Lois Anne Linza Bledsoe

Bryan, TX - Lois Anne Linza Bledsoe, 67, formerly of Wellsville and Whitesville, NY, passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord on August 24, 2010 at her home in Bryan. She was born on January 21, 1943 in Wellsville, the daughter of Merle C and Anna D. Goodridge Linza. On July 15, 1961 she married, in Whitesville, Russell E. Bledsoe, who survives.

Lois traveled with Russell in the US Air Force to Germany and around the US. She was an avid square dancer and card player, loved making ceramics and being a hairdresser. She also raised and sold birds.

Surviving in addition to her husband, one daughter, Kristine and special friend, Debra Mackey, in Abilene, TX; a brother, Lee Linza and special friend Heather James, in Perry, NY; two foster sons, Charles (Kati) Mills, Bryan, TX and Russell O. (Noelle) Bledsoe, Abilene, TX; her mother, Anna Linza, Perry, NY; several aunts and uncles; cousins and five foster grandchildren. She was predeceased by her father; two daughters, Kelly and Sheri Bledsoe; a brother, Ronald and sister, Dawn Linza.

Friends are invited to call on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 from 7-8 pm and Thursday September 2, 2010 from 12-2 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. The funeral will follow visitation at 2 pm Thursday in the Funeral Home with her uncle, Rev. Raymond Linza, presiding. Burial will be in Stannards Cemetary. Memorial donations are suggested to any charity of the the donor's choice. To leave condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Geraldine L. "Geri" Harris

Amargosa Valley, Nevada - Geraldine L. "Geri" Harris, 88, a former resident of Wellsville died on Friday, August 20, 2010 at her home. She was born February 20, 1922 in Caneadea the daughter of LeClare and Florence (Stone) Balcom. On June 23, 1942 in Rushford she married Raymond J. Harris who predeceased her on December 21, 1995.

Geri and Ray were foster parents to several children prior to the birth of their second child in 1959. She continued to care for many of her neighbors' children over the years before the days of child day care centers. She was a member of the Stannards United Methodist Church and enjoyed sewing, gardening and traveling

She is survived by three daughters, Jean (Larry) Weese of Amargosa Valley, NV, Christine Tuttle of Cato, NY and Barbara (William) Davis of Wellsville, two grandsons, Casey and Erik Tuttle of Cato, one brother, Edwin (LeAnna Harrington) Balcom of Arcade, as well as several nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and a brother, Wayne Balcom.

A memorial service will be planned for a future date at the Stannards United Methodist Church with Rev. Stan Scoville presiding. Burial will be in Stannards Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested to the Stannards United Methodist Church, 3339 Hallsport Road, Wellsville, NY 14895 or any charity of the donor's choice. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Mary Arlene Lewis

Wellsville, NY - Mary Arlene Lewis, 84, of 4200 Fassett Lane passed away at home on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 surrounded by her loving family. She was born October 28, 1925 in Wellsville the daughter of William H. and Mary Agnes (McNicholas) Burns. On December 5, 1944 in Wellsville she married Leonard A. Lewis who survives.

Mary was a graduate of Immaculate Conception School and Wellsville High School. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, the Altar & Rosary Society and was a former member of the Jones Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Mary was a loving wife and mother who loved her home, tending to her flowers, and watching and feeding backyard birds and wildlife.

Surviving in addition to her husband is a daughter, Connie Ann (Kenneth) Kirk of Corning, five grandchildren: Benjamin L. Kirk, Johnathan P. Kirk, Andrew S. Lewis, Christopher T. Lewis and Sarah E. Lewis; a great grandson, Hunter J. Lewis; a daughter-in-law, Connie A. Lewis of Scio as well as several nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Thomas James Lewis in 1991.

Friends are invited to call on Friday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville, where the Rosary will be recited on Friday at 3:45 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 28th at 11:00 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville with Monsignor Vincent Becker as celebrant. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested to the Immaculate Conception Church, 6 Maple Avenue, Wellsville, NY 14895 or any charity of the donor's choice. To leave online condolences, please visit embserfuneralhome.com.

John C. Shanley

Belmont, NY - John C. Shanley of 13 Schuyler Street passed away on Saturday, August 21, 2010, at the Wellsville Manor Care Center. He was born on October 8, 1918 in Pratt Kansas to Francis and Hazel Tucker Shanley. He married Coletta Mulligan on July 10, 1947 who predeceased him on January 26, 1984.

John moved to the Cuba area with his family in 1923. He worked for the Erie Railroad and during WWII entered the military serving 4 years in the army. He was stationed in the European Theater of Operation and was veteran of the Normandy Invasion. Returning home after the war John went back to work for the railroad. After his marriage to Coletta he worked on the Mulligan Farm where stayed for 30 years. John later worked for the Allegany County Highway Department and for 17 years he delivered meals on wheels. He was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church and the American Legion Post 808 both of Belmont.

