Merritt A. Wiedemann

Wellsville, NY - Merritt A. Wiedemann, 89, of Manor Hills passed away at home on Saturday, December 27, 2014 following a brief illness. He was born October 7, 1925 in Unadilla, NY the son of Herman and Hazel (Ahl) Wiedemann. On August 17, 1958 in Newark he married Helen “Kathy” Betts who predeceased him on January 2, 1997.

Merritt was raised in Oneonta and was a 1944 graduate of Sidney High School. He was a veteran of WW II, serving with Merchant Marines. He did his basic training at Sheepshead Bay, NY. He sailed to the India and Mediterranean area and later on oil tankers from Baltimore to the Texas coast. Upon returning home to Oneonta, he was employed at Spaulding Bakery for six years. He resided in California for two years, and when he returned to New York he became a manager for Montgomery Ward in Newark. After several transfers he moved to Wellsville and became the Manager of the Outdoor Store. He also worked for the Pennysaver and the Wellsville Daily Reporter before becoming the owner and operator of the Wellsville Montgomery Ward in 1972. He retired in1987 and in 1989 he and Kathy moved to Daytona Beach, FL. He kept very busy throughout his retirement; he enjoyed playing golf and life with his friends at Carriage Cove Park. He returned to Wellsville in August of this year.

He is survived by two sons, Chris (Tina) Wiedemann of Rineyville, KY and Mark (Chris) Wiedemann of Wellsville, two grandsons, Benjamin and Christopher Wiedemann. Merritt was one of 12 children and is survived by several nieces & nephews.

A private graveside service and burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at the convenience of the family. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the SPCA Serving Allegany County or to Home Care & Hospice. To leave online condolences, please visit embserfuneralhome.com.

Patricia A. (Temple) Ball - Notice

Wellsville, NY - Patricia A. (Temple) Ball, 86, of 289 E. Dyke Street passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2014 at Jones Memorial Hospital. A memorial service is being planned and a complete obituary will be published at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc.

James F. Winans

Hallsport, NY - James F. Winans, age 87, of the Hallsport Road passed away on Wednesday, December 17, at the Bath V.A. Medical Center in Bath. He was born on August 4, 1927 in Alma to George and Margaurite Phillips Winans Sr. On June 26, 1954 at the Christian Temple Church in Wellsville he married Carol McConnell who predeceased him on October 8, 2014.

Jim had grown up in Alma and became a farm hand on the Hilligas Farm. In 1945 he joined the U.S. Army and served until he was honorably discharged in 1947. Following the service Jim always stayed busy working in various fields. These jobs included: working in the oil fields for the Sprague Family, working at the former Friendship Foundry, pulling oil wells for Ray Roeske, the Vacation Manager for the former Market Basket, a Wheel Operator for the former Rochester Button Factory and for the Town of Willing. In his late 50’s Jim became a certified nursing assistant through BOCES and went to work at the Highland Nursing Home that later became the Highland Park Health Care Center. Jim was also certified through BOCES in auto mechanics and did vehicle repairs. His joy was his family and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren. Jim stayed active on his farm and he always enjoyed playing a good prank. 

Survivors include his daughter Debra (Donald Jr.) Hall of Wellsville; granddaughters Melissa (Ronald) Gardner of Friendship and Cassie (David Jr.) Slawson of Wellsville and a grandson Curtis (Amanda Conklin) Hall of Wellsville; 12 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Carol, and his brothers George, Louis, Charles and Raymond and several nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call on Saturday, December 27, 2014, from 10 am to 11 am at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. Jim’s funeral service will be held at 11 am in the funeral home with Reverend Ralph Eastlack presiding. Burial with military honors will take place in the Hallsport Cemetery and memorials may be made to the VA Medical Center in Bath, New York. To leave on line condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Mary C. Manning

Wellsville, NY - Mary C. Manning, 78, passed away on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at Jones Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. She was born September 8, 1936 in Manhattan, the daughter of the late Sam and Helen (Holdasevich) Ferrante. On June 2, 1962 in Brooklyn, NY she married Thomas C. Manning who predeceased her on May 9, 2014.

