June Audrey Petri LaForge

Wellsville, NY - June Audrey Petri LaForge, at the age of 90, went to be with her Lord and Savior as the dawn broke on Saturday, August 13, 2016.  Due to failing health, she had resided the last few years at the Wellsville Manor Care Center.  June was born on April 22, 1926, at Millard Fillmore Hospital, Buffalo, NY.  She was the daughter of William P. and Merriam B. (Stone) Petri.  On August 18, 1951 she married F. Stanley LaForge in Belmont, NY.  

June graduated from Wellsville H.S. Class of 1944.  In 1948 she graduated from Albany State Teachers College (SUNY Albany).  She obtained graduate degrees from Alfred University in education, and from St. Bonaventure, in counseling.  She worked as an elementary teacher in the Scio and Wellsville School Districtsand after raising her two sons she worked in several area districts as a substitute.

“June Bug”, (her husband’s nickname for her), enjoyed antiques, genealogy, and painting.  She was a long time member of the Wellsville First United Methodist Church.  Other affiliations include:  The American Association of University Women, the Jones Memorial Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, Allegany County Board of ElectionsInspector, and a former member of the Past-Time Painters of the David A. Howe Library.  She was an accomplished oil painter.  Additionally, she served on numerous church committees throughout the years.  In her heyday, June was a real terror on the local auction and tag-sale circuits!  It is true – there was no one like her – always willing to offer her opinion – never shying away from confrontation.  However, to her credit she had a very compassionate side often donating time and resources to many local charities – most often behind the scenes.   She was especially fond of animals, including her dogs Rocky, Amber, Lucy-Des and her cockatiel, Joshua.

June was pre-deceased in 1992 by her husband, F. Stanley LaForge; her mother, Merriam Stone Petri 1994; her father, William P. Petri 1974, and infant granddaughter, Francine Marie LaForge 1995.  

June is survived by two sons; Kevin S. LaForge (Ginny) of Wellsville, NY, and William R. LaForge (Alisha) of Belmont, NY.  Also, three grandchildren Renee LaForge Johnson (Jeremy) of Wellsville, and Merriam and Stanley LaForge of Belmont, NY – still at home.  She is also survived by her two brothers:  William Arthur Petri (Ann) of Pompano Beach, FL; and Richard M. Petri (Delores) of Bellevue, WA, as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and a great-great nephew.  

Arrangements are under the care of Embser’s Funeral Home.  Calling hours will be at Ember’s of Wellsville, on Friday, August 19, from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm.  On Saturday, August 20, at the Wellsville First United Methodist Church at the corner of Maple and Madison Streets, from 10-11 am there will be visitation.  A Celebration of Life Service will be at 11:00 am at the church.   A grave-side service will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery.  A lunch will follow in the church’s fellowship hall.   

Memorials may be made to the Wellsville First United Methodist Church, the David A. Howe Library, or the Allegany County SPCA. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Robert R. Manning

Belmont, NY - Robert R. Manning, 73, of 5113 Noble Street passed away on Sunday, August 7, 2016 at home with his family at his side. He was born April 11, 1943 in Wellsville, the son of the late C. James and Helen (Steenworth) Manning. On May 23, 1978 in Myrtle Beach, SC he married Lynn Winterhalter who survives.

Bob was a member of the Belmont Central School class of 1963. He was employed as a millwright for Dresser-Rand Corporation in Wellsville for 41 years, retiring in 2004. He was a member and past chief of the Belmont Volunteer Fire Department, member and past president of the Belmont Conservation Club and a member of the American Legion Post 702 SAL Squadron. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and especially loved travel and camping with family and friends.

Surviving in addition to his wife is one son, James D. Manning and his wife Julie of Maiden Creek, PA, two daughters, Kari Manning Zenoski of Frederick, MD and Erin Graham and her husband Christopher of Belmont, six grandchildren, Jami Stauffer and her husband Chad, Ryan Manning, Riley Zenoski and her fiancé, Chance Sullivan, Madison Zenoski, Gracyn Graham and Hadleigh Graham, one great grandson, James David Stauffer, one brother, Jon Manning and his wife Mary Ellen of Scio, several nieces and nephews, and his beloved canine companion, "Pepper". He was predeceased in addition to his parents by a sister, Penny Mapes.

