Obituaries

Warsaw ~ Gerald L. Merrill, age 80 , of Short Street, passed away on Tuesday morning (March 22, 2016) at the East Side Nursing Home.

      He was born November 24, 1935 in Warsaw, N.Y., a son of the late LaVerne and Geraldine Whitmore Merrill.

      Mr. Merrill was veteran of the U S Army and served in Germany.  He was a member of the Warsaw Fire Department and enjoyed driving truck for Baker and Baker milk haulers.  Aside from his family, his next biggest passion was doing mechanic work, especially on the trucks at Potter DeWitt, where he worked for many years.

     He will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 57 years, Mary Lee Donnelly Merrill; his daughter, Linda L. Merrill of Warsaw; his son, Robert (Karen) Merrill of Richfield, OH; his brother, Donald Merrill of Warsaw; his sisters, Barbara Ewell of FL and Lori Merrill (Charlotte Hamon) of Warsaw; his sister-in-law, Patricia Merrill of LeRoy, along with many nieces and nephews.

     In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Norman, Roger, David and James (Diana), and his brother-in-law, Vincent Ewell.

     Family and friends may call on Thursday, March 24 from 3 ~ 7 PM at the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc., 8700 Lake Road (Rt. 19 north), LeRoy, where services will be held at 7 PM.  Interment in the Warsaw Cemetery will be private.

     The courtesy of no flowers is requested with memorials suggested to St. Jude’s Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101 or the Alzheimer's Association, 435 E. Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14620.

      Your memories and condolences may be shared with Mr. Merrill’s family at www.falconefuneralhome.com.

     Mr. Merrill and his family are being cared for by the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc. in LeRoy.  585-768-2400

RUTH EDNA BOWEN

Memorial services are being announced for Ms. Bowen who passed peacefully on Saturday January 23, 2016 at the Genesee County Nursing Home at the age of 77.

Surviving are her sisters, Marcia Hartway, Marjorie Nesbitt, Lois Nanni, Rose Kitamik and Norma Waldron along with many nieces and nephews. 

Please join Ruth's family in celebrating her life 1:00pm Saturday March 26, 2016 at the West Barre Methodist Church. 

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

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

Age 73, of Batavia, died Sunday afternoon March 20, 2016 at Unity Hospital in Rochester with her family at her side. She was born February 18, 1943 in Batavia, NY, a daughter of the late Elmer and Rowena (Lortz) Kroldart. 

Sandy was a member of Resurrection Parish (former St. Joseph's) and its Sodality; she worked for Batavia Ophthalmology for many years and was a volunteer at UMMC and St. Joseph's School where she was known as "Grandma Sandy." She was member of the "Sixties Girls", made up of ladies that graduated in 1960 from Batavia High. Sandy enjoyed her trips to Florida during the winter months, but her greatest joy was being a grandmother. 

Surviving is her husband of 31 years, Frank Coppola of Batavia; loving children, Joseph (Renee) Falkowski of Batavia and Lisa Falkowski of Corfu, Mark (Nancy) Coppola of Oswego and Kristen (Donna) Coppola of Pittsburgh, PA; sister, Donna (David) Edwards of Silver Creek, NY; her 5 adoring grandchildren, Rachel, Heather & Dylan Coppola, Joseph and Faith Falkowski along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.                                                    

The family will be present on Wednesday March 23, 2016 from 4 - 8pm at the Michael S. Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel, LLC 4120 West Main Street Road Batavia, New York 14020 where prayers will be recited 9:30am Thursday March 24 followed by a 10:00am funeral liturgy at Resurrection Parish (St. Joseph's Site). Burial will be in Grand View Cemetery and memorials in her memory are suggested to St. Joseph's School 2 Summit Street or Notre Dame High School 73 Union Street Batavia, New York 14020. 

