Edsall Leonard Ayers

When someone you love becomes a memory….the memory becomes a treasure. Surrounded by his loving family, Edsall Leonard Ayers, 84 of Rome, Pa passed away on Monday, June 22, 2009. He was born on August 6, 1924 in Luther Mills, Pa a son of the late Leonard and Lula (Selleck) Ayers. A devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather and great grandfather Edsall was a man who appreciated God's great outdoors and loved nature. As a young many, Edsall enjoyed hunting. He also truly enjoyed working and helping others, he was an avid reader and especially loved history and politics. Edsall was a skilled carpenter and took pride in the upkeep of his home and would often share his skills with others. His most precious love was his wife and family. His many grandchildren and great grandchildren were a source of much happiness and they all knew they would receive love and acceptance at grandpa's house. Edsall worked at farming in his early years and later was employed at GLF in Nichols. In addition he sold cars part-time for Orville Haire at the American Motors Auto Sales in Wysox. Edsall left GLF for a period of time and was employed at GTE Sylvania. He later then returned to GLF, now known and remembered as Agway where he was an Agway Enterprise Salesman for 35 years. Edsall was also an entrepreneur and retired early to work at his home based veal business. On December 16, 1944 he married Catherine Marie Sturzenegger and together they raised six children. Edsall is survived by his wife of 64 years, C. Marie Ayers, his children: Elaine and Thomas Comstock, Ronald and Kathleen Ayers, Stephen Ayers, Patricia and Claude Coon, and Daniel Ayers all of the Rome area. Twelve grandchildren: Debbie VanDerMark, Dale Comstock, Reed Comstock, Amy Hoke, Jamie Ayers, Stacy Pedro, Ashley Ayers, Brian Ayers, Jessica Stackhouse, Stephanie Larsen, Scott Coon and Meranda Abma, twenty one great grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister Vivian Dunn of Monroeton, brother Dean Ayers of Burlington; a brother-in-law Ralph Sturzenegger of Florida; sister-in-law Ann Sturzen of Towanda, several nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Edsall was predeceased by a daughter Sheryl; a grandson Brian Keith Comstock and siblings: Merrill Ayers of Gillette, Lorrin Hunter of Williamsport, Catherine Thorpe of Big Pond, Marion Wittie of East Smithfield, Vincent Ayers of Granville Center and Ruby Carman of Burlington. Funeral services and a celebration of Edsall's life will be held on Friday, June 26th at 11 am at the Sutfin Funeral Chapel, 273 S. Main St., Nichols with former pastor Rev. C. Kenneth Crain and Pastor Brian Cetton, of the Windham Summit Bible Church, officiating. Interment and prayers of committal will follow in the Bradford Co. Memorial Park, Luther Mills, Pa. A period of visitation and time for sharing memories will be held on Thursday, June 25th from 6 to 9 pm at the Sutfin Funeral Chapel. Memories and condolences for Edsall's family may also be shared by visiting our website at www.sutfinfuneralchapel.com Friends who wish may kindly consider a memorial contribution to Mental Health Association, 21 Main Street, Towanda, Pa. or your local American Cancer Society in loving memory of Edsall Leonard Ayers.