Wellsville, NY

RUTH E. ACKLEY, 82 of 12 Herman Avenue passed away on Friday February 20, 2004 at the Wellsville Highland Healthcare Center. She was born on August 5, 1921 in Olean, the daughter of Fred and Flora (Baker) DeGolier.  On July 19, 1947 in Olean she married Clifford “Duke” Ackley who survives.

She was a 1939 graduate of Olean High School and a 1940 Secretarial Science graduate of the Bryant & Stratton Business Institute in Buffalo.  She was employed by the Kenmore Bakery as a bookkeeper from 1940 – 1941; Clark Brothers Co. Inc. in Olean as the secretary to the Assistant Chief Engineer from 1941 – 1943; Bell Aircraft Corporation in Niagara Falls as the secretary to the assistant Chief Test Pilot and the secretary to the Vice-President of Engineering from 1943 - 1947; and Air Preheater Corp. in Wellsville  from 1951 to 1981 as the executive secretary to George D. Braddon and secretary to Tom Woolard, President of Air Preheater. She came to Wellsville in 1947. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, a former member of the Wellsville Lioness Club and the Lady Elks. 

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter: Linda (Barry) Gridley of Wellsville, 3 grandchildren: Bernie, Chelsea, and Matthew Gridley of Wellsville, 2 sisters: Betty DeGolier of Clermont, FL, and Helen Simons of Milford, DE, and 1 nephew.

She is predeceased by a daughter, Peggy Ackley, and a son, David Ackley.

Friends are invited to call on Monday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville, and on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Wellsville.  The funeral service will follow visitation on Tuesday at 11:00 am with Rev. Robert Morris Presiding.  Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Wellsville. The Wellsville Lions Club will pay their respects at 7:00 pm Monday and memorial suggestions include the Trinity Lutheran Church.