Joseph Lynn Mead Sr., 85

Belmont, NY - Joseph Lynn Mead Sr., 85, of Noble Street, passed away on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at Buffalo General Hospital following a brief illness. He was born in Gainsville, NY in March of 1936, at home on the night of a horrible snowstorm, to the late Galusha Lynn and EllaPauline (Ennis) Mead. On April 19, 1957 in Orlando, FL he married Margaret “Maggie” R. Wilson, with whom he had three children. She predeceased him on August 25, 2014. On September 30, 1978, Joe married Kathleen M Buchheit who predeceased him on May 7, 1998. On June 14, 2003 Joe married the former Laura A. Zema of Hornell, who survives.

Joe started his schooling in a One-Room School House before attending Belmont High School, where he graduated in 1954. During his school years, Joe was active in extracurricular activities, especially the Boy Scouts; where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout with a Bronze Palm, the Scouter's Key, the God and Country Award, and was inducted into the Order of the Arrow. Upon graduating, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served four years of active duty and four years in the reserves. While enlisted, he maintained his passion for singing by performing in several churches, clubs, and productions, including three lead roles in Gilbert & Sullivan Operas with the Orlando, FL Symphony Orchestra. He also traveled with the Air Force's “The Flight in Blue” Entertainment Group. After his time in the air force, Joe went to work in the Parts Marketing Department of Worthington Corporation in Wellsville and later the Purchasing Department. Ultimately, he worked for Dresser-Rand for thirty-one years. While working for Dresser-Rand he joined the Navy Reserve in Hornell, and then transferred to the Army Reserve in Wayland, keeping the rank of Staff Sargent (E6) which he had attained from his time in the Air Force. Joe attended Drill Instructor School, where he graduated with honors and was first and oldest in his class, meaning a promotion to Sargent First Class (E7). He was a Drill Sargent for twelve years. His final promotion was to Master Sargent (E8), upon retirement from the Academy, he had served in the Armed Forces a total of 30 years, both active duty and reserve. Outside of his very active careers, he enjoyed hunting, having been to ten different states, Mexico, Canada, and two trips to Africa, to do so. He was a cook at Wellspring Ministry, a Bass singer for the Genesee Valley Chorus, a member of the American Legion posts #702 and #808, the Belmont Rotary Club, The Players, a former member of the Amity Rescue Squad, and he performed in the Wellsville Lion's Club Minstrel Show several times.

Overall, Joe considered himself to have had “a pretty darn good life”. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend who will be dearly missed.

In addition to his wife, Laurie Zema-Mead, Joe is survived by: two sons, Dwayne “Pete” Mead of Belmont, and Michael (Gaye Lea) A.E. Mead of Apopka, FL; a sister, Carol Ann “Sis” Mead of Scio; a mother-in-law Pamela Zema of Hornell; brothers and sisters-in-law, Linda (Fred) Zema-Cagnetto of Goshen, NY, Christopher (Lisa) Zema of St Petersburg, FL, Paul Zema of Nassau, NY and Rosemary (Jason) Waddle, of North Port, FL; five grandchildren, Christina Morris, Lauren Sizemore, Jessica Catapano, Shane Mead, and Sean Mead; three great-grandchildren, Kora Morris, Jeremiah Morris, and Ashley Sizemore; and his best K-9 riding buddy, “Bro Bro”. He was predeceased by a son, Joseph Lynn Mead Jr. on November 8, 2012. 

Friends are invited to call Thursday, May 27, 2021 from 6-8 PM and Friday, May 28, from 12-2 PM at the Belmont United Methodist Church, 7 Park Circle. The funeral will follow visitation Friday at 2PM. Interment with full military honors will be in Forest Hills Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to the SPCA Serving Allegany County, American Legion Post 808, Belmont, or the Amity Rescue Squad. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Love Lives On

A life well-lived doesn't end

anymore than music ends . . .

It echoes through time

with whispers of beauty and grace . . .

