Donald M. Ferguson:
Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather
Donald M. Ferguson, 91, of 572 Horse Run Road, Little
Genesee, passed away Monday, January 13, 2025 at home surrounded by family
after a lengthy illness.
Born on July 30, 1933, in Brocton, New York he was a son of
Merle and Alice (Ward) Ferguson. On July
5, 1954, in Brocton, he married the former Nina Howard who predeceased him on
January 20, 2019.
Don was a graduate of Brocton High School Class of
1951. He then went to Alfred State
College for Ceramic Engineering.
While at Alfred State, he was drafted into the United States
Army serving nine months. He then enlisted in active duty serving from January
29, 1954 until January 28, 1957 and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and
National Defense Service Medal for his service.
After his military service, in 1966 he began working for the former
Clark Brothers in Olean as an engineer and retired in 1997. He also served as a licensed local pastor
beginning in 1971, serving Methodist Churches in Short Tract, Wiscoy, Bolivar,
Allentown, Alma, Limestone, and Kill Buck.
Don was a member of the Bolivar United Methodist Church
where he taught Sunday School for over 20 years.
His interests included target shooting, trap shooting,
reading and Astronomy. He was a member
of the Cherry Springs State Park in Coudersport where he taught others about
astronomy and liked to help guide others on what they were viewing through the
telescopes. When his children were
young, he enjoyed camping and having baseball games in the backyard and later
in life enjoyed Celtic Festivals and researching his Scottish heritage. He loved listening to bagpipes and classical
music, but most all he like spending time with his family and his feline
companion Bubby.
Don is survived by his children David (Cathy) Ferguson of Westfield,
NY, Terry Wilson of Bolivar, Donald
Ferguson, Jr. of Shinglehouse and Karen (Michael) Coakley of Gilbert, AZ; 13
Grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren; Many
Nieces and Nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by a
sister Marjorie Roberts and a son-in-law Ivan “Fred” Wilson.
The family will receive friends at the Bolivar United
Methodist Church, 80 Friendship, Street, Bolivar, New York 14715, from Noon
until 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 18, 2025. A Funeral Service will begin at
2. The Rev. Dawn Quesenberry and Rev.
Elva Cornell will co-officiate. Burial will be in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Bolivar,
New York. Arrangements are under
direction of the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc.,
Bolivar. Memorials may be made the
Bolivar United Methodist Church.
Online condolences may be sent at www.rinkerfuneralhome.com.
