Richard C. “Dick” Deschler

Wellsville, NY - Richard C. “Dick” Deschler, age 94, of Williams Avenue passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2017, at the Wellsville Manor Care Center. He was born in Wellsville on July 27, 1923 to Henry and Amelia Weihoneig Deschler. On November 15, 1954 he married June Beckwith who survives.

 Dick graduated from the Immaculate Conception School as the class valedictorian and from Wellsville High School in 1941. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the US Navy aboard the USS Alaska in the South Pacific. Dick worked for the US Postal Service in Wellsville for 30 years retiring in 1986. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, the American Legion Post #702, and the Elks Lodge # 1495 all of Wellsville.

Surviving besides his wife June are a son, Donald Deschler of Wellsville; a daughter, Susan (Brian) Robinson of Longs, South Carolina; 4 grandchildren, Christian, Aaron (Jennifer), and Andrew Robinson, and Brieanna (Sam) Sarcia; 4 great grandchildren, Lila, Landon, and Mason Robinson, and June Sarcia; a sister, Frances Deschler of Wellsville.

Friends are invited to call on Wednesday, August 2, from 6 to 8 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. A Prayer service will held on Thursday at 10:30 am in the Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to Celebrated at 11 am in the Immaculate Conception Church of Wellsville. Burial with Military Honors will take place in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorials in Dick’s name may be made to the Immaculate Conception School or any charity of the donor’s choice. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Clair H. “Tuggy” Coyle

Wellsville, NY - Clair H. “Tuggy” Coyle, 76, a former longtime resident of 1978 Stannards Road, died on Sunday, July 23, 2017 at Rochester General Hospital following a long illness. He was born March 22, 1941 in Wellsville, the son of the late Joseph and Flora (Brownell) Coyle. On June 16, 2000 in Lincolnton, NC, he married Esther “Marie” (Gavitt) Hurlburt, who predeceased him on September 17, 2013. 

Clair was a longtime resident of the Town of Willing, he attended school in Wellsville and served with the U.S. Marine Corps. He was first employed as a farm hand for the Charlie Hart and the Francis Joyce families. He later worked for Woodlawn Cemetery, the Gerald Hart, Crest Haven Vault Company, and the Wellsville Central School District, for 25 years, retiring in 1995. He was also an auxiliary policeman and crossing guard for the Village of Wellsville.

He was a former member of the Friendship and Wellsville Volunteer Fire Departments, and later joined the Willing Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as a dedicated fire policeman for many years. He was a member of the former Allegany County Civil Defense, the Salvation Army, and the Trinity Lutheran Church.

He is survived by a step-daughter, Deborah (John) Nielson of Lincolnton, NC, a step-son, Gene (Glenda) Hurlburt of Wellsville, and their families, a half-brother, George Kump of Wellsville and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased in addition to his parents and wife, by a brother, Howard Coyle, and a half-sister, Anna Mae Webster.

Friends are invited to call on Wednesday, July 26, 2017, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. The funeral will be Thursday, July 27th at 11:00 am in the funeral home. Burial with military honors will be in Yorks Corners Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to the Willing Volunteer Fire Department or the Salvation Army in Wellsville. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.  

Mary L. McConnell

Hallsport, NY - Mary L. McConnell of the Hallsport Road passed away on Friday, July 14, in her home. She was born on June 6, 1940 in Andover to Clarence and Hazel LaFever Kemp. In June of 1958 she married James McConnell who survives.

Mary was a long time resident of the Hallsport Area who spent her life looking after and taking care of others. Mary cleaned homes for several local families and loved animals including the family dog “Chevy”.

Mary is survived by her husband, James; her daughter Kim Foster of Hallsport; 3 grandsons, Cory (Shauna) McConnell of Hallsport, Derek Fagan of Hallsport, and Levi (Amber) Fagan of Altos, CA.; 2 granddaughters, Ashlynn and Coriana McConnell both of Hallsport; 2 sisters, Catherine Kemp of Wellsville, and Marie Enders of New Field; several nieces and nephews.

Mary was predeceased by 3 brothers, Delbert, Victor, and Grant Kemp; a sister, Annabelle Spencer.

 Mary’s wishes where that there will be no public services and burial will take place in Stannards Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions in Mary’s name may be made to the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps. To leave on line condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Rita Virginia Yungbluth Gibson

Rita Virginia Yungbluth Gibson - Rita was born on Sunday February 29, 1920, not a new occurrence in the Yungbluth home as she was greeted by six older siblings and accomplished strong Roman Catholic parents.  Her early years included schooling at St. Rose of Lima in Buffalo, NY which was just down the street from the family home at 418 Parker Ave.  A home that the family had moved to after leaving Pittsburg, PA for a job promotion for her father, BJ.  