If we listen,

we can hear the encore

with our hearts,

for the song plays on,

just as love lives on.

Norman P. Miller, 84

Wellsville, NY - Norman P. Miller, 84, of 2852 Larchwood Drive, passed away May 18, 2021 at home with his family at his side. He was born in Olean on December 6, 1936, the son of the late Edwin P. and Beatrice (Jordan) Miller. On August 30, 1957 he married the former Wilda Scott, who survives.

Norm was raised in Portville, and was a 1955 graduate of Portville High School. He began his 35 year career at Air Preheater Company as a welder and retired in 1996 as the Plant Manager. During those years, he was also owner and operator Miller Masonry, where he designed and worked on several projects without the benefit of blueprints. He also helped design and build Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Wellsville Country Club, a former member of the Wellsville Lions Club, and was a passionate beekeeper.  

In addition to his wife, Wilda, he is survived by: a daughter, Mary Lou (Curtis) Lovel, of Chesapeake VA; two sons, Jody (Kathleen) Miller of East Aurora, and Norman “Scott” Miller of Rochester; seven grandchildren, Kimberly (Nat) Wilson, Derek (Stephanie) Lovel, Rachel (Brad) Krajewski, Sarah (Julius Peterson) Miller, Norman P. Miller II, Justin Cutten, and Nathan Cutten; seven great-grandchildren; a son-in-law, Rod Cutten, a brother, William Miller; a sister, Carol (Bob) Kordish; two sisters-in-law, Gladys Miller, and Emily Jeanne Swartz; and several nieces & nephews. He was predeceased in addition to his parents by: a daughter, Lisa Cutten on December 19, 2017, and a brother, Richard Miller. 

Friends are invited to call Thursday, May, 20, 2021 from 4-6 PM at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, Inc., 34 W. State Street in Wellsville. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, May 21, 2021 at 11 AM in the Shepherd of the Valley Church, 4164 Fassett Lane in Wellsville. Please consider memorial donations to Shepherd of the Valley Church, or the Hart Comfort House (141 East State Street, Wellsville, NY). To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com. 

Scott Dallas Bruner, 62

Olean, NY - It saddens our hearts to announce the sudden passing of Scott Dallas Bruner on May 8, 2021 at age 62. Scott was born on April 10, 1959 in Olean, the son of Harry and Doris (Baldwin) Bruner.

Scott attended the Griffith Institute in Springville, and was a veteran of the U. S. Navy. He was a “Jack of all trades” and was an excellent salesperson, mostly because of infectious personality. Scott had a loving bond with his nieces and nephews, especially Kyle and Corrie Ahrens of Friendship, and Amber and Larry Snyder of Olean, as well as his many great nieces and nephews. He had no children of this own, but assisted with raising a young man named Brandon Skaggs from Pittsburgh, PA, who he loved like a son. He was also a pet parent to his cats, Frodo and Possum. He co-parented his sister's dog, Willow and his very good friend Ed's dog, Pupino.

He enjoyed spending time with family, working on his motorcycle, and very LOUD music that he shared with the neighborhood in the summer. He was humorous, sensitive, friendly and would take the shirt off his back if needed. We love you Scott.

He is survived by a brother Mark (Paula) Bruner of Bolivar, a sister, Cindy (Bob) Dickerson of Bolivar, two step brothers, Don Taylor of Wellsville, and Vinnie (Sissie) Taylor of Kentucky.

Friends are invited to a celebration and memorial on Sunday May 23, 2021 at 2:00 pm at the Brookside Wesleyan Church, 3456 Andover Road in Wellsville. Please consider memorial donations to any charity of the donor's choice. To leave online condolences, please visit wwwembserfuneralhome.com.

Marilyn Edwards, age 73

Wellsville, NY - Marilyn  Edwards, age 73, passed away on Wednesday May 12, 2021 at the Highland Health Care Center In Wellsville. She was born on December 31, 1947 in Wellsville to the late Franklin and Florence Earl Skillman. She predeceased by her her first husband David “Willie the Wizard” Hullihen on July 16, 1999 and her second husband William Edwards on April 1, 2018.

