Obituaries

PAVILION - Ruth M. Harloff Higley Starr Weber, 101, of Pavilion, passed away Sunday, (July 7, 2019), at her daughter's home in Stafford under the care of HomeCare & Hospice and her family. 

Ruth was born March 12, 1918, in Batavia, a daughter of the late Bert and the late Annabell (Stackhouse) Harloff.

She is preceded in death by her husbands, Robert A. Higley after 44 years of marriage on March 31, 1981; George H. Starr on July 20, 1989; and Maurice G. Weber on September 11, 2004.  Ruth is also preceded in death by a son, Myron E. Higley on June 5, 1989; and a brother, SSGT Donald J. Harolff in July 1943.

For 32 years, Ruth was in business with her sons, operating Higley's Welding Service in Pavilion.

Surviving are her daughters, Beverly A. (late Leon) Hess and Barbara (late Bill) Barber; sons, Roger (Patricia) Higley and Richard (Sandra) Higley; daughter-in-law, Donna Higley; step-children, J. Randolph (Lucinda) Starr and Richard (Joan) Weber; step-daughter-in-law, Deborah (late James) Starr; brother, Harold B. (late Jean) Harloff; sister, Marjorie (late Ralph) Long.  Also surviving are 14 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, step-children, brothers and sisters-in law with special thanks to Vera Pursel. 

Friends may call from 1 - 4 PM on Thursday at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street in Batavia, where Ruth's Funeral Service will immediately follow calling hours at 4 PM. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery, Batavia. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ruth's memory may be made to First Baptist Church of Pavilion, 10956 Lake St., Pavilion, NY 14525 as well as HomeCare & Hospice, 450 North Main St., Warsaw, NY 14569.

Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Oakfield/West Seneca - Zollie Jackson, Jr., 56, of Oakfield and formerly of West Seneca, passed away on Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at United Memorial Medical Center.

Zollie was born September 5, 1962 and attended day habilitation.  He will be remembered by his family from Maple Avenue in Oakfield.

There will be no prior calling hours. Graveside services for Zollie will be held on Friday (July 12) at 12:00 p.m. at Grandview Cemetery, Clinton Street Road (Route 33) in Batavia.

Memorials may be made in Zollie’s memory to Genesee Cancer Assistance, 127 North Street, Batavia, NY 14020, www.geneseecancerassistance.com/donate or to Crossroads House, P.O. Box 403, Batavia, NY, 14021, www.crossroadshouse.com/donate. 

Please leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements were entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, Batavia.

William G. Rudolph, 67, passed away on July 5, 2019. He was born on September 11, 1951 in Batavia, to the late Wilbur C. (Helen Sonricker) Rudolph.

Bill worked 22 years at Dave Reisdorf, Inc., then 10 years as Metal Shop Forman at Attica Correctional Facility and for the last ten years owned Rudolph’s Christmas Tree Farm with his wife Mary. He was an avid outdoorsman that enjoyed hunting and fishing. Bill enjoyed golfing and the many memories at Quiet Times. He loved spending time with family and friends’, especially attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife Mary E. (Reisdorf) Rudolph of Attica; sons Gregory (Renee Ficarella) Rudolph of Attica; Douglas (Veronica) Rudolph of San Antonio, TX; sister Judith (Ronald) Almeter of Darien; grandchildren Simon, Olivia, Payton and Arianny, brother-in-law of Thomas (Betty) Reisdorf, Kathleen (Thomas) Hooper, John (Judy) Reisdorf, Diane (Roger) Adkisson, Jane (John Reynolds) Iannello, Nancy (Larry) Carter, Patricia (Joseph) Schofield, Donna Reisdorf, along with many nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM at Marley Funeral Home, LLC 135 Main St., Attica, NY 14011. An 11:00 AM Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, July 11, 2019 at the Funeral Home. He will be laid to rest in St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Attica.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Varysburg Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 638, Varysburg, NY 14167. For more information please call (585) 591-1212 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main Street, Attica, New York 14011.

Alice Gibbons Brasky, 83 of Batavia, died peacefully on July 3, 2019 at her home with her loving children by her side.

If you were to ask her what she felt was her most important accomplishment in life, she would answer, "Raising up a fine family." Though she had met with business success in her senior years, Alice felt that having a lasting influence in the lives of her children and grandchildren has been her most satisfying achievement.

