NEW YORK, October 9 – Wilbur Ross Farney, 81, of Cherry Street, Lyons Falls, died Sunday morning, October 7, 2012 at St. Luke's Hospital, Utica. He was born on July 29, 1931 in Croghan, NY, a son of the late Webster Peter and Alvena Farney.

He graduated from Lowville Academy in 1949. While there he was a Section III heavy weight wrestling champion in the 1948-1949 and 1949-1950 seasons, and was also a member of the football team. He attended Cornell University, leaving after one semester to care for his parents. Mr. Farney served in the U.S. Army from October 23, 1952 until October 14, 1954, as an ambulance driver in Korea. Following his service, he returned to the family farm, and ran the farm along with his brother Herbert until 1976.

On June 29, 1957, he married Margaret Christine Sheppard in Amelia County. She died on March 11, 1963, during the birth of their son, William Ross Farney. On October 21, 1965, he married Janet Marie Higgins in Arcade, NY. She died on March 16, 1973. On February 12, 1976, he married Joan Snyder Krug in Lyons Falls, NY. She died January 7, 2005. He became the manager of Lyng Lumber in 1976, and worked there until his retirement in the 1990s.

Mr. Farney was a member of Lowville Baptist Church. He was a member of B.P.O.E. 1605, Lowville Elks Lodge, Lewis County Memorial Post 6912, VFW, and Lowville American Legion Post 162. He was a past member of Lowville Farm Bureau, and a member of the Railroad Historical Society of NNY, and the Lewis County Citizen's Patrol.

He was an avid fan of all sports, particularly, South Lewis athletics. He enjoyed golf and bowling. He also enjoyed spending time at Effley Flow and traveling. He was a man of great faith, and loved people.

Mr. Farney was the father and step-father of Peter Wilbur and Marie Farney of Bowie, MD, James Andrew Farney of Belleville, NJ, Thomas Earl and Jennifer Farney of Niskayuna, NY, A. Kenneth and JoAnn Krug of Rome, NY, and Carol and David Szalach of Lyons Falls, NY. He is also survived by a brother, Herbert Hoover and Berneda Farney; and a sister, Janet Burnham, both of Lowville; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was a brother-in-law of Shirley Goodman. Mr. Farney is predeceased by a son, William Ross Farney, brother, Paul Webster Farney, twin sisters, Betty and Bessie Farney, and brother-in-law, Stewart Burnham.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 11, at the Lowville Baptist Church, with the Rev. Anthony Bradseth, pastor, officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow the funeral service in the Apostolic Christian Cemetery, Croghan.

Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 10, at Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc., 5702 Waters Road, Lowville.

Contributions may be made to Lewis County Hospital Foundation, Dialysis Unit, 7785 N. State St., Lowville, NY 13367.

Iseneker Funeral Home, New York, is serving the family. Condolences may be made online at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com