Obituary of Earle S. Dewey

WESTFIELD - Earle S. Dewey, age 96, of McKinley Rd., Westfield, NY, died Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at Westfield Memorial Hospital, Westfield, NY following a sudden illness. Earle was born on September 3, 1916 in Union City, PA, the son of the late Olin Vern and Mollie (Blackmer) Dewey. A Chautauqua County resident since the age of 2, Earle was a 1933 graduate of Ripley High School. He had worked at home on the family farm, and in 1939, upon the death of his father, took over operation of the farm; farming both Dairy and Grapes. In June of 1946, he married the love of his life, Mildred Swantek Burgess, and together they continued farming until 1963. Earle had been employed by the New York State Thruway Authority from 1957 until his retirement in 1978 from the Westfield Maintenance Department as a Foreman. He is survived by his daughter, Sylvia Rowe of Ripley, NY, his step-son and best friend, William Burgess, also of Ripley. Nine Grandchildren, many great Grandchildren, 2 great great Grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Mildred Swantek Dewey who died on July 16, 2003, his daughter, Marian Dewey, who died on September 6, 2004, his five sisters, Blanche Sanders, Thelma Bretz, Gladys Jerrell, Nellie Dewey and Anna Darling, as well as by his three Brothers, Perry, Clayton and Paul Dewey. Friends may call on Thursday, September 6, 2012 from 6 PM until 8 PM at the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton Street, Westfield, NY, where his Funeral Service will be held on Friday morning at 11:00 AM with Rev. Craig Buelow of the Ripley United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in East Ripley Cemetery. Memorials may be made to The Mellon Center for M.S. Research and Treatment, c/o Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44195. Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send the Dewey family a message of sympathy.