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WELLSVILLE - Marilyn R. Cornelius, 83, of 4192A Bolivar Road, passed away Friday (July 31, 2020) at the Wellsville Manor Care Center, with her family by her side. She was born March 25, 1937, in Niagara Falls, the daughter of the late Martin and Viola Walck Pfohl. On July 9, 1955, in Elm Valley, she married Louis "Ben" Cornelius, who predeceased her Dec. 19, 2018. Throughout her life, Marilyn was employed in several professions, including as a telephone operator for New York Telephone; being a waitress for The Coffee Pot, Long View and Howard's; selling Avon; and working at the Allegany County Jail. However, Marilyn found her calling in nursing. She had been scheduled to be the valedictorian of her senior high school class but instead opted to follow her heart and marry Ben before having the opportunity to graduate. At the age of 45 she began to pursue her dream and career. She obtained her GED and enrolled in the Alfred State College nursing program. She not only had perfect attendance, but earned high grades and the respect of the younger students. They loved her so much, they nominated her their class president. Upon graduating with an associate's degree, Marilyn would work in both Olean General and Jones Memorial hospitals. Marilyn and Ben were members of the Trinity Lutheran Church, and Marilyn was a member of the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandma, aunt, nurse and friend to many. Her work on Earth is done, and she is home with her Lord. Surviving are two sons, Louis "Ben" (Judith) Cornelius and Bradley Cornelius, both of Wellsville; a daughter, Karen Lane of Virginia Beach, Va.; six grandchildren, Justin (Kari) Cornelius, Matthew (Diana Gowdy) Cornelius, Brian Lane, Kelly Lane, Joshua Cornelius and Jacob Cornelius; a brother, Delbert (Joanne) Phohl; and a sister, Lorraine (Larry) Steingasser, both of Sanborn; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased, in addition to her parents and husband, by an infant daughter, Sharon; and brother, Melvin. Private services will be held for family to honor her memory and celebrate her life. Burial will be in Alfred Rural Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to the SPCA Serving Allegany County, in memory of Elmo. To leave online condolences, please visit embserfuneralhome.com. To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store. Published in Olean Times Herald from Aug. 1 to Aug. 5, 2020. MEMORIAL EVENTS No memorial events are currently scheduled. To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one. Funeral services provided by J W Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc 34 W State St
Wellsville, NY 14895

Marilyn married CORNELIUS, Louis Benjamin on 9 Jul 1955 in Elm Valley, Allegany County, NY. Louis (son of CORNELIUS, Lloyd and FANTON, Lillian) was born on 14 Dec 1927; died on 19 Dec 2018 in Wellsville, Allegany County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Judith A. Judith was born in May 1958; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: LANE, Vincent Elliott. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: SEELY, Wendy A. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: ROBBINS, Kari. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: GOWDY, Diane. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]