 

Mary and Tom resided in Brooklyn before moving to Wellsville in 1996. She was a graduate of Pace University in 1990. She was employed as an executive Secretary for U. S. Trust on Wall Street for 28 years; retiring in 1996. She was a past senior regent for the Woman of the Moose # 248, a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, the Altar & Rosary Society and the Wellsville Rod & Gun Club. She enjoyed photography, musical instruments, computers and animals; but most of all she loved spending time with friends and family.

 

She is survived by one brother, Alex “Al” Ferrante of Florida and several nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Anna M. Wade on November 14, 2007. 

 

Friends are invited to a Memorial Mass on Friday, January 16, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Church; Wellsville. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. The family requests memorial donations are made to the SPCA Serving Allegany County. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Meldin “Duane” Whiteman

Wellsville, NY - Meldin “Duane” Whiteman, 71, of 3030 Graves Road passed away on Friday, December 12, 2014 at Jones Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. He was born November 15, 1943 in Hornell the son of the late Bert and Bernadine (Brownell) Whiteman. On April 3, 1993 he married Lois (Nolan) Towner who survives.

Duane was a carny for many years and later was an over the road truck driver. Most recently he was employed at Vesuvius Hi-Tech Ceramics in Alfred Station.

Surviving in addition to his wife is one son, William Whiteman, two brothers, Steven D. (Susan) Whiteman of Florida and Bert Leroy (Sherry) Whiteman of Georgia, a stepson, Dan (Sharon) Worden of Wellsville, three stepdaughters, Cindy Lou (Danny) Hachtel of Avoca, Connie Marie Worden of Ithaca and Shannon Mary Sutherland of Madisonville, KY, several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to attend Duane’s funeral on Monday, December 15, 2014 at 4:00 pm in the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville with Pastor Rich Bendelewski presiding. Burial will be in Hallsport Union Cemetery. The family requests memorial donations are made to the Hallsport Christian Church, 2182 Stout Road, Wellsville, NY 14895. To leave online condolences, please visit embserfuneralhome.com.  

Paul E. Wennin

Coudersport, PA - Paul E. Wennin, 86, a former resident of 32 Elk St Coudersport, PA passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at the Washington Health Center in Washington, PA. He was born January 21, 1928 in Johnsonburg, PA, the son of the late Benjamin and Mary (Nestlerode) Wennin who were residents of Sinnemahoning, PA. On September 21, 1981, he married Gilda Elliott who predeceased him on August 23, 2013.

Currently residing in Bentleyville, PA,  Paul was a veteran of WW II serving with the U. S. Army infantry in the Pacific Theater of Operation. He received the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation of Japan Medal. For 45 years he was employed as a Lineman for Tri-County Electric in Coudersport, PA. He enjoyed fishing and hunting in Potter County.

He is survived by one son, Kevin Wennin of Perry, OK, two stepchildren, Randy Metz of Bentleyville, PA and Cindy Reed of Means, KY, four grandchildren, Lawrence Chamberlain, Savannah Chamberlain, Randy Metz Jr. and Phillip Metz, one great-grandson, Jake Perla, one brother, Richard Wennin, two sisters, Nancy Kowalski and Mary Wood, as well as several nieces & nephews. He was predeceased in addition to his wife by one brother, Benjamin Wennin and one sister, Margaret Housler.

Friends are invited to call on Sunday, December 14, 2014 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc., 34 W. State Street in Wellsville, NY. The funeral will be Monday, December 15, 2014 at 11:00 am in the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow at Eulalia Cemetery in Coudersport. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Fountain of Life Church at 2101 Old National Pike Washington, PA 15301. 724-239-2974.To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Jack D. Hawley

Wellsville, NY - Jack D. Hawley, 82, of 5269 Bill Allen Hill Road passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at the Hart Comfort House following a long illness. He was born January 4, 1932 in Portville the son of the late Raymond L. and Laura C. (Campbell) Hawley.

 

Jack was a 1949 graduate of Portville Central School. He served as an Electricians Mate 2^nd Class with the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955. He was employed by Clark Brothers from 1955 to 1958. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Education from SUNY Geneseo in 1962 and began his career with Wellsville Central School as a teacher; retiring 1982. After retirement he worked as a self employed contractor for many years. He was a member and past president of the Wellsville Teachers Association and the Wellsville Rod & Gun Club and was a member of the Morrison Hayes Post 702 American Legion.

