Donald M. Ferguson

1933 - 2025

Donald M. Ferguson,

loving husband, father, grandfather

LITTLE GENESEE - Donald M. Ferguson, 91, of 572 Horse Run Road, Little Genesee, passed away Monday (Jan. 13, 2025) at home, surrounded by family, after a lengthy illness.

Born July 30, 1933, in Brocton, 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 Jan. 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 U.S. Army, serving nine months. He then enlisted in active duty serving from Jan. 29, 1954 until Jan. 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, Pa., 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 of Westfield, Terry Wilson of Bolivar, Donald Ferguson Jr. of Shinglehouse, Pa. and Karen (Michael) Coakley of Gilbert, Ariz.; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and 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 from noon until 2 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 18, 2025) at the Bolivar United Methodist Church, 80 Friendship St., Bolivar. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. The Rev. Dawn Quesenberry and Rev. Elva Cornell will co-officiate. Burial will be in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Bolivar.

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.