Rita H. Taylor

Wellsville, NY - Mrs. Rita H. Taylor, 91, died Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at the Wellsville Manor.

Born October 27, 1921, in Bolivar, New York, she was the daughter of Myron H. and Pearl M. Hurd.   A lifelong resident of Wellsville, New York, she graduated from Wellsville High School in 1939. 

A local historian and enthusiast of the Town of Wellsville, she actively researched the Hurd family genealogy and their contributions to the development of the town.  She was an avid reader and enjoyed a myriad of interests in local western New York arts and crafts, including becoming a published authority on Glidden pottery.  She especially loved all kinds of Teddy bears.  As a teen she had worked at Stacy's Ice Cream Parlor and still had her original ice cream scoop some 75 years later. She also worked for her mom and dad at the former Hurd's Market on East State Street. She was a member of the Thelma Rogers G&H Society. 

She married Robert E. Taylor on August 9, 1962, and worked with her husband in his insurance business serving the citizens of Wellsville.  Prior to that, she was married to Elmore Gibson Harkness, MD.  

She is survived by her one son: David B. Harkness and his wife Susan R. Harkness, two granddaughters: Lindsay G. Harkness, and Ashley R. Harkness of Edmond, Oklahoma; and two step-sons: Robert R Taylor and Richard L. Taylor and their respective families.  In addition, she is also survived by two nieces and four nephews.  Preceding her in death is her granddaughter, Heather L. Harkness, husband, Robert E. Taylor, her sisters, Arlene and Della and parents, Myron and Pearl Hurd. 

She had been a lifetime member of the Christian Temple Church of Wellsville. In consideration of her final wishes, she will be cremated and will not have a formal funeral service. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Glenn W. Criss

Belmont, NY - Glenn W. Criss, 93, of 20 Schuyler Street died at home on Monday, November 26, 2012 following a brief illness. He was born October 23, 1919 in Coudersport, PA the son of the late Merle and Myrtle (Dingman) Criss. On September 7, 1942 in Sumter, SC he married Esther Thomas who predeceased him on July 25, 2001.

Glenn was a graduate of Belmont High School. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army Air Force from 1940 to 1945. In 1936 he and his father founded Criss Market in Belmont, where Glenn was active in its operation until 2007. He was also proud that today; the third and fourth generation of the Criss family is continuing the business. He was a member of the Herbert Delong Post 808 American Legion, St. Phillips Episcopal Church  and the former Odd Fellows Lodge all of Belmont. He was a master carpenter, an avid fisherman; he loved Black Lake and spending time with his son and grandson.

He is survived by one son, Charles (Shirley) Criss, one grandson, Chuck (Rana) Criss all of Belmont as well as two nephews and one niece. He was predeceased by a sister, Lois Sitter.

Services will be at the convenience of the family and there will be no prior visitation. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Paw Impressions, 4238 State Route 19 Belmont, NY 14813. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Debra D. Mattison

Wellsville, NY - Debra D. Mattison, 59, of 1901 Riverview Drive passed away Monday, November 26, 2012 at Jones Memorial Hospital with her family at her side. She was born August 21, 1953 in Wellsville the daughter of the late Willis and Della (Hurd) Dahlgren. On October 25, 1975 in Wellsville she married Glenn Mattison who survives. 

Debra was a 1971 graduate of Wellsville High School and received an Associate Degree from Alfred State College. She was a former employee of the University of Rochester and Dresser-Rand Corporation of Wellsville. She loved spending time with her family and friends and enjoyed traveling. Her most cherished moments were those times spent with her six grandchildren. 

Surviving in addition to her husband are three children, Jennifer (Jon) Langborgh of Charlotte, NC, Jeffrey (Nicole) Mattison of Marion, NY and Marcie (Chuck) Baranich of North Tonawanda, six grandchildren, Bodie and Raegan Langborgh, Sienna and Taylor Mattison and Logan and Jayden Baranich, three brothers, Terry (Linda Sherman) Dahlgren of Lancaster, Donald (Janiece) Dahlgren of Wellsville and her twin, Denis (Colleen) Dahlgren of Wellsville as well as several nieces & nephews.

Friends are invited to call on Wednesday 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 Thursday (November 29, 2012) at 11:00 am at the First Congregational Church, 289 N. Main Street in Wellsville with Rev. Ralph Eastlack presiding. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Patrick Armstrong

Wellsville, NY - Patrick Armstrong, age 29, of 7 Herman Avenue passed away on Tuesday, November 20, 2012, after a short illness at the Highland Hospital in Rochester. He was born on April 29, 1983 in Hornell to Donald and Joanne Strobel Armstrong.

Patrick was a lifelong resident of Wellsville and graduated from Wellsville High School. He was a member of the First Trinity Church in Wellsville and had worked for Tops Market. From a young age Patrick was faced with many challenges in life and he overcame them with a positive attitude and a lust for life. He bravely faced each day with patients for himself and those around him. Patrick looked forward to visiting with people on his many trips downtown in his motorized wheelchair to shop for his family. He was inspiring and devoted to his family and will be remembered for his intelligence, his sense of humor and his true knowledge of what was important in life.