Please join the family for a celebration of his life on Friday, August 12, 2016, beginning at 4:00 pm at the American Legion Post 702, 23 Jefferson Street in Wellsville. Interment will be in Forest Hills Cemetery in Belmont at the convenience of the family. Please consider memorial donations in lieu of flowers to the Kevin Guest House, 782 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203 or the Hart Comfort House, 141 E. State Street, Wellsville, NY 14895. To leave online condolences, please visit embserfuneralhome.com.  

Gene R. Fanton

Wellsville, NY - Gene R. Fanton, 82, of 3355 Madison Hill passed away on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at home following a long illness. He was born March 14, 1934 in Wellsville, the son of the late Raymond and Marian (Wells) Fanton. On May 16, 1954 in Wellsville, he married Mary Lou Horn who predeceased him on October 30, 2013.

Gene was a 1952 graduate of Wellsville High School. He was a 20 year veteran of the U. S. Navy during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He served aboard the USS Jeffers, USS George Clymer, USS Dale and the USS Dixie. Gene and Mary Lou formerly owned and operated The Belvedere Restaurant, he later worked for a brief time at Turbodyne Corporation in Wellsville and then became a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service in Wellsville for 13 years, retiring in 1990. He was a member of the Morrison Hayes Post 702 American Legion, Frank B. Church Post 2530 VFW, the Wellsville Moose Lodge # 601, the Wellsville Elks Lodge # 1495 and the former Christian Temple in Wellsville. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family, he was an avid the Buffalo Bills fan, and he loved his animals, especially Tippy his dog and Missy his cat. The extended family was very happy that Gene and Mary Lou purchased the Horn homestead for their residence.

Gene was a loving father to three sons, Gene Fanton Jr., Carl (Kim) Fanton of Wellsville and Jim (Ann White) Fanton of Belmont, 15 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, two sisters, Beverly “Bunny” Rahr of California and Dorothea “Dottie” Heers of Wellsville, a sister-in-law, Shirley (John) Giopulos of Wellsville, several nieces & nephews and his caregiver, Margaret Hirt. He was predeceased in addition to his parents, by a son, Bill Fanton, a grandson, Carl Fanton Jr., a great grandson, Michael Fanton and a sister-in-law, Cate Horn Tomah.

Friends are invited to visit the family on Monday, August 8th 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 Tuesday, August 9th at 11:00 am in the Christian Temple / First Congregational Church at the corner of Maple Avenue and Fassett Street in Wellsville with Rev David Potts presiding. Burial, with military honors will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to the SPCA Serving Allegany County. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Edward L. Allen

Andover, NY - Edward L. Allen, 73, of 172 State Route 417, passed away on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at home following a lingering illness. He was born July 3, 1943 in Wellsville, the son of the late Edward E. and Alice M. (Main) Allen. On December 13, 1969 in Whitesville he married Virginia Young who survives.

Ed was raised in Wellsville and was a 1962 graduate of Wellsville High School. He was a veteran of the Viet Nam War, serving with the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1967. He was a 37 year employee of Dresser-Rand Corporation in Wellsville and retired as a Navy Inspector in 2002. He was an avid sportsman, who enjoyed hunting, fishing, trap and skeet. 

Surviving in addition to his wife are three sons, Edward L. Allen II and his wife who reside in Germany, William F. Allen of Lancaster, PA and Christopher R. Allen and his wife Jana of Louisville, KY, three grandchildren, Kevin, Jessica and Ian, one brother, Eugene Allen of Wellsville, one sister, Audine Reynolds of Lancaster, PA, as well as several nieces & nephews and great nieces & nephews.

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Friday, July 29th 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 Saturday, at 1:00 pm in the funeral home with Pastor Richard Helms presiding. Burial, with full military honors will follow in Genesee Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider memorial donations to The Wounded Warrior Project. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Joanne B. Mason

Belmont, NY - Joanne B. Mason, 84, of 5121 State Route 244, passed away on July 18, 2016 at Highland Park Healthcare Center following a long illness. She was born March 28, 1932 in Belmont, the daughter of the late Lyle and Helen (Cartwright) Benjamin. On December 21, 1957 in Binghamton, she married S. Douglas Mason who predeceased her on January 30, 2004.