Marilyn was a life long resident of Wellsville who graduated from Wellsville High School in 1965 and attended SUNY Geneseo. She was a stay at home mom during the day and worked at Peterson's Drug Store at night and later worked full time for Allegany Abstract. Every year she and her whole family would actively participated in the Great Wellsville Balloon Rally, hosting balloonists and crewing for them. She absolutely loved her grandchildren and enjoyed watching Hallmark movies and would give you the shirt off her back. Marilyn was a member of the “The Way” a religious organization in Rochester. It was through her strong faith that she was able to keep a positive outlook on life during her illness.

Marilyn is survive by 2 daughter, Amanda (Chad) Sibble of Wellsville and Samantha McGee of Jamestown; 4 grandchildren, Logan and Lexi Sibble and Hayden and Megan McGee; 5 sisters, Sheila (William) Greene of Wellsville, Linda Weinreber of Belmont, Sandy (Tim) Aiken of Wellsville, Kathy (Dale) Mills of Fort Edward and Carol Skillman of Belmont; a brother in law, Carl (Kris) Edwards of Limestone; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents and husbands she was predeceased by a brother Frank Skillman, a nephew Jesse Aaron Dodd and a brother in law Bruce Hullihen.

Friends are invited to call on Friday, May 14, from 6-9 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. A graveside service with Pastor Dick Helms presiding will be held on Saturday, May 15, at 11 am in Woodlawn Cemetery. The service will be available via Facebook  live stream on the J.W. Embser Sons Facebook page. In lieu of flowers please consider memorial contributions to either the Allegany County SPCA, 5440 NY-19, Belmont, NY  14813: or to the American Cancer Society. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Arthur M. Van Tyne, 95

Wellsville, NY - Arthur M. Van Tyne, 95, passed away on Monday, May 10, 2021, at Jones Memorial Hospital, Wellsville, NY, after a short illness. He was born on August 12, 1925 in Syracuse, NY, the son of the late Roy and Isabelle (Hoag) Van Tyne. He married his sweetheart Patricia (Boyd) Van Tyne, in Chicago on July 13, 1946. They were married for sixty-seven years before she passed away on February 24, 2014.

Art was raised in Syracuse, NY until his father, a steel-alloy chemist, moved the family to New Jersey to aid in the wartime steel effort. Upon graduating from high school at the age of 16 he worked in the steel mill for a year before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corp’s (now the U.S. Air Force) Cadet Program in September of 1943. After that he completed flight training at Michigan State University and military bases in Kansas and Texas, Art became a navigator aboard the Curtiss C-46 Commando Cargo aircraft. He was stationed at the 5th Air Force Headquarters in the Pacific theater, where he flew missions over Okinawa, Japan, southern China, and South Korea. Art was awarded several medals and honors, including the Navigator Badge, the Army of Occupation Medal with Japan bar, and several other achievement and commendation medals. Art was honorably discharged in 1947. He then joined the Air Force Reserve as a Military Operational Specialist. He retired from the reserves in 1974 as a Lieutenant Colonel. In 2013 Art was inducted into the New York State Veterans’ Hall of Fame.

After his military career, Art became a distinguished Petroleum Geologist and settled in Wellsville, NY. Throughout the years Art served the Wellsville community in numerous ways: Deputy Mayor for 12 years; Village Trustee; President of the local Rotary and a Paul Harris fellow; Chairman of the Board for Jones Memorial Hospital for many years; Chairman of the Allegany County Republican Party, President of local United Way; Vestryman of St. John’s Episcopal Church; a member the American Legion and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. On a state and national level, Art was President of the Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York (2 terms), long time board member of the NY State Oil Producers Association, and Secretary of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (2 terms).

Known by all, Art was a true gentleman, community leader, pre-eminent geologist, and great father.