Survivors include: his mother Joanne of Wellsville; a brother, Aaron (Rachel) Armstrong of West Virginia; 2 sisters, Christine (Jeff) Gabler of Cuba and Anita (Dale) Mattison of Richburg; a niece, Felicity Mattison; 3 nephews, Ayden Mattison, Nathan Gabler and Jason Gabler; several cousins including Mathew Armstrong.

Patrick was predeceased by his Father in 1997 and his brother Sterling in July of this year.

Friends may call on Sunday, November 25, from 6 to 8 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville and on Monday from 10 to 11 am at the First Trinity Lutheran Church with his funeral to follow at 11 am. The service will be conducted by Rev. Robert Morris and burial will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorials may be made to either the Wellsville Ambulance Corps or to the Trinity Lutheran Church. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Shelley Sue (Slocum) Benson

Hampstead, NC - Shelley Sue (Slocum) Benson, 38, of 140 Topsail Lake Drive passed away on Friday November 9, 2012 at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC. She was born May 7, 1974 in Wellsville the daughter of Francis and Carol (White) Slocum. 

She was a 1992 graduate of Scio High School and a graduate of Jamestown Business College. She was formerly employed at K-Mart, the Texas Hot and Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville. She moved to North Carolina in 1995 and was employed as a Title Clerk at the North Carolina Tag Office. She was an assistant Cub Scout Leader, a member of the Topsail Ball Club Board of Directors and the Wrightsville Baptist Church in Wilmington, NC

                                                                                                                                                        She is survived by a son, Nathan Benson at home, her parents Fran and Carol Slocum of Wellsville, a brother, Scott Slocum of Wilmington, NC, two nieces, Abbey and Alley Slocum, her maternal grandmother, Elsie White of Scio, her paternal grandfather, Howard Slocum of Allentown and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was predeceased by a son, Jonathan Benson in 2001, her maternal grandfather, Lawrence White Jr. and her paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Slocum.    

Friends are invited to call on Friday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. The funeral will be Saturday (November 17, 2012) at 11:00 am at the Scio Church of Christ with Minister in Charge, Glenn Layfield presiding. Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery in Scio. Memorial donations may be made to the American Kidney Foundation. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Joseph L. Mead Jr.

Belmont, NY - Joseph L. Mead Jr. ,age 54, of Ackerman Hill Road passed away on Thursday, November 8, in the Town of Amity. He was born on February 15, 1958 in Orlando Florida to Joseph and Maggie Wilson Mead. On June 24, 1984 he married Ginny Kiefer who survives.

Joe was raised in Belmont and graduated from Belmont Central High School in 1976.During his youth he attained the rank of Eagle Scout and was an assistant scout master for Troop 34 in Belmont. After high school graduation he joined the U.S. Army and served with 82nd Airborne Division as a medic until 1979. He then lived and worked in Florida and later in New Jersey. Joe was a faithful member of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Belmont serving as a Sacristan, a Eucharistic Minister and was on the St. Mary's Cemetery Board of Directors. He was a member of the American Legion Post 808 of Belmont where he was a chaplain and on the honor guard. Joe will be remembered for being talented and community minded with his art work. He enjoyed music, watching sports, especially the Bills and the Sabres, collecting memorabilia and family history.

Survivors include: his wife of Belmont; 2 daughters, Christina Mead of Jenson Beach, FL. and Lauren (Timothy) Sizemore of Port St. Lucy, FL.; 2 granddaughters, Kora Morris and Ashlie Sizemore; his dad Joseph (Laura) Mead of Belmont and his mom Maggie McNinch of Belmont;

2 brothers, Pete Mead of Belmont and Michael (Gaye) Mead of Apopka, FL.; An Aunt, Carol Mead of Scio; 1 niece and 2 nephews; several step brothers.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday, November 15, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Belmont. On Friday there will be a prayer service at 12:30 pm in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 1 pm at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Belmont. Rev. Sean DiMaria is the Celebrant with burial in St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.

Norene Hazel Hoover

Cuba, NY - Norene Hazel Hoover, 85, of 3 Bristol Street passed away on Friday, November 2, 2012 at the Wellsville Manor Care Center with her family at her side. She was born October 21, 1927 in Buffalo the daughter of the late Horace and Carrie (Pape) Milks. 

Norene was a long time resident of the Cuba area. She had a love of animals, nature, wild life and holistic medicine.

She is survived by her husband, Donald H. Hoover residing at Wellsville Manor Care Center, a sister-in-law, Frances Benjamin of Moosic, PA, a brother-in-law, Frank Hoover of Dallas, PA and several nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Wayne Milks.   

                                                                                                                                                                       The family wishes to thank the staff at Jones Memorial Hospital and the Wellsville Manor, Dr. Coch, Dr. Graham and especially Teresa O'Connor from Wellsville Manor and Robyn Lynch from the Department of Social Services, for their exceptional loving care.

A memorial service will be planned for a later date in Pennsylvania. Burial will be in Springbrook, PA Cemetery. Memorial Donations can be made to the University of Buffalo Anatomical Gift Program, the Wellsville Manor Activities Fund or the SPCA Serving Allegany County.