SILVER CREEK – LaVerne E. “Verne” Seeley, 87, of Silver Creek died Monday (July 11, 2011) at the TLC Lake Shore Nursing Home in Irving, NY.
He was born Dec. 21, 1923 in Irving, NY, the son of the late Jasper B. and Olive (Snyder) Seeley.
Verne worked for the Ford Stamping Plant in Woodlawn, NY as a press operator, retiring with 30 years of service.
He was a veteran of World War II, entering active duty April 29, 1944 in the U.S. Navy and honorably discharged May 23, 1946.
Verne was a loving husband and dedicated father. He was a proud WWII veteran whose patriotism and integrity were evident in his life.
He was a former amateur boxer and recipient of the Golden Glove Championship which he shared with his brother Bill. He loved God’s creation and took great pleasure in planting trees, tending grapes and growing flowers. Always welcomed in his home, he enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by all.
A life member of the Samuel Cimino VFW Post 6472 in Silver Creek, he also belonged to Ship #231 Navy Club.
Surviving are his wife of 39 years, Ruby J. (Wells) Seeley; three daughters, Dyanne L. Seeley of Dunkirk, Susan A. (Donald) Denny of Derby, NY and Janice L. Penharlow of Fredonia; a stepson, Donald E. (Sandy) Wells of Hilton, NY; 10 grandchildren, Melissa Callahan, Kara (Calvin) Saletta, Chad Paolini, Amber Hubbard, Tiffany Penharlow, Olivia (Ted) Widger, Allison (Nick) Muck, Jennifer (Kyle) Whigham, Stacy Wells and Halona Koch; 10 great-grandchildren, Katelynn, Kye, Coen, Jonas, Brendan, Emily, Jude, Jocelyn, Jayden and Evelyn; and two sisters-in-law, Vivian Seeley of Forestville, NY and Ina Seeley of Irving, NY.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, William, Willard and Robert Seeley; two sisters, Pearl Myers and Jeanette Griewisch; and a grandson, Justin E. Koch.
Funeral service 11 a.m. Thursday in Hole-Parker Funeral Chapel, Silver Creek. Visitation 2-4 and 7-9 today.
The family wishes to ex-press their sincere appreciation to TLC Nursing Home and Hospice for their kindness and care given to Verne and his family.
To send condolences, go to www.holeparker.com.
Published in The Observer (Dunkirk, NY) on July 13, 2011
