JoAnn F. Brown, 88

Belmont, NY – JoAnn F. Brown, 88, of County Road 2B, passed away on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at Jones Memorial Hospital from complications of pancreatic cancer. She was born in Olean on June 2, 1934 the daughter of the late James and Inez (Cornelius) Marsh. On October 4, 1952 she married her husband of 70 years, Donald Brown, who survives. 

JoAnn was a 1952 graduate from Andover Central Schools, where she was the valedictorian of her class. JoAnn had a full work history, her first job was at Newberry’s, then Bausch and Lomb, before moving on to the Olean Tile Plant. During her time as an Army wife, she discovered the beginning of her career as a home care worker, and then Foster Mother. She owned and operated, out of her own home, proprietary home “Brown’s Nursing Home” for 25 years. Beyond her career, she rode with Don to deliver Meals on Wheels for eight years. They were foster parents to many children, and while sometimes considered stoic, she was firm and fair to all. She was a longtime and faithful member of the Belmont First Baptist Church, teaching Sunday School, being member of both the Ladies Missionary Group and The XYZers. 

In addition to her husband Donald, she is survived by: two sons, Philip (Annette) Brown and Daniel (Kara) Brown; five grandchildren, Stacy Brown, Michele Riera, Joshua (Nancy) Brown, Kenneth (Tara) Brown, and Xander Brown; 11 great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Harvey Rose; daughter-in-law, Ann Cote; and brothers, David Marsh and Cort (Irma) Marsh. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by: son, Steven A. Brown; daughter, Rebecca M. Rose; grandson, Lance Corporal Donald S. Brown; and siblings, Barbara Wagner, Ila Ferne, and Robert Marsh. 

Friends are invited to call on Saturday, March 25, 2023 from 1 – 3 PM at the First Baptist Church of Belmont. Her Memorial Service will follow at 3 with Erich Brooks presiding. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to the: Meals on Wheels c/o Allegany County Office for the Aging, 6085 NY-19 North, Belmont, NY 14813; or the First Baptist Church of Belmont, 9 Willets Avenue, Belmont, NY 14813. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Susan E. Wightman, 62

Wellsville, NY – Susan E. Wightman, 62, of O’Connor Street, passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at Jones Memorial Hospital with her family by her side. She was born in Wellsville on September 7, 1960 the daughter of the late Frederick G. and Delphine “Della” (Moyer) Wightman. 

Susie was a lifelong resident of Wellsville. She was a lively member of the O’Connor Street Residence of the ARC. She enjoyed outings with her family, especially to the Buffalo Zoo, shopping, going out to eat, and watching TV Shows like the Price is Right. 

She is survived by her sister Ann Clark of Hornell, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister Judy Austin, and her brother Dennis Wightman. 

A private funeral was held on Friday, March 10. Burial took place in Woodlawn Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to a charity of your choosing. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Mary C. Scheeder, Service announcements

Wellsville, NY – The friends of Mary C. Scheeder, are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, March 17, 2023 at 12 noon, in the St. Joseph’s Oratory, 3912 Cottage Bridge Road, of Scio, with Father Dennis Mancuso as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Mary passed on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. To read the complete obituary, or to leave online condolences please visitwww.embserfuneralhome.com.

Clair Eugene Heysham, Service announcement

Wellsville, NY – The Friends of Clair Eugene Heysham, are invited to a Graveside Service with full military honors on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at 11 am, in Woodlawn Cemetery, of Wellsville, with Reverend Dr. Eric Ash Sr. of Trinity Lutheran Church presiding. Clair passed on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. To read the complete obituary, or to leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Steven P. Lowe, 72

Belmont, NY – Steven P. Lowe, 72, of 13 Schuyler Street passed away at home on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. He was born November 16, 1950 in Wellsville, the son of the late Harold and Doris (Sanford) Lewis. 

Steve was a 1968 graduate of Belmont Central School. He served with the U. S. Navy from 1968 to 1972. He was formerly employed by C. E. Air Preheater Company in Wellsville for 10 years, and was a self employed contractor for many years. He was a member of the Herbert DeLong Post 808, American Legion in Belmont. 

He is survived by two daughters, Tammy (Joel) Alent of Pinckney, MI, and Stacy (Jason) Linnecke of Scio, a son, Jeremy (Amanda) Lowe of Bossier City, LA, nine grandchildren, Marek Alent, Alea Comstock, Ashlyn (Glenn) Proctor, Brendan (Peyton) Scott, Mason, Cole, Caden, Chandler, and Miles Lowe, two great-grandchildren, Mason, and Scarlette Proctor, a brother, David Lowe of Belmont, a sister, Deb Biancuzzo of Portville, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased in addition to his parents by a sister, Catherine Ingalls, and a nephew, Eric Lowe.

A graveside service with full military honors is being planned and will be announced at a later date. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to the SPCA Serving Allegany County. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Darren C. Bigelow, 31

Belmont, NY – Darren C. Bigelow, 31, of County Road 31A passed away on March 6, 2023. He was born August 3, 1991 in Olean, the son of Max William Bigelow and Kimberly Anne Aylor. 

Darren was a 2010 graduate of Genesee Valley High School. He was formerly employed by Bigelow Excavating in Belmont, and Pike Construction Services in Rochester. He was currently employed as a Heavy Equipment Operator and Foreman by Zoladz Construction Company, Inc. of Alden, NY. He was a former member of the Amity Rescue Squad. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding side by sides, and snowmobiles. He was a proud uncle to his two beautiful nieces, who he called “his munchkins” and “his girls” He was a beloved big brother who loved his four sisters. He was a member of the New York State Horseshoe Pitchers Association, the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 808, and Off Duty in Belmont.

He is survived by his father Bill Bigelow of Belmont, four sisters, Darien (Cory) Fanton, Kayci Bigelow, and Kendra Bigelow all of Belmont, and Raelynn Bigelow of Richburg, two nieces, Quinn and Sawyer Fanton, his maternal grandparents, Darrell and Jan Aylor, his paternal grandparents, Marlene and Steve Cartwright, and Max and Deborah Bigelow, as well as several Aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his mother, Kimberly in 1999.

Friends are invited to call on Saturday, March 11, 2023 from 11:00 am to 12 noon at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. 17 Schuyler Street in Belmont. The burial will be at the discretion of the family. Please consider memorial donations, to the Amity Rescue Squad. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Colleen M. Jefferds, 88

Belmont, NY – Colleen M. Jefferds, 88, of Cemetery Hill, passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2023 at Hart Comfort House. She was born in Alfred on June 24, 1934 the daughter of the late Leo and Eleanor (Lippert) McAndrews. 

Colleen was a longtime resident of the Belmont Area, she graduated from Andover Central High School. She found her career in Bookkeeping after having worked as a telephone operator in Wellsville. Initially she was employed as Laidlaws bookkeeper and then later for East Side Garage, both of Belmont. Outside of work she loved to garden and taking care of her dog “Brownie”. 

She is survived by: a son, David L. Jefferds of Belmont; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister, Ellen (Mike) Baker of Almond, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by: four children, William Jefferds, Charles Jefferds, Robert Jefferds, and Stephanie Jefferds-Dorren; two sisters, Mary and Joan; a brother, Leo; and grandmothers, Elizabeth McAndrews, and Clara Lippert. 

Friends are invited to a Graveside service, Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 11 AM in Woodlawn Cemetery of Almond with Deacon Dave Harvey presiding. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the Hart Comfort House of Allegany County, 141 East State Street, Wellsville, NY 14895. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.