DeWITT FLEMING
DeWitt “Sam” Fleming, 89, passed away on January 16, 2015 of congestive heart failure at Winter Haven Hospital. He was born on November 8, 1925 in Oxford, New York to Herbert “Clay” and Hazel Fleming. He was predeceased by his wife Doris (Jester) of Guilford, New York where they proudly raised their three children; Sheryl, Robert, and John. Sam was a lifelong dairy farmer as well as a school bus driver for Bainbridge-Guilford for 44 years and a charter bus driver for Oneonta Bus Lines for five years. Sam’s proudest achievement was his service to his country in World War II under the US Naval Services. After leaving the Navy, he worked to help construct the Downsville Dam in Downsville, New York. Sam gladly and proudly gave back to his town of Guilford where he was affectionately know as Witter, by serving as the fire chief and 30 year member of the fire department, member of the emergency squad, a town Councilman, and the sanitary inspector for many years. He also served in the community as a 4-H leader and representative for Eastern AI. Sam was the happiest and his face always lit up with a smile when he was around his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Sam is survived by his wife of 30 years, Alura Fleming of Guilford, New York; his children Sheryl (Dick) Harmon of Sherburne, New York, Robert (Maureen) Fleming of Guilford, New York, and John (Robin) Fleming of Winter Haven, Florida; his grandchildren Scott Harmon of Mountain Home, Pennsylvania and Randy Harmon of Dallas, Pennsylvania, Jason (Ericka) Fleming of Guilford, New York, Jesse (Stephanie) Fleming of Bowling Green, Ohio, and Jordan Fleming of Guilford, New York, Whitney (Eric) Fleming Dean and Jonathan Fleming of Winter Haven, Florida. His step-children are Camilla Morris of Oneonta, New York, Martin (Michelle) Cornish of Bainbridge, New York, and Chris Cornish of Bainbridge, New York. His step-grandchildren are Robert Morris of Otego, NY, Charlie Morris of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, Matthew Cornish of Destin, Florida, Chad Cornish of Basalt, Colorado, and Shane Cornish of San Diego, California, and Derek and Garret Cornish of Bainbridge, New York. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Dorothy Grossman of New Port Ritchey, Florida; sister-in-law Barbara Hart of New Port Ritchey, Florida; brother-in-laws Robert Grossman and Bruce Grissim of Williamsburg, Virginia and William (Joan) Grossman of Brockport, New York. He is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his siblings Helen Sweet, Millard Fleming, Thelma Teelon, Jean Briggs, Dorothy Hendrickson, Elsie Tiejen, and Wanda Friedel. The family would like to thank special friends Rick and Heather Klauck of Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, and Nikki the dog.
A memorial service with military honors will be held on January 31, 2015 at 1 p.m. at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main Street, Sidney, New York. The family will be in attendance at noon.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Guilford Fire Department or Emergency Squad, 110 Mechanic Street, Guilford, New York 13780. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.landersfh.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.