Obituaries

Carol J. (Bartz) Irrera, 75 of Batavia, passed away Wednesday (January 4, 2017) at Strong Memorial Hospital after a long battle with cancer.

She was born April 13, 1941 in Batavia, NY, a daughter of the late Albert J. Bartz Sr. and Ruth V. (Noel) Dutton.

She worked for Calibrated Charts for 25 years prior to her retirement. Carol enjoyed collecting clowns, gardening and cooking. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was also actively involved with the prayer group of Notre Dame.

She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Roger Irrera of Batavia. Daughters, Tamara (Greg Wood) Ishmael and Sheryl (Michael) Smigelski, all of Batavia. Three brothers, Irvin (late Diane) Bartz of Batavia, Albert (Geraldine) Bartz Jr. and Ronald (Sandra) Bartz of Cape Coral, Florida. Sister, Rosemary (late Robert) Graff of Cape Coral, Florida. Sister in-law, Lillian (late Anthony) Irrera Jr. and Michelle (Michael) McNally. Nine grandchildren, Sabrina, Kayla, Nicholas and Jacob Twardowski, Crystal Ishmael and Peter Saxman of Batavia, Jerrod and Derrick Smigelski of Batavia and Amber Heck of Texas. Also survived by two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

There will be no prior visitation. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Batavia, NY.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family and expressions of condolence may be share 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.

Paul T. Schilling, 69 of Attica, passed away peacefully on Sunday (December 25, 2016) at the V.A. Healthcare System in Buffalo, NY.

He was born April 30, 1947 in Buffalo, NY, a son of the late Theodore and Mildred Phillips Schilling.

Paul was a Veteran of the Vietnam War, having served his country with the U.S. Army. He enjoyed helping others in any way he could. He also loved to be outdoors, being around nature and listening to music. Most of all he was a proud father and grandfather, and was thought of as a “Super Hero” to his granddaughter. He will be sadly missed by his family and all who knew him.

Survivors include his daughter, Alicia (Robert Irvine) Schilling of Attica. Grandchildren, McKenna and Karson Irvine. Sisters, Lois Measer of Florida and Mary Jo Schilling of Cowlesville.  Brother, Charles (Sandy) Schilling of Buffalo.

He was predeceased by his brother, Philip Watkins.

Family and friends are cordially invited to gather for a Memorial Service on Tuesday (January 10th), 4:00pm at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 30 Favor St., Attica, NY. Paul will be laid to rest in the future site of the Western New York National Cemetery in Pembroke, NY.

Expressions of condolence 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.

JOHN VERNON ROWE

John Vernon Rowe, known as Vern by those who loved him, aged 92, WWII veteran, computer programmer, father, grand-father, great-grandfather, evangelist, prayer warrior, mentor, and friend, joined his Heavenly Father on Saturday, December 31, 2016. 

Vern was born in Saint Catharines, Ontario, Canada, May 1, 1924 to Pascoe Baynard and Laura Prynne Rowe. He graduated from Riverside High School, Riverside, New York in 1942 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served aboard the U.S.S. Fitch in the North Atlantic Theater and the U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard in the Pacific Theater and was a recipient of the Medal of Valor. Vern married his High School sweetheart Pearl Jean Flannery in August, 1944.

 Following the War, Vern was employed by DuPont, and National Gypsum. In 1975, Vern and Jean relocated from Buffalo, NY, to San Bernardino, CA, to serve with Campus Crusade for Christ, where they were on staff for 17 years. Vern held volunteer positions in Food Finders, and Love, Inc. as well as serving in various leadership capacities including Deacon and Sunday School teacher in churches he attended.

He is survived by Jean, his wife of 71 years, and six of his seven children. Vern was preceded in death by eldest daughter Jeannine Preston Rowe. Remaining are Susan Wakefield of Batavia, NY, John (Sherry) Rowe of Lewisburg, PA, Linda (George) Renner, Hollis, NH, Michael (Maggie) of Wheaton, IL, Lori Summer of Lafayette, IN, and Peter (Christine) Rowe of Citrus Heights, CA, 22 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren also survive

 The family will be present from 1 - 3PM Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at the Michael S. Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel, LLC, 4120 West Main Street, Batavia, NY, and Vern will be interred at Bath National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) at give.cru.org or World Venture, search for George and Linda Renner ministry.

Please share your thoughts and memories of John with his family at http://www.tomaszewskifh.com and for more information please call Michael at (585)343-7500.

THE FAMILY OF JOHN VERNON ROWE IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK.

MARIA WITKO

Age 83, of Corfu, died peacefully Thursday morning December 29, 2016 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law where she resided. She was born February 10, 1933 in Germany, a daughter of the late Frank and Stanislava (Marcellak) Blasik, also preceded in death by her husband, John Witko in 1976.   

Maria was retired from General Motors in Illinois where she has lived most of her life until coming to Genesee County this past August. She enjoyed walking, her favorite meal, PIZZA and most of all time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving are her children, Theresa (Frank) Barone of Corfu and Peter (Janine) Witko of Morton Grove, IL; sister, Hanna in Germany; grandchildren, Jennifer (Jack), Laura, Caroline, Walter, Sheridan & Delaney; great-grandchildren, Amber, Isabelle, Olivia, Cole and a special niece, Zofia Rogers of Alabama.  

The family will be present from 9:30 to 10:00AM on Wednesday January 4, 2017 at St. Maximillian Kolbe Church where her Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10AM. She will be laid to rest in St. Joseph's Cemetery and memorials in her memory are suggested to a charity of the donor's choice.

Please share your words of comfort with Maria's family at www.tomaszewskifh.com or for more information please call Michael at (585)343-7500.

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