Wilford Allen "Bud" Hulbert

Wellsville, NY - Wilford Allen "Bud" Hulbert, 92, died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, December 31, 2010 at the Jewish Home of Rochester, NY. Mr. Hulbert, a Coudersport, PA native, was the son of Allen and Ada (Seavey) Hulbert. He attended Coudersport PA schools, graduating from Lewisville Vocational High School in 1936. He married the love of his life, Yetta D. Yahn in 1940. He was employed by Brownhill and Kramer, Inc. of Coudersport prior to the war. He was a WW-II Veteran, serving as a Top-Turret Gunner in a B-24 Bomber with the 15th U.S. Army Air Force in the European Theatre of Operation; where he flew 50 combat missions. Mr. Hulbert holds five Battle Stars for Air Combat, three Oak Leaf Clusters and a Presidential Unit Citation.

"Bud" and Yetta moved from Coudersport PA to Wellsville, NY in 1956 and owned and operated Wellsville's Western Auto Store for many years. In addition, Bud enjoyed 25 years of driving school bus for Wellsville Central Schools and delivering "Meals on Wheels" for several years. After retirement, he and Yetta embraced being "snow-birds"; travelling to Yuma, AZ and back each year, where they were members of a senior's motorcycle club known as the "Over the Hill Gang". Mr. Hulbert was a past member of the Coudersport Odd Fellows, Coudersport Eulalia Lodge #342, Coudersport Consistory, American Legion and the Wellsville First United Methodist Church.

Mr. Hulbert was predeceased by his wife, Yetta, a son, Thomas Erwin Hulbert and daughter-in-law, Marelie Widniekiewicz Hulbert. He is survived by two sons, Richard Hulbert of Virginia Beach and George (Edie) Hulbert of Rochester, one daughter, Delia (Jeff) Rhodes of Rochester, six grandchildren Sonja (Chuck) Loss, Richard A. Hulbert, Matthew (Anna) Rhodes and Elizabeth Rhodes, Eric Sauers and Renee (Brian) Lindberg, six great grandchildren, Courtney and Sylvia Conner, Blake Hulbert, Ethan, Evelyn and Elijah Rhodes and one great-great grandson, Joshua Allen Mc Andrews.

Friends are invited to call on Sunday 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 Monday, January 3, 2011 at 2:00 PM in the Wellsville First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jerry Ward presiding. Burial will be in Eulalia Cemetery in Coudersport. Memorial donations are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the Wellsville United Methodist Church. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Lena D. Brooks

Wellsville, NY - Lena D. Brooks, age 94, formerly of Belmont, NY, passed away Sunday, December 26, 2010 at the Wellsville Manor, Wellsville, NY.

Mrs. Brooks was born on October 26, 1916 to Roland J. & Mary Ruby (McEntee) Bigelow. Married August 4, 1937, at St. Phillips Episcopal Church in Belmont, NY to Paul A. Brooks.

Mrs. Brooks graduated from Belmont High School. After many years of being a mother and homemaker, she graduated from cosmetology school in Olean, NY. She worked as a beautician on Schuyler Street, Belmont, before opening a salon in her home on Willard Street, which she operated for many years. Mrs. Brooks was an active member of St. Philips Episcopal Church throughout her life serving on many committees. She and her husband enjoyed playing bridge and in their earlier years were known to drive many miles to attend dances and dance contests. She was a devoted and much loved grandmother.

She is survived by three grandchildren Drew (Tracy) Brooks of Canandaigua, NY, Darcie (David) Hendrix of North Grafton, MA, Darren (Margaret) Brooks of Fairport, NY; seven great-grandchildren, Samantha Hendrix, Trevor Hendrix, Eleanor Brooks, Zachary Brooks, Victoria Brooks, Ethan Paul Brooks, and Corinna Brooks; two sisters, Pauline (Ronald) Miller of Belmont, and Thelma Pierson of Avon Park, FL.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her loving husband, Paul A. Brooks, her son Alvin C. Brooks, three sisters, Bernice Benjamin, Evelyn Sizer, Josephine Seely, and her brother John C. Bigelow.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at 2 PM in the St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Belmont. The Rev. Cole Gruberth will officiate with Burial in the Forest Hills Cemetery in Belmont.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Phillips Episcopal Church, Belmont, NY.

Arrangements are under the direction of the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Belmont. To leave on line condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Arthur Aldo Moscardini

Wellsville, NY - Arthur Aldo Moscardini passed away on Saturday, December 25, 2010, at the Highland Health Care Center. He was born on March 10, 1915 in Meredith, NH. To Adelmo and Rosa Lugliani Moscardini. On November 21, 1940 in Genesee, PA. he married Hyla Hurd who predeceased him on November 4, 1992.

