Gordon M. Oste, 87, of 4064 Dutch Hollow Road, Bemus Point, died at 2:56 a.m. Monday (Nov. 30, 2009), in WCA Hospital.
He was born June 13, 1922, in Jamestown, the son of Frank and Esther Pearson Oste.
He was the valedictorian of the class of 1940 of Bemus Point High School, and was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II.
Prior to retiring in 2001, he was the owner and operator of the former Bemus Point Hardware Store for 39 years, and had served as the town of Ellery justice from 1958 to 1985. In earlier years, he had been a route driver for the former City View Dairy.
Mr. Oste was 60-year member of Ellery Memorial Post 947 American Legion, and was also a member of Ellery Post 557 Veterans of Foreign Wars, the War Veterans Recreation Club, and the Ellery Sharpshooters Hunting Camp. Additionally, he was a member of the Bemus Point Volunteer Fire Department and was a life member of the Ellery Center Volunteer Fire Department.
He enjoyed golfing and hunting, and loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He is survived by a daughter, Marlene K. Sanders of Jamestown; three sons: Douglas D. Oste of Bemus Point, Barry E. Oste of Jamestown, and Bruce D. Oste of Erie, Pa.; eight grandchildren: Cristy Oste of Erie, Elizabeth Oste of Dunkirk, David Oste of Columbus, Ohio, and Daniel, Kimberly, Allison, and Karen Oste, and Jeffrey Sanders, all of Jamestown; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, A. Lillian Okerlund Oste, whom he married May 2, 1942, and who died March 15, 1995; four brothers: Clair, Kenneth, Wallace, and Duane Oste; and by a sister, Winifred Larson.
A private funeral service will be at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Bemus Point Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in Powers, Present & Sixbey Funeral Home. Messages to the family may be sent by visiting the website www.presentsixbeyfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials may be made to the Ellery Center Volunteer Fire Department, 4400 Dutch Hollow Road, Bemus Point, NY 14712; or to the Bemus Point Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 306, Bemus Point, NY 14712.
