Ople Marie Wilcox Gollnitz

She was born in Centerville, NY on February 24, 1921, the daughter of the late John A. and Mildred Mae (Reynolds) Wilcox.

Ople graduated from Fillmore High School in Fillmore, NY in 1938. She then worked for Rickett’s Markets in three different locations in Westfield as well as Welch’s in Westfield and as a Lead Lady at Welch’s North East, PA plant.

She loved to knit and en-joyed her many grandchildren, as well as her daily two-mile walks with her husband. They were proud to have been champs of the Monday Night Mixed Bowling League eighteen of twenty-seven years they bowled with their son Wade and his wife. She served as a league secretary for a total 24 years and was elected to the Dunkirk Bowling Assn. Hall of fame in 1983. Ople also enjoyed golf mornings with her husband and in ladies’ leagues in the evenings, hitting a hole-in-one in 1992.

Her memberships include the First Presbyterian Church of Westfield, and a life membership with the Women of the Moose, Westfield Chapter #517.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of seventy-three years; Robert W. Gollnitz whom she married February 21, 1942, one daughter-in-law; Mary Jo Gollnitz, eight brothers; Lyle, Ken, Leon, Homer, Virgil, Howard, Hartley, and Lowell, and four sisters; Anna Trisdale, Joyce Wolfer, Alvira Lilly, and Violet Sonnleitner.

She is survived by her three sons: Wade R. (Trudy) Gollnitz of Westfield, NY, Mark (Gini) Gollnitz of Westfield, NY, and Dean W. Gollnitz of Marshville, NC, eleven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and eighteen great-great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be held in the Westfield Cemetery at the convenience of the family. A celebration of life will be held at a later date and will be announced.

To leave a remembrance or to post condolences to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com