Wednesday, February 29, 2012

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.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

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.

Melinda L."Mindy" Frungillo

Belmont, NY - Melinda L."Mindy" Frungillo of 6430 Baker Valley Road went to be with the Lord surrounded by her family in Belmont on Wednesday, February 22, 2012. She was born on August 2, 1963 the daughter of Daniel and Patricia (Piper) Gleason. On December 5, 1981, in Wellsville she married Steven Frungillo Sr. who survives

Melinda graduated from Wellsville High School in 1981. While raising a family she went to college at Alfred State to earn an Associates Degree as a Veterinary Technician. She taught at Alfred State College for one year in the same curriculum. She was employed by Alfred-Almond School as a fulltime substitute teacher for over 10 years until her illness was diagnosed in July 2011.

Melinda was the person that everyone went to for support and plain facts. Her biggest interest in life was her family and friends and was the center of her husband's life and love. She took great pride in watching her daughter and son grow and become who they are today. Her grandsons Collin and Ben were the light of her life. Melinda was a woman with abundant talents and energy who was very active in wildlife rescue and was certified for Wild Life Rehabilitation. She took a great interest in reading, baking, making quilts, and being the support for family and friends.

Surviving besides her husband is a daughter, Amanda (Brian) Preston of Belfast, a son Steven J. Frungillo II of Belmont, two grandchildren, Collin and Ben Preston of Belfast, her parents, Daniel and Patricia Gleason of Crossville, TN, one brother Lance Gleason of Atlanta, GA and mother-in-law Dorothy Frungillo of Belmont. Aunt Mindy was the special woman that made every niece and nephew feel more than loved. The many in-laws thought of Melinda as another sibling in their family and a great friend to many who will always remember her.

She will join her grandparents Bucky and Mary Gleason, father-in-law Donald Frungillo Sr., and her maternal grandparents.

Friends are invited to call on Saturday, February 25th and Sunday, February 26th from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Belmont, NY. The funeral will be Monday, February 27th at 11:00 am at First Congregational Church on 289 N. Main St. in Wellsville, NY. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Belmont. Memorial donations may be made to Allegany County Cancer Services or any charity of the donor's choice. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Isabelle Eva Averys

Allentown, NY - Isabelle Eva Averys, 91, of 5843 Route 417 passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at the Wellsville Manor Care Center. She was born February 26, 1920 in Lorraine, NY the daughter of Everett and Josephine (Mc Clear) Shelmidine. On May 25, 1939 in New York City she married Alfred Averys who predeceased her on May 16, 2002.

Isabelle resided in Roxbury, NY for 56 years and was employed for 20 years as a cashier at Shore Supermarket in Breezy Point, NY. She was a former member the Roxbury Volunteer Fire Department auxiliary and the VFW auxiliary. She moved to Allentown in 1999.

She is survived by two daughters, Lorraine (John) Walsh of Allentown and Janet (Robert) Noblin of Brooklyn, 15 Grandchildren. 22 great grandchildren, eight brothers and sisters, Paul (Jean) Shelmidine of Lorraine, Roberta Stillman of Rushville, Robert Shelmidine of Belleville, Helen Farman and Jack (Joan) Shelmidine both of Adams, Madaline (Joe) Segouin of LaFargeville, Ida (Stan) Holland of Lorraine and Stanley (Ilene) Shelmidine of Lorraine as well as 45 nieces & nephews.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday, Feb. 23, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. 34 W. State Street in Wellsville, NY. The funeral be Friday, Feb. 24 at 11:00 am in the funeral home with Pastor Dick Helms presiding. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to the Allentown United Methodist Church, the Allentown Volunteer Fire Dept. or the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Jaxson Gregory Dimpfl

Richburg, NY - Jaxson Gregory Dimpfl passed away shortly after his birth on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at the Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville. He was the Son of Kevin G. Dimpfl and Shawna Irish Helms.

Surviving beside his parents are his maternal grandparents, Donald and Kathy Irish of Richburg as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Friends are invited to attend a graveside service on Friday, February 17, 2012 at 11 am at the Maple Lawn Cemetery in Bolivar. Arrangements are under the direction of the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville.

To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneral home.com.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Joan M. Casagrande

Wellsville, NY - Joan M. Casagrande, remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and friend, died Saturday, Feb. 11, at Manor Hills in Wellsville. She had lived in the Wellsville area for more than 60 years.

Born Dec. 18, 1928, the daughter of the late James Robb and Grace M. Loomis Littlefair, Joan married Norman R. Casagrande on May 1, 1948. They moved to "diaper hill" in Alfred so that he could attend school at Alfred State College.

After he graduated and took at job at Air Preheater - now Alstom Power - the family moved to Wellsville. As their children were growing up, Norm and Joan were very involved in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and other youth activities. As a family, they enjoyed camping and trips to the Maryland shore to visit family.

Joan was an accomplished seamstress and tailor, who enjoyed making clothes for her children and grandchildren, including special outfits for holidays. She turned her talents to quilting, and made several heirloom-quality quilts for her family. Joan also enjoyed crocheting.

She loved to play bridge and was a mainstay of the "card club" at the Wellsville Community Building for several years. "Grandma Joan" taught several area youngsters to enjoy card games. She was also known for volunteering to read to elementary school classes, particularly for her annual reading of "The Polar Express," and she was also a tutor for the Literacy Volunteer program, helping adults learn to read.

Joan loved to travel and enjoyed visiting her brother and his family in Los Angeles, and her father's family in England.

Joan worked at Argentieri Brothers Drycleaning for more than 20 years until her retirement in 1990.

The first resident manager of Wellsville Woods Apartments on Merriam Heights, Joan is credited with making the facility into a home for its residents, with community meals, card nights, and daily coffee klatches. She was missed by residents when ill health forced her to moved Manor Hills in July 2010.

She was predeceased by her husband Norman, who died March 29, 1979, and by her youngest child, their son Steven, who died July 9, 1983. She was also predeceased by her only brother, Ronald Littlefair.

Joan is survived by a son, Mark and his wife Louise (Chick) Casagrande of Wellsville; daughter Gail and her husband Gary Goetschius of Wellsville; and daughter Lisa and her husband Edward Chapman of Rochester.

She is also survived by two grandsons Christopher Casagrande of Wellsville, and his son Sebastian; and Brian (Nikki) Casagrande of Cortland, Ohio and their three children: Jakob, Ella and Sophie; and by three granddaughters: Kira Goetschius and her husband Erskin Cherry of Silver Spring, MD; Elissa Goetschius of Washington, DC; Abigail Chapman Desjardins and her husband Amos Desjardins of Old Town Alexandria, VA; James Chapman, his wife Jennifer, and their children Theo and Roxanna; and Rob and Tara Chapman.

She is also survived by four sisters-in-law, Laura Casagrande of Flemington, NJ; Mary Casagrande and Evelyn Casagrande, both of Salisbury, MD, and Marian Littlefair of Newport Beach, CA, and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at the J.W. Sons Funeral Home on 34 W. State St., where funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Allegany County SPCA or charity of the donor's choice.

To leave condolences visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.