Margaret A. Harris

Margaret A. Harris died at home in Sarasota, Florida October 18, 2008, following a brief illness. In her 88 graceful years, Margaret blessed the lives of her husband Keith Harris and her three children and their spouses, Owen Harris and Peggy Klimek of Bradenton, Florida; Holly Harris and Charlie Dattola of Cohasset, Massachusetts; and Steve Harris and Patti Zaknich of Renton, Washington. Her grandchildren Emily Harris and Kyle Dattola-Harris brought her strength, purpose and joy to the very end of her days. They all miss her beyond measure. Extended family, special friends, and her beloved cat, Sunny, also mourn her loss.

Born in Belmont, New York, Margaret graduated summa cum laude from Alfred University in 1943 and later earned her master’s degree from the same institution. After retiring from her career as a high school teacher, much of it spent at Whitesville and Wellsville, New York, Margaret returned to her first love, the theater, and several southwestern New York theater groups benefited from her many talents. Favorite roles included Fanny in Watch on the Rhine, Eleanor of Aquitaine in The Lion in Winter, and Fonsia in The Gin Game. Margaret also served in numerous non-acting capacities from set construction to rehearsal accompanist to assistant to the director and held leadership positions with the Wellsville Players Association prior to her move to Florida in 1987. She found greater fulfillment and took more pride in her theater work than in anything else in her life except her children and grandchildren.

Margaret enjoyed playing the piano, reading, and doing kind things for other people. Donations in her memory should be made to the donor’s local hospice organization or community theater group, Alfred University, Planned Parenthood, or World Wildlife Fund.

Family and friends of Margaret and Keith and Owen, Holly, and Steve are invited to gather at Embser Funeral Home, 17 Schuyler Street in Belmont, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, 2009, for a service starting at 11:00 a.m. to remember and honor Margaret.

Earl V. Buchholz

Wellsville - Earl V. Buchholz a former resident of Wellsville passed away on Sunday July 26 at the Sister’s Hospital in Buffalo. He was born on April 18, 1931 to Harry and Florence Fanton Buchholz. He was married to the former Ella Gilbert and later he married Mary Jane Steven who predeceased him on September 7, 1993.

Earl was a veteran of the US Army 101st Airborne Infantry serving overseas in Japan. He was a welder for CE Air Preheater and later retired from Joyce Western Pipeline in 1977. Earl was a life member and post holder of the American Legion Post 702 in Wellsville, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2530 of Wellsville and the Eagles Club in Olean.

Survivors include: a daughter, Kathleen Deming; three sons, Earl Buchholz Jr., William Buchholz and David Buchholz; two step daughters, Patty Ayers and Kathleen Cross; twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren; two sisters, Jane Kernan and Joyce Arbogast ; five brothers, Erwin Buchholz, Mark Buchholz, Oscar Buchholz, Virgil Buchholz and Galen “Pete” Buchholz. Several nieces and nephews;

He was predeceased by his parents and by three brothers, Leonard “Jim” Buchholz, Alwin Buchholz and Richard Buchholz.

Friends and family are invited to attend a graveside service with full military honors at 11:00 am on Saturday August 1, 2009 in the Stannards Cemetery in Stannards, NY with Rev. Ralph Eastlack presiding. Arrangements are under the direction of the J.W.Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville.

Marilyn A. Keller

Wellsville - Marilyn A. Keller, 75, of Stannards Road, Wellsville, passed away Saturday, July 25, 2009 at Jones Memorial Hospital following a brief illness.

She was born June 28, 1934, in Lakewood, OH, a daughter of Ernest and Dora (Reinker) Stuehm. She graduated high school in St. Petersburg, FL. Marilyn has lived in Corning, NY, Ulysses, PA and the Wellsville area since 1970. She has been employed at Tops and for various Home Care agencies, doing medical transportation. She has most recently provided private home care as a certified nurses aide.

Marilyn had many friends; she loved to play bingo and bowled in Wellsville for many years. She loved time in the country and loved animals, enjoying horses, cats, dogs and hummingbirds. She had a particular compassion for the elderly and disabled and spent much of her life in service to them.

