Marleah L. Ritter, 96

Belmont, NY – Marleah L. Ritter, 96, formerly of 13 Schuyler Street, passed away on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at Jones Memorial Hospital with family by her side. She was born November 2, 1925 in the Town of Allen, the daughter of  Leon D. and Florence (Van Guilder) James. On July 3, 1948 she married Orlo S. Gelser who predeceased her October 25, 2011. On May 11, 1991 in Cuba, she married George J. Ritter who predeceased her on May 23, 2015

Marleah was a 1944 graduate of Fillmore Central School. She spent the majority of her life residing in the Belmont area. While she primarily focused on raising her family, she was employed at Farnsworth Cookies in Cuba for 15 years. She enjoyed dancing, crocheting, bowling, family get-to-gathers, puzzles, Word Search books, and playing cards. 

She is survived by: three sons, Duane (Terry) Gelser of Dalton, Kenneth (Marsha) Gelser of Belmont, and Alan Gelser of Wellsville; three daughters, Janet (Allen) Ives of Wellsville, Susan (Garry) Pollock of Englewood, FL, and Laura (Ricky) Jordan of Belmont; five step-sons, Robert (Ronda) Ritter of Jacksonville, Fl, Jack (Kathy) Ritter of Fort Worth, TX, James Ritter of Olean, and George (Dessie) Ritter of Friendship; step-daughters, Paula (Ron) Hosley of Cuba and Beverly Ritter of Friendship; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husbands, she was predeceased by: a son, Ronald O. Gelser; six brothers, Francis “Dutch” James, Merlin “Tony” James, Hollis “Bill” James, Alvin “Mike” James, Kenneth “Ken” James and Earl “Jesse” James; two sisters, Lillian Carpenter, and Evelyn Hale; a granddaughter, Ashley Gelser; and a step-son, Ron Ritter. 

A private Graveside Service is being planned at Mount Hope Cemetery in Friendship, NY. Please consider memorial donations to the Amity Rescue Squad. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.