Dorene ‘Granny’ Gadewoltz

Dunkirk: Dorene “Granny” M. Gadewoltz, 87, a resident of Chautauqua Nursing & Rehab, Dunkirk, formerly of Forestville, died Friday, November 14, 2025 at her residence. She was born in the Town of Sheridan on January 2, 1938 and was the daughter of the late Alfred and Ella “Ellen” (Powers) Wills.

She went to School #9 in Sheridan and then attended Forestville Central School and worked as an Assembler for Bailey Manufacturing Co., LLC, Forestville for 16 years. Dorene previously worked for the former Hygrade Seed Corn in Fredonia, Precision and Forbes & Wagner, both in Silver Creek.

Granny was a former member of the Sheridan United Methodist Church and liked to decorate for all the holidays, collect angels, read and watch TV. She enjoyed getting together with her loving family for all occasions & liked to see her flowers come up and watch the deer and other animals in the back yard. The Gadewoltz family wishes to thank the staff of Chautauqua Nursing & Rehab for their care, kindness & dedication extended to Dorene and her family.

Survivors include a daughter Wendy (Mark) Guadagno, of Silver Creek, two sons Bruce (Eva) Gadewoltz, of Forestville, and Scott (Lucinda Gelsimino) Gadewoltz, of Forestville. Also surviving are five grandchildren; Aaron (Elaine) Popielarz, Ian (Brenda Kerstetter) Gizowski, Gabbi Gadewoltz, Emily (Charlie Gilbert) Gizowski, Macadam Gadewoltz, three great grandchildren; Lilly & Leah Popielarz and Ali Kerstetter and several nieces & nephews. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her husband William “Willie” Gadewoltz, whom she married on January 11, 1969 in the Town of Sheridan and who died January 29, 2008, an infant son William D. Gadewoltz, two sisters; Shirley Ann (Wills) Majkowski Houser, Mae Emma (Wills) Rogers, and a brother Alfred “Sonny” F. Wills, Jr.

Friends are welcome to call at Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Wednesday from 6-8 PM from where funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 11 o’clock with Pastor Gary Henry, officiating. Interment will follow in Sheridan Center Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials may be made either to the Sheridan Fire Department, PO Box 122, Sheridan, NY 14135, or to the Forestville Fire Department, Inc. PO Box 299, Forestville, NY 14062. To post condolences or memories go to https://rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.