PENN YAN/HIMROD – Ethel Marie Searles, 93, formerly of Himrod, N.Y. died Thursday (August 31, 2017) in the comfort of her daughter's home in Penn Yan, N.Y..

Honoring her wishes there are no prior calling hours. A private graveside memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family in Hillside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers those wishing may make memorial contributions to the Dundee United Methodist Church, 35 Water Street, Dundee, NY 14837 or to the Himrod Fire Department, 3530 Himrod Rd., Himrod, NY 14842-9608.

Ethel was born September 10, 1923 in Philadelphia, Pa., the daughter of the late Alexander and Ethel Creely Yehle. On Oct. 23, 1943 in Crown Point, Indiana she married Frank William Searles. Moving to New York to dairy farm in Irelandville, and then to Himrod in 1947; she and her husband raised beef cattle and 15 acres of grapes until retiring to Dundee in 1981.

Mrs. Searles was a member of the Dundee United Methodist Church, and the Himrod Fire Dept Ladies Auxiliary. In her spare time she enjoyed crochet, knitting, cruises, her vegetable garden, and watching her lifelong favorite baseball teams, the Phillies and Mets.

A loving mother and grandmother; she will be missed by her three sons Louis J. Searles of Harrisburg, Pa., Ross E. (Margie McCheyne) Searles of Ovid, N.Y., Neil W. (Maureen Hendrix) Searles of Himrod; her daughter, Christine M. Heavner with whom she was making her home; seven grandchildren Ross, Scott, and Sarah Searles, Heather (Nick) Sorce, Shawn (Kerri) Searles, Jennifer (Scott) Ingerick, and Chrissy Decker English; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was pre-deceased by her husband Frank on April 11, 2008; a grandson Jeffrey Searles on Nov. 26, 2014; her son-in-law, John Heavner on April 25, 2002; and her brother, Edward Yehle on Aug. 4, 1997.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Baird Funeral Home, 36 Water Street, Dundee. Online condolences can be sent by visiting www.bairdfuneralhomedundee.com.