Obituaries

STEVEN R. NEEDHAM

Age 55, of Batavia, died suddenly Friday morning April 1, 2016 at his home in Batavia. He was born September 18, 1960 in Batavia, a son of Doris (Weatherbee) of Batavia and the late John Needham. 

Steve was retired from Angelica Healthcare where he worked for many years. He enjoyed reading, had a love for music and playing the guitar and enjoyed hanging with friends at the Harvester Hotel. 

Surviving along with his mother are his siblings, Holly Needham of Oakfield, Mitch Needham and Wade Needham both of Batavia along with nieces, Carrie (Justin) Ohlson, Christina (Michael) Knapp, Madison Needham; grand nephew, Alex Ohlson along with many aunts, uncles and cousins. 

Steve's family will be present from 1-3pm Friday April 8 at the MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020 where funeral services will immediately follow, memorials in his memory are suggested to the family and burial will be in Alabama Cemetery. 

Please share your memories of Steve with his family at http://www.tomaszewskifh.com and for more information please call Michael at (585)343-7500. 

THE FAMILY OF STEVEN R. NEEDHAM IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK.

Batavia - Stephen D. Urban, 39, of Batavia, died unexpectedly on Thursday (March 31, 2016).

He was born March 21, 1977 in Laredo, TX, a son of the late Faustino and Felicita (Cruz) Martinez.

Stephen enjoyed fishing.  

Survivors include one daughter, Miah Urban of Batavia; one son, Noah Garcia of Batavia; three brothers, LeRoy (fiancée Gloria) Ortega of Texas, Victor (Jo Lena) Cruz of Arizona and Carlos (Irene Peralez) Cruz of Texas; three sisters, Amy (Alan) Bledsoe of North Carolina, Heidi Urban of Batavia and Rosemary (fiancé Joe Davidge) Cook of Darien; Minnie Garcia of Batavia; his best friend, Veronica Garcia of Batavia and several nieces and nephews.

He is a brother of the late Henry Douglas Urban.  

There are no prior calling hours.  Services will be held privately and burial will be in Cary Cemetery, Oakfield.  Memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/.  Please leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements were completed by the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, Batavia, (585) 343-8868.

  James G. Hess, 58, passed away Thursday March 31, 2016. He was born in Batavia on May 19, 1957 to Robert B. Hess of Batavia and the late Beverly (Shadbolt) Hess.

Jim is a graduate of Alexander Central and Genesee Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice.  He just recently retired from the Town of Alexander where he was a Heavy Equipment Operator. He sat on the Alexander Planning & Zoning Boards.  He loved camping, boating, golfing, woodworking and horseback riding.  Jim was a loving son, brother and friend to all he knew and will be greatly missed.

In addition to his father, Jim is survived by a brother; David (Joan) Hess of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; a sister Debora Thomas of Madison, CT; his girlfriend Chris Richley of Batavia; nieces Amanda Hess, Patricia, Victoria and Kathleen Hennessy; nephew David Hess Jr.; grandnieces Victoria Toro and Ellie Hess; step sons Brennan Bezon and Bradley & Sean McClellan.

Family and friends are invited to call on Sunday April 10, 2016 from 2:00 – 5:00PM at Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main Street Attica, New York 14011. Funeral Services and Interment will be held privately.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/  .  For more information please call 585-591-1212 or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main Street Attica, New York 14011. 

  Dayton “Pa” Schultz, 77, of Oakfield passed away on Monday April 4, 2016 at Strong Memorial Hospital in the Palliative Care Unit.  He was born September 29, 1938 in Medina, New York to the late William and Edith (Pratt) Schultz. He is preceded in death by siblings Wilma (Alve) Cratsenburg, Carl (Carol) Schultz, mother and father in law Erwin (Muriel) Chapell, sisters in law Nancy Chapell Dersam and Linda Chapell.

Mr. Schultz was a 1957 graduate of Medina High School and resided in Oakfield for 57 years. He worked for Cold Springs Construction Co., Oakfield Highway Department and Lamb Farms. Pa enjoyed hunting, fishing, going to the Casino, his buddy Sophie and being poolside with family and friends.