Please share your thoughts and memories of Sandy with her family at www.tomaszewskifh.com 

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

Kevin P. Heiman, Pavilion, passed away Saturday March 19, 2016. He was born June 27, 1982 in Batavia NY, son of Phil and Angela Heiman. 
He will be remembered for his easy going personality, contagious smile and his willingness to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He considered a stranger just a friend he hadn’t met yet. His free spirit led him to love all adventures including fishing, hunting, camping, hiking to find waterfalls, and sky diving. He loved animals and took great joy in gardening. He had a knack for engaging in lengthy conversations with all who crossed his path; he truly listened and always pondered other perspectives. His warm heart and thoughtfulness made others feel special. He was a 2000 graduate of Pavilion Central School where he made a lasting impression on teachers and friends. He was also a hard worker who enjoyed a career as a mason. 
Surviving along with his parents, his sister Caroline (Stephen) Favata, his brother Scott (Eva Valente), maternal grandmother Carmela Ilacqua, paternal grandparents Elmer and Marie Heiman, along with many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his grandfather, Anthony Ilacqua. 
Family and friends are cordially invited to share thoughts, condolences and fond memories from 2‐4pm and 7‐9pm Thursday March 24 at The Cameron Brady & Stueber Funeral Home, 111 Wolcott Street, LeRoy. A memorial service will be held at 11am Friday March 25 at First Baptist Church in Pavilion. A private interment will be held at Darien Cemetery. Memorials may be made a charity of your choice. To share a memory or leave a condolence please visit: www.leroyfuneralhome.com. 

Batavia - Kyle A. Couchman, age 47, of Batavia, passed away on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at Rochester General Hospital.

Kyle was born August 10, 1968 in Buffalo, the son of Donald Bigham and Joan (Vroman) Bigham of Greece.

An avid freelance photographer, Kyle was a member of the Western New York Photography Group. He loved fishing, deep sea diving and computer gaming. Kyle will be remembered by many for his banter on local radio stations and online news sources.

Surviving along with his parents are his loving and devoted wife, Theresa “Terrey” B. (Schiavi) Lee of Batavia; his children, Ryan Couchman and  Nicole Couchman; two step-sons, James Preedom of Albion and Mark Flaming of Pavilion; his granddaughter,  Avery Flaming of Pavilion; his sister, Kelly (Michael) Morgott of Virginia; nephew,  Zachary Morgott of Virginia; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Frank Schiavi, III of Batavia, Cheryl (Allen) Gillette of Cohocton, Kathie (Richard) Boyce of Lakeland, Florida and Fran Schiavi of Benson, Arizona; Kyle is also survived by his three cats that he adored: Misty, Luisia and Eunice.

Friends may call on Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Bohm-Calarco-Smith Funeral Home, 308 East Main Street, Batavia. Kyle’s funeral service will follow visitation at 7 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to the family.

To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle for Kyle, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

He is survived by 3 daughters; Susan Marie Spiotta of Batavia, Paula Ann Parker of Perry and Sandra Lee (Stephen) Chauvin of Twinsburg, OH.; a sister Ruth Ann (George) Burns of York; 9 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may call from 6:00-8:30PM on Tuesday March 22, 2016 at Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, New York 14530. Prayers will be recited at the Funeral Home on Wednesday March 23^rd at 10:15AM preceding an 11:00AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Isidore’s Catholic Parish (St. Joseph’s Church) in Perry. He will be laid to rest in Leicester Cemetery in Leicester.

Memorials may be made to the Perry Emergency Ambulance P.O. Box 288 Perry, New York 14530. For more information please call (585) 237-2626 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.eatonwatsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, New York 14530.

Mary E. Egloff (nee Ouderkirk), of Corfu,  passed away Wednesday (March 16, 2016) at Brothers of Mercy surrounded by her children.

 

Mary was born in Penn Yan, New York on April 14, 1937 to the late Carl and Alma Ouderkirk. She married the late Richard F. Egloff on October 2, 1954. She was the sister of the late Ellen (Jack) Drew.

 

Mary was a member of Pembroke Community Church and Corfu Senior Citizens Club. Mary spent her life as a housewife, raising and enjoying her family. She loved camping and traveling around the United States. In her later years, she was accompanied by her faithful companion, Ric Maurer.

 

Mary is survived by four children, Michael (Beth), Pamela (Ron) Brady, Cathy (Dave) Miller, and Carol (Bill) Wilson; and a brother Robert (Roberta) Ouderkirk of Seattle, Washington. She was blessed with 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. 