Joanne was a 1949 graduate of Belmont Central School, and went on to pursue a degree in elementary education from Baptist Bible Seminary and later received a master’s degree from State University of New York at Cortland. She taught school in the Binghamton area, where she met and married Doug. The couple relocated to Merritt Island, Florida, where Joanne taught at the Mila Elementary School for over 40 years, retiring in 1997. She was often remembered as their favorite teacher by several of her students. Joanne moved back to Belmont in the fall of 2006. She enjoyed music, playing the piano and organ, and she especially enjoyed her beloved dogs. She was an active member of the Belmont First Baptist Church.

She is survived by a brother, Richard L. Benjamin, a sister-in-law, Shirley Benjamin, a sister, Bernita Comstock, all of Belmont, and several nieces & nephews and their families.

She was predeceased in addition to her husband and parents by three sisters, Esther Hammond, Phyllis Benjamin and Elaine Jewell, one brother, Harold “Keith” Benjamin, two brothers-in-law, Kenneth Hammond and George Jewell and one sister-in-law, Betty Benjamin.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial service on Monday, July 25th at 3:00 pm at the Belmont First Baptist Church. A meal will follow the service. Burial will be in the Kattelville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the SPCA Serving Allegany County. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

James Michael Hennessy

Wellsville, NY - James Michael Hennessy, 62, of Rowlett, TX, passed away on Friday, July 1, 2016 following a long illness. He was born February 28, 1954, in Wellsville, NY, the eldest (and bossiest) son of James M. and Mary Ellen (Driscoll) Hennessy.

                                                                                                              After growing tired of the frigid western New York winters, Jim moved south to Rowlett, TX. For several years he worked as a hospital administrator where he put his assertive nature and loud voice to good use. Later in life, he greatly helped his wife by managing her medical practice. He was a wonderful and caring father, always making sure to watch after his daughter so that he would never miss an opportunity to embarrass her in front of her friends. Jim was an avid reader of non-fiction and enjoyed annoying his wife and daughter with his repeated viewings of World War II programs on the History Channel. Despite his brash personality, Jim was a very caring soul. He was always the first one to lend a hand, offer a ride, or cook a meal when needed. His thoughtfulness will be greatly missed.

James is survived by his wife: Suzanne Smith of Rowlett, TX; daughter: Kathryn Hennessy of Irving, TX; brothers: Joseph (Laurie) Hennessy, Timothy (Patti) Hennessy and Michael (Ann Marie) Hennessy all of Wellsville, and Daniel (Kathleen) Hennessy of Jamestown, NY, as well as various nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles, and aunts. He was preceded in death by his parents and Brother, Patrick Hennessy.

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Saturday, July 9, 2016 from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Church, 36 Maple Avenue in Wellsville. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am Saturday, following the visitation. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the Immaculate Conception School or the Hart Comfort House. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Leslie Joseph White

Wellsville, NY - Leslie Joseph White, age 59, of 230 North Main Street passed away on Friday July 1, 2016 at Jones Memorial Hospital. He was born on January 12, 1957 at Mercy Hospital in Orchard Parkto Leon and Freda Goodwin White.

Leslie had been a former resident of Texas, where he worked in the oil fields, and North Carolina before returning to Wellsville. He enjoyed socializing with his friends over coffee and riding in Cars.

Leslie is survived by his significant other, Joy Sawdey of Wellsville; several children and grandchildren of North Carolina; his biological father, Leon White Sr. of Eldred, PA., 2 sisters, Linda Yaras of Emporium, PA., and Della Mulvey of Wellsville; several nieces and nephews.

Leslie was predeceased his mother Freda and his step father Daniel Mulvey; 3 sisters, Luella, Lucy and Lila White; 2 brothers, Leon White Jr and Fred White.

A private burial will take place in Austin, Pennsylvania at Forest Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Leslie’s name may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.