Her college years were spent in Detroit, MI where she attended Marygrove College and earned a bachelor’s degree.  Returning home to Buffalo and the family home in May 1942, Rita went to work at Linde Air Company supporting company leaders on the Manhattan Project.  

On September 8, 1947, Rita married Dr. Charles S. Gibson and moved to Wellsville, NY.  In 1952, Rita and Sid built their first home where they would raise their five children (John, Peggy, Mary Lou, Ann and Rob) and remained until 1985.  While in Wellsville, NY Rita was active in Immaculate Conception Church and guided its first renovation in the early 1970s.  Rita also enjoyed traveling and playing golf with Sid and tolerated skiing, swimming and other outdoor activities which Sid led the family into.

In September 1985, Rita and Sid moved to Monument, CO as two of their daughters had settled in Colorado and the rest would one-day follow. Rita was active in St. Peter Catholic Church and enjoyed many wonderful friendships in the Woodmoor Community where she and Sid resided together until his death in November 2003. Rita remained in Monument, CO until 2010, when she moved to a retirement resort in Windsor, CO.  In 2014 Rita moved to Grace Point Assisted Living in Greeley, CO, where she passed in peace in her sleep on July 14.

A Christian celebration of life will be held at 10:30 Tuesday July 18 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Windsor, Colorado.  Rita would have loved gifts to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wellsville in lieu of flowers.

To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Sharon L. Greene

Wellsville, NY - Sharon L. Greene of Pine Street passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2017, at the Comfort House of Allegany County. She was born on October 6, 1951 in Wellsville to Matthew and Gertrude Shine O’Brien. On January 15, 1972 she married Gregory Greene who predeceased her in 2007.

Sharon was a member of the Wellsville High School class of 1970 and had also graduated from Alfred State College in 1972. She had been a resident of Lima where she had worked in the Lima High School Cafeteria for several years. Sharon later moved back to Wellsville where she worked in a Doctor’s office and later for the Giant Food Mart in the Deli Department. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church of Wellsville who enjoyed being on the go. Sharon loved to travel, especially with Sylvia LaChance and Lorraine DiSorbo who also helped during her long illness, bunco, and gardening. To Sharon family was everything and she will be remembered as a very prompt woman who enjoyed a spotless home.

Sharon is survived by her mother, Gert of Wellsville; a daughter, Kelly (Sam) Buck of Mattydale; 2 sons, Greg (Angela) Greene serving in the U.S. Navy stationed in Norfolk, VA., and Jeremy (Carmen) Greene of Milwaukee, WI; 5 grandchildren, Zack, Chandler, Christopher, Colton, and Cataleya; a brother, John (Lisa) O’Brien of Ruidoso, NM.; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Sharon was predeceased by her husband Greg, her Father, Matt, her daughter, Kristen, and her sister, Sheila.

Friends are invited to call on Monday, July 17, from 6 to 8 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. A Prayer service will be held on Tuesday, July 18, 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. Burial will take place in Sacred Heart Cemetery and memorials in Sharon’s name may be made to the Comfort House of Allegany County, East State Street, Wellsville, NY.  14895. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Nila Ann “Toni” Burrell

Rotonda West, Florida - Nila Ann “Toni” Burrell, 78, of Rotonda West passed away Thursday, May 25, 2017 at Englewood Community Hospital, Englewood, Florida.

Born on January 29, 1939 in Emporium, Pennsylvania to Frank and Beulah Layberger, she had been a resident of Charlotte County for five years coming from Fairview, Pennsylvania and Wellsville, New York.

A loving wife, mother and homemaker for her family she was a salesperson and accountant for her husband’s business, Burrell Enterprises.  She previously was an engineering secretary and purchasing clerk for C E – Air Preheater Company and C E - Elgin Electronics in Pennsylvania and New York State.

Toni loved going to the beach to collect sharks’ teeth and swimming in the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.  She was an avid cross stitcher who loved spending time with her many grandchildren.   Her dogs were very important to her, Panda and Sophie and her dear cat, Lucy.

Survivors include her loving husband of forty years: Fred Burrell; two daughters: Voni Walker and Jill Petersen both of Wellsville, New York; one son: Mick Marshall of Bradford, Pennsylvania; one step-daughter: Tammy Kay Cooper of Englewood, Florida; three step-sons: Bradley S. Burrell of Rotonda West, Florida; Terence L. Burrell of Weeki Wachi, Florida; Kevin F. Burrell of Waterford, Pennsylvania; one sister: LoRee Saunders of Whitesville, New York; twenty-two grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Her sister, Caren Lewis predeceased her in 2012.

