Doris D. Mingus

Wellsville, NY - Doris D. Mingus, 83, a former longtime resident of 37 Franklin Street, passed away on Saturday, December 26, 2015 at the Wellsville Manor Care Center. She was born March 21, 1932 in Wellsville, the daughter of the late Francis and Ella (Vogel) Donovan. On January 30, 1954 in Wellsville she married Robert H. Mingus who predeceased her on July 8, 2001.

Doris was a 1948 graduate of Wellsville High School and a 1952 graduate of the Sisters of Mercy, School of Nursing. She was formerly employed at Jones Memorial Hospital. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, the Altar & Rosary Society and the Lord’s Housekeepers. She was a former member of the Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department; Ladies Auxiliary and delivered Meals on Wheels. She was a supporter of the Arbor Day Foundation, the National Audubon Society and enjoyed knitting.   

She is survived by five children, Michael (Nancy) Mingus of Lyndonville, Stephen (Terri) Mingus of Livonia, Diane (Jerry) Giardina of Enola, PA, Andrew (Kim) Mingus of Mechanicsburg, PA and Monica (Mark) Finn of Wellsville, eight grandchildren, Marissa Mingus, Paige (Ross) Donatelli, Jeremy Giardina, Joshua Giardina, Zachary Mingus, Sean Mingus, Patrick Finn and Connor Finn, one great grandson, Xavier Mendoza, one brother, Donald (Carol) Donovan of Cuba, a sister-in-law, Floy Donovan of Wellsville and several nieces & nephews. She was predeceased in addition to her parents by a brother, Robert Donovan.

Friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 7:00 to 9:00 pm and Wednesday from 10:00 to 10:30 am at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. The Rosary will be recited on Wednesday, at 9:30 am in the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December, 30th at 11:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Altar & Rosary Society, %17 Maple Avenue, Wellsville, NY 14895. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Hilda A. (Doerler) Whitney

BELMONT, NY – Hilda A. (Doerler) Whitney, 80, passed away on Friday (December 25, 2015) unexpectedly at her home. Born July 31, 1935 at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville, Hilda was predeceased by her parents, Karl and Helene (Ziegler) Doerler. On August 15, 1959, Hilda married Robert “Bob” Whitney. Their five children are John (Laura) Whitney of East Aurora, Kathryn (William) Lucey of Middletown, RI, James (Patricia) Whitney of Belmont, Donald (Sharon) Whitney of Willowick, OH, and Michael Whitney of Belmont. Grandchildren are Aleah (Michael) Kirchner, Brian Whitney, Bradley Whitney, William Lucey IV, Tucker Lucey, Benjamin Whitney, Lief Whitney (deceased), Simon Whitney, and step-grandsons, Jacob Grisewood and Joseph (Katelyn) Grisewood. At her 80th birthday celebration, Hilda had an opportunity to meet her first great-grandchild, Cameron, son of Aleah and Michael. Hilda is also survived by siblings William (Patricia) Doerler of Pennington, NJ and Ilse (John “Al”) Kitchen of Munds Park, AZ, and many nieces and nephews. She remained in close contact with extended family in Germany and Austria.

She attended Friendship Central School and Buffalo State College where she studied home economics education and sang in the college choir. She taught briefly at Mexico, NY High School and at the former Belmont Central School and was a regular substitute teacher at Belmont for many years in addition to working with Bob on their extensive flower gardens and Feathers Creek Road sheep farm.

Many Belmont elementary students had their first up-close experience with lambs and other farm livestock through school trips to visit Hilda at the farm. Hilda loved her flower gardens nearly as much as she loved babies.  She was a seamstress and always had dozens of knitting or crocheting projects in various stages of completion. Hilda was a strong supporter of 4H, teaching sewing and judging apparel or cooking entries at the Allegany County Fair for many, many years. She volunteered countless hours serving the Jones Memorial Hospital Auxiliary as a member of the Lilac Twig and was the Auxiliary’s secretary. Hilda was an active member of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Belmont and was a coordinator of the annual rummage until the church recently closed. She became an active member of St. John’s Church in Wellsville after St. Philip’s closed.

Friends are invited to call on Tuesday, December 29th from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc., 17 Schuyler Street in Belmont. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 30th, at 11:00 am at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 East Genesee Street in Wellsville.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Jones Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Frieda L. Budde

Olean, NY - Frieda L. Budde, 79, of 3046 Cadiz Road passed away on Monday, December 21, 2015 at Olean General Hospital with her family at her side. She was born September 9, 1936 in Belmont the daughter of the late Edward and Erlene (Watkins) Sherwood. On June 4, 1955 in Belmont she married George F. Budde Sr. who predeceased her on May 28, 1984.