 

Friends are invited to calling hours held at Pembroke Community Church, 692 Main Road Corfu NY, 14036 on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral will be held on Friday at 11 a.m, also at Pembroke Community Church.

 

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Pembroke Community Church. Arrangements were made by C. B. Beach & Son Mortuary, Inc., 4 East Main Street, Corfu.

Bernie was born in Buffalo on July 24, 1946 to the late Edward and Elizabeth ”Betty” Bonczyk

In 1966 Bernie was drafted into the Army where he served in several positions, most notably as a tank commander in the Panama Canal Zone, and as a courier for top secret documents.

After returning home, Bernie married the love of his life Patricia (nee Nelson) on August 28, 1971. Together they moved to Colorado in 1975 so Bernie could pursue his training at the Colorado School of Trades to become a Certified Gunsmith. In 1977 they returned to WNY where Bernie took a job as the head gunsmith at Sterling Arms in Gasport. After the company closed, Bernie took a job as a precision machinist at Graham Manufacturing, where he stayed until his retirement in 2009.

Bernie was very active in many local Boy Scout troops and packs, serving as an Assistant Scoutmaster, Unit Commissioner and Unit Committee Member. He was very generous of giving his time to the Scouts; volunteering many hours working with the Dewalt Crew fixing up the camps and working in the kitchen on camp weekends.  Bernie was also involved with the Alabama Hunt Club, a local muzzle loading gun club, where he was a life member. There he assisted in designing and setting up their sporting clays course.

Bernie is survived by his wife of 44 years, Patricia, his son Wesley (Linda) of Lancaster, his 3 beloved grandchildren Owen, Ian and Eryn, a dear sister Delphine (late Gary) Derenda of Buffalo, and a special cousin Gary (Cathy) Tokasz of Elma.

Visitation will be held Saturday from 4-8pm at the Kenneth Howe Funeral Home, 64 Maple St. East Aurora, and on Sunday from 4-8pm at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 E. Main St. Batavia.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday 10am at St. Maximilian Kolbe RC Church, 8656 Church St. East Pembroke. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to Hospice Buffalo, Inc. or to the Boy Scouts of America; Iroquois Trail Council.

Online condolences may be made at www.howefuneralhome.com.

Local arrangements were entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street, Batavia.

He was born February 17, 1953 in Batavia, NY, a son of the late Stephen and Sophie Malinowski Jacek.

Robert was a graduate of Batavia High School and was employed for 41 years by R.E. Chapin in Batavia prior to his retirement.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, riding his motorcycle and gardening. Most of all he enjoyed the time spent with his family, especially taking his grandsons fishing. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Karen Spink Jacek of Middlebury. Sons, Christopher (Laura) Jacek of Attica and Steven (Laura) Jacek of Fishkill, NY. Sisters, Arlene Jacek (Brian Griggs) of Rochester and Patricia Potter-Kusciusko of Mississippi. Uncles, Louis Malin of Concord, CA and Julian Zielinski of Henrietta. Five grandchildren, several nieces and nephews also survive.

Family and friends are cordially invited to share thoughts, condolences and fond memories on Sunday (March 20th) from 12pm-2pm at the J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY. A funeral service will commence at the conclusion of visitation at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Roswell Park Alliance, Elm and Carlton Sts, Buffalo, NY 14263, Homecare and Hospice, 450 N. Main St., #3, Warsaw, NY 14569 or Wyoming County SPCA, 808 Creek Rd., Attica, NY 14011. 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.

Anna worked for Doehler Jarvis Manufacturing. She was a past member of St. Michael’s Society. Anna enjoyed bingo, dancing, baking, playing cards and crocheting.

She is survived by her step sons Benjamin and Joseph Nicosia; sister Audrey Dodd of Florida along with many nieces and nephews.

There will be no prior calling hours. A 9:30AM Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday March 19, 2016 at Resurrection Parish (St. Mary’s Church) 18 Ellicott St. Batavia, New York 14020. She will be laid to rest in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Batavia.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Resurrection Parish 18 Ellicott Street Batavia, New York 14020 or to the donor’s choice. For more information please call 585-343-8260 or to leave a message 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.

