Obituary of David J. Sturges

David J. Sturges, 92, of Hultquist Place, 715 Falconer St. Jamestown, formerly of Niobe, NY, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 25, 2014, at his residence. A lifelong area resident, he was born April 29, 1922 in North Clymer, NY, a son of the late Erwin and Georgia Shannon Sturges. He was a 1939 graduate of Panama Central School where he was President and Salutatorian of his class. He was a veteran of World War II serving from April 20, 1945-July 27, 1946. Before his retirement, he was employed by the Town of Harmony Highway Department, serving as highway superintendent for 21 years. He also owned and operated a dairy farm for many years. David was a past member of the Panama Central School Board of Education, Panama Fire Department, and the Niobe Grange. He was a past officer and director of the Bear Lake Dairy Cooperative and the Nedco board of directors in Syracuse. He was also a past member of the Chautauqua County Town and Village Highway Superintendent's Association and the New York State Highway Superintendent's Association, the Harmony Senior Citizens, the Olive Lodge # 575, Free and Accepted Masons, Sherman and the Jamestown Consistory. He also served as Town of Harmony Supervisor and served on the Chautauqua County Legislature. He served on the New York State Soil and Water Committee and was President of the state association for 3 years. He was a director of the Chautauqua County Soil and Water Board for 17 years, 15 years as Chairman. He was past director of the Chautauqua Patrons Insurance Association for 39 years and served as chairman of the board for 15 years. Surviving are his four children, Sharon (Ted) Passarelli of Jamestown, Jack (Linda) Sturges of Corry, PA, Laura Mae (Larry) Nelson of Bemus Point, NY, Richard (Barbara) Sturges of Holland, NY, six grandchildren, Linda Scalise, David Sturges both of Jamestown, Joseph Sturges of Akeley, PA, Mathew Sturges of Bear Lake, PA, Luann Meyer of Rochester, NY, Mark Sturges of Canton, NY and 8 great grandchildren. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his wife the former Violet Farrar Sturges whom he married November 17, 1944, two brothers, Edwin and Merle Sturges and two sisters, Eva Leamer, Charlene Sandstrom. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday in the Panama United Methodist Church. The Rev. Steven Taylor, pastor and the Rev. Daniel S. Rumfelt, chaplain of the Lutheran Home will officiate. Burial will be in the Niobe Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Thursday in the Lind Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service on Friday in the church. Memorials may be made to the Panama United Methodist Church, 12 East Main St. Panama, NY 14767 or to the Lutheran Social Service Foundation, 715 Falconer St. Jamestown, NY 14701.