DUNKIRK: William R. Spell, 71, a resident of Chautauqua Nursing & Rehab, Dunkirk, formerly of Forestville died Sunday, January 23rd, 2022 at his residence, following a lengthy illness. He was born in Dunkirk, on October 16, 1950, the son of the late Robert and Ruth (Canny) Spell.
Mr. Spell was a graduate of Forestville Central School, Class of 1969 and attended Jamestown Business College. He worked as a Packing Lineman for the former Ralston Purina, Dunkirk, for 15 years and was a member of the Moniuszko Club, Dunkirk. Mr. Spell enjoyed bowling, playing softball & going to the casinos. Survivors include a brother, Steve (Lynn) Spell, of Fredonia and three nephews.
Friends are welcome to call at Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM from where Funeral Services will be held Thursday morning at 11 with Rev. Michael Spell, nephew of the deceased, officiating. Interment will follow in Willowbrook Park Cemetery, Dunkirk.
The family suggests memorial donations may be made to the Forestville Fire Department, Inc., PO Box 299, Forestville, NY 14062.
To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
SILVER CREEK: Maxine O. Rinehart, 89, a resident of St. Columban’s on the Lake Retirement Home, Lake Road Silver Creek, formerly of Fredonia & Black’s Corners, died Thursday, January 20th, 2022 at Erie County Medical Center, following a brief illness. She was born in Anderson, MO on July 6, 1932, the daughter of the late Ted and Bessie (Nunemaker) Rader.
Maxine worked as a Laborer for the former NYS Vineyard Laboratory, Fredonia, retiring in 1991. She also previously worked for the Cessna Air Craft Factory in 1952 as a Riveter on B-52 Bombers. Maxine was a member of the former Home Bureau and she enjoyed doing arts & crafts along with painting. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the Joy of her Life!
Survivors include two sons Steven (Sharon) Rinehart, and Scott Rinehart, both of Forestville; a sister, Iila Dean Fitzpatrick, of Florida; a brother, John McDonald, of Missouri and a sister in law Mary Lee McGuire of Missouri. Also surviving are four grandchildren Amber (Carrie) Rinehart, Dawn (Tony) Manzella, Jessica (Josh) Baker, Nichole (Jeremy) Rinehart, seven great grandchildren, several nieces & nephews and her dear friend Martha Woolley of Forestville.
Besides her parents she was predeceased by her husband Albert F. Rinehart, whom she married on November 8, 1952 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas and who died December 20, 2010 and two sisters Betty Hamm and Mary Price.
There will be no visitation observed and Private Interment will be at the convenience of the family in Forestville Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials may be made either to St. Columban’s on the Lake Retirement Home, 2546 Lake Road, Silver Creek, NY 14136 or to the Charity of One’s Choice.
Arrangements are by Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, Forestville. To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
FORESTVILLE: Beverly R. DeGolier, 91, of Hopper Road Forestville, died Saturday, January 15th, 2022 at her residence, following a short illness. She was born in Cassadaga, on November 11, 1930, the daughter of the late James and Ruth (Drake) Cave.
Beverly was a member of the Forestville Baptist Church, volunteered at Bethany Baptist Camp for approximately 12 years, was a former Cub Scout Den Mother and 4-H volunteer. She assisted her late husband, Dexter, with the farm on Hopper Road and with DeGolier’s Maple Syrup and she enjoyed making crafts & camping.
Survivors include four daughters, Sylvia Domenico, of Forestville; Dianne Wassell, of Tennessee; Mary (Mark Grupa) Field, of Dunkirk; Lucinda (David) Lewis, of Spring City, Tennessee; a son, Tom (Christina) DeGolier, of Forestville; and a sister, Mary Lou Lawson, of Jamestown. Also surviving are twenty-eight grandchildren, sixty-two great grandchildren, her beloved pet “Chloe” and several nieces & nephews. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her husband Dexter A. DeGolier, Sr. whom she married on August 16, 1952 in Maryland and who died January 27,2017, a son Dexter A. DeGolier, Jr., sons-in-law Timothy Domenico & Kenneth Wassell, eight brothers; Donald, Gilbert, Kenneth, Leo, David, Paul, Rex, an infant brother Dexter and two sisters Jessie Dubert and Gertrude Proper.
Friends are welcome to call at Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Funeral Services will be held Friday morning at 11 o’clock from the Forestville United Methodist Church, 3 Park Street, Forestville, with Rev. Michael Pollock officiating. Interment will be at 2 o’clock in Cassadaga Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials may be made to Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Avenue Lakewood, NY 14750.
