Edna W. Lehman

Wellsville, NY - Edna W. Lehman, 83, of 27 Clark Street died on Thursday, January 27, 2011 at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville following a brief illness. She was born March 11, 1927 in Wellsville the daughter of the late William F. and Louise (Zeh) Brandes. On September 8, 1951 in Wellsville she married George E. Lehman who predeceased her on February 14, 1999.

Edna was a 1944 graduate of Wellsville High School and was first employed in the medical office of Dr. E. F. Comstock and Dr. Irwin Felsen, before joining the staff at Jones Memorial Hospital as an Admitting Clerk, where she continued until her retirement on September 1, 1984.

Edna was an active member of First Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wellsville, where she served as Secretary of the Memorial Committee, Treasurer of the Day Care and was a member of the Dorcas Guild, Ladies Aid and Senior Citizens. She was also Chairman of the Altar Guild for many years, and she and her husband were long time advisors for the Youth Group. She volunteered at the David A. Howe Public Library, Home Care & Hospice and was a Life Member of the Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary.

Edna and George enjoyed traveling, especially their trip to Alaska. She also enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, latch work and sitting on her back deck with friends, looking over her rose gardens.

She is survived by a sister, C. June Helmer of Wellsville, a brother, Kenneth Brandes of Hamburg, a nephew, David W. Helmer Sr., a great-nephew, David "DJ" Helmer Jr., two great-nieces, Nikki Helmer and Allison Culbertson and several cousins. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a brother-in-law, Gilbert Helmer in 1999 and a sister-in-law, Barbara Brandes in 2004.

Friends are invited to call on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 490 N. Main Street in Wellsville. A memorial service will follow visitation at 11:00 am Tuesday in Church with Rev. Larry Gerdes presiding. The congregation will be invited to a luncheon in the fellowship hall following the service. Burial will be Woodlawn Cemetery in Wellsville at a later date. Memorial donations are suggested to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church or the David A. Howe Public Library. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Leo T. Geracci

Wellsville, NY - Leo T. Geracci, 56, of 2241 River Road died unexpectedly on Monday, January 24, 2011 at home. He was born July 8, 1953 in Wellsville the son of the late Patrick and Helen (Molin) Geracci. He was a graduate of Hollywood High School in Hollywood, Florida and the University of Florida at Gainesville.

Leo was formerly employed at C. E. Air Preheater Company in Wellsville and was currently employed as an Engineering Technician for the Allegany County Department of Public Works. He enjoyed reading, fishing and U. S. History.

He is survived by two sons, Aaron Geracci of Wellsville and Nicholas Geracci of Largo, FL, a sister, Rose (Steve) Teachman of Olean, a brother, Mark (Connie) Emery of Bolivar, a special aunt, Joanne Molin of Wellsville, as well as several other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends are invited to a Memorial Mass on Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 11:00 am in the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville with Monsignor Vincent Becker as celebrant. There will be no prior visitation. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wellsville. Memorial donations are suggested to the Immaculate Conception Memorial Fund or the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Richard E. "Dick" Dinger

Wellsville, NY - Richard E. "Dick" Dinger of 262 East Dyke Street passed away at home on Friday, January 21, 2011. He was born on March 12, 1940 in Hornell to Glenn and Odessa Baldwin Dinger. On August 22, 1970 he married Diane Merrifield who predeceased him on October 18, 1996.

Dick graduated from Hornell High School in 1960. He was a bartender and doorman for the V.F.W. in Wellsville and for other clubs in the surrounding area. Dick also drove a bus for Laidlaw in Olean and was well know as an avid bingo player.

Survivors include: 2 daughters, Karen (Ronnie) Painter of Wellsville and Marsha Dinger of Citrus Springs, FL.; a son Larry (Judy) Dinger of Canaseraga; 9 grandchildren, several cousins and his companion, Georganna Payne.

