Obituaries

Oakfield  - Mrs. Irene R. Michalak, 94, a retired food service employee at the Oakfield - Alabama School and St. Jerome Hospital, died April 20, 2013 at Strong Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Michalak was born September 21, 1918 in Batavia, the daughter of the late Gregory and Mary  (Wesolowski) Dymczak.

A lifetime member of St. Padre Pio Parish she prayed the Rosary daily and had a special affinity for the Blessed Virgin Mary.  She also belonged to the St. Jerome Guild. 

 She was the wife of the late Anthony Michalak, who died in 1968, mother of Dorothy Bishop who died in 2008 and Robert Michalak who died in 2010.

Survivors include two sons; Anthony (Peggy) Michalak of Basom and John (Patti) Michalak of Batavia; a     daughter-in-law, Susan Michalak of Batavia and a son-in-law, John Bishop of Texas.  Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 3 great great granchildren.

Mrs. Michalak enjoyed crocheting and spending time with her family.

Friends may call on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home, 11 Maple Ave., Oakfield.  Her Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM, Wednesday, at St. Padre Pio Parish, St. Cecilia's Church, 56 Maple Ave., Oakfield.  Memorials may be made to the LeRoy Village Green Activities Fund, 10 Munson St., LeRoy, NY 14482 or St. Padre Pio Parish, 56 Maple Ave., Oakfield. NY  14125.  Burial will be in St. Cecilia's Cemetery, Oakfield.  Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.burdettandsanford.com.

Robert H. Carlson, 91 of Williamsville died Saturday April 20, 2013 at the United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia. He was born September 1, 1921 to the late Henry (Elsa Johnson) Carlson. Mr. Carlson was a WWII Navy Seabees Veteran. He is preceded in death by his wife Carol L. (Vallier) Carlson; son-in-law Fredrick Fletcher; brother Eric “Gordy” Carlson; sisters Betty Nuhn, Doris Schmidt, Janice VanSteenburg, Jean Wiegel.

He is survived by his beloved daughters Sharon Fletcher, Linda Wheeler, Patricia, Donna Carlson, Shirley (Richard) Yeates, Nancy Carlson, Dianne (Kevin) Colling, Holley (Paul) Laudico; 18 grandchildren, 17 great and one great-great-grandchild.

Services will be private. Interment will take place at Acacia Park Cemetery in Tonawanda.

Memorials may be made to the NYS Veterans Home @ Batavia Activities Fund 220 Richmond Ave. Batavia, NY 14020. For more information call (585) 343-8260 or to sign the online guest registry please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.                                                                                        

Peggy A. McBride, 58 of East Bethany , died Wednesday April 17, 2013 at the Crossroads House in Batavia. She was born October 28, 1954 in Batavia to the late Herbert (Gloria Kinney) Scroger. Mrs. McBride worked for 32 years at Angelica Textiles in Batavia. She loved spending time with her friends, co workers and family.

She is survived by her beloved husband Thomas R. McBride of E. Bethany; son Thomas J. (Megan) McBride of Pavilion; daughter Jillian (Joseph) Welch of E. Bethany; granddaughter Piper McBride; grandson Isaac Furr; brother Herbert (Peggy) Scroger of E. Bethany; sisters Toni (Malcolm) Scott of Georgia; Tammy (David) Culver of S. Alabama; Tina (Bob) Kehlenbeck of S. Alabama; Kim (Dean) Knauss of E. Bethany, along with many nieces and nephews.   

Friends are invited to call on Friday April 19, 2013 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM at the Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020. 11:00 AM Funeral Services will be held on Saturday April 20, 2013 at the Funeral Home. Interment will take place in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Bethany.

Memorials may be made to Crossroads House 11 Liberty Street Batavia, NY 14020 or the Bethany Volunteer Fire Department 5253 Old Telephone Road E. Bethany, NY 14054. For more information or to sign the online guest registry please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com or call 343-8260. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, NY 14020.