He is survived by his beloved wife for 58 years Carolyn (Chapell) Schultz of Oakfield; sons Duane (Valerie); Dayton Jr. (Sherry); Michael (Christine); Timothy (Suzanne) Schultz all of Oakfield; brother Lyle (late Ruby) Schultz of Shelby Center; grandchildren Joshua Schultz, Gina (Andrew) Gerber, Jennifer, Ryan (Danielle), Andrea, Travis, Sherday, Katie, Melissa Schultz, Rochelle (Grant) Matla, Ashley (Ryan) Torchia; great-grandchildren Ryker, Liam, George, Jackson and Isabella. Brother in law Roger (Carol) Kirkpatrick of Chili; sisters in law Norma (late Oscar) Kessler, Jeanette (late Richard) Moore, Judy Chapell all of Batavia, along with many nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call on Friday April 8, 2016 from 3 to 7 PM at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020. A 10:00 AM Funeral Service will be held on Saturday April 9, 2016 at Oakfield Alabama Baptist Church 2210 Judge Rd. Oakfield, New York 14125. He will be laid to rest in Cary Cemetery, Oakfield.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the church or Palliative Care Unit at Strong Memorial Hospital 601 Elmwood Ave. Box 687, Rochester, NY 14642. For more information please call 585-343-8260 or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.

Helen A. Rybak, 98, of Batavia passed away on Friday April 1, 2016 at the Genesee County Nursing Home in Batavia.  She was born on March13, 1918 in Perry to the late Anthony & Veronica (Zelik) Swider. She is predeceased by her husband Matthew M. Rybak and a brother Zygmund Swider

Mary Ethelyn Laura Van Tassel Brown, 98, passed away March 28, 2016 at her home in Chattahoochee, FL. 

Mary was born January 9, 1918 in Britton Run, NY to Leo and Winifred Van Tassel. 

She lived in Jamestown, Pembroke and Rochester, NY before moving to Monticello and then Chattahoochee. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Nazarene Church of Monticello where she was very active and a Sunday School teacher. Mary was a model of exuberant radical faith in Jesus. She loved children, the Bible and our Lord. She invested largely in kids of every age; in her own seven children, her grandchildren, many foster children, the kids of the church day care, and the Bible Quiz kids. The adult Bible classes she taught challenged both mind and heart. She deeply loved her husband Ed and her Lord.

She is survived by her husband of 74 years, Edward William Brown, Sr.; sons, Edward Brown, Jr. (Rhoda) of Elba, NY, Arthur Brown (Sylvia) of Wilmore, KY, Kenneth Brown (Nancy) of Dover, DE and Kurt Brown (Sharon) of Glens Falls, NY; daughters, Sharon Hutchinson (Donald) of Chattahoochee and Sally DeHollander (Steve) of Rochester, NY; one sister, Leora Wilcox of Irving, TX; 19 grandchildren 58 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by a son Mark Wayne Brown.

Family and friends are cordially invited to a graveside service on Saturday (April 9th), 2:00pm at the Bear Ridge Cemetery (Bear Ridge Rd.) in Lockport, NY.

Expressions of condolence may be shared with the family at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.

LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY 14001. RONALD KONIECZNY II, DIRECTOR.

 

 

Joseph C. Skawienski, of Varysburg, a  loving husband, father, grandfather and retired dairy farmer passed away at Wyoming County Community Hospital  on Thursday March 31, 2016 at the age of 86.  Joe (Jr. as he was called by some) was born in Orange County, New York in his boyhood and later his house on the family farm, in the village of Bullville, on March 2, 1930 the 3^rd and last child born to Joseph and Mary Skawienski.

Joe liked fishing, and all outdoor sports, building model airplanes and had even taken flying lessons at an early age. As he became a young man, he started farming full time with his father and mother. He met and married his future wife Sophia Klecha shortly after in 1957, and the couple had 3 sons, Joseph, Stephen, and Alan. Joe purchased and moved his family to a new farm in WNY in April of 1974, located in Johnsonburg NY, where he continued to dairy farm for another 25 years. He was an avid NY Mets fan, along with being a Buffalo Bills fan and also an avid Buffalo Sabres Hockey fan. During his retirement he enjoyed visiting his youngest son and family in Florida during the winter, and spending time with his others sons family in Varysburg in the warmer months of year. He enjoyed watching his 6 grandchildren growing up and going to their events and watching them play sports and spending time with his wife Sophia of 58 years for all of it.

