Kenneth C. "Ken" Stedman
1912-2013


Ken Stedman

BOLIVAR - Kenneth C. "Ken" Stedman, 101, of 75 Wellsville St., passed away Tuesday (July 2, 2013) peacefully and surrounded by family and friends at the Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville.

Born June 30, 1912, in Buffalo, to William & Miriam Tracey Stedman. Ken married the former Mary Pacaro on May 3, 1937 in Hornell. Mrs. Stedman preceded him in death on Nov. 6, 1988.

Ken was raised on Rock City Road in Olean. A veteran, Ken served in World War II with the 104th Cavalry in England, France, and Germany from 1944-45. He was employed by the former Clark Brothers Co. of Olean, and owned the Richfield Gas Station in Hornell. In 1953, Ken purchased the Belvedere Restaurant and in 1963 the Bolivar Hotel, and worked into his nineties. He was a member of the St. Mary's Church in Bolivar, and the Kenyon Andrus Post 772 of the American Legion in Bolivar. Ken was also a charter member of the Bolivar Lions Club, and was awarded the Melvin Jones Award for distinguished service to Lionism. Ken was an avid sports fan and was the undisputed No. 1 New York Yankees fan.

Surviving are two daughters, Mary (Roy) Scott, of Wellsville; Kathy Stedman, of Busti; one son, Francis Stedman, of Bolivar. Also surviving are three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and one sister, June McGraw, of Tampa, Fla.

In addition to his wife, a son, William Stedman in 1953, and nine brothers and sisters, preceded Ken in death.

Friends may call at the Schaffner Funeral Home, Inc., in Bolivar, on Sunday July 7, 2013 from 2-6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday July 8, 2013 at St. Mary's Church in Bolivar at 11 a.m. with Fr. Thomas Roman as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Ann's Cemetery in Hornell.

Memorials to the Disabled American Veterans Association, Bolivar Lions Club, and the Immaculate Conception School in Wellsville.


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