Elaine F. Gierlinger
Elaine F. Gierlinger, born Friday, Oct. 1, 1937, peacefully passed on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at the Heritage Park Nursing Home in Jamestown, NY. She was the firstborn of Frank X. and Sophia S. (Piekarski) Gierlinger, growing up in Depew until eighth grade when the family moved to Charlotte Center, NY. She graduated from Cassadaga Valley Central School in 1955, marrying her high school sweetheart, Edwin R. Gibbens, died on June 1, 2014, beginning her adult life as a US Navy wife, living in NY, ME, TN, and Florida, and then returning to the Charlotte Center/Sinclairville area to raise their four children.
Her career always seemed to encompass caring for others as a nurse’s aide for The Heritage Village, The Resource Center, and as a Home Health Caregiver. At home, many hours were spent canning produce and making jams, jellies, and various pickles. Christmas was always a treat for her and those she loved – sharing her homemade cookies and candies of all sorts.
She had a great love for the Amish community whom she so enjoyed. She gave them rides, and even more so, became a part of their community. They returned their appreciation for her by referring to her affectionately, with a smile in their voices, as Elaine Hostettler.
She enjoyed reading, sewing, knitting, crocheting, Scrabble, crossword puzzles, many arts and crafts, and almost all types of music. She loved a good cup of coffee while reading the newspaper or chatting with family and friends. Later in life she leaned heavily on her sturdy friend, Fred, her cane.
Survived by her children: son, Arthur (Renee) Gibbens of Fridley, MN; son-in-law, Ivan Chompalov of Jamestown, NY; daughter, Brenda (Matthew) Hitchcock of Cherry Creek, NY; and son, Roger (Monique) Gibbens of Sewanee, TN; grandchildren: Mathias Gibbens, Kestrel Eliasson, Philip Gibbens, Nathen (Allison) Lang, Xavier Whitcome, Aimee Gibbens, and David Gibbens; great-grandchildren, Jonathan Lang and Ava Gibbens; brother, Frank Gierlinger III of Sinclairville, NY; and three nephews, Frank Gierlinger IV, Peter (Andrea) Gierlinger, and Kevin (Jennifer) Gierlinger.
Predeceased by her sister, Alice (Henry) Zima of Englewood, Florida; daughter, Sue (Ivan) Chompalov of Clymer, NY; niece, Tammy (Charles) Sobczak of Buffalo, NY; and sister-in-law, Claudia (Frank III) Gierlinger of Sinclairville, NY.
A visitation will be held at Jordan Funeral Home, Sinclairville, NY Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026 from 5 to 8pm Friday, a funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Jan. 16, 2026 at 1pm with an hour visitation prior to the service.
Committal and Internment will be at Charlotte Center Cemetery, Sinclairville, NY at 3pm Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 – immediately following the funeral service.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Westfield Stray Cat Rescue at: 59 East Main Street, Westfield, NY, 14787.