Born Alice Carol Gibbons in 1936 to Robert and Mabel Gibbons in Niagara Falls, New York, Alice was the 5th of 8 children. She graduated from Akron High School.  In 1954, Alice met her life-long love, Myron Brasky, moving to Myron’s hometown of Batavia after they were married in 1955, where they raised their family.  After her children were grown,, Alice began a career of her own.  Partnering with Denise LeBlanc Chatt, she opened the Dancing Place Dances Studio and in 1992 she opened the Dancewear Outlet, both of which she ran until her retirement in 2015.

Alice was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Myron R. Brasky  and her beloved grandson Eric Hiscutt,  Survivors include her two daughters, Patricia (John) Chadwick of Batavia and Nancy (James) Schmieder of Springwater, and a son, Buddy Brasky of Batavia. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jenilee (Rich) Winch,, David Hagen,, T.J. (Denisse) Hagen,, Adam, Alex and Jake Brasky, Stacie (Mike) Beccaria, Gretchen (Sam) Fire, Josh and Laura Schmieder and five great-grandchild, Ali Winch, Cole Hiscutt, GiGi ,Sammy, and Alex Fire, Sam Arellano and Henryk Hagen.  She was the sister of the late Robert Gibbons, Paul (Eva Jane),Gibbons, Carl (Sandra) Gibbons, Peg (Bob) Gould, Lois Amey, Lee Gibbons and John (Debbie)Gibbons.

There will be no prior visitation. Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life at the J. LEONARD McANDREW FUENRAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, on Monday, July 15^th at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fresh Air Fund (www.freshair.org), a charity that was near and dear to Alice's heart or the Alzheimer's Association.(www.alz.org).

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

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

 

 

Batavia - Joel L. Hume, age 64, of Batavia, passed away Sunday, June 30, 2019.

Joel was born September 14, 1954, in Batavia, a son of Jean Gillette Hume of Batavia and the late James H. Hume, Jr.

A 1972 graduate of Alexander Central School and graduate of SUNY Fredonia, Joel had a beautiful tenor voice. He sang for the Miami Opera House, toured with the Greg Smith Singers and was the lead tenor for the Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word in Rochester. He also performed locally in numerous Batavia Rotary Club productions and the Batavia Players Dinner Theater. He played trombone for the Alexander Firemans Marching Band for many years. Family, friends and his love for history were very important to him.

Surviving along with his mother include three brothers; Jeff (Theresa) Hume of West Palm Beach, Florida, Judd Hume of Portland Maine and Jack (Sarah) Hume of Silver Spring, Maryland; his sister; Jill (Kevin) Bailey of Canandaigua; two nephews; Nicholas (Jessica) Hume of West Palm Beach, Florida and Merritt Bailey of Calgary, Alberta; three nieces; Meghann Hume of West Palm Beach, Florida, Emily Hume of Meherrin, Virginia and Shaunna (John) Bailey-Stith of Charlottesville, Virginia and his cousins; John (Linda) Hume of Alexander and Roger (Mary) Hume of Batavia.            

There will be no visitation. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Joel will be laid to rest in West Bethany Cemetery. Contributions in Joel's memory may be made to GO-ART, 201 East Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020, Alexander Fireman Marching Band, c/o Linda Hume, 9561 Creek Road, Batavia, New York 14020 or to the Music Department of the Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word, 597 East Avenue, Rochester, New York 14067. To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle in Joel's memory, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements were entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, Batavia.

BATAVIA - Anthony S. Nigro, 68, of Batavia, passed away Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

He was born January 29, 1951, in Portsmouth, Virginia a son of the late Alphonso and Rose (Marchese) Nigro.

Mr. Nigro served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Pawcatuck.

He was a tournament fisherman and competed with Bass Masters fishing series.  He enjoyed animals, all of nature and hunting.  He had a huge heart and was always willing to help others. With a great sense of humor, he was a talented story teller and was a Rummi Master.  He was a member of St. Joseph’s Church in Batavia.

Survivors include; 3 daughters, Danielle R. Nigro (John Alberts) of Alexander, Alexandra Jensen of AR and Taya Boatman of TX; 2 sisters, Shirley Nigro of Albion and Carrie Grillo of CA; a brother-in-law, Jim Hill of Batavia; 8 grandchildren, McKenzy Nigro, Haylee Dioguardi, Kayla Dioguardi, Jasmin Long, Camryn Boatman, Paige Boatman, Rylie Jensen and Ava Jensen; 3 aunts, Mary Marchese of Batavia, Toni Marchese of FL and Carolyn McGorray of AZ.  

He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Tori Nigro, and 2 brothers, Pat Amico and Joe Amico.

Friends may call from 3- 5 p.m. on Saturday July 13, 2019 at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street in Batavia where Military Honors will be rendered at 5:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Anthony’s name to a charity of the donor's choice. Please leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Batavia - Helen Heale of Batavia died July 4, 2019 at her home.

Helen was born April 1, 1929 in Batavia, a daughter of the late Michael and Mary (Bachorski) Cichocki.

Her husband, Joseph Paul Heale died on September 30, 2016.

She was a member of Resurrection Parish - St. Joseph's Church.  She retired from GTE Sylvania then worked at ABB Kent Taylor in Rochester and the Office for the Aging for RSVP in Batavia.  She also volunteered at the Genesee County Veteran's Service Office.

Surviving are a daughter, Linda (Paul) Lewis of E. Bethany, a son, David (Mary) Heale of Batavia; 2 grandchildren, Bryan Heale and Brandon (Anna) Lewis; a great-granddaughter, Ahri and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was the grandmother of the late Stacy Heale and sister of the late Anna Pastecki, Clara Tuttobene, Frank Cichocki and Edmund Cichocki and Henry Cichocki.

There will be no calling hours.  Family and friends may attend Helen's Mass of Christian burial at St. Joseph's Church at 9:30 am on Saturday, July 6, 2019.  Burial will be at St. Joseph's Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.  Arrangements were entrusted to H.E. Turner & Co., Funeral Home, 403 E. Main St., Batavia, NY 14020.  Please leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Oakfield - Mary A. (Guppenberger) Yunker, 94, a longtime resident of Oakfield, passed away peacefully at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. 

Mary was born in Buffalo on September 21, 1924, a daughter of Mary and August Guppenberger, she was the loving mother of nine children, nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her sons, John (Barbara) Yunker of Rochester, Kenneth Yunker of Oakfield, David (Vicki) Yunker of Alexandria, VA, Jeffrey (Sandra) Yunker of Avon, Gregory Yunker of Rochester; daughters, Mary K. Yunker of Batavia, Patricia Yunker of Calabash, NC and Suzanne Yunker of Calabash, NC.  She is also survived by her siblings, Barbara Guppenberger of Batavia, Helene Beuler of Tonawanda, Lois (John) Gringer of Spencerport and James Guppenberger of Titusville, FL; and her in-laws, Joan Schrauth of Hamburg, Richard (Lucille) Yunker of Oakfield, Donald (Joyce) Yunker of Oakfield, Irene Yunker of Batavia and Bonnie Yunker of New Smyrna Beach, FL as well as many nieces and nephews. 

Mary is predeceased by her husband, John W. Yunker, whom she married in June 1946, her son, Robert D. Yunker, brothers, Francis (Carol) Guppenberger, August Guppenberger and Joseph Guppenberger.

There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be on Monday, July 8 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Cecilia's Church, 56 Maple Ave., Oakfield. Mary will be buried in St. Cecilia's Cemetery, Oakfield.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the donor's choice. 

Please leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.burdettandsanford.com.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home, Oakfield.

Nancy E. Rodgers, 79 of Akron, passed away peacefully on Sunday (June 30, 2019) at Brothers of Mercy Nursing Home.

She was born March 12, 1940 in Medina, NY, a daughter of the late Gaylord and Jean Bane.

Nancy was employed by Pixley’s Shurfine prior to her retirement. She enjoyed painting, drawing and ceramics. She was also a member of St. Teresa of Avila Church in Akron.

Survivors include her husband, William J. Rodgers of Akron. Sons, James Rodgers of Hickory, NC and Michael (Janet) Rodgers of Akron. Daughters, Kelly (Greg) Stahl of PA and Melissa Rodgers of Buffalo. Also survived by 6 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild and her canine companions, Pepe and Sparky.

Family and friends are cordially invited to share thoughts, condolences and fond memories on Friday (July 5^th) from 5-8pm at the J. LEONARD McANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 32 John St., Akron, where funeral services will be Saturday (July 6^th) at 11:00am. Interment will follow in Evergreen Lawn Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.

ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD McANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 32 JOHN ST., AKRON, NY 14001. RONALD KONIECZNY II, DIRECTOR.

Batavia - Jeanette A. Towner, age 88, of Batavia, passed away Monday, July 1, 2019, at Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation.

She was born March 4, 1931, in Batavia, a daughter of the late Louis and Irene Happ Moss.

Her husband, Harlo C. Towner, passed away on September 27, 2017.

Jeanette will be remembered for her creativity and had a wide range of talents and interests. She enjoyed quilting, gardening, painting and crafting.

