George R Waldren

George R. Waldren Jr., 83, of 1301 Lake Creek Road, Cooperstown, died at 10:35 a.m. Friday, May 29, 2009, at UPMC Northwest, Seneca. Born June 14, 1925, in Olean, N.Y., he was the son of the late George R. Waldren Sr. and Laura M. Fanning. A veteran of World War II, Mr. Waldren served with the U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations. He earned the Bronze Star Medal for valor for going through the Seigfried line. He also earned the coveted Soldier's Medal of Ludwigslust, Germany, when a German ammunition dump caught fire. Mr. Waldren was a superintendent for Dunn Steel in Buffalo, N.Y. He attended the Cooperstown Evangelistic Tabernacle. He was a life member of the Franklin VFW Jesse Greer Post No. 1835 and and was a life member of the American Legion Post No. 808 in Belmont, N.Y. He was first married to the former Phyllis B. Crosson, who preceded him in death Dec. 11, 2000. He was later married on Sept. 29, 2001, to the former Laura V. Bennett, who survives. Survivors also include three children, Dawn Waldren of Belmont, N.Y., Linda Haskell of Belmont, N.Y., and Michael L. Waldren and his wife, Carolyn, of Yukon, Okla,; several grandchildren; and too many great-grandchildren to name. In addition to his parents and first wife, Mr. Waldren was preceded in death by a brother, William M. Waldren; and two sisters, Gladys Farris and Betty Jones. There will be no visitation. Interment will be in Cooperstown Cemetery. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Cooperstown Evangelistic Tabernacle, P.O. Box 176, Cooperstown, 16317. The Gardinier Funeral Home of Franklin is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.