Art was a long time resident of East Dyke Street in Wellsville. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1937 and moved to Wellsville to work for the former Moore Steam Turbine as a mechanical engineer. Later, Art went to work for Air Preheater and retired from there in the early 1970s after many years of service. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville, the oldest member of the Wellsville Elks Lodge, a member of the former Apollo Club, the Air Preheater Survivors Club, The Thelma Rogers Genealogical and Historical Society and he volunteered at the Senior Citizens Center. Art was an avid gardener who enjoyed hunting, skiing, ice skating and bowling.

Survivors include: a daughter, Gayle (John) Childs of Amity Lake; a son Robert (Francine) Moscardini of Arizona; 4 grandchildren, Maresa, Michael, Jason and Heather; 4 great grandchildren, Haley, Zachary, Jacob and Kaler; 7 nieces and nephews and a long time special friend Rita Taylor of Wellsville.

He was predeceased by a brother Leo Moscardini and a sister Doris Moscardini.

Friends are invited to call on Wednesday, December 29, 2010, at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. On Thursday a prayer service will be held at 10:30 am in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 am in the Immaculate Conception Church. Monsignor Vincent Becker will be celebrant and burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorials may be made to either the Thelma Rogers Genealogical and Historical Society or to The David A. Howe Library. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Homer J. Cline

Belmont, NY - Homer J. Cline of State Route 244 passed away on Friday, December 24, 2010, at the Highland Health Care Center in Wellsville after a long and courageous battle with both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. He was born on January 4, 1933 in the Town of Wirt to Emmitt and Gladys Ward Cline. In Belmont on July 22, 1955 he married Barbara Shelley who survives.

Homer left Belmont High School to join the US Army in 1953 and served until 1955. He returned to Belmont and for many years he was a welder for Acme Electric. Homer later worked for the Town of Amity from where he retired in 1994 after 23 years of service and was well known as the Town of Amity Dog Control Officer. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church, enjoyed hunting and spending time with his family. Homer will be best remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Surviving besides his wife: a son Darryl (Lauri) Cline of Blackcreek; 2 daughters, Delnore (Michael) Case of Scio and Dawn (Ray Palmer) Hebblethwaite of Belmont; 7 grandchildren, Jill and Eric Case, Cara and Adam Hebblethwaite, Arieanna Palmer, Keith and Kevin Cline; a brother, Oliver (Doris) Cline of Belmont; 2 sisters, Lucile Bliven of Belmont and Bethel (Lloyd) McKee of Salunga, PA. as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by 2 brothers, Norman and Keith Cline and a son in law Chip Hebblethwaite.

Friends are invited to call on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Belmont. Homer's funeral will be in the Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 29, 2010, at 11:00 am. Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery with Military Honors. Memorials in Homer's name may be made to either the Highland Health Care Activities Center or to the First Baptist Church of Belmont. To leave on line condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Marlene (Wightman) Bledsoe

Wellsville, NY - Surrounded by her loving family, Marlene (Wightman) Bledsoe, 58, Wellsville, passed away, December 22, 2010, after a brave battle with uterine cancer.

Marlene was born February 3, 1952, in Wellsville, daughter of the late Walter Wightman and surviving Adelaide (McClure) Wightman. She was a 1970 graduate of Wellsville Central High School and a 1973 graduate of Alfred State College.

On April 1, 1972 she was married to Carlton L. Bledsoe, in Wellsville. In addition to raising two beautiful daughters, she worked as a floral designer at Tracie's Flower Shop before opening her own business, The Flower Garden Gift Shop, in 1991.

Marlene was a member of First Trinity Lutheran Church in Wellsville, where she was involved in the altar guild and many other church activities. She was a member of the Wellsville Music Boosters, becoming a surrogate "Mom" to many marching band members. Marlene was active in the Wellsville High School Alumni Association and Wellsville Lioness Club, holding many offices. While her daughters were young, she acted as a Girl Scout leader and was the Director of the area Girl Scout Camp for many years. Marlene had many loves, including spending time with family, gardening, knitting, quilting and bird watching.

In addition to her mother and husband, she is survived by: her two daughters Amanda Bledsoe, Wellsville, and Tara (Kyle Bittinger) Bledsoe, Philadelphia, PA; two granddaughters, Lauren Bledsoe and Nora Bledsoe Bittinger; a sister, Nancy (Jim) Thomas; a brother, Mark Wightman; an aunt, Mae Thompson; and many brothers and sisters in-law, and nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, Inc., 34 W. State St. in Wellsville. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday (Dec. 28, 2010) in the Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Robert Morris presiding. Burial will be in the Stannards Cemetary. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or any charity of the donor's choice.

