Richard "Dick" T. Edwards

Wellsville, NY - Richard "Dick" T. Edwards, age 82, of Williams Avenue passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2015 at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester. He was born in Elmira on April 2, 1932 the son of Edward and Hazel Sick Edwards. On November 8, 1952 in Wellsville he married Joan Wittmann who predeceased him on November 20, 2002.

Dick was lifelong resident of Wellsville and served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. In 1956 Dick began a 40 plus year career with CE Air Preheater as a Sub Assembler. He had been a member of the First Trinity Lutheran Church in Wellsville. Dick was an active member of the American Legion Post #702, the Moose Lodge #601 and the VF and W Post #2530 all of Wellsville. He was also an active 60 plus year member of the Dyke Street Engine Company where he was the steward and had served the Village of Wellsville as Chief of the Fire Department. Dick loved his family; he especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Dick also loved his dog and constant companion for 14 years, Mr. Murphy. He enjoyed fishing at Black Lake with his many friends, sports and the Buffalo Bills. Dick will be remembered as a hard working man who loved a good joke. 

He is survived by a son Michael (Lori) Edwards of Las Vegas, NV.;2 granddaughters Vicki (David) Watkins of Canaseraga and Jaci (Jayson) Colvin of Angola; great grandchildren Emory Watkins and Jordyn Rae Colvin; a sister Edith (Ralph) Ressler of Lancaster; several nieces and nephews.

Dick was predeceased by his parents; his wife Joan; daughter in law Linda "Minnie" Edwards; a great grandson Mason Colvin and his sister Esther Elsenheimer.

Friends are invited to call at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville on Sunday, March 1, 2015, from 1 to 4 pm at which time a military service by the American Legion Post #702 will be held. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery and memorials in Dicks name may be made the SPCA, or the American Cancer Society or to the Wellsville Fire Department. To leave online condolences please visit wwwembserfuneralhome.com.

Barbara A. Collins

Belfast, NY - Barbara A. Collins, 80, of 81 South Street died Thursday, February 19, 2015 at home.  She was born on August 12, 1934 in Friendship: the daughter of Hugh Paul and Doris Pearl (Vosburg) Doner. 

On April 9, 1955, she married Donald Collins, who survives. 

Mrs. Collins had worked part-time at the Belfast Lumber Co. and at the Belfast Central School Cafeteria.  She was a member of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Belfast and the American Legion Auxiliary Post 1504 of Belfast. She enjoyed playing bingo and euchre.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her three daughters, Laurie (Wayne) Symonds, Janie (Mike) Harrington and Amber (Jeff) Craig; nine grandchildren, Howard (Heather) Lyon, Kyle (Shannon) Lyon, Casey (Margaret) Symonds, Andrew (Alicia) Symonds, Kristen (Joseph) Burress, Trevin, Corbin, Alexa, and Kira Craig; eight great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday, February 26, 2015 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc., 17 Schuyler St. in Belmont. The funeral will follow visitation at 3:00 pm in the funeral home with Rev. Dennis Mancuso presiding. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Belmont. Memorials may be made to St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church or the American Legion Auxiliary Post 1504. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Laszlo Szabo

Wellsville, NY - Laszlo Szabo, age 91, of Pine Street passed away on Monday February 16, 2015 at the Hart Comfort House in Wellsville.

Mr. Szabo was born in Nagyer, Hungary on August 6, 1923.  He was the youngest child in a family of seven.  He attended business school in Hungary, enlisted in a military academy, and served in the Hungarian Army.  During World War II, he defended Hungary from the invading Russian Army.  However, the German Army then incorporated the Hungarian Army and used it to spearhead offensives, causing enormous Hungarian casualties.  Laszlo and his group sought out American forces and surrendered to them.  As a POW, Laszlo was chosen to carry a backpack radio, which he carried under fire from the German Army.   He was detained in Munich and was scheduled to return to Hungary by train with other soldiers.  However, Laszlo escaped from the POW camp and avoided the train, which did not go to Hungary but instead went directly to a Siberian gulag for a lifetime of imprisonment.

In Munich, Laszlo found work with the International Refugee Organization in Germany, where he quickly became an officer and distributed supplies to refugee camps.  He married his wife, Yolanda, and developed an opportunity to emigrate to the US through the Church World Service.  In April 1951, Laszlo sailed aboard the U.S.S. Stewart, along with his wife, Yolanda, and two young sons, Zoltan and Emil.  After a brief stay in Scranton, Pennsylvania, he settled in Wellsville and began a 36-year career at Worthington Corporation, now Dresser Rand.  He was a dedicated employee and became President of the Local 1580 I.A.M.

