Donald M. Ferguson:  Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather

Donald M. Ferguson, 91, of 572 Horse Run Road, Little Genesee, passed away Monday, January 13, 2025 at home surrounded by family after a lengthy illness.

Born on July 30, 1933, in Brocton, New York he was a son of Merle and Alice (Ward) Ferguson.  On July 5, 1954, in Brocton, he married the former Nina Howard who predeceased him on January 20, 2019.

Don was a graduate of Brocton High School Class of 1951.  He then went to Alfred State College for Ceramic Engineering.

While at Alfred State, he was drafted into the United States Army serving nine months. He then enlisted in active duty serving from January 29, 1954 until January 28, 1957 and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal for his service.  After his military service, in 1966 he began working for the former Clark Brothers in Olean as an engineer and retired in 1997.  He also served as a licensed local pastor beginning in 1971, serving Methodist Churches in Short Tract, Wiscoy, Bolivar, Allentown, Alma, Limestone, and Kill Buck.

Don was a member of the Bolivar United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School for over 20 years.

His interests included target shooting, trap shooting, reading and Astronomy.  He was a member of the Cherry Springs State Park in Coudersport where he taught others about astronomy and liked to help guide others on what they were viewing through the telescopes.  When his children were young, he enjoyed camping and having baseball games in the backyard and later in life enjoyed Celtic Festivals and researching his Scottish heritage.  He loved listening to bagpipes and classical music, but most all he like spending time with his family and his feline companion Bubby.

Don is survived by

His children              David (Cathy) Ferguson                Westfield, NY                      

                                    Terry Wilson                                    Bolivar

                                    Donald Ferguson, Jr.                      Shinglehouse

                                    Karen (Michael) Coakley              Gilbert, AZ

13 Grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren.

Many Nieces and Nephews

In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by a sister Marjorie Roberts and a son-in-law Ivan “Fred” Wilson. 

The family will receive friends at the Bolivar United Methodist Church, 80 Friendship, Street, Bolivar, New York 14715, from Noon until 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 18, 2025. A Funeral Service will begin at 2.  The Rev. Dawn Quesenberry and Rev. Elva Cornell will co-officiate.

Burial will be in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Bolivar, New York

Arrangements are under direction of the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., Bolivar.

Memorials may be made the Bolivar United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be sent at www.rinkerfuneralhome.com