Murl M. Aten
Murl M. Aten, of 4704 Bemus Ellery Road, Bemus Point, N.Y., died Friday morning, Dec. 11, 2015, at his home, surrounded by his loving wife and daughters.
Murl was born to Herman and Marie Brink Aten on June 30, 1926, in Falmouth, Mich. He has resided in the Bemus Point area for 58 years.
He graduated from high school in Manton, Mich., in 1944, and then went into the U.S Army. After serving in the U.S. Army, he went to Davenport Institute in Grand Rapids, Mich., where he met his wife, Barbara, and graduated with a business degree. Murl and Barb were married in January, 1953, and lived in Chicago, Ill., where their oldest daughter was born. In 1957 they were transferred to Jamestown, N.Y., with his company, Blodgett Uncrated Furniture Service.
Murl always loved working on his farm and raising horses. His passion was draft horses and going to area horse pulls and parades. He shared this passion with his daughters, who learned to love horses as well. He also loved the outdoors, hunting and hanging out with his friends. Murl never knew a stranger.
He will be very missed by his family, his wife of 62 years, Barbara Toogood Aten; his daughters: Sherry (Larry) Johnson of Attica, N.Y., Julie (Scott) Spencer of Dallas, Texas, Gayle (Mick) Pereira of Kilgore, Texas, and foster daughter, Denise (Dennis) Doonan of Bronx, N.Y. They have seven grandchildren: Katie Frantz, Ryan Spencer, Ted Johnson, Alyssa Spencer, J.P. Pereira, Kylie Doonan and Conor Doonan. Also we have recently added two great-grandchildren: Addison Frantz and Macey Frantz. We are a blessed family.
Murl requested no funeral or memorial service. There will be a private graveside service for the family in the spring.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Powers, Present & Sixbey Funeral Home, Inc., 316 E. Fifth St., Jamestown, N.Y.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to either Hospice of Chautauqua County, 20 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750, or the Ellery Center Volunteer Fire Company, 4400 Dutch Hollow Road, Bemus Point, NY 14712, who have both been so special to our family.
Inurnment will be in Bemus Point Cemetery at a later date.
To send condolences to Murl’s family or to light a candle visit www.presentsixbfuneral.com.
We are so thankful to all of our kind and caring neighbors and friends. Murl led his family with strength, love and devotion and we will love him forever.
