Obituary of Viola W. Dunham

Viola M. Dunham “Pastor’s wife” Olean, NY-- Viola W. Dunham, 91, formerly of Allegany died Monday (November 21, 2005) at The Pines in Olean, NY. Born March 16, 1914 on the Five Mile Rd. in Allegany she was the daughter of Clair and Grace Whitney Whitlock. On May 8, 1932 she married Rev. Verne L. Dunham who predeceased her October 21, 1972. Mrs. Dunham was a graduate of Allegany High School and of Teacher Training School in Olean. In the late 1930’s she taught at a one room schoolhouse off of the Five Mile Rd. in Allegany. She served as a pastor’s wife at the First Baptist Church in Cherry Creek, NY, the First Baptist Church in Westfield, NY, the Euclid Avenue Baptist Church in Lorain, OH, the First Baptist Church in Castile, NY and the Maranatha Memorial Baptist Church in Dover, DE. She had been a member of the Five Mile Baptist Church in Allegany for many years and had taught Sunday School until her 80th birthday. Surviving are 1 daughter Vaughn Estep of Harrisburg, PA; 3 sons Dr. Valgene (Betty) Dunham of Conway, SC, Virgil (Sheila) Dunham of Little Valley and Verlee (Andrea) Dunham of Littleton, CO; 7 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; 1 sister Alma Chesebro Rex of Machias and several cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends. Friends may visit with the family at the Five Mile Baptist Church from noon until 2:00pm on Tuesday (November 29, 2005) after which a funeral service will be held. Rev. James Mitchell, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Five Mile Cemetery, Allegany. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Ave., NY, NY 10001 (www.alzfdn.org) or to The Pines Health and Rehabilitation Center 2245 W. State St. Olean, NY 14760. Arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean.