November 4, 2011  

BEAVER FALLS, N.Y.  —  Velma Farney, 79, of Rock Hollow Road, died Friday, Nov. 4, at her home under the care of her family and Lewis County Hospice.  

The funeral will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, at the Beaver Falls United Methodist Church with Rev. Linda J. Harris, Pastor, and Rev. Bruce W. Chapman, retired pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery Annex, Beaver Falls. Calling hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc., Lowville.  

Born Dec. 28, 1931, in Croghan, a daughter of the late Russell L. and Mary B. Lyndaker Grau, she graduated from Beaver Falls High School.  

She married Ralph “Pete” Farney on April 25, 1949, at the Beaver Falls Evangelical United Brethren Church with Rev. Norman Pusey officiating.  

Together with her husband, the couple took over the family farm, “Aaron’s Acres” in April 1955.  The Farney’s were the 5^th generation to own and operate the farm, until their retirement from farming in 1989. Mr. Farney died Jan. 19, 2008.  

Velma was an active member of the Beaver Falls United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school for many years. She was also a member of the churches United Methodist Women.  

She was a girl scout leader for many years, and chaired blood drives, community dinners. She was Lewis County Farm Bureau Women’s Chairperson, and New York State Farm Bureau Chairperson for district #6.   

She was an avid quilter and enjoyed knitting baby sweaters to donate to local charities.  

She was a member of the Lewis County Hospital Auxiliary.  She was voting inspector for the Board of Elections.   

Velma was a good and close friend to many. She was generous with her time and talents.  Although she was an only child, she had many sisters. She found peace by spending her final days at her home. She also enjoyed feeding the birds. 

Surviving are six children, a son and his wife, Timothy J. and Patricia Farney, Beaver Falls; five daughters, Pamela Bulger and her companion, Michael Rolfson, Beaver Falls, Judy and Harry Lawson, Rochester, Kay Fortenbery, Croghan, Carol and David Jackson, Beaver Falls, and Amy and Michael Bradley, Amherst; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, with the ninth expected to arrive on Monday; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.  

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 58 years, Pete; a grandson, Russell F. Fortenbery; her parents, and her step-mother, Marian Zehr. 

 In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Beaver Falls United Methodist Church, Beaver Falls, NY 13305 or Friends of Lewis County Hospice, P.O. Box 266, 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.