Donald E. KING

Donald E. King 98, of Wellsville, NY, formerly Allentown, passed Saturday, October 4,2025 in Jones Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. 

Born November 27, 1926, at home, he was delivered by his father, Floyd, on the Four Mile Road, Allegany, NY. He was the second oldest of four sons of Floyd and Frances Galletts King. Don attended grade school on the Four Mile Road before the family moved to County Road 18 in Alma, NY. He then went to school in Wellsville.

While attending Wellsville High School, he played sports and graduated in 1944. He enlisted during WWII and served in the Coast Guard as a Radio Technician. Upon returning home he attended St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, NY.

Don married Emma Lou Cleveland of Allentown on July 22, 1950 . Don and Emma Lou enjoyed hunting, fishing, outdoor activities, antiques and were one of the first to perform Estate Tag Sales in our area. Their specialty in collecting was a beautiful Carnival Glass collection. Don also was a very accomplished skeet shooter with many perfect scores. After Emma’s passing in 1995, he married Pauline Goldsmith on February 14, 1998. They also shared a love of antiques and the outdoors. Don started his work career at the age of 16 working part-time for the Franchot Oil Co. while attending school. He then went on to work for the Otswago Corp Oil Lease in Pikeville. He entered partnership with George Wood on July l, 1949 at the Allentown Garage and also distributed Quaker State oil to several oil leases in the area. In 1954, he obtained full ownership of the Allentown Garage which he owned until 1977. Also, in the late 1950’s he was partner in WGK TV (Wood, Green, King) an early TV cable company in Allentown. Don was elected Justice of the Peace for the Town of Alma in 1958 and served in this position for 16 years. In 1972, he became an Allegany County Legislator and served as Chairman of the Board and Budget Officer from 1978 – 1982. He continued to serve as Budget Officer & Legislator from 1982 – 1986. One of his accomplishments was conversion of the county budget onto the computer. He retired from public service in 1986. He kept busy during his retirement enjoying family and friends hosting annual side by side rides and picnics on his beautiful property in Allentown. His love of the woodlands resulted in him learning to turn unique beautiful wood products and he was involved with Allegany Artisans Tour from 2002 – 2015.

In addition to his parents, Don was predeceased by his first wife, Emma Lou, and second wife, Pauline; his brothers, Robert King, Kenneth King, and Bernard King.

Don is survived by daughters, Mary Liz (Stephen Lewis) and Anne King; a stepson, Paul Goldsmith; brother-in-law, Sidney (Sandra) Cleveland; sisters-in-law, Margaret King of California and Susan King of Allegany; grandchildren, Michelle (David Hulse) and Brandon (Jennifer) Smith, Tammy (Paul) McCormick and Stephanie Crawford. He was also blessed with great-grandchildren, Austin (Camryn Dougherty) Crawford, Paul (Kate) McCormick, Trevor (Leah) Hulse, Leah (Tyler) Smith, Sara McCormick, Jackson Smith, and Isabella Smith; several nieces and nephews. 

Don was a life member of St. Mary’s Church in Bolivar, where he served on the Parish Council. He also was a life member of the Allentown Fire Dept. and Alma Rod & Gun Club. After living his life in Allentown, NY at the age of 90 he decided to move to Manor Hills, Wellsville. He was blessed with the loving care he received and the many new friends he met. 

Friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday October 25, 2025 at 11:00 AM in Immaculate Conception Church, Wellsville, NY. Private family burial will be on a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Don be made to the Allentown Fire Department, P.O. Box 82, Allentown, NY 14707. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust & Embser Funeral Homes & Cremation, 34 West State Street, Wellsville, NY. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.