He is survived by four children: Judith Van Tyne of Manhattan, NY, Cynthia (Stephen) Ford of Lakewood, NY, Mark (Lonnie) Van Tyne of Canton, OH, and Peter Van Tyne of Wellsville, NY; six grandchildren, Christopher (Xochitl) Kairalla of San Carlos, CA, Daun (Bryan) Curry of Manhattan, NY, MaryAnne (David Humphreys) Van Tyne of Los Angeles, CA, Stephen (Emily) Ford of Lakewood, NY, Lauren and Brad Van Tyne of Canton, OH; three great-grandchildren, Lyla Curry, Dylan Kairalla and Annelise Ford; two nieces, Cheri (Randy) Shaw of Clayton, NY, and Patti (Tim Hennessy) Morrison of Wellsville; and grand-nephew Michael Shaw of Alexandria Bay, NY. He was predeceased by his sister Evelyn Morrison of Syracuse, NY.

Friends are invited to call on Saturday, May 15th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at Embser Funeral Home in Wellsville, NY. A graveside service with full military honors will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Wellsville, at 2:30 pm. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to: Jones Memorial Hospital, 191 North Main St., Wellsville, NY 14895; SPCA-Allegany County, 5440 NY-19, Belmont, NY 14813; or Pioneer Oil Museum, 395 Main St., Bolivar, NY 14715. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Frank Thomas Barnhart Jr., 52

Wellsville, NY - Frank Thomas Barnhart Jr., 52, of 172 Maple Avenue passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 7, 2021 at Jones Memorial Hospital. He was born November 30, 1968 in Wellsville, the son of the late Frank Thomas and Faith (Messler) Barnhart Sr.

Frank was raised in Wellsville and was a 1987 graduate of Wellsville High School. He was employed by the Allegany County Chapter of the NYS Arc, Inc.

He is survived by a daughter, Jennifer Taylor, his mother, Faith Hovey, three sisters, Connie, Kelly, and Linda, a brother, Raymond, and an uncle, Paul Barnhart, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday, May 13, 2021, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc., 34 W. State Street in Wellsville. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Please consider memorial donation to the Allegany-Steuben Chapter NYS Arc, Inc. 240 O'Connor Street,  Wellsville, NY 14895. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Robert W. Prior, 79

Allentown, NY - Robert W. Prior, 79, of 5844 State Route 417 passed away on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at Jones Memorial Hospital, with family at his side. He was born January 1, 1942 in Mount Claire, NJ, the son of Gordon M. and Sophia T. (Chiera) Prior. On August 21, 1983 in Allentown he married Linda L. Gerringer who Survives.

Bob was a graduate of the Wellsville High School, after which he served with the U.S Air Force from 1961 to 1965. Upon Returning from serving his country, Bob helped on the family farm. In June of 1965 he began his career with Worthington Corporation, after 39 years Bob retired from Dresser- Rand Corporation in 2004. He devoted his life to helping others, he spent 52 years as a vital member of the Allentown Volunteer Fire Company, where he served many roles including, Fire Chief, and at the time of his passing he was the company treasurer. In 2011 he felt a new calling and joined the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps, where at the age of 70 he achieved his very first EMT certification, a mile mark in today's society. Bob served many years on the Allegany County Fire Advisory Board and the EMS Council. He loved planes, and spent much of his free time working with the War Plane Museum in Corning, NY, and  traveling with the historic B-17's.

Surviving in addition to his wife Linda, are seven children, Donna Prior, Scott (Cara) Prior, Robert (Amy) Prior Jr, Jeannie Prior, Kevin (Shawn) Rex, Michelle (Todd) Taylor, Leisa (Tom) Foley, six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 from 2:00 to 4:00pm and 7:00 to 9:00pm at the Allentown Volunteer Fire Company. On Wednesday May 12 at 1:00 pm there will be a celebration of life at the Allentown Volunteer Fire Company with a Luncheon to follow. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Andover at a later date.