To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
Celoron: Benjamin P. Gibson, 31, of Celoron, passed away unexpectedly Monday, January 10th, 2022. He was born in Buffalo, on November 15, 1990, the son of Sean and Chris (McGarvey) Gibson, of Lakewood. Ben graduated from Forestville Central School, Class of 2009. He was an exceptional football player and an accomplished equestrian during his high school years.
More recently, Ben discovered a love for building and using computers, as well as HAM radios. He was an avid hunter and fan of live music. Ben was very fond of cars, motorcycles and travel. He was a devoted father and will be sincerely missed by his family & friends.
Survivors include his girlfriend Kelly Priest of Cherry Creek, two daughters, Isabella and Kaylin Gibson, a brother, Bryan Gibson, of Jamestown; and a sister, Breanna (Justin) Nichols, of Fredonia. Also surviving are his grandmother Elfriede (Xaver) Peischl of Vietach, Germany, a nephew and niece Mason & Evelyn Nichols. He was predeceased by his loving grandparents John T. & Suzanne Gibson, Charles McGarvey and Eleanor Jacobson.
Friends are welcome to call at Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Monday evening from 5-7 PM.
The family suggests memorials may be made to the Venmo account @GibsonGirlsTrust, which will be developed into a financial account for Ben’s beautiful children.
To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
FREDONIA: Joyce E. Smith, 66, of Route 83, Fredonia, passed away Sunday, January 9th, 2022 at UPMC Chautauqua at WCA, Jamestown. She was born in Dunkirk on June 10, 1955, the daughter of the late Stanley and Patricia (Collins) Pawloski.
Joyce worked as a Bus Driver for the former Laidlaw and then First Student, Inc., Fredonia. She enjoyed playing Bingo, going to fish fry’s doing puzzles and most of all spending time with her husband, Roy.
Survivors include a daughter, Hazel (Raymond) Deet, of Silver Creek; two sons Bruce Turner, of Beaver Creek, OH; Ronald (Gina Valone) Smith, of Manchester, TN; two sisters, Shelly Matteson, Sandy Pawloski and a brother, Jeff Pawloski. Also surviving are nine grandchildren; Ryan, Tyler & Karli Deet, Mason, Dylan, Braden & Leah Turner, Hunter & Shane Smith and several nieces & nephews. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her husband Roy Smith, Jr., whom she married on June 20, 1987 in Dunkirk and who died June 24, 2018, two sisters Kathy Pelfry and Judy Lynn Pawloski and a brother Dennis Pawloski.
Friends are welcome to call at Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Friday morning from 10-11 am from where a Celebration of Life will follow at 11 o’clock with Michael Pollock, pastor of Gage Chapel Community Church, officiating.
The family suggests memorials may be made to the Forestville Fire Department, Inc., PO Box 299, Forestville, NY 14062.
To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
FORESTVILLE: Barbara S. Maxson, 76, of Pearl Street, Forestville, passed away Friday, December 24th, 2021 at Brooks Memorial Hospital, Dunkirk. She was born in Dunkirk, on April 15, 1945, the daughter of the late Charles and Emily (Czekanski) Marczynski.
Barbara was a graduate of Dunkirk High School, Class of 1963 and a graduate of Bryant & Stratton in Buffalo as a Medical Receptionist. She worked as a TV Hostess for Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, for 3 years and previously worked for many area Nursing Homes for 20 years. Barbara enjoyed taking care of animals, reading, playing pinochle, traveling, baking & cooking.
Survivors include a daughter, Jennifer (Joseph) Aguglia, II, of Forestville, two grandchildren Joseph, III and Jewel Melody Aguglia and her Furbabies “Thor”, “Angie”, “Bud”, “Fluffy”, & “Blacky”. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her husband Del E. Maxson, whom she married February 18, 1995 in South Buffalo and who died in 2015 and by a sister Patricia Timmerman, who died in 1994.
Friends are welcome to call at Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Tuesday from 2-4 & 7-9 pm. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday morning at 11 o’clock from the Forestville United Methodist Church, 5 Park Street, Forestville, with Rev. Darlene Meeder, pastor officiating. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Town of Sheridan.
The family suggests memorial donations may be made either to the Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue, 7540 North Gale Street, Westfield, NY 14787 or Lakeshore Humane Society, 431 E. Chestnut Street Dunkirk, NY 14048.
To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
FORESTVILLE: Roger A. Hendricks, 64, of Center Street, Forestville, formerly of Parkway Drive, Sinclairville, passed away Thursday, December 23rd, 2021 at Brooks Memorial Hospital, Dunkirk, due to ALS. He was born in Galesburg, IL on October 27, 1957, the son of the late Milo and Audrey (Hix) Hendricks.
