October 8, 2012  

LYONS FALLS, N.Y.  —  Wilbur Ross Farney, 81, of Cherry Street, died Sunday morning, Oct. 7, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Utica.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at Lowville Baptist Church with Rev. Anthony Bradseth, pastor, officiating. Burial with military honors will follow the funeral service in the Apostolic Christian Cemetery, Croghan. 

Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, at Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc., 5702 Waters Road, Lowville.

Born July 29, 1931 at Idle Ease in Croghan, a son of the late Webster Peter and Alvena Farney, he graduated in 1949 from Lowville Academy. While at Lowville Academy, Wilbur was a Section III heavy weight wrestling champion in the 1948-1949 and 1949-1950 seasons, and was also a member of the football team. He attended Cornell University, leaving after one semester to care for his parents. 

Mr. Farney served in the U.S. Army from October 23, 1952 until October 14, 1954, as an ambulance driver in Korea. 

Following his service, Wilbur returned to the family farm, and ran the farm along with his brother Herbert until 1976. 

On June 29, 1957, he married Margaret Christine Sheppard in Amelia County, Virginia. She died on March 11, 1963, during the birth of their son, William Ross Farney. On October 21, 1965, he married Janet Marie Higgins in Arcade, NY. She died on March 16, 1973. On February 12, 1976, he married Joan Snyder Krug in Lyons Falls, NY. Joan died Jan. 7, 2005. 

Wilbur became the manager of Lyng Lumber in 1976, and worked there until his retirement in the 1990s.

Mr. Farney was a member of Lowville Baptist Church. He was a member of B.P.O.E. 1605, Lowville Elks Lodge, Lewis County Memorial Post 6912, VFW, and Lowville American Legion Post 162. He was a past member of Lowville Farm Bureau, and a member of the Railroad Historical Society of NNY, and the Lewis County Citizen’s Patrol.

Wilbur was an avid fan of all sports, particularly, South Lewis athletics. 

He enjoyed golf and bowling. He also enjoyed spending time at Effley Flow and traveling.

Wilbur was a man of great faith, and loved people.

Wilbur was the father and step-father of Peter Wilbur and Marie Farney of Bowie, MD; James Andrew Farney of Belleville, NJ; Thomas Earl and Jennifer Farney of Niskayuna, NY; A. Kenneth and JoAnn Krug of Rome, NY; and Carol and David Szalach of Lyons Falls, NY. He is also survived by a brother, Herbert Hoover and Berneda Farney; and a sister, Janet Burnham, both of Lowville; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. 

A son, William Ross Farney, a brother, Paul Webster Farney, twin sisters, Betty and Bessie Farney, and his brother-in-law, Stewart Burnham, all died before him.

Contributions may be made to Lewis County Hospital Foundation, Dialysis Fund, 7785 N. State Street, Lowville, NY 13367.

Condolences may be made online at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com.





Information provided by Iseneker Funeral Home of Lowville and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.