Please consider memorial donations to the  Allentown Volunteer Fire Company, PO Box 82, Allentown, NY 14707, the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 206, Wellsville, NY 14895, or Allegany County Cancer Services, 100 S. Highland Avenue, Wellsville, NY 14895

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

Patrick J. “The Captain” McKinley, 60

Wellsville -, NY - Patrick J. “The Captain” McKinley, 60, of 152 Pine Street, passed away at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. He was born the son of the late James M. and Ann (Brown) McKinley in Hornell on June 17, 1960. 

He was a life long resident of Wellsville who graduated from Wellsville High School in 1981. Pat was God's gift to his family, he loved Wellsville and the surrounding area. He had a heart of gold and was a friend to so many people. He was very involved in the community, he held various jobs but his favorite was driving people home safely. His nickname was “The Captain”. 

He was a member of the Emerald Hook & Ladder Company, The Elk's Lodge #1495, Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps., The Moose Lodge #601, The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Sons of the American Legion Post #702, and Immaculate Conception Church. He received various community service rewards, but most recently was from Mayor Randy Shayler declaring April 12th  as “Pat 'The Captain' McKinley Day”. Pat loved everybody and everybody loved Pat! 

He is survived by: four brothers, Dennis (Kathy) McKinley of Raleigh, NC, Michael McKinley of Wellsville, Timothy (Kim) McKinley of Anchorage, AK, and James (Tonya) McKinley of Wellsville; four sisters, Mary George of Hornell, Maureen (Jason) Sibble of Wellsville, Margaret (Aaron) Whitehouse of Amherst, and Kate (Jim) Murphy of Wellsville; several loving nieces and nephews, Casey, Jaclyn, Keely, Brittany, Tessa, Miki, Connor, Jill, Megan, Laura, Jessica, Jimmy, Liam, Morgan, Mallory, Brooke, Sean, Jana, Sarah, Richie, and Gavin; several great-nieces and great-nephews, Nora, Lexine, Ella, Norma, Aubrey, Liam, Daxton, Rebel, Emery, Jayden, Alec, and Carley; and several Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. Pat was predeceased, in addition to his parents, by: a brother, William “Billy” McKinley. 

Friends are invited to call on Friday, May 7, 2021 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, 34 West State Street, Wellsville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 11 am in the Immaculate Conception Church, 36 Maple Avenue, Wellsville, with Reverend James Hartwell presiding. The service will be available via Facebook live stream on the J.W. Embser Sons Facebook page. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to the Father Brown Mission Club, P.O. Box 464, Wellsville, NY, 14895, or the Emerald Hook & Ladder Company, in care of Timothy Colligan 54 Herman Avenue, Wellsville, NY, 14895. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Chad M. Jordan, 49

Wellsville, NY - Chad M. Jordan, 49, of 135 Pine Street, passed away on Monday, May 3, 2021 at home. He was born October 31, 1971 in Hornell, the son of Gary K. and Barbara D. (Costello) Jordan.

Chad was a 1990 graduate of Wellsville High School, and served in the U.S. Army from 1990  to 1992.  He was employed by Wholesale Tire of Belmont and was a former member of the Belmont Volunteer Fire Department.

In addition to his parents, Chad is survived by a brother: Matthew (Rita) Jordan of Wellsville; a sister: Carrie (Kenny) Fanton of Keystone Heights, Florida, as well as three nephews, one niece,  a great-nephew, and a great niece.

A private graveside service and burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Wellsville.  In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the SPCA  Serving Allegany County. To leave on-line condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Donald G. Collins, 88

Belfast, NY - Donald G. Collins, 88, of South Street, passed away on May 2, 2021 at home, surrounded by his family. He was born the son of the late Harold L. and Leona (Lewis) Collins on August 6, 1932 in Belfast. On April 9, 1955 he married Barbara A. Doner, who predeceased him, after fifty-nine years of marriage, on February 19, 2015. 

