Charles W. "Wilse" Hebblethwaite Sr.

Belmont, NY - Charles W. "Wilse" Hebblethwaite Sr. of Belmont passed away on Tuesday January 19, 2010 at the Highland Health Care Center in Wellsville. He was born on April 7, 1919 in Geneva to Charles and Louise Randall Hebblethwaite. On September 14, 1946 in Geneva he married the former Eleanor Smith who predeceased him on July 9, 2006.

Charles graduated from Geneva High School and enlisted in the U.S Army Air Corps. When WWII broke out he was recalled to active duty for the duration of the war. He served with the 58th wing, 462 Bomb Group, nick named the Hellbirds, as a bubble gunner in the India Burma Campaign. He left the service 1945 as a technical sergeant and on a GI bill graduated from Cornell University in 1949. He was active in Cornell's Alumni's affairs and was a recruiter for the University. Charles moved to Allegany County as a Cornell Cooperative Agent and retired after 25 years of service. He then worked for the Farm Credit for another 7 years. He was an advocate for the farmers, helping with tax preparations and partnership consultation for farms and agriculture businesses. Charles also raised beef cattle and was an organizer of the Pike Feeder Calf Sale and was active in early chicken BBQs. He was a staunch Republican whose memberships included the 4H, National Grange, Dairymen's League, Beef Cattlemen's Association, Belmont Rotary, County Agents Association, the NRA and a past member of the Belmont American Legion. Charles and his wife Eleanor enjoyed square dancing and winters in Florida with friends first camping and then with an RV group.

Survivors include: four daughters Susan (John) Hausman of Olean, Linda (Jordan) Melick of Denver, CO., Ellen (John) Donovan of Arkport and Nancy Root of Belmont; a daughter in law Dawn Hebblethwaite of Belmont; a brother Robert (Joanne) Hebblethwaite of Jacksonville, FL. And a sister, Thelma (Harold) Densmore of Canandaigua; 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a son Charles W. "Chip" Hebblethwaite Jr., a brother Arthur Hebblethwaite, a sister Genieve Hebblethwaite, grandchildren Sara Hausman and Jordy Melick.

Friends are invited to call on Friday January 22 from 12 noon to 2 pm in the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Belmont where his funeral service will take place a 2 pm. Rev. Marc Chamberlain with preside with burial in Forest Hills Cemetery with full military honors. Memorials may be made to the Belmont Library or to the SPCA.