He is survived by his loving wife Sophia E. (Klecha) Skawienski of Varysburg; sons Joseph and Stephen (Julie) Skawienski of Varysburg and Alan (Kelly) Skawienski of Branford, FL.; sister Julia (Skawienski) Klecha of Greene , NY; brother,  Ret. Lt. Col USAF Theodore (Olivia) Skawienski of CA; 6 grandchildren, Brandon, Collin, Austin, Kiele, Darren and Emily, along with many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday April 6, 2016 from 2:00 – 4:00PM & 6:00 – 8:00PM at Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main Street Attica, New York 14011.  A 10:00AM Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday April 7^th at St. Joachim & Anne Parish 2311 Attica St. Varysburg, NY 14167.  He will be laid to rest in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Varysburg.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Varysburg Fire Dept. 2446 Main St. Varysburg, NY 14167. For more information please call 585-591-1212 or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main Street Attica, New York 14011.

  Mary Ann Barrett, 86, of Batavia passed away suddenly on Friday April 1, 2016 at the Genesee County Adult Home in Batavia.  She was born in Perry, NY to the late George and Shirley (Hauck) Kearney.  She is preceded in death by her husband, David R. Barrett; sisters Jeanne(Norman) Rill,  Betty (Leon) Cooley and her much loved  dog, Paddy.

She is survived by her children: Michael P. (Donna) Barrett of Batavia, Lizabeth A. Barrett of Rochester, Emily J. Barrett (Gerard  Costello) of Park Ridge, NJ and Paul G. (Kathleen) Barrett of Batavia.  She is also survived by her four beloved grandchildren:  Caroline, Molly and Thomas Costello of Park Ridge, NJ; and Andrew Schiavi of Ithaca. Her sisters Shirley Smith and Barbara (Frank) Dyrbala survive her as well as many nieces and nephews and friends. She was the last remaining member of that generation of the Barrett family.

A 1948 graduate of Batavia High School, Mary worked for several years at Massey Harris before marrying David Barrett on June 17, 1950.  Mary worked behind the scenes helping her husband develop several businesses, one of which, Barrett’s Batavia Marine, is still in operation. Mary’s Roman Catholic faith was at the center of her life and she had been a member of St. Mary’s Parish since she was seven years old.  Through the years she was a devoted volunteer at the Church doing everything from sewing vestments for special occasions to cleaning the church facility.  She belonged to the Church Altar Society and volunteered at her children’s schools, St. Mary’s elementary school and Notre Dame High School. Mary was a talented artist and was well known for her sewing, especially her quilts.  In her later years she devoted her spare time to knitting and donated hundreds of hats, scarves and mittens to children in need through her Church and the Child Advocacy Center.

Mary’s family wishes to thank the staff of the second floor of the Adult home of the Genesee County Nursing Home for their kind, loving and compassionate care of our mother. We will miss you, Mom.  Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.

Family and friends are invited to call on Monday April 4, 2016 from 4:00-8:00PM at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020. A 12:00PM noon Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday April 5^th at Resurrection Parish (St. Mary’s) 18 Ellicott St. Batavia, NY 14020. She will be laid to rest in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Batavia.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Salvation Army (Batavia location) 529 E. Main St. Batavia, NY 14020 or Volunteers for Animals in Batavia http://www.vol4animals.org/. For more information please call 585-343-8260 or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.

  Frank X. Lohmer, age 79, of Perry passed away on Thursday March 31, 2016 at the Wyoming County Community Hospital in Warsaw. He was born in Germany on April 13, 1936 and moved to the United States when he was a young adult. He is preceded in death by his wife Roberta (Buchholz) Lohmer who died on December 4, 2015.

Frank worked as a farmer in his younger days, moving onto the former Mallory Timers in Warsaw, Paul Robb John Deere Dealership and retired from Fairview Box Factory in Warsaw. He was a gifted mechanic, working on cars, trucks, tractors as well as small engines. He enjoyed woodworking and collecting ball caps.

