Wendell Seeley, 69, of Gillett, Pa., passed away at the Elcor Nursing Home in Horseheads, N.Y., on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, after a relatively short illness. Wendell lived in the hills east of Gillett with Dean Granger, his good friend of over 40 years.
Wendell Oliver Seeley was born on Sept. 3, 1940 at the family farm in Canton Township, Pa., near Windfall. He was one of ten children in the family of the late Clyde H. and Mildred (Smith) Seeley. Wendell attended earlier grades at Troy Schools and graduated from Canton High School in 1958. He served in the U.S. Air Force, including a tour at a NATO Base in Turkey. A talented cook, Wendell loved preparing food; he owned and operated Elmira's "The Donut Shop" for several years. He also worked as an electrician, land surveyor and was a school bus driver for more than ten years. Wendell built his own house and barn, twice.
As a young man, Wendell became especially fond of the draft horses that did much of the farm's hauling. This respect led him to a favorite hobby of raising draft horses in his later years. Wendell was a founder of the Endless Mountains Draft Horse Association. He helped organize the annual horse show at the Troy Fair for several years.
Wendell and Dean's home has a wonderful view and became the site of the annual Seeley/Smith Reunion each Memorial Day. "Uncle Wendell" reveled in overseeing the preparation of delicious foods and hosting this event that drew dozens of relatives from across the country over a three-day period.
In addition to Dean, surviving are his siblings, Clyde T. Seeley of Canton, Pa., James R. Seeley of Churchville, Va., Melissa (Powers) Coppola and Donna Seeley both of Elmira, N.Y. and Veronica Newell of Wellsburg, N.Y. Wendell loved his many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews as if they were his own children. Also surviving are many cousins, dear friends and neighbors.
He was predeceased by four sisters, Evelyn (Seeley) Anderson, Madeline (Seeley) Maynard, Betty Seeley and Winnifred (Seeley) Smouther; a niece, Marge; two nephews, Steve and Dan; a sister-in-law, Joanne Seeley; and a brother-in-law, Herb Anderson.
Calling hours are 1–3 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at Pepper Funeral Home in Canton. Burial will be in Grover Cemetery. Donations in Wendell's memory may be made to a charity of one's choice.
Published in Daily Review from March 4 to March 5, 2010
[Great-grandson of SGS # 3686 - Wendell Oliver; Clyde Herman; James Arnold; James (#3686); William (# 1692); Samuel; Nathaniel; Ebenezer-, Jonas; Obadiah]
|
