Pastor Wallace J. “Wally” Mapes Jr. of 64 Foster Hollow entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Friday (Jan. 16, 2026), following a brief illness.

He was born Feb. 13, 1944, in Lockport, N.Y., to Wallace J. Mapes Sr. and Ruby Martin Mapes.

He graduated from Lyndonville High School in 1963 and went on to serve his country in the U.S. Marine Corps until 1967. Wally held several careers, including law enforcement and car sales before answering his true calling after finding Christ. He pursued ministry and graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College in 1988.

On Sept. 30, 1972, he married his high school sweetheart, Ruth, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in faith and love.

Pastor Wally carried the Word of Christ across the country, evangelizing in various churches before founding Healing Reigns Fellowship in 2007. He was well known in the community and could often be found at local establishments enjoying a cup of coffee and striking up conversations with everyone he met.

His greatest passion was sharing the love and message of Christ with others.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle who cherished time spent with family and friends. Wally had a rare gift for making people feel seen, loved and full of hope within moments of meeting them. He made it a point to know everyone’s name and bring a smile to each interaction, and he never left a penny behind if he found one. His legacy of faith, kindness and unwavering love will live on in all who were blessed to know him.

Wally was a proud member of Six Nation Indian Reservation of the Mohawk Tribe in Canada and deeply honored his heritage throughout his life.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Ruth; three sons, Joe (Patricia) Mapes of Vance, Ala., Randy (Chris) Calkins of Honeoye Falls, N.Y., and Adam (Angela) Mapes of Hamlin, N.Y.; and one daughter, Julie Mapes, and her significant other, Edward Prince, of Bradford. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, Randi, Kristopher, Ashlyn, Hunter, Brayden, Ryan, Jarrett, Camryn, Robbie, Devin, Austin and Damien; as well as several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, John and James Mapes; and one sister, Joan Wilsey.

Friends are invited to attend a celebration of life at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at First Church of God, 142 Main St., Eldred, with Pastor James Kazimer and Pastor Jamie Metcalfe co-officiating. A private burial will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Healing Reigns Fellowship, P.O. Box 291, Kill Buck, NY 14748.

Online condolences may be expressed at hollenbeckcahill.com.

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