Mary Lou Fanton

Wellsville, NY - Mary Lou Fanton, 78, of 3355 Madison Hill passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at Jones Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born September 3, 1935 in Wellsville the daughter of the late Eugene and Catherine (Millburn) Horn. On May 16, 1954 in Wellsville she married Gene Fanton who survives.

Mary Lou was a 1953 graduate of Wellsville High School. She was first employed at Air Pre-Heater Company in Wellsville and after moving to San Diego, California she worked at Sears in Chula Vista, California. When the family returned to Wellsville she was employed at the First Trust Union Bank and for many years at Burrows Furniture. She was a member of the Christian Temple, where she loved singing in the choir. She was also a Lady Elk and was an avid bowler with the Wellsville Woman's Bowling League.

Mary Lou had a distinctive laugh and a pleasant personality that brighten the day of everyone she met. In high school she was president of the Student Council, a cheerleader and the Prom Queen. She loved music and was a loving mother to her four boys. She never forgot to acknowledge her grandchildren and great grandchildren's birthdays.  

Surviving in addition to her husband are three sons, Gene Fanton Jr., Carl (Kim) Fanton of Wellsville and Jim (Denise) Fanton of Belmont, 15 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, one sister, Shirley (John) Giopulos of Wellsville, two sisters-in-law, Dorothea Heers of Wellsville and Beverly Rahr of California as well as several nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Bill Fanton, a grandson, Carl Fanton Jr., a great grandson, Michael Fanton and a sister, Cate Horn Tomah.

Friends are invited to call on Friday, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. The funeral will be Saturday, November 2, 2013 at 11:00 am at the Christian Temple in Wellsville with Ralph Eastlack presiding. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. The family suggests memorial donations, in lieu of flowers to the Christian Temple. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

J. Timothy Embser

Wellsville, NY - J. Timothy Embser, age 80, of North Main Street passed away on Friday, October 25, at the Highland Hospital in Rochester. He was born in Wellsville on May 11, 1933 to Walter and Katherine O'Brien Embser. Tim married the former Marilyn Metzger on August 31, 1957 in Ithaca who survives.

  

Tim graduated from Wellsville High School in 1951 and from Cornell University in 1956 with a degree in civil engineering. After serving in the US Army Tim graduated from Cornell University School of Law in 1960. He was admitted into the Bar Association in 1961, which began his 52 year career as a lawyer, and joined with Don Cummings to form the law office of Cummings and Embser. In 1974 Marc Woltag was hired and in 1980 joined the firm forming the partnership of Cummings, Embser and Woltag. After the retirement of Don Cummings, Tim and Marc became Embser and Woltag PC where he remained active until his death. Tim had been the Town Attorney for the towns of Wellsville, Whitesville, Scio and the Village of Alfred. He also had been the attorney of Wellsville and Whitesville Central School Districts. Tim currently was the administrator of the Allegany County Assigned Counsel Plan. He served on the David A. Howe Library Board as well as the First Trust Union Bank Board of Directors. He was a member of the New York State Bar Association, Estate Analysts of Western, New York, Past president of the Allegany County Bar Association, the American Arbitration Association, the Allegany Eye Foundation, the Wellsville Country Club, the 12 Man Dinner Club, Elks Lodge 1495 of Wellsville, the Cuba Lake Yacht Club, where he had been the Commodore and the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville. Tim enjoyed an active life with daily trips to the Texas Hot, watching sports including Cornell and Alfred Saxons Football, sailing and racing c scows on Cuba Lake, golfing and traveling with his family.

Surviving besides his wife are 2 daughters, Susan Embser-Kay of Bury St. Edmonds, England and Kristen (Carl) Cadoff of Chagrin Falls, OH; 2 sons, James Timothy (Sarah Gulaga) Embser of Kuala Lanpur, Malaysia and Jon Richard (Karen) Embser of Arnold, MD.; grandchildren, Abigale and Molly Katherine Embser-Kay, Elizabeth Marie, Nicholas Brien and Katherine Amina Embser, Henry James and Isabel Annick Cadoff; His sister, Joan Gardner of Wellsville; many dear cousins and friends as well as several nieces and nephews.

Tim was predeceased by his parents and his brother W. Joseph Embser.

