Edward C. Flurschutz, 96

Wellsville, NY – Edward C. Flurschutz, 96, of 49 Fassett Lane, passed away on Friday, November 4, 2022 at Highland Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. He was born September 2, 1926 in Rochester, the son of the late Glenn E. and Flossie (Langdon) Flurschutz. On November 15, 1946, in Wellsville, he married his high school sweetheart, and wife of 74 years, Lois Sweet, who predeceased him on July 3, 2021. 

Raised in Wellsville, Ed was a 1943 graduate of Wellsville High School. After graduation he enlisted with the United States Navy, initially serving in WWII, and then was recalled to serve in the Korean conflict. After service to his country, Ed was a part owner in Rockwell Brothers and Tuttle & Rockwell Department Stores for 40 years. He served as a board member with the Downtown Merchants of the Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the Exchange Club for many years.

Ed was a member of First Trinity Lutheran Church in Wellsville where he held several volunteer positions, and was a member of Men’s Club and the church choir. His love of music was also expressed through his involvement in school band, orchestra and chorus. He sang in several minstrel shows, and weddings and was a tenor soloist in the Messiah at Alfred University. Ed was also a former member of the Apollo Club male chorus and the Genesee Valley Chorus.

Waiting two years for an opening into the Wellsville Fire Department, Ed became an active member of the McEwen Hose Company #4 in 1950, ultimately serving through the rank of Captain of the company and holding every office except Chief of the department. He served as secretary of the fire board and treasurer of both the hose company and the fire board. He had a genuine love of the fire department and all it represents in the community, as evidenced in his monthly attendance at the hose company meetings.

Ed was a school bus driver for Wellsville Central School for many years, retiring in 2006. He was a member of the American Legion and the Wellsville Rod & Gun Club where he excelled in trap shooting. Never willing to sit still, Ed also served others by delivering Meals on Wheels in the Wellsville area.

He is survived by: three children, John E. (Carol) Flurschutz, Kay M. (Michael) McCulloch, and Daniel C. (Cynthia) Flurschutz, all of Wellsville; seven grandchildren, Katie (Sam) Weir, Sarah (Josh) VanDyke, Eric (Ashley) Stuck, Gregory Flurschutz, Timothy (Jessie) Flurschutz, Kyle Flurschutz, and Ian (Logan) Flurschutz; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother, Ronald (Roxanne) Flurschutz of Rochester; as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by an infant granddaughter, Stacie Flurschutz; a son-in-law, Glenn “Skip” Stuck; and a brother, Paul Flurschutz.

Friends are invited to call on Friday, November 11, 2022 from 6 – 8 PM at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville, 34 West State Street. Friends may also call on Saturday, November 12, 2022 from 10 -11 AM at First Trinity Lutheran Church, 470 North Main Street, Wellsville. His funeral will follow at 11 am in the church. Burial with full military honors will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to First Trinity Lutheran Church. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Thomas Eugene Simkins, 71

Wellsville, NY – Thomas Eugene Simkins, 71, of Stannards Road (formerly of Galeton, PA), entered Heaven’s gates on Saturday, October 29, 2022, unexpectedly at the Buffalo Veteran’s Hospital. He was born on June 6, 1951 the son of the late Billie E. and Mary (Drake) Simkins. On April 12, 1997 in Wellsville he married Kay Whitesell, who survives. 

Tom attended Galeton Area School, graduating in 1970. He served in the United State Navy from 1970 – 1983 specializing in Antisubmarine Air Controller, as well as a Naval Warfare Operations Specialist. After his honorable discharge, he worked as an Auto Mechanic for many years, retiring in 2013. Tom enjoyed spending time hunting, fishing, playing as Santa Claus, playing horseshoes, Monopoly, and Euchre. His ultimate goal was to spend time with his family and harassing his wife. He always made time to work on cars even after retirement. 

In addition to his wife of 25 years, Kay, he is survived by: his greatest legacy, his children, Billie, Shane, Casey, Tonya, Robin, Joey, David, Melissa, and Vickie (seven daughters, and two sons); 22 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; siblings, Ivan and Susan; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by: a son, Roberto; a brother, Michael; and two sisters, Penny and Patty. 

Friends are invited to call on Saturday, November 5, 2022 from 1 – 3 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home of Wellsville, 34 West State Street. His funeral with full military honors will follow in the funeral home at 3 pm with Reverend Brent Baker presiding. Please consider memorial donations to a charity of the donor’s choice. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Mary E. McMurry, 68

Wellsville, NY – Mary E. McMurray, 68, of 3285 Riverside Drive, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, October 28, 2022. She was born February 24, 1954 in St. Mary’s, PA the daughter of the late James H. and Rita C. (Mullaney) McMurray. 

Mary was raised in St. Mary’s, PA and was a 1972 graduate of Elk County Christian High School. That same year, she married John Samick and she had her first two daughters, Sharon Lee and Christy Lynn. In 1980, Mary moved to New York and later had a daughter, Rhiannon and a son, Nathan. Mary enrolled in the Nursing Program at Alfred State College, but due to a tragic car accident in 1990, that left her disabled, she spent the rest of her life taking care of her children and helped to raise her grandchildren. Mary cared deeply about the ones she loved. She enjoyed caring for those in need since an early age as a candy striper (what initially inspired her desire to become a nurse). She had a one of a kind laugh, enjoyed gatherings with friends, and loved music, and cats. She was loyal to her family and had a heart of gold. She often invited those without family to the Thanksgiving table to share a meal and a laugh. She was a devoted mother, proud grandmother and loving sister. 