He is survived by his daughters; Barb (Brian Clair) Lohmer of Perry, Patty (Al Duboy) Lohmer of Dale; sons Frank (Beth) Lohmer of Perry, Howard (Tina Whitesell) Lohmer of Canaseraga, Michael Lohmer of Perry Center; 8 grandchildren; Ashton Clair, Matthew Lohmer, John Washburn, Jonathon Lohmer, David Lohmer, Amanda Lohmer, Elizabeth Lohmer and McKenzie Lohmer and 2 great grandchildren; Trevor and Caydence Lohmer.

Family and friends may call from 5:00-7:00PM on Monday April 4, 2016 at Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, New York 14530. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday April 5th at 11:00AM at the Funeral Home.  He will be laid to rest in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Perry Center.

(In lieu of flowers) Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association 1701 North Beauregard Street Alexandria, VA 22311. For more information please call (585) 237-2626 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.eatonwatsonfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements completed by Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, New York 14530.

Batavia - Robert R. Adam, III, 72, of Batavia, went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at Crossroads House.

Robert was born July 23, 1943 in Sayre, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Robert R. Adam, II and Betty Daniels Adam.

He taught himself to play the electric guitar and loved listening to country and county/gospel music. Robert was proud of his bicycle and enjoyed riding around the Havenwood Apartments. In May of 2014, he was honored by the Genesee ARC for his 35 years of dedicated service. That evening, Robert received proclamations from Senator Ranzenhofer and Assemblyman Hawley.

Robert had a deep faith and belief in the Lord and had a large collection of ceramic angels. "Lord build me a cabin in the corner of Gloryland."

There are no prior visiting hours. Friends are invited to Robert’s graveside service on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Elmwood Cemetery, Harvester Avenue.  *Please drive to the back of the cemetery as you enter in from Harvester Avenue*. Memorials in Robert’s name may be made to Crossroads House, P.O. Box 403, Batavia, New York 14021.  Please leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Robert’s arrangements have been entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street, Batavia.

KAREN M. NIELSEN

Age 63, of Medina, died peacefully Monday March 28, 2016 at Roswell Park cancer Institute. She was born February 25, 1953 in Logan, Utah, a daughter of Val M. Nielsen of Salt Lake City, Utah and the late Dora Lee (Yeates) Nielsen also preceded in death by a brother, Bruce Nielsen. 

She was a 1972 graduate of Kearns High School and attended Utah Career College, back home in Salt Lake City she enjoyed hunting, horses and horseback riding. Karen moved to Western New York about 20 years ago and worked for 10 years at Chase Bank in Albion. She enjoyed gardening, especially her flower garden at home, had a love of animals and family outings. 

Surviving along with her father is her partner of 17 years, Christine Hess of Medina; siblings, Kathy (Kent) Dunyon, Lynda (Richard) Sadler, Mike Nielsen and Forest (Mary) Nielsen all of Salt Lake City, Utah; a "son", George (Anastasia) Hanson of Salt Lake City along with many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins in New York and Utah. 

A Celebration of Life for Karen will be held privately by her family and memorials in her memory can be made to the family. 

Please share your memories of Karen with her family at http://www.tomaszewskifh.com and for more information please call Michael at (585)343-7500. 

THE FAMILY OF KAREN M. NIELSEN IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK.

  Scott D. Harris, 52, of Oakfield passed away peacefully on March 28, 2016 at Hospice Buffalo in Cheektowaga surrounded by his family. He was born on September 8, 1963 to Jack and Betty (Ruffino) Harris of Oakfield.

Scott was the founder and President of Millwork Solutions Inc., and owner of Harris Mill Street Properties LLC.of Batavia, New York. He was a lifelong resident of Oakfield, NY, A graduate of Oakfield/Alabama class of 1981 and Alfred State College class of 1983. Scott was a member of the Eagle Creek Yacht Club in Kendall, NY. He was an avid Hunter, Golfer, Snowmobiler, Sabre, Yankees, and Bills Fan. Scott’s family and friends are everything to him.