Friends are invited to call on Friday November 1, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, 34 West State Street in Wellsville, New York. On Saturday a prayer service will be held at 10:15 am in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11  am in the Immaculate Conception Church with the Reverend Thomas Roman as Celebrant. Burial with full military honors will take place in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the David A. Howe Library in Wellsville. To leave on line condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Doris Hornburg Burton

Belmont, NY - Doris Hornburg Burton, age 86, of John Street passed away on Thursday, October 24, at the Hart Comfort House in Wellsville. She was born on February 3, 1927 in Wellsville to Walter and Ruth Hornburg. On October 10, 1958 she married Lou L. Burton Sr. who predeceased her on December 1, 1991.

Doris graduated from Wellsville High School and was employed as a secretary at the Wellsville High School until she left to start a family. She later was on the Allegany County Board of Elections. Doris enjoyed gardening and bird watching. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Belmont and the Allegany County Bird Club.

Doris is survived by 2 sons, Michael L. Burton and Lisa Smyers off Wellsville and William C. (Valerie) Burton of Belmont; Her grandchildren, Erienne, Eric, Cassidy, Kendall, Will and Haley; Her sister Helen Hornburg Link; a nephew, Gary (Nancy) Link of Wellsville and a niece, Linda (Arnold) Hurd of Wellsville; special friends , Mary Jordan and Barbara and Bart Bartholamew.

Friends are invited to call on Monday, October 28, from 11 am to 1 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Belmont. Her funeral service will take place at 1 pm following the calling hours with Reverend Richard Hurd presiding. Burial will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery and memorials in Doris's name may be made to either the Hart Comfort House or the SPCA of Allegany County. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneral home.com.

Marguerite A. Maxwell

Wellsville, NY - Marguerite A. Maxwell, 86, of 2003 Stannards Road passed away on Sunday, October 20, 2013 at the Hart Comfort House following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born February 12, 1927 in the Town of Willing the daughter of the late John and Frances (Barhight) Sekoll. On June 25, 1946 in Wellsville she married Joseph L. Maxwell Sr. who predeceased her on October 9, 1981.

Marguerite was a graduate of Wellsville High School. She was first employed at Scoville-Brown Grocery Store and later worked with her husband on their farm where they raised beef cattle, produced maple syrup and sold Christmas wreaths. She cared for her husband for several years prior to his death. In 1981 she began selling Avon and was awarded membership in the Avon Presidents Club for being the top seller on Avon products in the area. Many of her Avon customers became her best friends. She was independent woman who survived Breast Cancer; split her own firewood and collected antiques. She enjoyed quilting, gardening, growing roses, going to garage sales and vacationing with her family. She was a wonderful cook and loved her cats. 

She is survived by two sons, Joseph L. (Ruth) Maxwell and James N. (Debbie) Maxwell both of Wellsville, two daughters, Jeannie L. Mead and Marguerite J. (Bradley) Jadwin both of Wellsville, 11 grandchildren, Bradley Jadwin Jr., Katie Ford, Luke Jadwin, Joshua Jadwin, Christina Mead, James Mead III, Meghan Jadwin, Sarah Farrand, Joseph Maxwell III, Viennia Dunham and Jimmy Maxwell, eight great grandchildren, 1 sister, Ada Cavagna of Shongo, three brothers, Richard (Jessie) Sekoll of Wellsville and Ferd Sekoll and Carlton Sekoll both of Greenwood as well as several nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Johnny Sekoll.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm and Friday from 12 noon until 12:30 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 25, 2013 at 1:00 pm in the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville with Rev. Thomas Roman as celebrant. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Hart Comfort House. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Edward L. Bastian,

Wellsville, NY - Edward L. Bastian, 75, of 135 N. Brooklyn Avenue passed away on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at the Wellsville Manor Care Center with his family at his side. He was born April 23, 1938 in Wellsville the son of the late Edward C. and Dorothy E. (Hubertus) Bastian. On February 16, 1963 in Niagara Falls he married Barbara Ann Ganzhorn who survives.

