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Obituary Notice- Agnes B. Howard

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HowardAFREDONIA:  Agnes B. Howard, 97, a resident of the WCA Home, Temple Street, Fredonia, formerly of Forestville, passed away Friday, June 20th, 2014.  She was born in Cottage on August 16, 1916, the daughter of the late David J. and Mabel (DeRemer) Ball.

As a resident of Forestville since early childhood, Mrs. Howard graduated from the former Forestville Free Academy & High School in 1933 and later from the former Dunkirk Business Institute.  Mrs. Howard’s first job was bookkeeper & secretary in the office of Dr. George B. Ubel of Silver Creek.  In 1936, she returned to Forestville School as the first Secretary to the Principal that the school ever had.  Soon, this job included being Clerk of the Board of Education until 1946, when her late husband Merritt returned from the service in WWII.

For the next 30 years, she worked with her late husband in their farm equipment sales & building construction business.  Also, during some of those years, she & her late husband enjoyed raising & promoting Registered Polled Hereford Cattle.  They were both active in State & National Organizations and in 4-H Livestock Activities.  Rather than retiring at the usual time, she started a different job at the Chautauqua County Social Services Medical Accounting Office in Mayville.  After 6 years, she returned to the Forestville Board of Education Office to work half-time as Deputy Treasurer until 2006, when she retired at age 90.

School history was her deep interest and for many years she served as Historian of the Forestville Central School Alumni Association.  The school bell purchased by the ladies of the village in 1845, has been a special item.  It is a tradition now that the bell is rung to open the school year, just as it rang to open school each day until 1928.

She was a member of the Forestville United Methodist Church, J. Carter Knapp American Legion Post #953, Ladies Auxiliary, Forestville, the Pioneer Social Club of Forestville, was Past Noble Grand of the former Grapevine Rebekah Lodge and Past President of NY Cattlemen’s Woman’s Auxiliary known as NY Cowbelles.

Survivors include 3 Nieces Irene Maxson Waxham of Lexington, Kentucky, Grace Maxson Jones of Cattaraugus, Alta Maxson of Atlanta, Georgia, 2 Nephews David R. Ball of Forestville, Roger D. Ball of Frewsburg and 15 Great nieces and nephews.  Beside her parents she was predeceased by her husband Merritt E. Howard whom she married September 10, 1935 and who died Dec. 6, 1992, by 2 sisters Alice J. Ball and Ina Ball Maxson, 2 nephews Charles Ball and Lee Maxson.

Friends are welcome to call at the Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Tuesday from 2-4 & 7-9 pm, from where Funeral Services will be held Wednesday morning, at 11 o’clock, with Rev. Bruce M. Ellis, pastor of the Forestville Wesleyan Church, officiating.   Private Interment will be in Pioneer Cemetery, Forestville.  The family suggests memorial donations may be made to the Forestville United Methodist Church, 3 Park Street Forestville, NY 14062.  To post condolences go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.

1 Comment

  • Dick Rodriguez
    Posted June 24, 2014 at 11:46 pm

    Agnes was my mentor, a person who believed in me. She calmed me in the many storms of my first Superintendency at Forestville. Her business sense and common sense ferried me and the School District through several rough budget waters. She was a friend and companion who introduced me to the many lovely folks of Forestville. She lovingly called me and my wife her brother and sister, more than just friends – for life. We can hardly wait to see her again in the life to come, but for now we’ll miss her dearly.

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