Final Salute

Donald W. Blocher, 86, formerly of Salamanca, died Friday (April 21, 2023) in Rochester, following a long illness.

Born July 7, 1936, in Depew, he was the son of the late Walter and Thelma Tredennick Blocher. He was married Aug. 26, 1961, in the former St. Patrick’s Church to the former Arleen Muchler, who predeceased him in 2015.

Don served in the United States Navy for 20 years. He was proud to be a Seabee. Don had been employed with the City of Salamanca Dept. of Public Works and the Rehab Center of Allegany. He also enjoyed shuttling skiers from the slopes of Holiday Valley to and from Ellicottville.

Donald was a former member of Our Lady of Peace Parish, the Salamanca Moose Club and the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing and was an avid dog lover. He was a fan of Salamanca Warriors football.

Surviving are two daughters, Lorrie Kewley of Washington state and Sandy Iacchetta of Spencerport; two sons, Steven Blocher of Salamanca and Donald Blocher of Olean; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother, Patrick Blocher, and a sister, Audrey Krysick.

A memorial service will be held at noon Saturday (April 29, 2023) in the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc Funeral Home, 25 River St., Salamanca, with Deacon Michael Anderson, of Our Lady of Peace Parish, officiating.

Full military honors will be conducted by members of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post 5296.

Burial will be in Green Cemetery, Great Valley, following the memorial service.

Don’s family would be honored to have donations made in his name to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Donations can be made at alz.org

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.

Published by The Salamanca Press on Apr. 25, 2023.