Frederick Newton Wurster, 87

Wellsville, NY – Frederick Newton Wurster, 87, of Hanover Hill Road passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pennsylvania. He was born March 14, 1937, in Buffalo, the son of the late Ralph and Dorothy (Mayo) Wurster, and brother of Dorothy Fletcher. On September 15, 1962, he married the love of his life, Patricia Walsh, who survives. 

“Newt” attended schools in Buffalo, Tonawanda, Batavia, Olean, and was a 1955 graduate of Wellsville High School. Upon graduating, he entered the United StatesNavy on September 30, 1955; during his service, of which he was very proud, he was aboard the heavy cruiser USS Des Moines. He received his honorable discharge on September 29, 1959. In the civilian work force, Newt was employed initially for six years by Acme Electric of Cuba before finding his 34 + year career at Dresser Rand (Worthington) of Wellsville as a machinist. He served on the Executive Board of the Local #1580 Union for 22 years, the WERA board for 18years, and was past president of Worthing Employee Federal Credit Union. He was a former manager, and coach, of the First Trust Babe Ruth Baseball Team. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, and spending time with their sons and families. 

In addition to his wife of 61 years, Patricia, he is survived by: three sons, Daniel (Kelly), Darin (Lori), and Mark (Rina); many grandchildren; sister, Dorothy Fletcher; as well as several nieces and nephews. 

Family and friends are invited to attend a Graveside Service with full military honors, on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 11 am in Stannards Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 78516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516; or to a charity of the donor’s choice. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Mary Ellen Moll, 83

Rochester, NY – Mary Ellen Moll, 83, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024. She was born May 5, 1940, in Wellsville, NY the daughter of the late Authur J. And Carlotta (Coogan) Gordon. 

Mary was raised in Wellsville and was a 1958 graduate of Wellsville High School. She was a former long-time employee of Kodak. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family, Keuka Lake, playing games, playing golf, bowling, going out for breakfast with her friends, and watching the New York Yankees. She loved being a mother and grandmother.

She is survived by a daughter, Laurie A. Fabi, two grandchildren, Jeffrey Williams and Olivia Fabi, a sister-in-law, Barbara Gordon, three nieces, Peg Peet (Jerry), Tracy (Bob) Insley, Katherine “Kitty” Gordon and her family, three nephews, Dan Gordon, Damon Davis, and Timothy Gordon as well as several great nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. She was predeceased in addition to her parents by infant twins, a son James “CJ” Gordon Moll, three brothers, Authur E. Gordon (Margaret), James Gordon (Dorothy), and William Gordon.

Friends are invited to a graveside service on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 2:00 pm in Sacred Heart Cemetery, 276 S. Main Street in Wellsville, NY. The service will be streamed on J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. Facebook. A reception will follow at the Beef Haus in Wellsville. Please consider memorial donations to Pluta Cancer Foundation, 125 Red Creek Drive, Rochester, NY 14623(PlutaCancerFoundation.org) To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Ernest “Whiskers” Truax, service announcement

Belfast, NY—Friends of Ernest “Whiskers” Truax are invited to call on Friday, April 26, 2024, from 11 am to 12 noon at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, 34 West State Street, Wellsville, NY. A memorial service will follow at noon in the funeral home. Burial with military honors will be in Bath National Cemetery. Ernie passed away on November 17, 2023. To read the complete obituary, or to leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

George Dean Witter, 68

Wellsville, NY – George Dean Witter, 68, of 70 Williams Avenue passed away on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo. He was born May 26, 1955, in Buffalo, the son of the late Levere and Margaret (Trowbridge) Witter.

George was a 1974 graduate of Scio Central School, and a graduate of Alfred University. He was a long-time employee of Piece Work Industries in Wellsville.He was a 30-year member of Grant Duke Hose Company # 1 in Wellsville, where he served as Chaplain, and was a member of the Fire Police. He was also a proud member of the Silver Wheels Basketball Club and was the first person in Western New York to graduate from high school with his disability.

He is survived by a sister, Virginia (Robert) Pelc Sr. of Eden, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased in addition to his parents by three brothers, Kenneth, Leland, and Richard Witter and a sister, Cynthia Witter.