Scott is survived by his loving wife of 31 years; Karen (Heitzhaus) Harris; sons Nicholas (Nina) Harris, Corey Harris, daughter McKenzie (Matthias Schuster) Harris; a grandson Tanner Scott Harris; in-laws James and Ellen Heitzhaus, sisters Suzanne (Tim) Schultz, Pamela (Ron) Bordinaro, Jacqueline Cole, brother–in-law and sister-in-law James E. Heitzhaus and Suzan (Dan Hencken) Mattson; along with many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Nieces and Nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on April 2, 2016 at 11 a.m. at St. Padre Pio Parish 56 Maple Ave. Oakfield, New York 14125. He will be laid to rest in St. Cecilia’s Cemetery in Oakfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Buffalo Hospice and Palliative Care of Buffalo 225 Como Park Blvd Cheektowaga, New York 14227.  For more information please call 585-343-8260 or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, NY 14020.

Matilda DeSantis, 100 of Batavia, passed away peacefully on Monday (March 28, 2016) at United Memorial Medical Center.

She was born August 9, 1915 in Batavia, a daughter of the late Joseph and Maria Soccio Zinni.

Matilda was employed by the former Sylvania Products of Batavia prior to her retirement. She was a lifelong resident of Batavia and a member of Ascension Parish. She enjoyed reading, cooking and solving word puzzles.

She was predeceased by her husband, Ernest DeSantis. Sisters, Rose Zinni, Lucy Nigro and Mary Coppini. Brothers, Nicholas, Rocco and Val Zinni.

Survivors include her daughter, Mary M. (Robert) Scinta of Batavia. Sons, Nicholas J. (late Evelyn) DeSantis of Fort Myers, FL and Joseph D. DeSantis of Batavia. Grandchildren, Lori Veltz, Lisa DeSantis, Linda DeSantis, Robert Scinta Jr., Marcy Bedette and Michael Bezon. Also survived by great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are cordially invited to share in her Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday (March 31^st), 11:00am at Ascension Parish (corner of Sumner and Swan Sts). Entombment will be in the Msgr. Schwartz Mausoleum of St. Joseph Cemetery.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads House, 11 Liberty St., Batavia, NY 14020. Expressions of condolence may be shared with the family at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.

ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY 14020. RONALD KONIECZNY II, DIRECTOR.

 

 

 

  Jane G. Vickers, age 91, of Titusville Florida formerly of Perry, passed away on Sunday March 27, 2016 at the Morgan Estates Assisted Living Community in Geneseo where she had been residing surrounded by her family. Jane was born July 19, 1924 in Canandaigua, New York to the late Paul and Gertrude Tuohey.  She is preceded in death by her husband William “Bill” Vickers who passed away in 2007; siblings Mary D’Ambrosia, Jean Sapienza and James Tuohey.

Jane was a graduate of Canandaigua Academy, and received her Bachelor’s degree in education from SUNY Geneseo. She was an Elementary Teacher for 24 years at Perry Elementary School teaching First grade and eventually moving to the third grade .She was a member of St. Isidore’s Catholic Parish (St. Joseph’s Church), several bridge clubs in Perry and Florida, the Silver Lake Country Club, The Great Outdoors Community and Golf Club, and the Ladies Golf Association in Silver Lake and in Florida. She was an avid bridge player and golfer. Jane also enjoyed going to bingo, knitting, sewing, doing Swedish weaving and going to the theater. She was a volunteer usher at the Playhouse Theater in Florida.

She is survived by daughters Martha (Paul) Pachuta, Susan (Daniel) Sherman both of Perry; sons Stephen (Pamela) Vickers of Warsaw, Mark Vickers of Pavilion; 8 grandchildren Christina and Lucas Pachuta, Amanda and Nicole Sherman, Bryan and Sam Vickers, Matthew and Corey Vickers,  step grandson Hondo (Marta) Humberstone; 2 great grandchildren; 2 step great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.

There will be no prior visitation. A  4:00PM  Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday March 30, 2016 at Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, New York 14530. She will be laid to rest in West Perry Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. For more information please call (585) 237-2626 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.eatonwatsonfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements completed by Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, New York 14530.