean, a special friend, Frank Frungillo of Wellsville as well as several nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by one sister, Dorothy Crawford.

Friends are invited to call on Wednesday, March 14th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm and Thursday, March 15th from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. The funeral will be Thursday at 11:00 am in the funeral home with Deacon Frank Pasquale presiding. Burial will be in Yorks Corners Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to the Allegany County Head Start Program. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Myrtle "Myrt" Brown

Poinciana, Florida - Myrtle "Myrt" Brown, 89, of Poinciana, Florida passed away on Saturday, March 3, 2012, following a long battle with cancer. She was born on October 24, 1922 in the Town of Willing. On January 10, 1942 she married Ira Brown and for many years they operated Brown's Service Station and the Wee Spot Restaurant. In later years, Myrt was employed as a dispatcher for Shay's Trucking, and also a realtor for United Farm. She was a resident of Wellsville until 1990 when she moved to Florida to be near her daughter.

Myrt was a devoted wife, mother and was a loving caregiver for several elderly relatives. Prior to moving to Florida, she was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville. Also she was a long time member of the Allegany County Bird Club and the Friends of Author, Gladys Taber.

She was predeceased by her parents, husband and siblings, Albert Cline, Rit Cline and Margaret Baxter. Myrt is survived by her daughter, Connie Colbert as well as several nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to attend a funeral service on Friday, March 9th, at 10 am at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville with Father Sean DiMaria presiding. Burial will take place in the Sacred Heart Cemetery and in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to either the Allegany County SPCA or to The David A. Howe Library. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com

Isabelle R. Theroux

Wellsville, NY - Isabelle R. Theroux, 83, of 53 Fairview Avenue died on Friday, March 2, 2012 at Jones Memorial Hospital following a sudden illness. She was born October 12, 1928 in Slatersville, RI the daughter of James and Margaret (Owens) Carroll. On May 18, 1957 in Slatersville she married Robert R. Theroux who survives. Isabelle was raised in Slatersville and was a graduate of St. Patrick's High School in Providence, RI. She and Robert raised their family in Connecticut and later moved to Wellsville in 1987. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville and had volunteered for a variety of organizations within the Wellsville community. She enjoyed bowling and was an avid tennis player. She had many hobbies including, sewing, baking, singing and making flower arrangements. She prayed the Rosary daily and was devoted to The Blessed Mother, St. Jude and St. Padre Pio.

Surviving in addition to her husband are three daughters, Christine (Thomas) Sayles of Carmel, IN, Pauline (David) DiSciacca of Enfield, CT and Claire (Dipen) Parekh of Amersham, UK, three grandchildren, Melanie, Michael and Matthew DiSciacca, one sister, Harriett Carroll of Slatersville, RI as well as many nieces & nephews.

Friends are invited to call on Tuesday, March 6, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 8:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. The Rosary will be recited on Tuesday at 3:45pm. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 7, at 10:00 am in the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville with Rev. Sean DiMaria as celebrant. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude's Children Research Hospital or the Jones Memorial Hospital Memorial Fund. To leave online condolences, please visit embserfuneralhome.com.

Samuel Wooley Jr.

Wellsville, NY - Samuel Wooley Jr. of the Stannards Road passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Bath Veterans Administration Hospital. He was born in Hammond, Indiana on December 28, 1958 to Samuel and Joyce Brown Wooley. On August 25, 2001 he married Denise Heath who survives him.

Samuel was a long time resident of Hammond, Indiana who was a veteran of the US Army serving from 1978 to 1980. He moved to Wellsville in 2004 and worked at Northern Lights Candle Factory until he retired due ill health.

Surviving besides his wife Denise: a son, Samuel Wooley III: two daughters, Shari Jackson and Tiearra Wooley; a brother, Gregory Wooley: three sisters, Joyce Ann Willson, Sandra Johnson and Linda Wooley: several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held by the family in Hammond, Indiana and memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

John E. Martin

Wellsville, NY - John E. Martin, 82, of 118 Pine Street passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at the Wellsville Manor Care Center. He was born November 29, 1929 in Buffalo the son of the late James J. and Isabelle (Orbank) Martin Sr.

John was a graduate of Canisius College and was employed as an accountant in the Buffalo area for many years. He was a frequent visitor to Wellsville in the summer and after his parents passed away he moved to Wellsville to live with his aunt, Pauline Feller. In Wellsville he attended many softball games, enjoyed fishing and chatting with his friends at the local diners. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville.

He is survived one brother, James J. (Margaret) Martin Jr. of Hays, NC, several nieces & nephews and a special friend, Jennifer Baker of Wellsville. He was predeceased by a sister, Monica Barnes.

Friends are invited to call on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11:00 am in the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville with Rev. Thomas Roman as Celebrant. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Tonawanda, NY. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.