Obituaries

Longtime Juneau resident Vincent L. DeMuth passed away unexpectedly on the afternoon of January 23, 2023. He was born in Buffalo, New York on January 10th, 1939, and was the son of the late Arthur P. and Catherine (Marzolf) DeMuth. He attended school at Notre Dame in Batavia, New York and spent his childhood and early adult life in Darien Center, New York.

As a young man, he worked for the DeMuth-Marzolf Company in Darien Center, New York, which was a general store that also sold fuel, lumber and operated a feed and grain mill. Later, the company also became a distributer and service center for Petrolane Gas Co. and also started DeMuth Tire Sales. Vince managed the propane gas business, his brother Joe DeMuth managed the tire sales, and their mother was the company president who managed the overall company operations.

His father passed away when Vince was only 6 years old, so he grew up fishing and hunting with his cousins and many other longtime friends from his time in New York. As a young man, he dreamed of living in Alaska where the beauty and opportunities for fishing and hunting were legendary. In 1974, he made his dream a reality when he drove his family cross-country to Bellingham, Washington and took the Alaska State Ferry to Juneau, Alaska.

In Juneau, he initially worked for Petrolane Gas Co. but eventually switched to work for the State of Alaska as a maintenance mechanic at the Lemon Creek Correction Facility where he worked until his eventual retirement.

Although he enjoyed many hours in the field and had many great hunting memories, he truly loved being out on the water fishing from his boat and taking in the beauty and sounds of Alaska. He landed many big fish during his lifetime including the 1988 Golden North Salmon Derby Winner and again in 1989 when he helped a friend land the derby winner on his boat. He also loved to travel and ventured to many places throughout Europe, Asia and across the US with his sweetheart Phyllis.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Arthur and Catherine DeMuth and brothers Arthur W. DeMuth and Joseph L. DeMuth. He is survived by his wife Phyllis (Atkins) DeMuth, former spouse Karen (Hoy) Balduf, sister Joan Ansbrow (late James); children Chris (Becky) DeMuth, John (Andrea) DeMuth, Wendy Balduf, Renee (Ron) Mullen, Jennifer Warner, Todd (Alice) Nottingham, and Lori Nottingham (Dale Sams); grandchildren Travis (Olivia), Larissa (Jeff), Kieran, Citabria, Britney, DJ, Lindsey (Chris), Josh, Bailey, Morgan (Kyle), Rian (Jimmy) and Wesley (Scott); and many great-grandchildren.

Vince always had a smile on his face and was a great friend to many who benefitted from him being a prolific "pack rat" and a regular listener to the radio program "Problem Corner" were he acquired many great "deals" and treasures over the years. Most of all, he was a patient, loving man who was a wonderful husband, father, grandpa, mentor and role model whom we miss dearly. 

JoClair M. Surman, of Corfu, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Wednesday morning, February 1, 2023. 

She was born in Wheeling, WV, on March 29, 1934.  

JoClair is survived by her daughter Stephanie (Scott) Thompson of Memphis, TN, her granddaughter Zoe Thompson of Corvallis, OR, her brother Raymond (Priscilla) Kuntz, sister Mary Ellen (the late Joe) Giblin, and brother George (Christine) Kuntz and a large number of nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years Norman Surman, her parents Raymond and Esther (nee Knabe) Kuntz, sister Rose Ann Kuntz, and brothers William “Billy” Kuntz and Louis “Eddie” Kuntz.  

Up until the last several years she was an active parishioner at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Corfu, NY, where she taught children’s religious education classes for many years.  She was also a volunteer for All Babies Cherished of Batavia, NY.  JoClair was an amazing artist and loved sending greeting cards which always included a stick of gum.  

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 7, from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at C. B. Beach & Son Mortuary, Inc., 4 East Main Street, Corfu, NY.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, February 8 at 10 AM at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish 18 West Main Street, Corfu, NY.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to All Babies Cherished 445 Ellicott St., Batavia, NY 14020 or the Corfu Food Pantry PO Box 159 Corfu, NY 14036. 

Batavia - Patricia M. Hinz , 60 of Batavia passed away on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at Rochester General Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

Patricia was born Tuesday, February 13th, 1962 in Batavia, NY the daughter of William and Diane Shamp.

She was an active member of the Oakfield Ladies Auxiliary. Patricia loved spending time in the outdoors, camping, visiting with family and friends, loving her fur babies, and spoiling her grandchildren. Patricia grew up in Oakfield, NY where she graduated high school and married the love of her life, Larry (Jay) Hinz Jr., on October 9, 1982 at St. Cecilia's worship site. Patricia proudly served in the ARMY Reserves, was a loving and devoted wife, and raised 2 wonderful children. Patricia is survived by her husband, Larry (Jay) Hinz Jr., of Batavia; children, Suzanne Cole, of West Henrietta, and Joseph (Robyn) Hinz, of Brockport; parents, William (Diane) Shamp, of Oakfield; grandchildren, Charles "Charlie" Cole, Anthony "Tony" Cole, and Esme Hinz; sibling, Larry Shamp of Robbins, NC and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In death Patricia is reunited with her brother, Paul Shamp.

Family and friends are invited to call on Saturday, February 11, 2023 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Burdett and Sanford Funeral Home, 11 Maple Ave. Oakfield, NY. Patricia’s memorial service will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Burdett and Sanford Funeral Home. Private burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Oakfield Volunteer Fire Department.

Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.burdett&sanford.com.

John Lemuel Sackett, Jr. died at home January 2nd, 2023. Born July 18, 1928, the third child and only son to John L. Sackett and Florence Minerva Wells Sackett of Riga, NY.

Raised with three sisters on a farm, after attending Alfred State College, John hitchhiked to Kansas State University (BS) and served in the intelligence service of the US Army during the Korean War. He married Jean E. Lovejoy in 1956 and worked as a dairy farm manager before buying and moving to their own farm in Byron with their three children- Deborah (Jay Miller), John III (Rose)- both deceased- and Charles (Amy).

John completed his MS in Education at Cornell University after losing his left hand in a farm accident while harvesting corn. He taught agriculture at LeRoy and Warsaw high schools and then Agricultural Mechanics at Gen-Wyo Co. BOCES until his retirement.

John was active in local politics and served for years as Byron Town Supervisor and a Genesee County Legislator. He was an engaging conversationalist and was always eager to discuss current issues with anyone. John believed strongly in the value of the exchange of ideas and opinions and was a prolific writer of letters to the editor in the Batavia Daily News. He especially championed personal responsibility, lower taxes and freedom from government interference.

He was a life member of Byron Kiwanis, NRA, Genesee Co. SCOPE and various agricultural organizations. He was also an avid private pilot and past president of the Genesee County Pilots Assn. He enjoyed flying his plane and using his tractors and did so into his 9th decade despite infirmities and handicaps.

Ultimately, John was a farmer and teacher who believed that one reaps what one sows. He spent his life sowing good seed, pulling weeds and hoping to reap a manifold harvest. He leaves five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service for both John and Jean Sackett will be held later in the spring.

Memorials may be made to the Byron Kiwanis Club. 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.