Earl "Ding" W. Olmstead

Earl W. Olmstead, 97, also known as "Ding" by his family and many friends, passed away on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at the Elderwood Assisted Living, where he has resided for the past several years. Born on July 15, 1911 in Nichols, NY, Ding was the son of the late Jay and Elizabeth (Cortwright) Olmstead. A life long resident of Nichols, he married Julia Seck on April 26, 1941. He was a veteran of the US Army 75th Infantry and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He was an employee of the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad for 43 years. Ding was a life member of the Glenn A. Warner Post 1371, Owego. He enjoyed a long retirement, smoking his pipe, working in his garden, mowing his lawn and visiting with friends over a good cup of coffee. Earl is survived by his daughter and son-in-law: Sharon and Raymond Jones of Ulster, Pa; son and daughter-in-law: Richard and Georgie Olmstead of Nichols. A brother-in-law Joseph Seck of Parsippany, NJ; sister-in-law: Mary Wickizer of Saratoga Springs, NY; grandchildren: Staff Sgt. E8 Joseph E. Olmstead, Jeffery (Jennifer) Olmstead, Marie Olmstead, Kathy (Bob) Coon; Richard (Jennifer) Jones; ten great grandchchildren. Several nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Earl was predeceased by his wife Julia (Seck) Olmstead on May 7, 1999; siblings: Nellie Dutton, Clara Mills, Lee Olmstead, Lena Keeler and Clarence Olmstead. Funeral services and a celebration of Earl's life will be held on Sunday, October 5th at 1 pm at the Sutfin Funeral Chapel, 273 South Main St., Nichols. A period of visitation and sharing memories will be held on Saturday, October 4th from 7-9 at the Sutfin Funeral Chapel. Memories and condolences for Ding's family may be shared by visiting our website at www.sutfinfuneralchapel.com Friends who wish may consider a memorial contribution to the Nichols Emergency Squad, PO Box 334, Nichols, NY 13812 in loving memory of Earl W. Olmstead.