Obituaries

Submitted by Susan Brownell

            Lillian Judith Joy Robinson (Lilly) was birthed into this world on June 10, 2014 at 3:10 p.m. at United Memorial Hospital in Batavia, NY.  Some day prior to her birth, Lilly slipped away and fluttered to heaven, just before her due date. She is now safe in the arms of Jesus. Our Savior did not leave us comfortless, for His Holy Spirit was present as we were surrounded by a host of heavenly staff, family, and friends; along with an incredible, tangible blanket of love and prayer from the host of believers that could not be physically present with us.
            Though we greatly grieve our loss in sorrow and pain, yet we rejoice in the fact that Lilly is with our Savior, the Lord Jesus. I Thessalonians 4:13-14 “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."
            She leaves behind her parents, Bill and Tina Robinson of Bergen, N.Y., and five brothers and sisters: Joshua, Autumn, Hannah, Elijah, and Daniel. Also, Great-Grandmother Hazel June Newsom, Grandparents Paul and Sandra Harris, Grandfather Arby Robinson, Aunt Susan and Uncle David Brownell with cousins Shauna and Celeste, Aunt Anne Robinson, along with a multitude of other aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. She is preceded in death by her Grandmother Judith Estelle Robinson, Uncle Kevin Paul Harris, and one special brother or sister we never had the chance to meet.
            Though we know not what the final days or hours were like for Lilly, we can only imagine what her present and future are. How fitting that her name means “pure joy” for that is what she is experiencing. She is our “Lilly” in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and do you know that Jesus is our Lily of the Valley? Christ is the Lily, or the beauty, when we are going through the Valley of Death and our Lilly is the beauty of this time that we are walking through. Christ Jesus is our life, sustaining us through.
            If you want to know more about our hope and faith in Jesus, if you are feeling a longing for something tangible and real; you are warmly invited to a Celebration of Life Service being held at Old Paths Bible Baptist Church, 4782 Hall Road, Holley, NY, on Saturday, June 14th at 10:30 a.m. with a reception following. Do not hesitate to bring your baby.

Condolences can be made at <http://www.newcomerrochester.com>

Mildred “Millie” Schwab, 86, of Batavia passed away on Tuesday June 10, 2014 at LeRoy Village Green. She was born on July 7, 1927 in Sheldon to the late Andrew and Julia (Becker) Almeter. She is preceded in death by her husband Richard M. Schwab and sister Dorothy Downing.

Millie will be remembered for many things by many people; among other things, she was:

Daughter.  Sister.  Wife.  Lover.  Mother.GrammaSheep.  Great Grandmother.  Aunt.  Godmother.Follower of Christ.Leader of Many.  Friend.  Teacher.  Chef.  Church Lady.  Volunteer.  Silver Fox.  Secretary.  Operator.  Coach.  Caregiver.  Nurse.  Mail(wo)man.  Election Worker.  Census Taker.  SnowSkier.  WaterSkier.  Golfer.  Gardener.  Bicyclist.  Farmer.  Hiker.  Thrifty. Raspberry Grower.  Instructor.  Apple Peeler.  4-Her.  Rug Braider.  Plant Grower.  Camper.  Boater.  Writer.  ArrowHead Hunter.  Bread Baker.  Pizza Maker.

Can it, Preserve it, Freeze it.  Pick it, Peel it, Pit it.Pie Maker Extraordinaire.  Humorist.  Fisher(wo)man.Coupon Clipper.  GreenStamp Licker.  Horticulturist. Whitewater Rafter.  Decorator.  Cinnamon Roll Expert.  Birdwatcher.  Crafter.  Financial Planner.  Cookie Monster.  Seamstress. Knit One, Purl Two.  First-Aid Provider.  Frugalist.  Painter.  Wallpaper Hanger. Decorator.  Artist. Lifeguard.  Picnicker.  Button Collector.Kiter.  Upholsterer.  Racer.  TeddyBear Creator.

Millie is survived by her sons Max Schwab of AK,  Kurt (Lisa) Schwab of Batavia, Jason (Patty) Schwab of TN; daughter Suzanne Schwab of WA; brothers Richard (Rose Mary) Almeter of Sheldon, Nelson (Lois) Almeter of Bemus Point, Gerald (Shirley) Almeter of Elma, brother- in-law James Downing of MD; sisters Sharon (David) Daniel of Fairport , Sandra Roemer of East Aurora; grandchildren, Gina and LeeAnna Tallman, Kyle Schwab, Erin and Courtney Schwab, 2 great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.

Millie was a past member of St. Nicholas Church in North Java.

There will be no prior calling hours. There will be a Memorial Mass held at St. Cecilia’s (St. John Neuman) 991 Centerline Rd. Sheldon, NY 14145 on Saturday July 19, 2014 at 10:00 AM with a reception brunch at the Parish Hall immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to an organization of the donors choice in Millie’s name.  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.