Ed was a 1957 graduate of St. Mary's School for the Deaf in Buffalo and graduated from Williamsburg Technical Institute in 1969. He was employed by the New York State Department of Transportation in Hornell for 31 years. He was a member of the Wellsville Moose Lodge # 601, the Kiwanis Club, and the Wellsville Rod & Gun Club; where he was a past vice president.  He was a member of the Emerald Hook and Ladder Company for 42 years; where he had served as president, vice president and fire police captain for eight years. On August 6, 2010 he was named "Fire Policeman of the Year" by the Southwestern Association of Volunteer Fireman. He was a member of the Buffalo Club for the Deaf for 40 years and a member and past president of the Cochlear Implant Group of Buffalo. He was also an avid fisherman and hunter. 

Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons, Terrance A. (Helen) Bastian of Huachuca City, AZ and William E. (Nancy) Bastian of Wellsville as well as eight grandchildren and one nephew. He was predeceased in addition to his parents are two brothers, Terry W. Bastian and Jan H. Bastian.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday from 7 to 9 pm and Friday from 9 to 10 am at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 25, 2013 at 10:30 am in the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville with Rev. Sean DiMaria as celebrant. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. The family suggests memorial donations to the Emerald Hook & Ladder Company # 3. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Alfred D. "Al" Anderton,

Wellsville, NY - Alfred D. "Al" Anderton, Age 85, of Early Street passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2013, at the Wellsville Manor Care Center. He was born on June 22, 1928 in Oil City, Pennsylvania to Joseph and Elizabeth Judy Anderton. In Oil City on June 9, 1951 he married Joan Barclay who survives. 

Al graduated from St. Joseph's High School in Oil City and served in the US Army stationed in Japan. Al brought his family to Wellsville in 1962 when he was transferred with Worthington Corporation. In 1993 Al retired from Dresser Rand after 31 years of service. He loved the outdoors, enjoying fishing and hunting and later it was metal detecting. For 28 years Al, along with Jim Fulmer, will be remembered for the countless hours they spent organizing and running the Wellsville Small Court Basketball program. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville and had been a member the Knights of Columbus.

Survivors include 2 sons, Christopher Anderton of Wellsville and Jeff (Nancy) Anderton; a daughter, Jane (George) Sigler of Boynton Beach, FL.; 5 grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Al was predeceased by 5 brothers, John, George, William, Don and Robert; 2 sisters, Audrey Anderton and Virginia Morkin

Friends are invited to call on Thursday, October 17, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. A prayer service will be held on Friday at 10:30 am in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 am in the Immaculate Conception Church. Reverend Thomas Roman will be the celebrant with burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorials in Al's name may be made the Hart Comfort House in Wellsville. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Marie M. Canfield

Rushford, NY - Marie M. Canfield, age 94, went to be with her lord whom she served for many years on Friday, October 11, 2013, at the Highland Health Care Center in Wellsville.

She was born on October 14, 1918 in Olean to Harold and Anna Furman Newland. On July 4 , 1936 in Wellsville she married Gerald Canfield who predeceased her on July 3, 1987.

Marie was a former resident of Hallsport and Stannards. She had taught Adult Education for over 30 years at the Hallsport Christian Church and also served as the church secretary. Marie later attended the Stannards United Methodist where she again served as the Adult Education Teacher and as the church secretary. She also served with Willing Fire Department Fireman's Auxiliary for 25 years. Marie loved children and had a full life babysitting her grandchildren and the children from the neighborhood.

Survivors include her 3 daughters, June (Melvin) Brandes of the Town of Willing, Donna (Rodney) Horton of Whitesville and Connie (Clair) Armison of Rushford; 10 grandchildren; 18 great grand children; and 2 great great grandchildren; A brother Donald Newland of Wellsville and a sister Marian Fitch of Rochester; several nieces and nephews; dear friends Sue Fuller and her family as well as Jim and June Eaton.

Marie was predeceased by 2 daughters Joyce Canfield and Betty Armison; a granddaughter Kimberly Armison; a brother Andrew Newland; 4 sisters, Elva Baker, Arla McKay, Florence Perkins and Helen McKay.

Friends are invited to call on Monday, October 14, from 12 noon to 2 pm in the Stannards United Methodist Church where her funeral service will take place at 2 pm with Pastor Kim Snyder and Kathleen Timpano. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery and memorials in Marie's name may be given to the Rushford Rescue Squad, PO Box Rushford, New York.  14777. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome .com.