She is survived by her daughters; Janis (Greg) Lontkowski of Batavia and Sheryl (Denley) Edgerton of Wilson; three grandchildren; Emily Lontkowski, Cherish and Benjamin Edgerton; her sister; Lorene (Lynn) Goetz of Elba and nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her sister, Beatrice Yohe.

There will be no visitation. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. She will be laid to rest in Maple Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jeanette's memory may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com

Arrangements were entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, Batavia.

 

ELBA - Frederick E. Read, 76, of Elba, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, (July 1, 2019), at his home in Elba.

Frederick was born June 14, 1943, in Clearfield, PA, a son of the late Kenneth and Helen (Huston) Read.

Fred worked for General Motors - Rochester Product as an electrician and was a member of the UAW Local 1097.  He was a frequent volunteer with the American Red Cross and enjoyed playing euchre.  Mr. Read will be remembered as a dedicated and hard working man.

He is the husband of Barbara Read, of Elba.  The two were married on July 17, 1965. 

Surviving along with his wife are his children, Thomas (Kimberly) Read of Rochester and Theresa (Daniel) Scroger of Buford, GA; grandchildren, Joey Wells and Danielle Tihey; 3 great-grandchildren; brothers, Kenneth Read of Albion and Donald (Heather) Read of Churchville; sister-in-law, Lynn Read of SC.

Fred is predeceased by a brother, Larry Read.

Friends may call from 3:00 - 7:00 PM on Friday at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street in Batavia where Fred's Memorial Service will be  held at 10:00 AM Saturday. Burial will be held privately with military honors in Byron Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined, however, contributions in Frederick's memory may be made to Byron Fire Department, PO Box 210, Byron, NY 14422 as well as Elba Fire Department, PO Box 58, Elba, NY 14058 or to a charity of the donor's choice.  Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

To leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

South Barre - Frank C. Sheelar, 89, of South Barre died Friday, June 28, 2019 at Premier Genesee Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Batavia.

Born in South Barre, son of Avis Sheelar Dash and John P. Sheelar, he lived in this area his whole life.

He engaged in farming for many years and retired several years ago.

Surviving is his sister, Marilyn Morton (Don) of West Virginia and several nieces and nephews.

There are no prior visiting hours. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle, please visit www.burdettandsanford.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home, 11 Maple Avenue, Oakfield.

BATAVIA - Nancy Lee Russell, 70, of Batavia, passed away Monday, (June 17, 2019), at her home

Nancy was born March 13, 1949, in Batavia, New York, the daughter of the late Bud Hale and Rose Stringham.

She enjoyed crafts, movies, and her dogs, Pookie and Baby.

Survivng are her children, Nicky (Derek) Stefanski of Oakfield and Daniel Russell of LeRoy; grandchildren, Corey (Matthew) Scarborough of Oakfield, Ethan Russell of Buffalo, and Leo Russell of Batavia; great-grandchildren, Oliva and Ava Scarborough; sisters, Ann (Norman) Steinbaugh of Attica and Helen (late Robert) Mullen of Stafford; a brother, Harold Hunt of Iowa.

Ms. Russell is preceded in death by a sister, MaryLou Sweeney.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.  Burial will be in East Bethany Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Genesee Cancer Assistance, 127 North St., Batavia or online at www.geneseecancerassistance.org.

Arrangements were entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, Batavia.  To leave a message of condolence, share a story, or light a candle please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Henrietta - June Ellen Dorf, 73, of Henrietta, longtime resident of Elba and 1964 graduate of Elba Central School, passed away Friday, June 28, 2019, at Strong Memorial Hospital after some challenging times and a good life. After working in retail for many years, June Ellen went to work for the Orleans Correctional Facility and retired in 2007.

June Ellen was born June 11, 1946, in Batavia, a daughter of the late June and Anna Allen Dorf.

She is survived by her sisters; Lynda (late Kris) Porter of Lewiston and Gail (Joseph) Gabriel of Brockport; two nephews; Jeffrey Porter of Marysville Washington and David (Paula) Porter of Olathe, Kansas; two great-nieces; Courtney and Mary Beth Porter of Olathe, Kansas; her aunt; Dorothy (late Bernard) Allen of Elba. June is also survived by many good friends and cousins.

Friends may call from 4- 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street, Batavia.Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 5, 2019 at Maple Lawn Cemetery, Elba. In lieu of flowers, contributions in June's memory may be made to PAWS Animal Shelter, 3371 Gaines Basin Road, Albion, New York 14411 or to Medical Motor Services, 608 Clinton Avenue South, Rochester, New York 14620. To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle in June Ellen's name, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.