Frieda was raised in Belmont and has resided in Franklinville for the past 60 years. She loved her family, and her animals and she enjoyed canning, crocheting, knitting and sewing.

She is survived by two sons, George Budde Jr. of Wayland and Tracy Budde of Olean, two daughters, Mary Budde and Frieda McConnell both of Franklinville, four grandchildren, Ashley, Joey, Patricia, and Mary, four great grandchildren, a brother-in-law, Richard Livergood of Belmont, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased in addition to her parents by four sisters, Jeannette Davison, Kathryn Flint, Mildred Sherwood, and Helen Livergood, and one brother, Edward Sherwood.

Friends are invited to a graveside service on Monday, December 28, 2015, at 2:00 pm at Forest Hills Cemetery in Belmont. Memorial donations can be made to any charity of the donor’s choice. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.  

Francis B. Slocum Sr.

Wellsville, NY - Francis B. Slocum Sr., 79, of 3592 Weidrich Road passed away on Monday, December 21, 2015 at home with his family at his side. He was born August 14, 1936 in Wellsville, the son of Carl and Esther (Burton) Slocum. On August 16, 1960 in Gaines he married Mary R. Burgess who predeceased him on November 4, 2012.

“Fran” was a 40 year employee of C. E. Air Preheater Company; retiring in 2001. He was formerly employed at Woodlawn Cemetery and was a self-employed mason. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army during the Korean War and served with the Army Reserves for 20 years. He was a member of the Wellsville Moose Lodge # 601, the Morrison-Hayes American Legion Post 702 and was a former member of the Duke Hose Company # 1. He enjoyed carpentry crafts and the great outdoors. He was a great husband, father, grandfather & Great grandfather, who loved spending time with his family.

He is survived two daughters, Catherine (Tom) Neugent and Deborah (Jim) Kozlowski, two sons, Francis B. Slocum II and Daniel F. Slocum, all of Wellsville, five grandchildren, Belinda, Stephanie, April, James and Trinity, four great grandchildren, Kennedy, Caitlin, Connor and Brockton, a brother, Howard Slocum, two sister-in-law’s, Carol Slocum and Alice (Jim) Berry, brother-in-law, Dale Burgess, and several nieces & nephews. He was predeceased in addition to his wife by a brother, Bud Slocum.

A graveside service with military honors is being planned for a later date at Stannards Cemetery. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps or the Hart Comfort House. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Marguerite B. Petrie

Wellsville, NY - Marguerite B. Petrie, age 94, of River View Heights passed away on Thursday December 17 at the Wellsville Manor Care Center. She was born on July 16, 1921 in Gaffney, Pennsylvania to Vincenzo and Concetta Rao Bruzzi. On December 24, 1943 in the St. Eulalia Roman Catholic Church in Coudersport she married Jack M. Petrie who predeceased her on April 9, 2009.

Marguerite worked in the millinery hat department of J.J. Newberry in Wellsville and retired from CE. Air Preheater in 1983. She enjoyed her family, traveling and playing bridge. Marguerite was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville.

Marguerite is survived by 2 nieces, Janice (David) Schaub of Bellefonte, PA, and Mary Spadafor of Erie, PA.; 4 nephews, Robert (Becky) Nolan of Coudersport, PA, Scott Bruzzi of Coudersport, PA, Mark Bruzzi of Rochester and John (Mary) Pellegrino of Erie, PA.; 4 great nieces, Amy (Brian) Karfonta of Eldersburg, MD, Angela (Michael) Stebila of Selinsgrove, PA, Anne (Brian) Parise of Selinsgrove, PA, and Sara (Aaron) Tyson of Bellefonte, PA.; many great great nieces and nephews.

Marguerite was predeceased by her parents; 3 sisters, Teresa Deni, Rose Pellegrino and Angelina Nolan; 3 brothers, Frank, John, and Augustine Bruzzi.

Friends are invited to call on Monday, December 21, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville.  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. Burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorials in Marguerite’s name may be made to the Immaculate Conception Church. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Karyn M. Bratcher

Wellsville, NY - Karyn M. Bratcher, 49, of 196 East Dyke Street passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 12, 2015 shortly after arrival at Jones Memorial Hospital. She was born August 3, 1966 in Dansville, the daughter of John and Catherine (Harder) Bratcher.