Besides his wife Dick was predeceased by his parents and a brother.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday, January 27, 2011, from 6-8 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. His Funeral Service will be held at the convenience of the family and memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Lenora T. (Presutti) Vacante

Rochester, NY - Lenora T. (Presutti) Vacante passed away peacefully on January 11, 2011 at age 95. She was mother to Robert (Judy) Vacante, Susan (Bill) Fay, Barbara (Tom) Fussell, and Debra (Michael) Drew. Also surviving are her sister Julie Congelli and brother Peter (Rosamonde) Presutti. She was Gram to Rob, Lara, and Kate and great-grandmother to Caroline and Elizabeth. She was Aunt Lenora to many, many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents Frank C. and Nancy DeFlower Presutti, she was preceded in death by her husband Samuel Vacante; brothers Joseph, Louis, Amedeo, E. Joseph, Charles & Leonard, and sisters Yvonne, Elvira, and Genevieve.

She was loved by her friends at Bausch & Lomb Co. in Rochester where she worked until age 79. Her greatest joy was spending time with her large family and friends.

Family and Friends may call on Friday, January 14, 2011 from 4pm to 8pm at J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, 17 Schuyler Street in Belmont, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Belmont on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery in Belmont.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Pulminary Care Unit or the Sussman Palliative Care Unit at the University of Rochester Medical Center at Strong Memorial Hospital.

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

Fred Carpenter

Wellsville, NY - Fred Carpenter of 8 Cumming Circle passed away on Friday, January 7, 2011, at the Wellsville Manor Health Care Center. He was the son of Anthony and Barbara Zegarski.

A funeral service for Fred will be held on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at the J.W Embser Sons Funeral Home at 10 am with Deacon Frank Pasquale Presiding.

Frances L. Hills

Belmont, NY - Frances L. Hills a former resident of Friendship and Belmont passed away, Friday January 7, 2011, at the Chemung County Nursing Facility. She was born on June 24, 1909 in the Town of Willing to Francis and Lillian Fortner Hilligas. On November 14, 1935 in Wellsboro, PA., she married Marshall Hills who predeceased her on February 1, 1963.

Frances owned and operated "Fran's Beauty Shop" from her home in Friendship from 1963 to 1997 at which time she moved to Belmont. At one time she worked for Daystrum Manufacturing in Friendship and she enjoyed playing bridge, sewing, crocheting, knitting and puzzles.

Survivors include: 2 sons, Ronald (Vivian) Hills of Horseheads and Dean (Ramona) Hills of Live Oak, FL.; a daughter, Cheryl (Charles) Wiser of Scio; 9 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren; a sister Rhea Murray of Belmont and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by 2 brothers, Vince and Thomas Hilligas and 2 sisters, Pearl and Evelyn Hilligas as well as a niece Carolyn Feldbauer.

Friends are invited to call on Monday, January 10, 2011, at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Belmont from 12 noon to 2 pm. Her funeral service will be held at the conclusion of the calling hours in the funeral home. Burial will take place in Mount Hope Cemetery and in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Edith Jane (Neu) Colligan

Wellsville, NY - Edith Jane (Neu) Colligan passed away on January 5, 2011, at Jones Memorial Hospital following a lengthy illness. Edith was born in Wellsville on March 24, 1933, to the late Raymond W. and Grace A. (Gordon) Neu. She was a graduate of Wellsville High School Class of 1950. On August 16, 1952; she married John F. "Jack" Colligan.

Edith was associated with the former Public Loan Company, the Allegany Rehabilitation Associates, and the medical office of Dr. Hassan until her retirement.

Edith is survived by a son, Timothy (Suzanne) Colligan of Wellsville, a grandson Christopher (Natalie) Ricci of Clermont, Fl; and a granddaughter Erin (Jeremy) Dahlgren, of Wellsville. In addition, she is survived by a sister Elaine (Dean) Congdon of Cuba, a brother Gordon ( Betty) Neu of Tacoma WA, a brother Stanley (Diane) Neu of Manlius, and great-grandchildren Christopher and Nicholas Ricci of Florida and Brooklyn and Wheeler Dahlgren of Wellsville; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Edith was pre-deceased by a daughter, Denise (Colligan) Ricci in 1979, and a grandson Shane T. Colligan in 2003 as well as a brother Richard "Dick" (Shirley) Neu of Michigan in 2005.

At Edith's request, there will be no visitation and a grave-side service will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of the J.W. Embser & Sons Funeral Home. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the David A. Howe Public Library, or to the charity of the donor's choice. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.