Obituaries

  Joyce (Hoover) Meisner, 88, of Batavia passed away peacefully on Monday February 27, 2023 at Strong Memorial Hospital. She was born on April 17, 1934 in Batavia, a daughter of the late John and Agnes Hoover of Darien Center. In addition to her parents, Joyce is predeceased by her husband; Robert D. Meisner; grandson David McCarthy; siblings William, Harvey and Robert Hoover, June Leonard and Jean Swanson.  

Joyce was a self-employed hairstylist for over 60 years. She and her husband owned and operated North Vine Beauty Salon as well as Elite Beauty Salon and Miss Joyce Hairstylist

She was an accomplished artist and was involved in the local Arts Council for many years. As a lover of all animals, dogs were her favorite and she was able to capture their likenesses in several portraits. She kept “old fashioned fun” alive with her children and grandchildren, playing dress-up, arts and crafts, games and an annual New Year’s Eve sleepover. Artistic talent beyond the canvas, she was famous for her off the wall culinary concoctions. She and her family traveled extensively across the country and to Alaska, but their favorite destination was at “camp” in the Adirondacks.  

She was active in the community and enjoyed Bingo. Often times she was the one driving the “Bingo Bus” to ensure her non-driving friends we able to participate.   

She is survived by her children; Mary (Michael) McCarthy of Batavia, Paul (Kathy Wojtas) Meisner of Lancaster, Don (Dottie) Meisner of San Antonio, Texas; her grandchildren, Joe Pastore, Stephanie Pastore, Brian (Kristine) McCarthy, Lori (Stan) Sauls, Sarah (Greg) Emerson, Christina (Gabe) Rosas, Alicia (Byron) Clark, Brandon (Abby) Meisner and Ellee Meisner; several great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her loving sister and best friend; Patricia Keene whom she also worked with for over 60 years.

Friends are invited to call on from 10:00AM – 12:00PM on Thursday March 2, 2023 at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020, where a 12:00PM Funeral Service will immediately follow at the Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the David McCarthy Memorial Foundation 5016 Terry Hills Dr. Batavia, NY 14020. To leave messages 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.

Annemarie Keuerleber, 90, of Batavia, passed away on February 25, 2023 at St. Ann's Nursing Home in Rochester.

Annemarie was born March 31,1932 in Schlochau, Germany, a daughter of the late Otto and Martha (Schulz) Koch.

Annemarie was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and the Moose Club.  She enjoyed bowling at Mancuso Lanes, traveling, music and playing euchre.  Along with her late husband, Heinz, they owned the former Lock's Motel in Batavia from 1964-1975 and enjoyed twenty years together spending summers at their cottage on Canandaigua Lake.  Annemarie was a food server at the Batavia City School District for 17 years.

Surviving are her daughters, Susan (Gary) Pratt of Rochester, Diane (late Richard) McCowen of Houston, Texas and Christine (Michael) Ciminelli of Fairport; a sister, Bruni (late Dieter) Schafer of Germany; seven grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her husband, Heinz Keuerleber.

There are no prior calling hours.  Annemarie's funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m on Thursday at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street, Batavia.  She will be laid to rest in Grandview Cemetery in Batavia.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 31 Washington Avenue, Batavia, NY 14020.  

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

Helen W. Laird, 100 of Batavia, NY passed away peacefully on Friday (February 24, 2023) at the New York State Veteran’s Home in Batavia, NY. 

She was born June 6, 1922 in Palmerton, PA, a daughter of the late Charles and Helen Stigura Wargo. 

Helen was employed at the New York State School for the Blind in Batavia, NY for over 20 years until her retirement in 1981. During her employment she held many positions including seamstress, in which she made bedding and curtains for the residing students. 

Helen was a skilled knitter and crocheter. She enjoyed making doilies, tablecloths, sweaters, baby blankets and afghans for family and friends. Helen also enjoyed baking and looked forward to baking 20+ varieties of Christmas cookies every holiday season. 

Helen lost her son PFC Richard F. Laird during the Vietnam War, 6 days before his 21st birthday, in November 1967 making her a “Gold Star” mother and the last remaining in Genesee County. 

Helen was the wife of the late Vernon D. Laird, who passed away October 3, 1999 and mother to the late PFC Richard F. Laird (1967), Patricia A. Eaton (2014) and Nancy E. Curtis (2021). Helen was also the last remaining Wargo sibling. Her brothers and sisters were Mary, Charles, Anna, George, Andrew and Johnny. 

Survivors include a son, Larry (Ellen) Laird of Lancaster, NY and a daughter, Susan (Terry) Zilenski of Oakfield, NY.  Grandchildren include Kathleen (Todd) Bender, Bradley (Michele) Rodon, Tersa (Dan) Lane, Kelly Kabel, Melissa (Rick) Pendleton and David Zilenski. Helen is also survived by six great-grandchildren. 

Family and friends are cordially invited to share thoughts, condolences and fond memories on Friday (March 3^rd) from 4-7pm at the J. LEONARD McANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 Bogue Ave., Batavia, NY. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, 11:00am at St. Padre Pio Parish, 55 Maple Ave., Oakfield, NY. She will be laid to rest in St. Joseph Cemetery in Batavia.

Memorial contributions in her name may be offered to a charity of the donors preference. Expressions of sympathy 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.

Bonnie L. Bowen, 79 of Rochester, passed away on Friday, February 24, 2023 at the Leo Center at St. Ann’s Home in Rochester. She was born January 4, 1944 in Kankakee, IL to the late Fred and Ruby Heil. Bonnie is predeceased by her beloved husband, Robert Bowen.

Bonnie retired from ADP in California. She was a very outdoorsy woman that enjoyed camping, fishing, her flower beds, card games, NASCAR, baseball, friends and family. Bonnie was an independent woman with a great sense of humor. She will lovingly be remembered as a devoted wife and mother.

She is survived by her children, Deborah (David) Giambrone of Byron, Robert (Toni) Bowen of Chino Hills, CA, Jim (Debra) Bowen of Huntington Beach, CA; a brother Barry (Marylou) Heil; 5 grandchildren, Brian (Abbey) Giambrone, Brandi Giambrone, Kaitlyn, Madison and Tye Bowen, great-grandson Camden Giambrone, along with several nieces and nephews.

There will be no prior calling hours. Services will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Volunteers for Animals at www.vol4animals.org. To leave messages 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.