Maggie  (Marsha) L. Miller, 65, of Batavia passed away on Sunday June 8, 2014 at Strong Memorial Hospital. She was born on August 29, 1948 in Batavia to Edward A. Miller of Batavia and the late Hazel May (Kelsey) Miller. She is preceded in death by her brother Russ Miller.

Maggie, a gypsy woman who wore that badge with honor, marching through life to the beat of several different drums. The one with the deepest, truest tone was the one that held her love and pride of family. Starting with her parents that she came home to care for.  The siblings that she admired for who they were, and the many nieces and nephews that she would cheer on, through their accomplishments, even if it was just through her Facebook page. Then there were her girls, that’s what she called us, her girls, no matter what we did. It took a long time to travel back down that road, but her girls were who she loved and admired most. With them came the next generations of love, trust and acceptance. Her love did not end with people, it reached out further and deeper. When you’re a woman of such insight, strength, and knowledge how can it be contained? It showed in her love for animals, especially horses, dogs and cats. Her love of nature and the peace that flowed just by being still, but also in the thunder that rolled when passions flew when she faced down adversity, in defense of a belief or someone she loved. She stood for her convictions and made no apologies for them, always holding true to herself. There will always be coffee ready for you. We love you Mom.

Maggie is survived by her daughters Cerrie (Anthony) LaPlante of VA,  Amy Connolly of East Bethany, S. Michelle (Doug) Connolly-Kelly of VA, Tammy (Kevin) Sandeen of MI; former husband twice over Bruce S. Connolly of LeRoy; best friend for over two decades Walter “Skeeter” Blatt of Batavia; brothers Roger (Judy) Miller of VA, Greg (Ann) Miller of East Bethany, Jeff Miller of FL, Paul (Sherri) Miller of Alexander and sisters Paula (George) Miller-Schaefer of VA, Vicki (Jeff) Wolak of East Bethany,  Belinda (Rick) Miller-Cox of East Bethany; 20 grandchildren, 9 ½ great grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews.  

There will be no prior calling hours. A memorial barbeque will be held on July 12, 2014.  Location and time are to be determined at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family to be distributed to various charities. To leave a message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com or for more information call (585) 343-8260. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.

SGT. SHAINA B. SCHMIGEL - Age 21, 82nd Airborne Paratrooper who died Friday evening May 30, 2014 in a training exercise at Fort Bragg, NC, will be welcomed home Monday June 9 to be laid to rest. She was born October 18, 1992 in Batavia, NY to Karie Schmigel of Medina and Kim (Debbie) Dexter of Missouri.

   Shaina was a 2010 graduate of Medina High School where she was very involved in school activities including track, cheerleading and winterguard. After graduation she enlisted in the United States Army to follow her dream of being a soldier. She began as a Military Intelligence Analyst and attended basic combat training at Fort Jackson, SC followed by Advanced Individual Training at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Upon completion of her Military Intelligence training, SGT Schmigel attended the United States Army Airborne School in May of 2011 becoming a proud member of the Airborne community.

   SGT Schmigels first assignment was to Bravo Company, 2D Brigade Special Troops Battalion where she served as an Intelligence Analyst and a Signal Intelligence Analyst. She deployed to Iraq in the summer of 2011 in support of Operation New Dawn where she was instrumental in providing the Brigade Commander with real time situational awareness on the enemy during stressful combat conditions.

   Upon return from Iraq SGT Schmigel was assigned to HHC, 37th Engineer Battalion, where she participated in one rotation to the Joint Readiness Training Center and several Brigade and Battalion level training exercises. SGT Schmigel had also attended the Warrior Leaders Course.

   Her awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2), Army Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with one Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Parachutist Badge.

   She enjoyed video games, camping at Watkins Glen for the annual Nascar race, country line dancing and weekends in North Carolina were for her passion, Rodeo!

   Surviving along with her parents are her sister, Sheniqua Samol of Medina; brother, Matthew Scroger of Lackawanna; half-sisters, Amanda, Kaycee & Samantha Dexter; maternal grandparents, Donald K. (Susan) Schmigel Sr. of Corfu; maternal great-grandmother, Betty Quackenbush of LA; paternal great-grandmother Nora Steele of Oakfield; uncle, Donald K. (Jennifer Zynda) Schmigel Jr. of Corfu; many dear friends along with her military family in North Carolina.

   Family and friends may visit from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday June 10, 2014 at the Michael S. Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel, LLC 4120 West Main Street Road Batavia, New York 14020 where a Celebration of Shaina's Life will take place 11:00 a.m. Wednesday June 11, 2014. She will be laid to rest with Full Military Honors in Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Corfu, New York. Memorials can be made in care of Shaina's family to be used for a future donation in her memory.           

Please share your memories of Shania, with her family at www.tomaszewskifh.com and for more information call Michael at (585)343-7500. 

THE FAMILY OF SGT. SHANIA B. SCHMIGEL IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020.