Donald Marshall WEINMAN, of Belmont, NY, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, with loving family and close friends by his side. Don was locally known by his friends as Hambone (Hammy).
Don was the first of three children born to Marshall “Skip” Christian Weinman and Edna Hanks Weinman on December 5, 1932, in Wellsville, NY.
Don attended school at Wellsville’s Immaculate Conception Catholic School until 8th grade. He then transferred with his classmates to Wellsville High School. He understood the importance and value of work and often reminisced about growing up in a small community and the many jobs he had as a young boy. Some of his jobs included mowing yards, shoveling snow, being a caddy at the Wellsville Country Club, being a Pin Setter at the Wellsville Bowling Alley, and delivering newspapers around town. He often talked about delivering papers to the Texas Hot and to Reuning’s Bakery.
Soon after High School Don started working at Air Preheater. Work at Air Preheater was interrupted when he was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War in 1952 – 1953. He served in the Infantry as PFC. He seldom spoke about the horrors of war but did talk about the extremely cold winter and the hot muggy summer during the time he served. Exiting the war and returning home to Wellsville and resumed his job at Air Preheater. In 1955, he married Beverly Harvey of Belmont.
While working for Preheater, his job titles included Hooker, Table Worker, Welding Technician and Welding Instructor. He was then promoted to Foreman at Plant 2 and later joined the Service Department. He traveled throughout the States and Puerto Rico to build, repair, and supervise the installation of the Air Preheater units. He was then hired by Combustion Engineering as a Service Representative for their International Division. This opened a whole new world as Don worked and lived, sometimes for years, in many foreign countries including Saudi Arabia, Brazil, India, and Spain to name a few. He became immersed in their cultures and received an invaluable education as a result. While working, he also attended Management School at Saint Bonaventure University and earned Certificates of Learning at Alfred University Technical Drawings School. Don’s success was blessed with intelligence, incredible memory and a mathematical brain. He enjoyed his work despite the long hours and responsibilities required for success. He could talk for hours about the many jobs he worked at and the places he had lived. Overall, he worked a total of 63 years from the ages of 18 to 81 years old; however, his retirement didn’t stop companies from reaching out to Don for advice given his world of experience, knowledge and expertise.
Don excelled in several sports including golf, archery, and Karate. While he lived in South Carolina, he competed in the State Senior Golf Championship and won his age division (65-75) several times. If he found a sport that was a challenge, he worked to improve until he excelled.
He lived in South Carolina for thirty years where he and his close friends fished a lot and was dubbed “Mr. Striper Man” by some. When he returned to Wellsville in 2017 to be near his family, he telephoned his fishing buddies daily to keep abreast of their successes for he was unable to fish due to loss of sight. He enjoyed listening to the adventures of others on the Outdoor Channel as well as following sporting events on TV, especially the Buffalo Sabres and the New York Yankees. He was a member of the Wellsville Rod and Gun Club.
It was during the last nine years that he reconnected with a friend from thirty years ago who became his partner, Sharon Hedrick-Ash. In fact, they grew up in the same neighborhood during childhood.
He really enjoyed life. He loved dancing, music, good food, working, fishing, hunting and more. He had it all. Maybe we should take lessons from Don and find joy in each day.
He faithfully attended Mass at his beautiful Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and when he was unable to attend Mass in person, he attended via television.
He is survived by his first wife Beverly Evans and their four children: Deborah (Darren) Ohara of Hornell, Joan Weinman (Calvin Kemp) of Belmont, Christopher (Cathy) Weinman of Belmont, and Eric (Molly) Weinman of Belmont; eight grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and his partner, Sharon Hedrick-Ash. Don was predeceased by his parents Edna and Marshall Weinman; younger brother James Weinman; sister-in-law Barb Weinman; sister, Janet Jinske; second wife, Francis Tierny; and several aunts and uncles.
Friends may call Monday, October 12, 2026 at Olney-Foust & Embser Funeral Homes & Cremation, 34 West State Street, Wellsville from 5:00 – 7:00 PM and on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at Immaculate Conception Church, 36 Maple Ave, Wellsville from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Rev. C.J. Wild will be the Celebrant.
Don’s ashes will be buried alongside his parents and his sister, Janet, in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wellsville with a military plaque honoring his service in the United States Army Infantry, PFC.
May God rest his soul.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Picco and staff, Courtni Hughes, PA and staff, and Dr. Pelkowski and staff for their exceptional care and kindness. Additional thanks for the wonderful care Don received by Noyes Memorial Hospital and Jones Memorial Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wellsville Rod and Gun Club, 3657 Weidrick Road, Wellsville, NY 14895 or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or online at www.woundedwarriorproject.com.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.
