FORESTVILLE: Joseph J. Colling, 87, of Dennison Road, Forestville, formerly of formerly of Delevan, NY, passed away Thursday, June 6th, 2024 at Gowanda Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. He was born in St. Mary’s, PA on August 16, 1936, the son of the late Perry and Hazel Farmer) Colling.
Joseph was a graduate of Springville Griffith Institute and served in the Air Force & Army Reserves. He also served in the NY Air National Guard from Oct. 1954 – Oct. 1967 as a TSGT (13 yrs), NY Army National Guard from Jan. 1974 – Jan. 1982 as a SSG (8 yrs) with Co. C 1/127 Armor, Olean, NY for a total of 21 years. Joseph was nominated for Soldier of the Year in 1979.
He worked as a Supply Manager at Koike Aronson, Inc. Arcade, NY, for 30 years and was a member of St. Aloysius RC Church, Springville, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Joseph was a past Post Commander of the West Valley American Legion Post #1576, was a member of the NRA, Franklinville Rod & Gun Club, Life member & Past Chief of Delevan Fire Department, was a Tank Commander in Olean, enjoyed trapshooting and motorcycles, was a member of the former Zoar Valley Riders Motorcycle Club and was a volunteer for Cattaraugus Meals on Wheels.
Survivors include a sister-in-law Barbara Snyder of East Randolph, nephews- Richard Snyder of Forestville, Ross (Clovis) Snyder of Jamestown, James (Marilyn) Snyder of St. George, UT, Jeffery Snyder of Napoli, NY, niece Gretchen Snyder of Jamestown and several great nieces & nephews. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his wife Elmyra (Scheffler) Colling, whom he married on September 28, 1957 in Delevan, NY and who died September 9, 2020 and a brother-in-law Danna Snyder, who died in October 2023.
A Catholic Burial Service will be conducted on Saturday, June 15th at 1 o’clock from Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville, with Rev. Daniel Fiebelkorn, of Faith Community Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, officiating. Private Interment will be in Mt. View Cemetery, Olean, NY.
The family suggests memorials may be made to Delevan Fire Department, 85 South Main Street, Delevan, NY 14042. To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