She is survived by three daughters; Karen Keller of Dresden, NY, Brenda (Patrick) Hood of Dayton, OH, and Dorothy (Graham) Winslet of Berkshire, England, and one son David Keller of Wellsville, NY. Marilyn was also blessed with two grandsons, Eric (Heather) Newland and Craig Newland both of Dayton, OH and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her sisters; Hazel Schiemann, Ruth Behnke, Pearl Cowper, and Dorothy Isphording.

Friends may attend a memorial service Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 11 am at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, Inc., 34 West State Street, Wellsville with the Rev. Ralph Eastlack officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. Private interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Contributions noted “in memory of Marily A. Keller” to the SPCA (PO Box 381, Wellsville, NY 14895) would be greatly appreciated.

Judith Clair Farwell

Belmont, NY - The friends and family of Judith Clair Farwell, who died on Friday, May 8, 2009, are invited to a graveside service on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 1:00 pm at Forest Hills Cemetery in Belmont.

Ruth L. Fanton

Wellsville, NY - Ruth L. Fanton, 76, of 2616 Brandes Road died on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at the Jones Memorial Hospital. She was born on December 20, 1932 in the Town of Willing, the daughter of Paul and Florence (Teater) Fanton.

Ruth was formerly employed at Marion Rohr Company in Hornell and Current Controls in Wellsville.

She is survived by her long time companion, Charles J. White of Wellsville and several nieces & nephews, including, Sharon Ainsworth of Princeton, NJ, Judy Flamini of Alfred Station, Paul Sherwood and Lynn Sherwood both of Danville, KY, Cheryl Sherwood of Murfreesboro, TN, Lester E. Fanton Jr., Paula White, Della Carl and Jessie Fanton all of Wellsville, Wanda Dickerson of Alma, James M. Fanton of Belmont, and Jeanene Ludwig of Cyclone, PA. She was predeceased by a brother, Lester E. Fanton Sr., a sister, Esther Ann Sherwood and a niece, Terry Pritchard

At Ruth’s request, there will be no memorial service or visitation. Burial will be in Stannards Cemetery. Memorial suggestions include the Willing Volunteer Fire Department. Arrangements are under the direction of the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc.

Virginia Raub

Wellsville - Virginia Raub of the Andover Road Trailer Park passed away on Wednesday July 8, 2009 at Jones Memorial Hospital. She was born on October 24, 1920 to Elmer and Lida Adams Raub Sr. She was predeceased by two husbands, Frank Lowrie and Bert Hershey.

Virginia worked for the former Mary’s Nursing Home until it closed and then for Highland Nursing Home. She then stayed home to care for her mother and later for her uncle Irving Adams. Survivors include a brother in law, Leroy Lowrie and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by three brothers, Herb, Irving and Elmer and two sisters Frances and Gladys.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday July 25 at 2 pm in the Shongo Country Chapel in Shongo, New York with Rev. Lewis Mericle presiding. Arrangements are under the direction of the J.W.Embser Sons Funeral Home.

Virginia “Ginny” Christman Dean

Wellsville, NY - Virginia “Ginny” Christman Dean, 83, a former longtime resident of 67 Early Street died on Thursday, July 16, 2009 at the Wellsville Manor Care Center following a brief illness. She was born on September 29, 1925 in Town of Scio, the daughter of the late Howard and Margaret (Rahr) Christman.

Ginny was a 1943 graduate of Wellsville High School. She was employed as an Executive Secretary at Turbodyne Corporation in Wellsville for 26 ½ years. During her career she served five corporation presidents; she retired in 1988. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, the Lady Elks and a former member of the Frank B. Church Post 2530 VFW Auxiliary.

She is survived by one daughter, Linda (Rob Prunoske) Mocejunas of Rochester, two sons, William Satterlee of Hawaii and Philip Satterlee of Wellsville, eight grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and several nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by a daughter, Gayle Varley Nash, a brother Robert Christman and a sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Petrey.

Friends are invited to call on Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 pm and Monday from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc., 34 W. State Street, in Wellsville. The funeral will follow visitation on Monday, (July 20, 2009) at 2:00 pm in the funeral home with Rev. Robert Morris presiding. Burial will be Woodlawn Cemetery in Wellsville; with a reception to follow at the Wellsville Elks Lodge. Memorial suggestions include the Trinity Lutheran Church, the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps or the SPCA Serving Allegany County.