Share Your Memory of
Edward
Obituary of Edward Gelen
Please share a memory of Edward to include in a keepsake book for family and friends.
Olean- Edward J. Gelen of 3214 Cranberry Road, passed away Thursday (July 25, 2013) at his home, after a long illness.
Born September 12, 1929 in Buffalo, NY he was the son of Edward and Irene Helmer Gelen. On July 14, 1956 at St. Mary's Church in Little Valley, he married Patricia R. Loftus, who survives.
Mr. Gelen attended St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute of Buffalo and Canisius College. He was a veteran of the Korean War from 1951 to 1953, having served with the US Army Signal Corps as a radio operator in Okinawa, Japan.
Mr. Gelen was the owner and operator of Salamanca Ford Motors for thirty years and retired in 1992. He was a member of the former St. Pacificis Church and more recently a member of St. Bonaventure Church, the Salamanca American Legion Hughes Skiba Post #535 and the Salamanca VFW. He was a member of the Salamanca Kiwanis Club and the Ellicottville School Board and former President of the Ford Dealers Advertising Association. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Elkdale Country Club where he also served on the board of directors.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by five children Mary (Chris) Domes of Manitowoc, WI, Kathleen (William) McKee of Rochester, Michael (Ellen) Gelen of Buffalo, James (Denyiel) Gelen of Allegany, Carol (Nicholas) Skudlarek of Olean; nine grandchildren Cole, Zachary and Brenna Gelen, Kelley and Liam McKee, Maggie and Patrick Gelen and Thomas and Katie Skudlarek; one sister Eileen Schiesel of Albany, NY; a brother-in-law Michael (Arielle) Loftus of Little Valley and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by one sister Jean Hartwig.
Friends may gather with the family on Friday (August 2, 2013) from 6-8pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean. A memorial mass, followed by a reception, will be held on Saturday (August 3, 2013) at 10:00am at St. Bonaventure Church. Rev. James Vacco, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial with military honors will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.
Memorials if desired may be made to a charity of the donors choice.
A Memorial Tree was planted for Edward
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Casey Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home
Services for Edward Gelen
Visit the Tribute Store
Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event
Ongoing
Online Event
About this Event
In Loving Memory
Edward Gelen
1929 - 2013
Look inside to read what others have shared
Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book.