 

He is survived by one son, Brett (Markae) Hawley of Concord, NC, one grandson, Reece, two granddaughters, Alexis and Brooke, a sister, Betty Ruth North of St. Augustine, FL, a stepdaughter, Jennifer Stein of North Carolina, his devoted niece & nephew, Laura and Kenneth Shields, as well as several additional nieces & nephews including, Rosaline and Joel Maten, Barbara and Michael Lisson, Brian Hawley, Maureen and Brian Zawacki, Robert and Georgette North Jr., Stanley and Sue North and Linda & Larry Douglas. He was predeceased by three brothers, Rupert, Robert and Harold Hawley and his companion, Gwendolyn B. Horn. 

 

Friends are invited to call on Saturday, December 20, 2014 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. A memorial service with military honors will follow visitation at 4:00 pm in the funeral home with Rev Clara Wilder presiding. Burial will be in Ulysses Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Hart Comfort House or the Bath VA Community Living Center. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Ronald L. Mott

Wellsville, NY - Ronald L. Mott, 74, of 3 Sunnydale Avenue passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 shortly after arrival at Jones Memorial Hospital. He was born December 30, 1939 in Paterson, NJ the son of the late Samuel and Gertrude (Margroff) Mott.

Ron was raised in New Jersey and was a graduate of Central High School in Paterson. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army serving in Greenland. He came to Wellsville in 1960 and was first employed as a nurse’s aide at Jones Memorial Hospital. He later began his career at Dresser-Rand Corporation in Wellsville; retiring in 2002. He was a member the Immaculate Conception Church, the Mercy Associates, the Morrison Hayes Post 702 American Legion and the Knights of Columbus Council 919.

He is survived by two brothers, Samuel Mott of Paterson, NJ and Gary (Beverly) Mott of Wayne, NJ, one sister, Trudy (Patrick) Lord of Milford, NY, several nieces & nephews and two special friends, Russ Knowles and Maureen Cooper. He was predeceased by one sister, Geraldine Lisotto, a sister-in-law, Doris Mott and a niece, Deanie Lisotto.

Friends are invited to call on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm and Saturday from 11:00 to 11:30 am at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 12 noon in the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Immaculate Conception Parish. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneral home.com.

Joan Embser Gardner

Wellsville, NY - Joan Embser Gardner, lifelong resident of Wellsville, died peacefully on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 in her home, after a brief illness.

Born Nov. 10, 1930, Joan was the daughter of Walter J. and Katherine O’Brien Embser.  On April 25, 1953, she married David F. Gardner at Immaculate Conception in Wellsville.  They were blessed with their children Kate and her husband Brooks Chandler, Charlie and his wife Penny, Tim and his wife Renee, Dan and his wife Carol, Walter, Brien, Anne and her husband Fred Collins, Heidi Brown, 19 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  Joan is also survived by her sisters-in-law Mary and Marilyn, several nieces, nephews, special cousins and lifelong friends. Joan was predeceased by her husband Dave in 2011, her parents and her brothers W. Joseph and J. Timothy Embser.

Joan attended Wellsville High School, Marygrove College in Detroit and Alfred State where she and Dave met. Joan was a member of Immaculate Conception Church where she belonged to the Altar Rosary Society.  She practiced her faith inside and outside of Church.  Joan was a homemaker, known for her chocolate cake and sugar cookies.  The “Matron of Meadowbrook Court” she was also a member of the Red Hat Society, Monday Club and former member of the Wellsville Country Club.  Joan was an accomplished and award-winning horsewoman.  In recent years, she was an avid bridge player, playing five days a week, and enjoyed Friday evening dinners with her lifelong friends.

Friends are invited to call on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, 34 W. State Street in Wellsville. The Altar and Rosary Society will gather to pray the rosary on Friday at 3:45 pm at the funeral home. Friends are invited to call again on Saturday, December 6, 2014 from 12:30 to 1:00 pm at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 1:30 pm at the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hart Comfort House, 141 East State St.; Immaculate Conception School, 24 Maple Avenue or the David A. Howe Public Library, 155 North Main Street, all in Wellsville, NY 14895. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.