Norma Jean Geoppner Gardner

Wellsville, NY - Norma Jean Geoppner Gardner, 87, of 160 Seneca Street passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2013 at Jones Memorial Hospital with her family at her side. She was born July 28, 1926 in Youngstown, Ohio the daughter of the late John A. and Isabel J. (Guthrie) Geiss. On February 2, 1949 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Wellsville, she married William John Geoppner Jr. who predeceased her on January 4, 1999. On October 18, 2000 she married Robert G. Gardner who predeceased her on February 16, 2005.

Norma was a 1944 Graduate of Wellsville High School and attended Rider College in Trenton, NJ. She and Bill raised their family at 281 N. Main Street and she also resided at 153 W. State Street in Wellsville before moving to the Highland Health Care Center. She began her career at the First Trust Union Bank in Wellsville in 1964 and retired in 1984 as the Assistant Vice President for Student Loans and the Consumer Credit Department. She was a member of the Wellsville Country Club for over 30 years and St. John's Episcopal Church.

She is survived by two sons, Daniel (Rita) Geoppner of Wellsville and William (Sally) Geoppner of Angelica, four grandsons, Alex, Jason, Jeremy and Christopher Geoppner and one granddaughter, Anne Campbell, seven great grandchildren, three stepsons, Robert, Steve and Donald Gardner, three stepdaughters, Sherry Andrews, Sandy Macrone and Mary Ruch, and a devoted friend, Gail Wolcott of Scio. She was predeceased by a stepson. Brian Gardner on August 30, 2008.

A private graveside ceremony at Woodlawn Cemetery is being planned for a later date and there will be on prior visitation. Memorial donations in Norma's memory are suggested to the David A. Howe Public Library or the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

B. Roy Prentice

Wellsville, NY - B. Roy Prentice, 56, of 244 W. State Street passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at home. He was born May 19, 1958 in Neptune, NJ the son of Bernard A. and Wilma (Costigan) Prentice.

Roy was raised in Neptune and resided in St. Petersburg, Florida from 1979 to 1992 where he was employed by Maas Brothers Department Store. He moved to Wellsville in 1992 and has been an employee of Northern Lights Candle Company for the past 18 years.

He is survived by his mother of Wellsville, his father of Allentown, a brother, Adam Prentice of Allentown, several loving nieces & nephews, three beloved dogs and many good friends at Northern Lights. He was predeceased by a brother, Bill Prentice on October 23, 2011.

Friends are invited to call on Monday from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. The funeral will be Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at 11:00 am in the funeral home with Pastor Kevin Palmiter presiding. Burial will be in Whiteville Rural Cemetery. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Robert F. Burdick

Wellsville, NY - Robert F. Burdick, 67, of 167 Maple Avenue passed away on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 shortly after arrival at Jones Memorial Hospital. He was born September 1, 1946 in Hornell, the son of Francis and Katherine (Wheeler) Burdick. On May 31, 1997 in Wellsville he married Maxine Dodge who survives.

Bob was raised in Greenwood and Wellsville and was 1964 graduate of Wellsville High School. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1964 to 1966. He was employed as a pipe fitter at Dresser-Rand Corporation in Wellsville for 42 years; retiring August 31, 2008. He was a member of the Frank B. Church Post 2530 VFW, the Morrison-Hayes Post 702 American Legion and the Wellsville Moose Lodge # 601. He enjoyed gardening, yard work, woodworking and NASCAR. 

Surviving in addition to his wife are four children, Denny (Maureen) Burdick of Rochester, Timothy Burdick of Norfolk, VA, Michelle Burdick of Scio and Robert Burdick Jr. three stepchildren, Sherry (Chris) Schneider and Christine (Phil) Baker both of Scio and Jackie Harder and her fiancé Jeremy Faulkner of Wellsville, seven grandchildren, four brothers, Kenny Burdick, John (Nancy) Burdick, Frank (Nancy) Burdick, Mike (Debbie Ward) Burdick all of Wellsville, two sisters, Lynn Marie Burdick and Marcie (Doug) Spence both of Wellsville as well as several nieces and nephews. 

Friends are invited to call on Friday from 7-9 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. The funeral will be Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 1:00 pm in the funeral home with Pastor Richard Helms presiding. Burial with military honors will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.