Laszlo served the Wellsville community for half a century.  He coached the VFW Little League for eighteen years.  He was a life member of the Wellsville Rod and Gun Club.  He was active with the Kiwanis Club, Ducks Unlimited, and Trout Unlimited.  He was an avid bowler, fisherman, and hunter.  Most of all, Laszlo was a dedicated husband and caring father.  Laszlo is survived by his wife of 67 years, Yolanda Szabo, and six children - four sons (Zoltan, Emil, William, and James), two daughters (Eva and Kathleen), a special daughter-in-law, Brenda Szabo, ten grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.  Laszlo, we love you and miss you.

Friends are invited to call on Friday, February 20, 2015, from 4 to 6 pm in the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. On Saturday a prayer service will be held in the Funeral Home at 10:30 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 am in the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville. Burial will take place in the Sacred Heart Cemetery and in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to either the Hart Comfort House or to the Alzheimer's Association. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Mildred Roeske

Wellsville, NY - Mildred Roeske, age 95, of 100 Merriam Heights passed away on Tuesday February 10, 2015 at the Wellsville Manor Care Center. She was born on July 15, 1919 in Wellsville to Floyd and Addie Finch Miller. On October 8, 1937 in Jasper she married Raymond Roeske who predeceased her on March 8, 1974.

Mildred had worked for the Wellsville Central Schools in the cafeteria. She also volunteered her time with the Allegany County Association of the Blind, Jones Memorial and at the Community Center. Mildred spent the last years of her life enjoying a community of friends at 100 Merriam Heights. Best known for her crocheting of afghans, she was an avid reader and enjoyed sharing her baked goods with family and friends. Mildred had been a member of the First United Methodist Church in Wellsville and several other community groups.

Mildred is survived by her two sons, Conrad (Dorothy) Roeske of Gloucester, MA and Kevin (Sandy) Roeske of Cattaraugus. She is also survived by a granddaughter Kelly (Dr. Anthony) Chieffalo of Pomfret, CT; and grandsons Brett Roeske of Gloucester, MA; John (Lindsey) Roeske of Norwich, CT; Robert (Amanda) Roeske of Cambridge; several great grandchildren; her sister Edith Miller of Wellsville and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and her husband Mildred was predeceased by 3 brothers Earl, Lawrence and Raymond Miller and her 2 sisters Pauline Mourhess and Bernice Metzgar.

Friends are invited to attend a graveside funeral service on Monday February 23 at 11 am in the Woodlawn Cemetery on South Main Street in Wellsville. The reverend Greg DeSalvator will preside over the service and memorials in Mildred's name may be given to the David A. Howe Library. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

NOTICE: Due to the weather her service has been changed to 11 am in the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. 

Sara M. "Sally" Rahr

Scio, NY - Sara M. "Sally" Rahr, age 72, of Church Street passed away on Monday, February 9, 2015, in her home. She was born on December 1, 1942 in New Port News, Virginia to Raymond and Betty Shean Hill. On January 17, 1981 in San Bernardino, California she married Charles "Chuck" Rahr who survives and had just celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary.

Sally had lived in Springfield, Missouri and various places in Southern California before moving to Scio in 1998.She graduated from Crafton Hills Community College in Yucaipa, California as a registered dietitian. She worked in many convalescent homes In Southern California as a dietary supervisor. When Sally moved to Scio she became a care giver for many women in the area until her health caused her to retire. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, baking and spending time with her grandchildren as well as her many friends and family.

Sally is survived by her husband Chuck; 2 sons, David L. Hill of Crestline, California and Stephen P.(Katie) Freeman of Friendship; 2 daughters, Floydena "Dena" Freeman-McGee of Madison Wisconsin and Stephanie Shelton of Sun City California; a grandson, Silvan Fleming Jr. of Madison Wisconsin; 2 great grandsons, Anthony Broehm and Christopher C. Freeman; as well as many friends and family.

She was predeceased by her parents Raymond and Betty and a great granddaughter Hailey Marie Freeman.

There will be no prior visitation and memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials in Sally's name may be made to the Scio Fire Department and to leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

James T. McNinch Sr.

Belmont, NY - James T. McNinch Sr. 98, of 44 Milton Street passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at Manor Hills in Wellsville. He was born March 16, 1916 in Bayonne, NJ the son of Harry T. and Florence (Hall) McNinch.