Friends are invited to call on Saturday, April 13, 2024, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc., 34 W. State Street in Wellsville. The funeral will follow visitation at 1:00 pm in the funeral home. The burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to the Grant Duke Hose Company # 1, 80 Stevens Street, Wellsville, NY 14895. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Kay L. Dennis, 82

Greece/Rochester, NY – Kay L. Dennis, 82, a former resident of Wellsville, NY, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2024, surrounded by her family.She was born January 18, 1942, in Wellsville, the daughter of the late Felix and Anita (Austin) Lippman. On August 25, 1960, in Gaffney, NC she married Raymond Dennis who predeceased her on May 31, 2016.

Kay was employed at Eastman Kodak in Rochester, where she worked as a supervisor in data processing in building 23. She was a member of the Red Hat Society of Rochester. She is survived by her son, Kevin E. (Dianna) Dennis of Rochester, a daughter, Kelly (Ken) Kozlowski of Rochester, a brother and sister-In-law, Walter (Phyllis) Dennis of Brockport, grandchildren, Robert (Tara) Visca, Jill Visca, Trevor Dennis,and Celia Dennis, Great-Grandsons, Tommy and Patrick Visca.

Friends are invited to call on Saturday, April 13, 2024, from 10:30 to 11:30 am at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, 34 W. State Street in Wellsville. The burial will follow at 12:00 noon inWoodlawn Cemetery in Wellsville. In lieu of flowers please consider memorial donations in Kay's memory to the Aurora House, 2495 South Union Street, Spencerport, NY 14559. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Jeffrey Christian “Chris” Rositzke, age 38

Wellsville, NY – Jeffrey Christian “Chris” Rositzke, age 38, passed away unexpectedly on April 2, 2024. He was born on March 3, 1986, in Wellsville the son Ernest and Lynn Rositzke who survive.

Chris attended Scio Central School and Houghton Academy, where he graduated from in 2004. He attended Wellsville Full Gospel Church as a youth.

Chris was a hard-working man who had many talents. He was mechanical and enjoyed working and creating with his hands and watching things grow.

He is survived by his parents Ernie and Lynn Rositzke; a brother Matt Rositzke; his daughter, Grace; 2 sons, Spencer and Silas, all of them he loved dearly. Aunts and uncles include Marshall [Carolyn]Picken, Kent [Maryjane]Picken, Barbara [Tom]MacLeod, Jeffrey [Dianne]Picken, Lee [Brett]Roberts, Christine[Lou]DeAngelo, Karen [David]Fink along with many cousins.

He will be missed daily and will dwell in our hearts forever.

I’ve learned that love not time heals all wounds, and that sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand” A. Rooney.

Friends are invited to call on Tuesday, April 9, from 4 until 6 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home of Wellsville. A Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 10, at 11am in the Funeral Home with Reverend David Williams presiding. Burial will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery and memorial contributions in Chris’s name may be made to either Well Spring Ministries in Angelica or to the David A. Home Library in Wellsville. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Darren Fleeger, 60

Wellsville, NY – Darren Fleeger, 60, life-long resident of Wellsville, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Highland on Michigan Ave of Buffalo following a battle with cancer. He was born on December 31, 1963, in San Francisco, CA the son of the late Ann Fleeger. 

Darren was a 1982 graduate of Wellsville High School; and he received his B.A. with a major in History from the University at Albany in 1985.

Darren was well known for owning and loving cats, and it was a favorite topic of his social media posts. In addition, Darren was an enthusiastic fan of the New York Yankees and enjoyed movies and reading and collecting books. Darren was a history buff regarding Wellsville and the surrounding communities in Allegany County and his further interests included science fiction, space exploitation, and trains.

Darren was an advocate for those afflicted with mental health issues and in recognition of his many contributions, Darren was inducted into the Allegany County Mental Health Hall of Fame in 2023. Darren was an active member of the Baha’i faith community and followed its teachings and precepts.

Darren is survived by his sister Adina Fleeger of Orlando, Florida and his niece and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother.

Friends are invited to call on Tuesday April 2, 2024, from 11am to 12 noon at the JW Embser Sons Funeral Home, 34 West State Street, Wellsville. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the David A. Howe Public Library or to the Allegany County SPCA. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.