Obituary of Mary Ellen Olson

Olean – Mary Ellen Wetzel Olson "Loving Wife, Mother, & Grandmother" Mary Ellen Wetzel Olson, 90, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 25, 2020, at Eden Heights. Mary Ellen was born on February 6, 1930 in Washington County, PA and was a daughter of Christy Robert and Melda (Varney) Wetzel. On July 3, 1954, at the First Baptist Church in Shinglehouse, PA, she married her husband of 66 years, Gordon M. Olson, who survives. Mary Ellen was a 1948 graduate of Shinglehouse Schools, where she became employed as the Secretary to the Supervising Principal until 1958. She then continued as the Secretary to the Board of Education for the Shinglehouse Schools, through the jointure of local districts, when the Oswayo Valley Joint School District was formed, until January 1967, when the family moved to the Olean, NY area. She subsequently was employed over the years as a Secretary or Bookkeeper for various Olean companies, including; H&R Block, Inc., First Baptist Church, Biozyme (MDS) Laboratories, Dresser Industries, and Conap, Inc. until she retired in 1992. Mary Ellen was a member of the First Baptist Church of Shinglehouse, PA from April 1952 through January 1967 and the First Baptist Church of Olean, NY from 1968 to present. She enjoyed bowling, square dancing, playing golf, reading, knitting, crocheting, playing cards, singing in the church choir, and traveling to Florida in the winter, where she prepared the community newsletter. Along with her loving husband, Mary Ellen is survived by; 2 children, Penny S. (James) Sorokes of Olean, NY and Robert J. Olson of Portland, TN; 4 grandchildren, Megan E. (Jason) Sorokes Sneed of Davidson, WC, Daniel J. (Ariane) Sorokes of Rochester, NY, Kelli M. Sorokes Heiler of Rochester, NY, and Cole T. Olson of Anchorage, AK; an adopted granddaughter, Dominique J. (John) Lassiter of Suffolk, VA; a step grandson, Arick Robert (Felicia) Grim of Halliday, ND; 6 great grandchildren, Owen Heiler, Bryson and Kinsley Lassiter, and Anastasia, Faustina, and Willow Grim; 2 brothers, Edwin P. Wetzel of Coudersport, PA, and Robert V. Wetzel of Lake Placid, FL; and a sister, Emily M. (Richard) Jordan of Olean. Mary Ellen was predeceased by a sister, Evelyn Jean Engle and 2 brothers, Everett G. Wetzel and David L. Wetzel. A Memorial Service will be held at the Olean First Baptist Church, on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 11:00 am. The Rev. Jason Hladik, the Rev. Millard Cook, and the Rev. Dan McDowell will co-officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 East State Street, Olean. Online condolences may be made at www.LetroMcIntoshSpinkFuneralHome.com. Memorials, if desired, may be made to the First Baptist Church of Olean, 133 South Union Street, Olean, New York 14760.