Roger was a graduate of Galesburg High School in Galesburg, IL. He worked as a Safety Inspector for Lowe’s Home Improvement in West Virginia and other locations. Roger enjoyed NASCAR, especially Jimmie Johnson and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Survivors include his wife Myra Hendricks of Forestville; three daughters, Stephany (Robert) Mederski, of Forestville; Jenny (John) Lang, of Angola; Tiffany (Josh) Nielson, of Vancouver, WA; a sister, Stacy (Doug) Hendricks-Stambaugh,; and a brother, Mike (Deb) Hendricks, both of Galesburg, IL. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren, two nieces & two nephews.
Friends may call at Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Saturday, January 8th from noon-2pm from where a Catholic Memorial Service will follow at 2 o’clock with Rev. Daniel Fiebelkorn, pastor of Faith Community of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel officiating.
The family suggests memorials may be made to ALS Association, Upstate NY Chapter, 135 Old Cove Road, Suite 213, Liverpool, NY 13090.
To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
FORESTVILLE: Matthew D. Kirkland, 60, of Forestville, formerly of Far Rockaway, NY, passed away quietly Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021, at Brooks Memorial Hospital, Dunkirk. He was born in Buffalo, NY on July 11, 1961, the son of Patricia M. (Nowak) Kirkland, of Forestville and the late Raymond L. Kirkland.
Matthew enjoyed working on cars, driving semi-trucks and listening to music. Survivors include a son, Jason Kirkland, of Forestville; a daughter, Beth Kirkland, of Dunkirk; and a brother, Mark Kirkland, of Forestville. Also surviving are two grandchildren Aiden & Jayden and a niece Melanie Kirkland.
Arrangements are by Riles & Woolley Funeral Home Forestville. To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
FORESTVILLE: Jeanne E. Sobecki, 86, of Forestville, passed away Tuesday, December 14th, 2021 at her residence. She was born in the Town of Sheridan in 1935 and one of six daughters of the late Manley and Viola (Ormsby) Fuss.
Jeanne was a graduate of Forestville Central School, Class of 1952. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Arizona in Tucson and her Master’s in Reading Education from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Jeanne was an Elementary School Teacher for the Marana Unified School District, north of Tucson, AZ, the Fort Worth Texas School System, Fort Worth, TX, taught on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico and was a Social Worker in New Hampshire.
Jeanne was an accomplished painter and gardener and was a member of the DAR Chapter in Jamestown. Jeanne won first place at the Chautauqua County Fair more than once with her paintings and had one entry sent to State Fair. She also loved her cats and enjoyed traveling.
Survivors include her husband Ronald A. Sobecki of Forestville, three children Steven (Kim) Sobecki, of Tarpon Springs, FL; Allison (Ronald) DeGolier, of Dunkirk; and John (Rhonda) Sobecki, of Colorado Springs, CO; two sisters, June (William) Panek, of Fredonia; and Donna Wilson, of Kennedy. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, six great grandchildren and several nieces & nephews. The family would like to especially thank Linda Fuller, ANP and Brett & Heidi Miller for their special care during our family’s time of need. Besides her parents she was predeceased by a daughter Elizabeth McDivitt and three of her sisters Gladys Brunelle, Joyce Austin and Shirley Sawyer.
There will be no visitation or services observed. The family suggests memorials may be made to the Forestville Fire Department, Inc., PO Box 299, Forestville, NY 14062.
Arrangements are by Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, Forestville. To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
FREDONIA: Robert E. Coon, 94, Vice President for Student Affairs Emeritus at the State University of New York College at Fredonia, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 at Brooks Hospital in Dunkirk, following a brief illness.
Mr. Coon is remembered with great affection and admiration by the SUNY Fredonia community, former colleagues, and generations of alumni. His “students first” and open-door philosophy was reflected in the high quality of student life at SUNY Fredonia over his 35-year career at the university.
At Mr. Coon’s retirement in 1991, then-SUNY Fredonia President Donald A. MacPhee honored him, noting, “His impact on the college, through fundamental changes in size complexity, facilities, and services is unprecedented and extends far beyond his particular areas of responsibility. Over these many years, he became known to many as ‘Mr. Fredonia,’ and brought a unique blend of firm and caring leadership to each and every position he held on campus. One has only to observe, as I have, the deep affection of Fredonia alumni for him to sense the impact he has had on our students’ lives.”
The son of the late Edwin L. Coon and Emma (Steck) Coon, Mr. Coon was born on Feb. 16, 1927, in Silver Creek, and graduated from Silver Creek High School in 1944. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps Enlisted Reserve from July 1944 until May 1945 (Clemson College), and then in the U.S. Navy from May 1945 until July 1946 in the South Pacific, including the Philippines and Japan.
