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Monday, March 26, 2018

Obituary: Wilma M. Sanford, 96, of Little Genesee

Little Genesee - Wilma M. Sanford, 96, of Little Genesee went home to be with the Lord on Friday March 23, 2018. She was born on January 29, 1922 to Clark H. and Nida Ellis Seidhoff in Battle Creek MI. She grew up in Salem WV. Wilma graduated from Salem High School in 1939, and from Salem College in 1943. On August 7, 1943 she married Gordon L. Sanford at Scott Field IL.  She taught school in Somerset Ohio and worked at a civil service job on Muroc Air Base (now Edwards) in California. After World War II Mrs. Sanford came to live on the Sanford Farm in Little Genesee. She was active in the First Seventh Day Baptist Church of Genesee, serving as Treasurer, Deaconess and Trustee. In 2010 she was presented with the Seventh Day Baptist Denominational Woman’s Board “Robe of Achievement” in recognition of her dedication and service to her faith. She was a former president of the Little Genesee Sunshine Society, and was involved with the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. In 1994 she and Gordon were named Town of Genesee “Citizens of the Year”. Wilma was also past president of the Little Genesee Garden Club, a member of the Allegany Co. Bird Club, and the Genesee Quilters Club. She stitched many quilts including one for each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She and her beloved husband were blessed with sixty-eight years of marriage enjoying their extended family and many friends. They enjoyed traveling and were able to visit all fifty states.
 Surviving are four children: David (Patricia) Sanford Wyomissing PA, Cynthia (Gregory) Matthes Springfield VA. Teresa (Douglas) Ploetz Little Genesee, Stephen (Deborah) Sanford Union Dale PA. Ten grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband two brothers, a half-sister and a grandson.
It was Wilma’s request that there be no prior visitation. A Memorial Service will be held in the First Seventh Day Baptist Church of Genesee on Sunday May 27, 2018 at2 p.m. Burial will be in the Bowler Memorial Cemetery Little Genesee. Memorials to First SDB Church of Genesee, PO Box 180, Little Genesee, NY 14754; Or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schaffner Funeral Home Inc. Bolivar.