John Edward Gee

Wellsville, NY - John Edward Gee, 62, of 21 South Highland Avenue, passed away on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at Jones Memorial Hospital surrounded by his friends and family. He was born on June 15, 1956 in Coudersport, PA, the son of Lyle and Jean (Moore) Gee.

John was a dedicated volunteer with the Salvation Army in Wellsville, and enjoyed socializing with friends and family.

He is survived by his devoted caretaker, Clara Johnston and her family of Wellsville, two brothers, Terry Gee-Taylor of Morganton, NC, and Tim (Doreen) Taylor of Wellsville, one sister, Laura (Paul) Williams of Sweet Valley, PA, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A private funeral is being planned for a later date. Please consider memorial donations to the Salvation Army, 25 East Pearl Street, Wellsville, NY 14895. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Shirley M. Strope

Belmont, NY - Shirley M. Strope, 87, former long-time resident of 4 Erie Street, passed away on Monday, February 25, 2019 surrounded by her family. She was born  August 5, 1931 in Owego, NY, the daughter of the late Lloyd and Lydia (Burlingame) Morton. On March 3, 1950 in Waverly, NY, she married Charles L. Strope Jr. who predeceased her on December 16, 2010.

Shirley was raised in Waverly and was a 1949 graduate of Waverly High School. Shirley and Charlie started their family in Waverly and moved to Belmont in February of 1964, where they resided 53 years. In the mid 1970's she was employed as a bartender at the Pastime Bar in Wellsville and later for the Herbert DeLong American Legion Post 808 in Belmont. She was a member and past president of the American Legion Post 808 Auxiliary, member and past president of the Allegany County American Legion Auxiliary, and a member of the Allegany County 8/40.  

She is survived by five children: Sharon Cichy of Wellsville; Pat Whitney of Wellsville; Charles  “Cubby” Strope III of Belmont; Ron Strope of Marysville, Ohio; and Karen (Larry) Green of Wellsville.  Twelve grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.  Two sisters: Gladys Waite of Sayre, PA, and Phyllis Ludwig of Candor, NY, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased, in addition to her parents and husband, by two brothers: Carl and Leonard Morton; one sister, Elsie Foote, and a son-in-law, Steve Whitney.   

At Shirley's request, there will be no prior visitation or funeral. Burial will be in  Lockwood Cemetery, Lockwood, NY. Please consider memorial donations to The American Legion Post 808 in Belmont, Home Care & Hospice, or any charity of the donor’s choice. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com. 

Ann L. Babcock

Wellsville, NY - Ann L. Babcock, age 66, 0f Wellsville passed away on Sunday, February 24, 2019, at the Wellsville Manor Care Center after a long illness. Ann, born on November 7, 1952, was the first child of James William and Frances Kozlowski Babcock.

She was a graduate of the Immaculate Conception School and also of Wellsville High School, class of 1970. She graduated from St. James Nursing School in Hornell and received her RN degree. During her career she worked at many hospitals and nursing homes including a job as a pediatric nurse in pediatric home care. Ann enjoyed sharing her love of art with children and was active in the Children's Ministry in several local churches. For many years, Ann enjoyed attending Bible Study classes and was involved with church activities. She worked several summers as a camp nurse for the Boy Scouts of America. She enjoyed gardening and especially liked spending time with her many nieces and nephews. Ann recently volunteered much of her time visiting and providing transportation for elderly friends. 

She is survived by her mother, Fran; her 3 sisters, Mary (Michael)  Raven of Lakewood, CA., Kathleen Ueblacker of Wellsville, and Nancy (Gary)  Hill of Corfu; her five brothers, James (Gary Brink)  Babcock, Stephen (Jan Kerata)  Babcock, Michael Babcock of White Salmon, OR., Joseph Babcock of Glens Falls, and Gerald (Shawna)  Babcock of Willowick, OH.; 13 nieces and nephews, Beth, John, Linda, Aurora, Gavin, Matthew, Sarah, William, Nathan, Andi, Adam, Shana, and Jacob; 3 great nephews; her aunt, Francelia Hamlin, and her close friend, Carla Eisenhower.

She was predeceased by her Father, James, and her sister, Barbara Jo.

A rosary will be said at 3:30 pm in the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home on Friday, March 1, followed by calling hours from 4 till 6 pm. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, March 2, at 11am in the Immaculate Conception Church and burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Ann's name may be made to the Immaculate Conception School,or to the Hart Comfort House, or to the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps. To leave online contributions please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com. 