Jim graduated from Belmont Central School and was the first Eagle Scout in Belmont. After graduating he became the chauffeur for the Thorton family in Wellsville. He loved playing baseball and was honored in the late 1980’s at Dreams Park in Cooperstown for being the sole survivor of the 1930’s Belmont Town Team. He briefly worked at the Department of Motor to help out his Dad. He was a long time dairy farmer. He began his career as a real estate broker with Leo Ludden Realty of Wellsville. He later owned and operated McNinch Realty in Belmont. He was the developer of McNinch Lane; a sub division in Belmont and he and his wife Arlene, maintained many apartments and houses county wide. He also owned and operated McNinch Pools in Belmont. He and Arlene loved to entertain friends and family at their home in Ft. Myers in Florida. He was the foundation of his loving family and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by one son, James (Mary Jo) McNinch of Belmont, two daughters, Gale (Andy) Hall- Walldorff of Atlanta, GA and Barbara (Jim) Fleischman of Belmont, one brother, Robert (Elizabeth) McNinch of Wellsville, 12 grandchildren, Chris (Lisa) McNinch of Branchport, Jeffery (Lindsey) McNinch of Belmont, Abby (Sam) Conzone of  Albany, Casey McNinch of Arizona, Mark (Yvonne) Fleischman of Germany, Erica (Emory) Fleischman-Roethel of Belmont, Stephen (Beth) Fleischman of Belmont, Nicholas (Michelle) Walldorff of Atlanta, GA, Rebecca Walldorff of Atlanta, GA, John (Shawna) Fullington of Colorado, Bridgette Fullington of Colorado and Josh (Karen) Shapiro of Brazil, 22 great grandchildren and several nieces & nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Arlene, daughter, Priscilla, sisters, Mary Rhodes and Louise Morris and brothers, Louis, John and Harry McNinch II.

                                                                                                                                                                        Friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 7:00 to 9:00 pm and Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc., 17 Schuyler Street in Belmont. The funeral will follow visitation Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 11:00 am in the funeral home with Deacon Frank Pasquale presiding. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Amity Rescue Squad or the Belmont Free Library. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com. 

Lawrence Albert Watson Sr.

Belmont, NY - Lawrence Albert Watson , age 81, of 4157 State Route 244 passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2015 at the Highland Park Rehabilitation Center in Wellsville. He was born at home on the Watson Road on June 2, 1933 to Elmer E. and Gladys J. Cline Watson. On August 23, 1958 in the First Baptist Church Parsonage of Belmont he married Joyce C. Mitchell who predeceased him on April 3, 1982. On January 24, 1984 he married Doreen H. Marden who predeceased him in June of 2004 and on April 22, 2006 he married Bernice E. Whiteman who survives him.

Larry graduated from Alfred Almond Central School and began working on the Erie Rail Road in Hornell. He entered the U.S. Army in December of 1953 and served until December of 1955 stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington. Larry moved to Wellsville in 1958 where he worked for Coca-Cola and later owned and operated the Tastee Freeze on the Bolivar Road.  In 1972 he moved his family to Belmont where he bought a dairy farm and began a 30 year career as a machinist at Dresser Rand. Larry loved sports and cross word puzzles and when he lived in Wellsville he bowled in the men's league, played fast pitch softball and later played softball in the church league. Larry was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Belmont.

Survivors include his 3 sons, Lawrence (Zelda) Watson Jr. of Andover, Jonathan (Tamara) Watson of Severn, MD. and Aaron (Heidi) Watson of Branchville, NJ.; his 3 daughters, Annette (Philip) Brown of Franklin Lakes, NJ., Evelyn (Douglas) Jones of Largo, FL. and Gretchen (Mark) Greco of Warners; a brother Paul Watson of Belmont; 2 sisters, Ruth Watson of Olean and Shirley Morey of Hornell; a sister in law Joan Watson of Belmont; 13 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; 42 nieces and nephews and several cousins.

Larry was predeceased by his brothers James and Raymond; his sister, Virginia Tillman, Esther Watson and Phyllis Tincher;   a grandson LCP Donald S. Brown.

Friends are invited to call on Friday, February 6, 2015, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the First Baptist Church of Belmont. Larry's funeral service will take place on Saturday at 2 pm in the Church with Pastor David Jones presiding. Burial will take place in Forest Hills Cemetery and memorials in his name may be made to the First Baptist Church of Belmont. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.