Obituaries published the week of October 6, 2005

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In Memoriam

Ralph Mehlenbacher

Perkinsville/Wayland - Ralph Mehlenbacher, 87, passed away Sept. 26 at the Vincent House comfort Care Health Care Facility in Wayland. He was born Aug. 5, 1918 in South Dansville, the son of Edwin and Bernice (Loveland) Mehlenbacher. He resided in the Loon Lake area until he was 19. Then Ralph moved to Perkinsville to work as a hired man at Sunnyview Dairy Farms, for a widow, Pearl Lander Isaman, along with her three daughters. On April 6, 1940, Ralph and Pearl were married. Together they owned and operated the dairy farm. For several years, they would make 50-70 pounds of butter and whipped cream and distribute it weekly to their customers in Wayland and surrounding communities. As the girls got older and left home, Ralph and Pearl stacked the butter crocks and started sending the milk to the creamery. They also took great pride in their Guernsey cattle. For several years they took their cattle to different fairs and received many Grand Champion Awards. After 26 years of marriage, Pearl passed away on Oct. 14, 1966. Ralph continued to operate the dairy farm and on March 15, 1968 he married Eleanor Harter Bronson. Together they operated the farm and during their years together,they also raised beef cattle. After 11 years of marriage, on Oct. 29, 1979, Eleanor passed away. In 1984, Ralph sold Sunny View Farms to his granddaughter and her husband, Donna Recktenwald Gessner and Jack Gessner. He then purchased a home on Granger Road in Wayland. During his retirement from the farm, he volunteered delivering Meals on Wheels for over 20 years. Also on Dec. 11, 1999 he married Dorothy Elsenheimer Kiefer who survives him and resides in Hornell. He was director of the German Mutual Insurance Company for 48 years, also serving as their treasurer for eight years and their secretary for 10 years. He was the president of St. Peter's Cemetery Association for the past 37 years along with being a member of St.Peter's United Church of Christ for over 65 years. He was a life-long member of the Perkinsville Fire Department and a member of the Golden-Agers. Another group he enjoyed being a member of was the Buds-n-Blossoms Square Dance Club. Ralph was a hard worker and a dedicated volunteer that still found time to spend with his family. He was a loving father that was very proud of his entire family. Ralph was predeceased by his parents; wife Pearl Lander Isaman; wife Eleanor Hater Bronson; daughter, Betty Flickner and son-in-law Carl Flickner; son-in-law Kenneth Recktenwald; brother Erwin “Mike” Mehlenbacher; and sister-in-law Wilma Mehlenbacher. He is survived by his wife Dorothy Elsenheimer Kiefer Mehlenbacher of Hornell; his daughters, Frances (Ray) Mehlenbacher of Cohocton and Donna Recktenwald of Dansville; his grandchildren, Kaye “Cookie” (John) Clifford of Cohocton, Karen (Tom) Snowman of Cohocton, Harold (Cheryl) Flickner of Dansville, Donna (Jack) Gessner of Wayland, Shirley (Dennis) Rawleigh of Canaseraga, Nancy (Charles) Holtz of Wayland and Sally (Robert) Bartoo of Canaseraga; 16 great grandchildren; 12 great great grandchildren; brothers Alvie (Theda) Mehlenbacher of Perkinsville, Ray (Frances) Mehlenbacher of Cohocton, Charles Mehlenbacher of Cohocton, Clinton (Laura) Mehlenbacher of Loon Lake; sister, Alma (Donald) Oas of Naples,; sister-in-law Hazel Mehlenbacher of Cohocton; along with several nieces and nephews. Ralph's family and friends called Thursday at the St. George-Stanton Funeral Home, 109 W. Naples St., Wayland. Ralph's Funeral Service was conducted Friday at St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Perkinsville with Rev. David Hotchkiss officiating. Interment, St. Peter's Cemetery in Perkinsville. Contributions in Ralph E. Mehlenbacher's memory may be made to the Vincent House, 310 Second Ave., Wayland NY 14572.

Anita R. Sutor

Anita R. Sutor, 86, 4600 Millennium Dr. in Geneseo and formerly of Brewster, N.Y., died Oct. 2, 2005 at the Livingston County Skilled Nursing Facility in Geneseo. She was born Dec. 23, 1918 in Yonkers, N.Y. the daughter of Joseph O'Brien and Mary (Hadzar) O'Brien. She was employed by Brewster Central School District as a librarian assistant for five years. She enjoyed reading and gardening. She resided in Geneseo for the past six years. Prior to that she resided in Brewster, N.Y. She was predeceased by her husband, Benjamin F. Sutor Aug. 26, 1968. She is survived by two sons, Robert (Judith Hunter) Sutor of Geneseo and Richard (Christiana) Sutor of Manhattan, N.Y.; two daughters, Kristin (Jay) Gaulard of Willington, N.C. and Ruthanne (Art) Terrero of Malverne, N.Y.; one brother Paul (Helen) O'Brien of Connecticut; eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. No prior calling. Funeral Service will be private, at the convenience of the family. Burial, Oakland Cemetery in Yonkers, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.