Clarabelle Mae Fehlman

A lifelong area resident, she was born Dec. 23, 1932, in Panama, N.Y., the daughter of the late Merle and Evora Stebbins Vandenburg.

Clarabelle graduated from the former Celoron High School in 1951. After graduating she worked for dentist Dr. Conrad Nelson. Clarabelle attended Ora- Jean Beauty Academy in Erie, Pa., receiving her hairdressing and cosmetology license in 1956. In 1958 she opened Be Lovely Beauty Shop first located at 27 W. Main St., Falconer, then later was owner and operator of Be Lovely Beauty Shop at 168 S. Work St., in their family home for many years. In 1983, she started working for Lutheran Social Services in their beauty shop retiring in 2008 at the age of 75, completing 52 years as a beautician. Following retirement, she volunteered at the Lutheran Home. Clarabelle attended the Falconer United Methodist Church and Christ Chapel at the Lutheran Home.

In earlier years, Clarabelle loved having her family over for Sunday dinners and holidays. She had a big heart and was dedicated to her family and friends. She could sit and talk to a stranger as if she had known them of years. Beside her love for her family and cats she enjoyed traveling especially with her friend and former boss, Marie Schroeder.

Clarabelle was the wife of 55 years to the late William L. Fehlman, whom she married June 30, 1956 in Jamestown, N.Y., and who passed away Jan. 20, 2012.

She is survived by two daughters: Kathleen Cooley and Judith (Patrick) Bull of Falconer; a son, William (Valerie) Fehlman II of Williamsburg, Va.; grandmother to: Colleen, Dana (Chet) and Matthew Clark, Katie and Krista Cooley (Tim), Tara (Jason) VandeVelde, Amber (David) Seekings, Brittney (Michael) Olson, Blaire (Asher) and Caroline Fehlman; great-grandmother to: Austin, Morgan, Ryann, Stephen, Zander, Kayleigh, AJ, Dakota, Lucas, Mia, Bella, Zack, Jake, Natalie and Josh; sister-in-law to Shirley Vandenburg. She is also survived by her close friends: Vern Wilson, Marie Schroeder and Karen Marg.

Besides her parents and husband, Clarabelle was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Vandenburg.

The family of Clarabelle would like to thank Dr. McKimm, the 5th floor and 3C staff at UPMC Chautauqua for the exceptional care of their mother and very special thank you to Dr. Sapple for his deep concern, compassion and care in her time of need.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday in the Falconer Funeral Home. The Rev. Daniel S. Rumfelt, chaplain of Lutheran will officiate. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, Falconer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be donated to the Chautauqua County Hmane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701.

Visit our website at www.falconerfuneral home.net to send a message of condolence.