Survivors include: a son, Brother Paul Shanley of the Belmont Abbey in Belmont, NC.; a daughter, Mary Rauber of Dansville; 2 grandchildren, Erin Rauber of Avon and Brian Rauber of Williamsville; several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by 2 sons, Robert Paul Shanley and John Joseph Shanley; 3 brothers and 3 sisters and a son in law Ted Rauber.

Friends are invited to call on Monday, August 23, 2010, from 6-9 pm in the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Belmont. On Tuesday a Prayer Service will be held at 10:30 am in the Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 am in Holy Family Catholic Church with Father Jerome Dissek as Celebrant. Burial will take place in St. Mary's Cemetery and memorials in John's name may be made to either the Holy Family Church or to the Office for the Aging. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Helen I. Kosa

Wellsville, NY - Helen I. Kosa of Fulmer Valley Road passed away on Wednesday, August 18, 2001, at Jones Memorial Hospital. She was born on September 15, 1924 in Dorna, PA. to Brady and Erma Wolf Geer. On February 23, 1946 in Wellsville she married Ernie Kosa who survives.

Helen served during WWII in the Women's Army Corps where she took care of returning wounded soldiers in a US Army hospital in Arkansas. Along with her family she attended the Christian Missionary Church in Hallsport. In her younger days she enjoyed hunting and later she collected old bottles. Helen loved flowers and had many growing around her home. She believed in motherhood and was a full time mom.

Survivors include: her husband of 64 years Ernie; a son Gary (Brenda) Kosa of Greenwood; 2 daughters; Yolanda (Lawrence) Newton of Manheim, PA. and Linda (William) Postl of Mount Vernon, Washington; 7 grandchildren; Brady Newton, Jamie Newton, Rene Abbate, Andrew Kosa, J.J. Postl, Shelby Postl and Marqie Postl; 2 great grandchildren, Drake Newton and Carter Abbate.; a brother Robert Geer of Bell CA.; 3 sisters, Shirley (Paul) Arsenault of Haddam, CT., Louella (Orin) Dickerson of Shinglehouse, PA. and Donna Fusco of Texas; several nieces and nephews.

Helen was predeceased by 6 brothers and sisters.

Friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Sunday August 29 at 12:30 pm in the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville with pastor Dick Helms presiding. Memorials in Helen's name may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. To leave online condolences please visit wwwembserfuneralhome.com.

Ferdinand L. “Ferd” Reisman

Wellsville, NY - Ferdinand L. “Ferd” Reisman, 84, of 3463 Baldwin Road entered into eternal rest with his Savior on Sunday, August 15, 2010 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester following a brief illness. He was born July 22, 1926 in Genesee, PA the son of Leonard and Maude (Slocum) Reisman. On September 15, 1947 he married Allene “Penny” Stroyne who predeceased him in 1995. On December 27, 1996 in West Jasper he married Barbara (Waters) Reisman who survives.

Ferd was employed as a foreman for L. C. Whitford Company in Wellsville and the Sciegfried Construction Company in Buffalo. He was a member of the Bible Union Church in Genesee, PA and Local 621 in Olean, NY.

He is survived by two sons, Edward (Jerelyn) Reisman of Portville and Ferdinand (Mary) Reisman Jr. of Atlanta, NY, three daughters, Linda (Bill) Schram of Little Genesee, Melinda (Ray) Kenneson of Kilbuck and Tracey (Joe) Wallace of Bolivar, 13 stepchildren, Don (Gwen) Reisman of Jasper, Pamela (Mark) Ahrens of Hornell, Leonard (Darla) Reisman of Greenwood, Marty (Deborah) Reisman of Whitesville, Rodney (Cheryl) Reisman of Leesburg, FL, Randy (Lori) Reisman of Leesburg, FL, Bradley (Nerissa) Reisman of Arkport, Lisa (Tom) Bailey of Bativia, Faith (Ronald) Davenport of Scio, Elizabeth (Arnold) Waters of Greenwood, Matt (Valerie) Reisman of Pomaria SC, Dixie (Bill) Syx of Pittsboro NC and Richard (Amy) Reisman of Leesburg, FL, 49 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, five sisters, Mary (Don) Waters of Whitesville, Florence (Dick) Dodson of Scio, Pat (Gordon) Hulse and Dottie Bronson both of Virginia and Betty Qustel of Wellsville and several nieces & nephews. He was predeceased by a daughter, Bonnie Neudeck, four brothers, Dick, Paul, Jim and Leo Reisman and one sister, Arlene Feller.

Friends are invited to a graveside service with military honors on Wednesday, August, 18, 2010 at 3:00 pm in the Maple Lawn Cemetery, South Main Street in Bolivar. Pastor Richard Burns will preside at the service. The family will receive friends at a reception at the Richburg Fireman’s Clubhouse following the service. Memorial donations are suggested to the Bible Union Church, 2030 Hickox-Ulysses Road, Genesee, PA 16923. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.