Donald spent his younger years growing up on the family farm in Friendship however, he spent the majority of his lifetime as a resident of the Belfast area. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean conflict and was a member of the Seabees battalion in the Pacific theater. Upon his return, he became a 1964 graduate from Alfred State College of Agriculture. He was always working, including at Worthington Corp. in Wellsville, and the NYS DOT, from which he retired as Foreman on February 18, 1988. He also owned and operated a Case Dealership in Belfast, and was a self-employed contractor. He was an avid motorcyclist, at the age of seventy-five, he and his brother took a cross-country motorcycle ride. Beyond his careers, he was also a member of the Robert Howden American Legion Post 1504 of Belfast for over fifty years, and a member of the Honda Gold Wing Club. 

He is survived by: 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, and Trevin, Corbin, Alexa, and Kira Craig; several great-grandchildren; a brother, Rodney (Louise) Collins of North Carolina; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by: a sister, Gladys Williams.

At this time a memorial service is being planned for a later date. Burial will take place in St. Mary's Cemetery in Belmont, next to his wife. Please consider memorial donations to the SPCA serving Allegany County. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Daniel J. Kemp, 62

Albany, NY - Daniel J. Kemp, 62, of Albany, NY, passed away suddenly on December 17, 2020. Dan was born on May 17, 1958 in Hornell, NY and was raised in Wellsville, NY. He graduated from Wellsville High School, Corning Community College, and Buffalo State, earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He served as a police officer in Wellsville, a corrections officer at Danbury CT Federal Correctional Institution, and as a U.S. Marshall. After Dan left law enforcement, he co-founded the real estate firm of Kemp and Gallagher in Albany, NY, and later had successful careers in sales and property management.

“Danny” will be fondly remembered as a man that loved to laugh, with a personality as big as his smile. It was absolute and infectious. Dan was a kind and gentle person, who loved to tell funny stories – of which, he had many! Whether he was reflecting on time spent with family and friends (particularly in Wellsville and on Loon Lake) or making new memories in the moment, Dan held a distinctly special way of connecting with people.

More than anything else, he spent his time talking – to anyone who’d listen – about his two sons, Tim & Bill, whom he loved fiercely. Nothing made him happier than spending time with his boys, especially during the holidays. He most notably spent that time discussing his (alleged) scratch handicap, his most recent take on the Buffalo Bills and without fail, how “unbelievably proud” he was of each of them. 

Dan was predeceased by his father, Kenneth D. “Bud” Kemp; stepfather, John Robarts; brother-in-law, Damon Lawrence; sister-in-law, Karen Kemp. He is survived by his children, Timothy Kemp; William (Rachel) Kemp. He is also survived by his mother, Martha Robarts. Dan is survived by his siblings, Ken Kemp; Liz Lawrence; Cathy (Chris) Weinman. He also leaves behind the many members of the “Goober Club,” including nieces Sadie Dexter, Abby Lawrence, and Jehna Kemp; nephews Brandon Lawrence and Matt Kemp.

Friends of Dan are invited to a public graveside service at Woodlawn Cemetery in Wellsville, NY on May 7, 2021, at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers or donations, his family asks those reading to reach out to your family, friends, or even a lost connection, simply to say hello. During a time where so many are searching for hope or joy, a phone call or letter may be exactly what they need. 

Cheers, Danny. You will be forever in our hearts.

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

Charles F. Van Gorder, 68

 Wellsville, NY - Charles F. Van Gorder, 68, of Maple Avenue, passed away on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at Strong Memorial Hospital after a short illness. He was born the son of the late Walden and Ruby (Clair) Van Gorder. 

Charles was born in Addison and was a graduate of the Addison High School. 

He is survived by: his sister, Sandra (John) Cleary of Pittsford; two nieces, Lee Ann Fish, and Janet Julien, both of Fairport. 

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the people who cared for him during his lifetime. A private graveside service in Forest Hills Cemetery, Belmont, is being planned for a later time. Please consider memorial donations to Allegany ARC. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.