Online condolences may be left at www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Clarence H. "Clancy" Benz

Wellsville, NY - Clarence H. "Clancy" Benz, born Feb. 18, 1930, in Orchard Park, son of Edward and Emma (Thiel) Benz, died Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010.

A 1947 graduate of Orchard Park High School, he served in the U. S. Army from 1953-1955, which included time in Japan in the Signal Corps. He worked for Bell Telephone Company starting in 1955 until his retirement from Verizon in 1992.

He was married on May 4, 1968 to his beloved wife Mary (Walsh), who survives. He is also survived by four sons, William (Andrea) Benz of Buffalo; Joseph (Roxanne) Benz of Durham, NC; Robert (Kimberly) Benz of Corning and Martin (Cristin) Benz of Chaffee, two brothers, Howard Benz of Hamburg; Gerald (Margaret) Benz of Lancaster; three, sisters Evelyn Benz of Williamsville; Dorothy (Bernard) Perl of Varysburg and Alice (Richard) Graffeo of West Seneca; sisters-in-law Alice Benz of Hamburg; Shirley Benz of Hamburg; Patricia Walsh of Tucson, Az.; Jane Walsh of Wellsville. Grandchildren Haley, Gianna, Lilian, Terrence, Nathan, Emma Benz and Thomas Rogers as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

He was predeceased by brothers Raymond of Orchard Park; Lee of Hamburg; and Norbert of West Seneca; sister-in-law Doris Benz of Hamburg; brothers-in-law James Walsh of Tucson, Az., and Robert Walsh of Wellsville.

Clancy grew up on his family farm and enjoyed farm work throughout his life. He loved the Immaculate Conception Fun Fair and worked at it before, during and after for 30 years, enjoying every minute. He also enjoyed watching high school and grade school athletics. Clancy volunteered with Meals on Wheels and Mercy Associates.

Friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm and Wednesday from 10:00 to 10:30 am at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. The Rosary will be recited on Tuesday at 3:45 pm in the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at 11:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville with Monsignor Vincent Becker as celebrant. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wellsville. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Immaculate Conception School or the charity of donor's choice. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Charles L. "Charlie" Strope Jr.

Belmont, NY - Charles L. "Charlie" Strope Jr., 85, of 4 Erie Street passed away on Thursday, December, 16, 2010 at the Wellsville Manor Care Center following a brief illness. He was born February 7, 1925 in Lockwood, NY the son of the late Charles and Helen (Kelley) Strope. On March 3, 1950 in Waverly, NY he married Shirley Morton who survives.

Charlie had been a resident of Belmont for 46 years. He was a 1942 graduate of Van Etten High School and attended Ames College during his military career. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving from June of 1943 to April of 1946 aboard the USS Harry Lee APA-10 in the Pacific Theater of Operation. He was employed as a Customer Engineer for IBM in Elmira and Buffalo for 30 years, retiring in 1985. Following retirement, he repaired typewriters for several years at the Allegany County Courthouse.

He was and active member of the American Legion for 64 years, most recently with the Herbert W. Delong Post 808 in Belmont, where he was a Past Commander and had served as the Adjutant for over 20 years. He was the County Commander in 1976 and the Chef De Gare for Allegany County 40-8. He was a member of the VFW in Sayre, PA, Wellsville Moose Lodge # 601 and the Wellsville Elks Lodge # 1495. He was a former member of the Belmont Conservation Club and the Cayuta Hose Company in Waverly, NY until 1963.

Surviving in addition to his wife are five children, Sharon Strope of Canisteo, Pat Whitney of Wellsville, Cubby (Charles III) Strope of Belmont, Ron Strope of Marysville, Ohio and Karen (Larry) Green of Wellsville, 12 grandchildren, 16 Great Grandchildren, several step grandchildren and great grandchildren, three sisters, Barbara Dalton of Penn Yan, Virginia Warner of Elmira and Shirley McGee of Candor, as well as several nieces & nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers, Donald, Robert and Jack Strope.

Friends are invited to call on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc., 17 Schuyler Street in Belmont. The funeral will be Monday, December 20, 2010 at 11:00 am in the funeral home with Deacon Frank Pasquale presiding. Military honors will follow at the funeral home and burial will be in Lockwood Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations are suggested to The American Legion Post 808 in Belmont or any charity of the donor's choice. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.