Jerry graduated from Honesdale Catholic High School and soon after moved to Attica. He worked a few different jobs before becoming a New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation Officer in October of 1954.  He retired as a Lieutenant Game Warden after 37 years of adventures and misadventures related to his field. Jerry was a volunteer firefighter for the Town of Batavia Fire Dept. in the 1960’s and 70’s.  After taking courses in Montour Falls, he became a NYS Fire Instructor for multiple volunteer fire departments in the area.  

He is survived by his devoted wife; Dixie Sporer of Oakfield; a daughter Mary Claire Sessamen of Corfu; sons Gary (Katy) Sporer of Garden, MI, Jeffrey (Ann Marie) Sporer of Lake Ariel, PA and Gregory (Tina) Sporer of Gainesville, FL.; brothers John (Pat) Sporer and Thomas (Kathy) Sporer both of Honesdale, PA.; 6 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday March 16, 2016 from 2:00 -4:00PM & 6:00 – 8:00PM at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020. A 10:00AM Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday March 17, 2016 at St. Padre Pio Parish 56 Maple Ave. Oakfield, NY 14125. He will be laid to rest in St. Cecilia’s Cemetery in Oakfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association of WNY https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2 or American Heart Association https://donatenow.heart.org . For more information please call 585-343-8260 or to leave a message 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.

Batavia - Joan M. Pfeifer, 88, of Batavia, a Physical Education Teacher at Batavia Middle School for 36 years prior to her retirement in 1984, died Friday, March 11, 2016 at LeRoy Village Green Nursing Facility. 

Miss Pfeifer was born June 18, 1927 in Batavia, the daughter of the late Frank and Caroline (Walpole) Pfeifer.

She graduated from Batavia High School in 1945 and from SUNY Brockport in 1951 with a Bachelor’s degree.  She graduated with a Master’s Degree in Education from University of Buffalo in 1963, was a member of the New York State Retired Teachers Association, Genesee County Retired Teachers Association and was a volunteer at United Memorial Medical Center, North Street and for Meals on Wheels.  She was also a member of St. James Episcopal Church and the Batavia Club's and Senior Center's Bridge Clubs.  She was the treasurer of the NYS Softball Officials Organization, Genesee Tennis Club and Midtown Tennis Club of Rochester.

She is survived by several cousins.

Friends may attend services at 11:00 am, Friday at H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 E. Main St., Batavia.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Homecare and Hospice, 29 Liberty St., Batavia, NY  14020 or St. James Episcopal Church, 405 E. Main St., Batavia, NY  14020.  Private burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.  Please leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

LORRIANE D. (METZ) FLEMING

Lorraine D. Fleming 94 of Corfu, formally of Cheektowaga entered into eternal rest peacefully at home and into the loving arms of the angels on Saturday, March 5th surrounded by family and friends.

She was born in Buffalo, New York on Mother's Day & her mother's birthday - May 9, 1921. She married Linn A, Fleming who departed from this life in Sept. 1993. They were married 46 years. She was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Dorothea (Haun)Metz, sister of the late Marjorie Metz Fleming and sister of the late Lawrence Metz, Jr.

Lorraine is survived by her son Rev. Robert W. Fleming and his wife Suzanne. Grandchildren: Craig & Veronika Smith of Colorado, Crystal Fleming of Tonawanda, NY, Christopher Fleming of Rochester, NY. Great Grandchildren: Matthew & Eva. Also survived by her brother-in-law Roger Fleming of California, many nieces and nephews. Special friends Theresa Michalski and Adam Moninski of Clarence, NY. Also survived by her loving cat Babe.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate her life on Saturday, March 19th at 1pm at St. Stephens-Bethlehem United Church of Christ, 750 Wehrle Dr., in Amherst with Pastor Sara Campbell presiding. Flowers are graciously declined. Memorials may be made in her memory to the church she held so dear to her heart.

The family is being cared for by: Carlton Ullrich Funeral Home in Amherst. Interment services will be private and at a later date.