Karyn attended school in Livonia. She was formerly employed at PWI in Wellsville and has resided at the ARC Dyke Street Residence. She enjoyed arts, crafts, crocheting and coloring.

She is survived by her mother, Catherine Callaro of Wellsville, three brothers, Randy and Eric Bratcher of Wellsville and Matthew Callaro of Livonia, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends at ARC. She was predeceased by her father.

Friends are invited to call on Sunday from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. The funeral will follow the visitation at 3:00 pm Sunday (December 20, 2015) with Pastor Richard Helms presiding. Burial will be in the Harder Cemetery in Hemlock, NY. The family suggests memorial donations be made to Allegany County ARC. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Murray E. “Red” Richmond

Wellsville, NY - Murray E. “Red” Richmond, 65, of 3524 Andover Road passed away at home on Sunday, December 13, 2015 with his family at his side and after battling a long illness. He was born April 14, 1950 in Wellsville, the son of the late Murray Lynn and Joann M. (Chilson) Richmond. On July 7, 1990 in Whitesville he married Mary Lewis who survives.

Murray was a well-known mechanic for many years at various businesses in Allegany, Steuben and Cattaraugus counties. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and also enjoyed camping and cookouts. He was a member of the Wellsville Moose Lodge # 601, where he served as sergeant-at-Arms and was a social member of the Frank B. Church Post 2530 VFW in Wellsville.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Richmond, two daughter, Elice (Thomas) Slavin Jr. and Lana Richmond of Wellsville, close family friend, Dirk “Dirky” Pratt of Wellsville, 14 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, four step-children, Dennis Ellsworth of Wellsville, Ken Ellsworth of Warsaw, Christine Baker of Pavilion and Kathy Horton of Maryland, four sisters, Mary Orpet of Whitesville, Sherry Milkeris of Wellsville, Holly (Rick) Ordway of Whitesville, and Beth (Gary) Giddings of Wellsville, four brothers, Jim (Carol) Richmond of Andover, Monte (Bonnie) Richmond of Cuba, Mark (Christie) Richmond of Whitesville and Gary (Mary) Richmond of Hornell, as well as several nieces & nephews. He was predeceased in addition to his parents by a brother, Randy Richmond, a sister, Julie Richmond, and two brother in laws, Dave Milkeris and Chuck Orpet.

Friends are invited to call on Friday, December 18, 2015 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. The funeral will follow the visitation at 3:00 pm in the funeral home with Rev. Patricia Bancroft, Chaplain, Homecare & Hospice, presiding. Burial will be in Whitesville Rural Cemetery. The family suggests memorial donations be made to Homecare & Hospice. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Sandra L. Bilby

Wellsville, NY - Sandra L. Bilby, 60, of 3711 County Road 28 passed away on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at home with her family at her side. She was born on January 28, 1955 in Syracuse the daughter of the late Beverly Genevieve Gray. On September 28, 1984 in Wellsville she married Jack Bilby who survives.

Sandy was raised in Olean and was a former resident of Bolivar. She was employed by Allegany County ARC and retired in 2008.

Surviving in addition to her husband are two daughters, Michelle (Martin) Seamans of Wellsville and Helen Bilby of Scio, and one granddaughter, Aubree Seamans.

Friends are invited to a memorial service on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Cross Town Alliance Church in Wellsville with Rev. Jeremy Gorham presiding. The family suggest memorial donations be made to the Cross Town Alliance Church, 450 N. Highland Avenue, Wellsville, NY 14895. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Peter I. Burr

Alfred, NY - Peter I. Burr, 85, of 82 West University Street passed away at home on Saturday November 21, 2015. He was born July 27, 1930 in Waterbury, CT the son of the late Edward and Helen (Bwel) Burr.

Peter was a former resident of Moodus, CT and was a graduate of the University of Massachusetts. He was a veteran of the Korean War serving with the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1955. He was first employed by the Peace Corps and later by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) as the Regional Manager in Wellsville; retiring in 2006. He was a member of the Alfred-Almond University Lodge #230 F & AM and the Alfred United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his son, Alejandro Burr of Bolivia, four grandchildren, Claudia, Allie, Alex and Jo-el, four great grandchildren, Bella, Brennan, Chris and Vincent, two brothers, Michael Burr of California and John Burr of Florida, former daughter-in-law, Yara Pinedo, and his former wife and companion, Yolanda Fernandois.

Friends are invited to a memorial service on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Alfred United Methodist Church with Rev. Stephen Crowell Sr. presiding. Interment will be in West Cemetery in Plymouth, CT. The family suggest memorial donations be made to Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR/USA 72202. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.