After leaving the Navy, Mr. Coon married his high school sweetheart, Shirley (Pattyson) on Aug. 16, 1947, whom he met at a dance after a high school basketball game.
A 1950 graduate of the State University of New York College at Fredonia, earning a bachelor’s degree in Music Education, Mr. Coon enrolled in the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, completing a Master of Music degree in 1954. Additional education included Columbia University and the University of Buffalo, where he took doctoral courses in Higher Education Administration. He played several instruments, including piano, saxophone, vibraphone and clarinet.
Mr. Coon was Director of Music at Holley (N.Y.) Central School from 1950-53, after which he was the owner-manager of the Kuchen Music Co. in Fredonia from 1953-56.
Mr. Coon started his career at the College of Fredonia as the Coordinator of Field Services in 1956, responsible for Student Recruitment, Alumni Relations, College Tours and Campus Visitations. He was promoted to the Director of Admissions in 1961 and Dean of Students in 1965. In 1969, then-President Oscar Lanford promoted him to Vice President for Student Affairs, and in 1978, he was promoted to Vice President for Student Affairs and College Services, a position Mr. Coon held until his retirement in 1991.
Serving the College at Fredonia for more than 35 years, often during tumultuous times, Mr. Coon will be most remembered for his dedication to undergraduate students, his mentoring of Higher Education graduate students, and for his exceptional supervision of many student service professionals. A colleague once wrote that “Bob is unflinching in his determination to secure a harmonious, growth-oriented comprehensive and innovative program of services to students.”
For 12 years, from 1978-1990, Mr. Coon’s administration also oversaw the physical campus plant, with his area of supervision including college services as well as student affairs. Mr. Coon was a driving force in making the campus a 12-month center for non-college educational recreational and conference activities, including, among other efforts, bringing the Buffalo Bills to campus for its summer training camp, as well as the Buffalo Sabres, Elderhostel, youth hockey, the New York State Summer School for the Arts, and National Public Radio.
Mr. Coon was a Founding Member of the Fredonia College Foundation, serving as a member of the board of directors from 1965 until 2006, and its treasurer for 13 years. Upon his retirement from the university, the Robert E. Coon Recognition Scholarship, which has honored junior-level students for over 30 years, was established through the foundation. He and Mrs. Coon are also members of the foundation’s Dallas K. Beal Legacy Society. In retirement, Mr. Coon served as alumni chair of the foundation’s first capital campaign, “Extending Our Horizons: the Campaign for Fredonia,” and as national chair for its second comprehensive campaign, “Traditions and Transitions: The Anniversary Campaign.” He was later named an Honorary member of the foundation board.
Among his many honors, Mr. Coon was a recipient of the Fredonia College Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award, the Hillman Memorial Music Association’s Jessie Hillman Award for Excellence, the Business Person of the Year from the student-run Business Club at SUNY Fredonia, the Fredonia Alumni Association Meritorious Service Award, and was named an honorary member of the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998, an honoree of the NFL Community Quarterback Award program, and was honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals on National Philanthropy Day.
He was also recognized by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, which nominated him for the national Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as Dean.
Mr. Coon is a former President of the Hillman Memorial Music Association, the Faculty Student Association of SUNY Fredonia, the Fredonia Alumni Association Board of Directors; and the Western New York College Personnel Association. He served as a member of the St. Columban’s on the Lake Retirement Home Advisory Board, the Salvation Army Board of Directors for 20 years, eight years as its treasurer; and as President and a Charter Member of the Chautauqua County Vacationlands Association. He also served as chair of the Council of Chief Student Affairs Administrators for the State University of New York.
He was an avid golfer and member of Shorewood Country Club, with alumni friends returning to the area for annual rounds of golf and fun, and for many years, an avid Bridge player.
Mr. Coon was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church of Fredonia.
In addition to Mrs. Coon, his wife of 74 years, Mr. Coon is survived by a niece, Gileen Widmer French, of Dunkirk, and seven nephews. He was predeceased by a son, Joseph, and brothers, Donald, Carlton, and William.
Interment will take place at the Sheridan Center Cemetery on Center Road at the convenience of the family. Memorials can be made to the Robert E. and Shirley P. Coon Scholarship at the Fredonia College Foundation, 272 Central Avenue, Fredonia, NY 14063, or St. Columban’s on the Lake Retirement Home, 2546 Lake Road, Silver Creek, NY 14136.
Arrangements are by Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, Forestville. To post condolences go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com