Friends are invited to call on Friday, July 21, 2017 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. A memorial service will follow visitation at 2:00 pm with Rev. Kurt Schultz presiding. Receptions will immediately follow the memorial service at L’Italia Restaurant in Wellsville, from 3 - 5 pm and at Toni’s sister (LoRee Saunders’) home from 3 - ?? PM at 1068 Route 248, Whitesville, NY. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Wellsville on Monday, July 24th at 10 AM.

The funeral in Florida was conducted on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Englewood Community Funeral Home in Englewood, Florida with the Reverend Robert Firby of Christ Lutheran Church, officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Sarasota, 3277-A Fruitville Road, #1, Sarasota, Florida 34237 in memory of Toni Burrell. To leave online condolences, please visit embserfuneralhome.com.

Patricia M. George

Wellsville, NY - Patricia M. George, 67, of 215 E. Dyke Street, died unexpectedly on Saturday, July 8, 2017 shortly after arrival at Jones Memorial Hospital. She was born on July 15, 1949 in Lockport, the daughter of the late Charles and Dorothy (Willie) Oswald.

Pat was a graduate of Lockport High School and Niagara Community College, where she received a degree in Art. She was formerly employed at Dresser-Rand Corporation in Wellsville for 25 years and Alfred University for 15 years; retiring on June 1, 2015. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church. She was a gifted artist and used her talent in her ink drawings, flower garden, quilting, sewing, and crafts. She enjoyed reading, walking; and loved traveling to South Carolina to visit her daughter and her family. She was a giving person who loved the Lord and studying the Bible.

She is survived by her longtime companion, Roger D. Mallory, her daughter, Christine (John) Ressler of Fort Mill, SC, two beloved grandchildren, JP and Brooke, two sisters, her twin, Phyllis Zielinski of Rock Hill, SC and Pamela (Gary) Craig of Wilson, NY, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased in addition to her parents by a brother, Michael Oswald.

A private service is being planned for a later date. Please consider memorial donations to Catholic Charities. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com. 

Raymond C. Cornelius

Scio, NY - Raymond C. Cornelius, 82, of 4849 Wadsworth Hill Road, died on Saturday, July 1, 2017 at his home. He was born March 23, 1935 in Wellsville, the son of Reginald B. and Charlotte (Millen) Cornelius.

Raymond was raised in the Wellsville area. He was formerly employed by Joyce Pipeline, James Dean Body Shop, and Dave Faulkner Construction. For a time owned and operated his own body shop in Scio and later retired from Dresser-Rand Corporation in Wellsville. He was a member of the I.A.M. Moore Lodge Local 1580. He was an avid horseman, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, and farming.

He is survived by one son, Reginald K. (Sharon) Cornelius of Wellsville, two daughters, Sheila Udeski of Ulysses, PA and Andrea (Wayne) Thayer of Wellsville, four stepdaughters, Betty (Leon) Chalker of Scio, Bonnie Spenser of California, Marylou (Richard) Kemp of Friendship and Joann (Dennis) White of Scio, a number of grandchildren, great grandchildren, step grandchildren and step great grandchildren, one sister, Shirley Prevost of Woodbridge, VA, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Lelia Cornelius, a son, Michael Cornelius, a stepson, John Brown, and a brother, Leroy Cornelius.  

A private graveside service will be held at Fairlawn Cemetery in Scio on Monday, July 10, 2017. Please consider memorial donations to any charity of the donor’s choice. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Douglas O. Layman

Scio, NY - Douglas O. Layman, 52, of 5035 Snowball Hollow Road, passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2017, at home surrounded by his family. He was born May 5, 1965 in Wellsville, the son of Thomas and Donna (Ward) Layman Sr. 

Doug was raised in Friendship and Scio and attended the Friendship Central School. He was a “Jack of All Trades” and for many years was employed as a mechanic for Wes Cline in Belmont. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and gardening.

He is survived by his mother of Scio, two children, Mellissa Hugar of Rochester and Gregory Layman of Georgia, seven grandchildren, two sisters, Judith (Gordon Hadsell) Layman of Belmont and Darlene (Gary) Gilliland of Bolivar, three brothers, Thomas (Mary) Layman Jr. of Belfast, Robert Layman of Scio and Jeffery (Nicole) Layman of Cuba, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father in 2008.

A memorial service and burial in Knights Creek Cemetery is being planned for a later date. Please consider memorial donations to the Roswell Park Memorial Fund. To leave online condolences, please visit embserfuneralhome.com.