Obituary of Walter C. Mehlenbacher

Wayland / Castile – Walter C. Mehlenbacher, 88 years of age, passed away Monday afternoon November 21, 2016 at the Livingston County Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, Mt. Morris, NY. Walter was born in East Springwater November 12, 1928, the son of George and Elta (Clute) Mehlenbacher. He grew up in E. Springwater and graduated from Wayland High School. Subsequent to high school Walter attended and graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture. Walter and Edna Rusch of Bellmore, Long Island were married in 1953 and celebrated over 45 years of marriage prior to Edna passing away in 1998. In 2001 Walter married Jane Bartz Moder and together they have celebrated over 15 years of marriage. Walter and Edna owned and operated Walter C. Mehlenbacher Farm. At 33 years of age, (1961) Walter and his family moved from the hills of Springwater to the flat lands of Wyoming County in Castile where he continued his farming career. Walter had vision and foresight. The need for larger fields and equipment to be successful was imminent and he was at the forefront. At the height of his farming career, Walter was the largest producer of certified seed potatoes in New York State. With seed potatoes being the focus of his farm, other crops were needed as well. He also produced certified seed grains and crown vetch, a crop used to delay soil erosion for steep embankments. Walter’s participation in many agriculture organizations was very important to him. He was very active in the following; Wyoming County Farm Bureau, the New York State Seed Improvement COOP; and the Empire State Potato Club. He enjoyed learning and would often read to expand his knowledge. He was also philosopher a of sorts with many words of wisdom for his children as they were growing up. Walter was pre-deceased by his parents, George and Elta Mehlenbacher; his three brothers, Georgie, Leon and Quentin Mehlenbacher; his sister and brother-in-law Katie and Doc Abraham. He is survived by his second wife, Jane Mehlenbacher of Wayland; his children, Than (Deborah) Mehlenbacher of Castile, Shawn (Stephanie) Mehlenbacher of Corvallis, OR, Kim Mehlenbacher (Richard Anderson) of Storm Lake, IA, Loy (Roy) Neutz of Louisville, KY, and Garth Mehlenbacher of Portageville; 11 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; along with nieces and nephews. Walter’s memorial service will be at the convenience of his family and announced at a later date by the St. George-Stanton Funeral Home, 109 West Naples St., Wayland.