Patrick Steven Lester

Wellsville, NY - Patrick Steven Lester, age 64, of 95 East Pearl Street passed away on Thursday, February 7, 2019, at the Comfort House of Allegany County in Wellsville. He was born on September 20, 1954 in Wellsville to Donald and Nancy White Lester. On January 27, 1979 in Hanover, New Hampshire he married Nancy Alt who survives.

Pat grew up in Wellsville and graduated from Wellsville High School in 1972. He graduated from Alfred State College and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Northwood Institute in Midland, MI. In 1979 he joined his father at Don Lester Chevrolet in Wellsville as a salesman and later he became a long time employee of Wellsville Ford were he currently works. He loved the game of golf and was a long standing member of the Wellsville Country Club. He was a 43 year member of the Wellsville Elks Lodge, and was a member of the Sons Of the American Legion in Wellsville. Pat grew up attending St. John's Episcopal Church where attended services faithfully with his friend Billy Geoppner. He will be remembered for his love of cars, as a Green Bay Packers fan, and his love of Dean Martin music.

Pat is survived by his mother Nancy of Ellicott, MD; his 2 sons, Kyle Lester of Seattle, WA., and Ryan Lester of Austin, TX.; his life partner Judy Winterhalter of Wellsville; his brother Michael Lester(Anne Marie)  of Flat Rock,NC; his sisters, Sue Fahy of the Villages,FL., and Chris O'Brien (Richard)  of Ellicott, MD.; his cousins, Paul Lester Jr., and Shelly Delaney; several nieces and nephews; and his best pal Ceaser.

Pat was predeceased by his Father Donald and his Uncle Paul Lester Sr.

Friends are invited to attend an Elks Lodge of Sorrow on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at 1 pm in the Wellsville Elks Lodge followed by a Celebration of his life until 4 pm. Memorial donations may be made to either the Comfort House of Allegany County or to the Wellsville Elks Lodge 1495. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com

James E. Meehan

Wellsville, NY - James E. Meehan, 75, passed away on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Jones Memorial Hospital surrounded  by his family. He was born August 2, 1943 in DuBois, PA, the son of the late Charles and Maxine (Leitzell) Meehan. On July 20, 1968 at Sacred Heart Church in Genesee, PA he married Betty L. Cimpritz who survives. 

Jim was raised in Wellsville and was a 1961 graduate of Wellsville High School. He attended the Erie County Technical Institute from 1963 to 1965, and Alfred State College from 1968 to 1971. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army beginning his basic training at Fort Dix, NJ in 1965. After his aircraft maintenance training he served in Vietnam from September 1965 to September 1966. From September 1966 to March of 1967 he served at Fort Bragg, NC. He also served with the U.S. Army Reserve from 1974 to 1985. He began his career at Turbodyne Corporation in Wellsville in 1967 as a detail draftsman, and retired as a senior designer in 2005, after 37 years of service.  

He was a 49 year member of the McEwen Hose Company/Wellsville Fire Company; where he served as President, Captain, Trustee, and was the Chief of the Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department in 1993 and 1994. He was a member of the Allegany County Fireman's Association, the Southwestern Association of Volunteer Fireman, the New York State Fire Chiefs Association, and was a Fire Investigator for Allegany County. He was a member of the Morrison Hayes Post 702, American Legion, the Frank B. Church Post 2530 VFW, and the Wellsville Moose Lodge 601. He was an avid baseball fan and loved to take his grandson, Nicholas to Yankee games. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing golf and watching his grandson play baseball. 

Surviving in addition to his wife, are two daughters, Lori (Brian) Meehan-McLymont of Brookfield, CT, and Sherri (Larry) Salvato of Rochester, a grandson, Nicholas James Tanner, three step grandchildren, Ryan, Lauren and Jordyn, a sister-in-law, Julie Morsman of Genesee, PA, several cousins, and nieces and nephews, including Joe, Kevin, and Bill Morsman, and their families. He was predeceased in addition to his parents by a beloved aunt, Helen Leitzell.

Friends are invited to call on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, Inc. in Wellsville. The funeral will be Wednesday, February 6, at 11:00 am in the funeral home with Rev. Joseph Dougherty presiding. Burial with military honors will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to the Hart Comfort house or the Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.