Obituaries

Elon H. Spink, 101 of Attica, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 12, 2023 at LeRoy Village Green. He was born June 19, 1921 in Attica to the late Harry and Ida (Roberts) Spink. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Fern (Sherman) Spink, son Patrick O’Hara, brothers, Harlan, David, Thomas Spink and sister Helen Welker.

Elon was an avid Buffalo Bills and Sabres fan. He actually attended the Bills first Superbowl, Superbowl XXV, in Tampa in 1991. He spent countless hours watching sports. Yankees and Mets games were always on the TV. He also enjoyed watching golf. He was an avid bowler into his seventies.

He is survived by his son Thomas (Margaret Sheelar) Spink of Batavia, daughters, Lucinda Searfoss of Brockport, Susan Brodner of Rochester, eight grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter along with many nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call from 11:00AM to 1:00PM on Friday, February 17, 2023 at Marley Funeral Home LLC., 135 Main Street, Attica, NY 14011. A funeral service will be held immediately following at Marley Funeral Home LLC. Elon will be laid to rest at Forest Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gateway House, 91 Main Street, Attica, NY 14011. To leave an online message of condolence please visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC, 135 Main Street, Attica, New York 14011.

Elizabeth J. Blake, "Betsey", 65, of Attica, passed away on December 18, 2022 at Buffalo General Hospital.

Elizabeth was born September 25, 1957 in Batavia, to the late Robert and Mildred (Skotedis) Blake.

Along with her parents, Betsey was predeceased by her sister, Cynthia Ann Blake.  

Betsey was a 1975 graduate of Alexander Central School.  She was blessed with a beautiful singing voice and sang for many events in the area.  Being an animal lover, she never turned away a stray and was a caring pet parent to many lucky cats.  Elizabeth worked for the New York State Department of Corrections and retired as Institution Steward at Wende Correctional Facility after 30 years of service.

Surviving to cherish her memory are her sisters, Susan (Alfred) Rosemark, Dorothy Blake, and Patricia Blake.

Calling hours are Saturday, February 18 from 10am to 11am at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street in Batavia, where her funeral service will be held directly following the calling hours at 11am. She will be laid to rest with a private service in Forest Hill Cemetery, Attica.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Betsey’s name to the Wyoming County SPCA, PO Box 269, 808 Creek Road, Attica, NY 14011.

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

Charles Gilmore Samuelson “Gil”, 90 of Akron, NY, went home to Jesus on Sunday, February 5, 2023.

He was born July 31, 1932 in Warren, PA, a son of the late Carl and Violet Gilmore Samuelson.

He attended schools in Warren, PA until he graduated, where he would further his studies at Bryant & Stratton (Buffalo, NY), University of Buffalo and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Gil served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955 as an accountant and was in officer training. He was employed as a property accountant for Republic Steel and Director of the City Mission of Niagara Falls.

After graduating from the seminary in 1975, Gil found his passion. He loved his Lord and enjoyed serving him in any capacity from a young boy to adulthood. He held every job a church member could before becoming a pastor.

Gil also enjoyed playing and being a spectator of all sports, including golf, tennis, racquetball, basketball, football, bowling and volleyball. He truly loved his wife, daughters and all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren that he was blessed with and was happiest when he was surrounded by his church and his family.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Elaine Geisthardt Samuelson of Akron. Daughters, Linda Marie (Dale) Phillips of Etowah, NC, Darlene Ruth “Sam” (Herm) Clouse of Akron, NY and Heidi Beth (Cliffton) Baker of Rochester, NY. Also survived by 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Gil was predeceased by his daughter Cheryl Lee Goley of Weatherford, TX.

Family and friends are cordially invited to share thoughts, condolences and fond memories on Saturday (February 18th) from 10am-11am at Calvary Baptist Church, 12752 Lewis Rd., Akron, NY. A funeral service will commence at the conclusion of visitation at 11am. Interment with Military Honors will be in the Western New York National Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family 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.

East Bethany- Ronald "Ron" D. Heywood passed away peacefully Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at Strong Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

He was born November 7, 1934, in Batavia, NY, the son of Donald and Thelma Heywood.

Ron graduated from Pavilion Central School, class of 1953, and married his high school sweetheart. He served our country in the US ARMY, spending 2 years in Amberg, Germany He worked at Jello in Leroy and later retired from O-at-Ka milk products as a Distribution Manager, after 35 years.

Ron was a lifetime member and past trustee of East Bethany Presbyterian Church, served as Cub scout roundtable commissioner for pack 20 in East Bethany. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and trapper. His passion was passing his knowledge and talents to his children and grandchildren. He loved camping and traveling with his RV through all 50 states, half the providences of Canada, and spent the last 20 years in Texas for the winter.

Surviving is his wife, Mary Jane "Mike" Heywood, of 66 years; sons, Douglas (Peggy) Heywood of East Bethany and Richard Heywood of Tennessee; daughters, Bonnie (Kenneth) Morgan of Tennessee and Linda (Randy) Page of Batavia; grandchildren, Sharan (Ron) Demana, Brent (Valerie) Heywood, Joe (Jessica) Hewitt, Patrick O'Connor, Danielle (Tim) Dosch, Shawn McGiveron, Chris (Megan) Page, Amanda (Jason) Krohn, and Ashley (Tony) Fortney; sister, Roberta Carter; brothers, Daniel (Denise) Heywood of Florida and David (Mary Lee) Heywood of Illinois; many nieces, nephews, and 13 great grandkids.

In death Ron is reunited with his parents, Donald and Thelma Heywood; sister, Beverly Emerson, Brother in laws, Gerald Carter and Tom Emerson; Daughter, Kim McGiveron.

Friends may call on Monday, February 13, 2023, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street, Batavia. His funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 11 am at East Bethany Presbyterian Church, 5735 Ellicott Street Rd, East Bethany, NY 14054. Burial, along with military honors, will follow in East Bethany Cemetery.

Memorials in his name may be made to East Bethany Presbyterian Church, 5735 Ellicott Street Rd, East Bethany, NY 14054, or the New York State Bluebird Society c/o Murial Prianti, Treasurer 5157 Orangeport Road, Brewerton, NY 13029.

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