She is survived by three daughters, Sharon Nye, Christy Samick, and Rhiannon (Robert) Babbitt, all of Wellsville; six grandchildren, Brandon M. (Brandon) Nye, Jacob T. Nye, Sage T. Bundy, Reese C. Babbitt, Raegan E. Babbitt, and Roslyn P. Babbitt; four siblings, Patrick McMurray of Pittsburgh, John (Paula) McMurray of St. Mary’s, Margie Lioce of Wellsville, and Donald Gilliland of Ellisburg, PA, three nieces, Missy, Michelle, and Melanie, one nephew, Justin, and a great niece, Cali. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by: her son, Nathan McMurray; and three brothers Mike, Joe, and Tom McMurray. 

Friends are invited to call on Friday, November 4, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. 34 W. State Street in Wellsville. The funeral will follow visitation at 8:00 pm. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to the SPCA Serving Allegany County, 5440 NY-19 Belmont, NY 14813. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Samuel Bennett Jr, 90

Springwater, NY – Samuel Bennett Jr, 90, from Wellsville Manor, passed away on Friday, October 28, 2022. He was born on November 5, 1931 in Groveland, NY the son of the late Samuel Sr. and Esther(Perkins) Bennett.

At this time, following Samuel’s wishes, there are no services planned.

Mary Ellen Ehrman, 78

Allentown, NY – Mary Ellen Ehrman, 78, passed away on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at the home of her granddaughter in Olean. She was born September 12, 1944, in Wellsville the daughter of the late Maurice and Sarah (Cleveland) Stephens. In Belmont on December 28, 1974 she married James Ehrman, who predeceased her in 1984. 

Mary was raised in Allentown, and was a 1961 graduate of Bolivar Central School. She attended BOCES in Belmont where she earned a Licensed Practical Nurse Certificate. She was employed by Mary’s Nursing Home, Mater Dei Nursing Home of Allentown, Southern Tier Home Medical, and Tops bakery in Wellsville. She loved babysitting her grandchildren, enjoyed fishing, and was a longtime member of the Bolivar Women's Bowling League. 

She is survived by: three daughters, Lisa (Robert) Williams of LeRoy, Margaret Pinney of Andover, and Sarah (Jeff) Deming of Wellsville; six grandchildren, Jenny Stephens, Meridith Field-Beedham, James Beedham, Hailey Beedham, Kayla Pinney, and Michael Pinney; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Nancy (Jim) Jarmuz of Wellsville and Susan Reinking of Tega Cay, SC; a brother-in-law, David Dickerson of Chattanooga, TN; as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by: a grandson, Keith Ehrman-Deming; a sister, Katherine Dickerson; and two brothers-in-law, David Hollister, and Rick Reinking. 

Friends are invited to call on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 from 2-4 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, 34 West State Street in Wellsville. Funeral will follow at 4 pm in the funeral home with Glen Layfield presiding.Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery in Belmont. Please consider memorial donations to The Alma Veterans’ Retreat, c/o Tom Carlin, 7256 County Route 20, Friendship, NY 14739. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Paul Michael Kuebler Jr., service announcement

 Rockingham, NC – The friends of Paul Michael Kuebler Jr. are invited to a graveside service with full military honors on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 11:00 am in Fairlawn Cemetery in Scio. Paul passed away on November 18, 2020. In addition to extended family is survived by a sister, Sharon Washer and her family of Allentown, NY

Milon J. Ordiway, 72

Wellsville, NY – Milon J. Ordiway, 72, of First Street passed away on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at the Highland Park Healthcare and Rehabilitation( Center following a lingering illness. He was born December 24, 1949 in Wellsville, the son of the late Kenneth and Audrey (Milligan) Ordiway. On December 23, 1978 in Wellsville he married Margaret Ann Campbell who survives.

Milon was a 1967 graduate of Grafton High School in West Virginia. He was formerly employed as a NF6 Element Operator at Air Preheater Company in Wellsville until his retirement in 2010. In his earlier years, Milon enjoyed collecting baseball cards, rare coins and spending time hunting and fishing. He was an avid Buffalo bills and Sabres fan for many years. 

He is survived, in addition to his wife Margaret, by: four children, Milon “Jake” Ordiway II of Florida, Tracy Waters of Andover, Tonya (Joe) Shamyer of Phoenix, NY, and Kenneth (Jessica) Ordiway of Wellsville; six grandchildren, Kristina (Brian) Willetts, Dyllan(Shawn) McRae, Shaun McKinley, Sarah (Rodney) Jacobs, Cory (Katelyn) Waters, Alex Ordiway and Andrew Ordiway; seven siblings, Gary (Jackie) Ordiway, Tom Ordiway, Darla (Bill) Bryan, Kevin (Joanne) Ordiway, Wanda O’Dell, Tammy Ordiway, and Kelly Cornell; as well as several great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a special step-father, George Dennison of Fairmont, WV.

A celebration of life is being planned for a later date. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.