Wilbert L. Carson

Wilbert L. "Bill" Carson, 87, of 1220 Chestnut St., Franklin, died at 6:20 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, at the Caring Place. Born April 17, 1922, in Franklin, he was the son of Isaac Edward Carson and Tempa Grace Rice Carson. He was married June 19, 1942, to the former Lillian Frances Snyder, who survives. Mr. Carson was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps and was stationed in Quantico, Va. He was discharged from the corps on Dec. 23, 1940. In March 1943 he was inducted into the U.S. Army and was stationed in the Aleution Islands. He was in the China, Burma, India Theater. He returned home Jan. 1, 1946, from India. He was employed at Franklin Steel for 32 years until his retirement in 1979. He was also a substitute mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Cooperstown. Mr. Carson was a member of Cooperstown Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Franklin Eagles, the Cooperstown Fire Department and the Sugarcreek Grange, and he was a life member of the Franklin VFW. Mr. Carson enjoyed rebuildling tractors, hunting, gardening, lawn work and spending time with his favorite dog, Sally. He is survived by a son, Timothy L. Carson and his wife, Diane, of Meadville; two daughters, Ruth Anne Boughner and her husband, Gerald Sr., of Cooperstown and Beth Christine Gordon of Oil City; five grandchildren, Gerald Boughner, Jr. and his wife, Denise, of Cooperstown, Leanne Pritchard and her husband, Thomas, of Franklin, Lauren Osgood and her husband, Steve, of Casselberry, Fla., Joni Cramer and her husband, Scott, of Franklin and Kari Osborn and her husband, Shawn, of Franklin. He also is survived by eight great-grandchildren, John Prichard and his fiancee, Jen Hawkins, of Oil City, Tiffany Prichard, Tyler Thomas, James Thomas, Bobby Cramer and Michael Osborn, all of Franklin, Carly Boughner of Cooperstown and Christian Osborn of Seneca; a sister, Annabelle Whitman of Franklin; a brother in law, Herbert Snyder and his wife, Peggy of Cooperstown, a sister in law, Alvena Snyder of Cooperstown; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Harold Carson, Robert Carson and Clinton Carson; three sisters, Ruth Kyne, Arvilla Snyder and Evelyn Carson; a son, Mark Edward Carson; and a daughter, Roselyn Carson. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. today at the Gardinier Funeral Home, 1315 Chestnut St., Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home with the Rev. Rachel Johns officiating. Interment will follow in Bethel Cemetery. Full military honors will be accorded by the VETS Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.gardinierfuneralhome.com