Anthony J. Battaglia, Jr. 81 of Batavia, passed away on April 13, 2013 at his home. He was born September 27, 1931 in LeRoy to the late Wanda Guarino Battaglia. Anthony was a member of Resurrection Parish. He served in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954. He was a life member of the St. Nicholas Social Club; he was an avid golfer and hunter. He was a 45 year employee of LeRoy Machine Co. before retiring in 1992. He enjoyed dancing, karaoke and spending time with his grandchildren, his garden and visiting with neighbors and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife Rosemary Tenebruso Battaglia; brothers Samuel (Helen) Guarino, Gregory (Irma) Guarino; sisters Grace (Samuel) Tortorice, Helen (Bob) Zielinski. 

Survivors include his wife Diane Sochalec; son Mark (Gina) Battaglia of Sonyea; daughter Deborah (Robert) Lenz of Yorba Linda, CA; sister Evelyn Battaglia Tabone; three grandchildren Gregory, Rebecca and Mark Battaglia; six great-grandchildren along with several nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Friends are invited to call on Tuesday April 16, 2013 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020. A 9:30 AM Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday April 17, 2013 at Resurrection Parish-St. Joseph’s Church 303 East Main St. Batavia, New York 14020. Entombment will be in St. Joseph’s Mausoleum, Batavia.      

Flowers gratefully declined; memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org or the American Heart Association at www.heart.org. To sign the online guest registry 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.
 

Age 76, owner/operator of Dick Bauer Logging, went home to our Lord, Thursday, April 11, 2013 at Strong Memorial Hospital. He was born January 29, 1937 in Lockport to the late George Bauer & Georgianna (Rossman) Bauer-Allen, also preceded in death by a son, Timothy in 1988; granddaughter, Alesia in 2004 and step-father, Randell Allen.

Mr. Bauer was a logger since the 1960’s and has run the saw mill in Oakfield with his family ever since. Dick was a nature guy at heart, he enjoyed westerns, bird watching, woodworking, boating and playing horseshoes. In the late 60’s he built a cottage on Bob’s Lake in Canada where a great many memories were shared with family and friends over the years. Dick was a regular at Sport of Kings for coffee and breakfast every day before heading off to work.

Surviving is his beloved wife of 55 years, Constance (Mathews) Bauer of Alexander; loving sons, Keith (Kimberly) of Oakfield, Robert (Michelle) of Akron and Kenneth of Alexander; brothers, Ralph of Oakfield, Garry (Jane) of Akron, Donald Allen of Spencerport and David Allen of Batavia; sisters, Jeanne (Tom) Fuller & Shirley (Butch) Sheelar both of Medina; 10 grandchildren, Samantha, Deena, Rachel, Darlene, Dylah, Lance, Jacob, Troy, Travis & Kaleigh; 5 great-grandchildren, Jaslynne, Gracie,Willow, Ashlyn & Ewan along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family and friends may visit from 1-3 PM on Saturday April 20, 2013 at the Michael S. Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel, LLC 4120 West Main Street Road Batavia, New York 14020 where Funeral Services will follow. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to a charity of the donor’s choice; burial will be in West Bethany Cemetery.

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

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

Mary Vangalio, 99 of Rochester, formerly of Batavia died Friday April 12, 2013 at the Hamilton Manor Nursing Home in Rochester. She was born May 25, 1913 in Pottstown, PA to the late Michael (Jennie Morcandonio) DiMartino. Mrs. Vangalio was a longtime member of St. Anthony’s Church and its Altar and Rosary Society. She worked at Horowitz Shirt Factory in Batavia. Mrs. Vangalio is preceded in death by her husband Joseph Vangalio who died on April 11, 1983; brother Harry DiMartino and many friends.     

She is survived by her son Lewis C. (Jean) Vangalio of Rochester; special friend Theresa Mondo of Batavia, along with many nieces and nephews.   

Friends are invited to call on Sunday April 14, 2013 from 2 to 4 PM at the Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020. Prayers will be recited 9:00 AM on Monday April 15, 2013 at the Funeral Home followed by a 9:30 AM Mass of Christian Burial at Resurrection Parish-St. Joseph’s Church 303 East Main Street Batavia, New York 14020. Entombment will take place in St. Joseph’s Mausoleum, Batavia.

Flowers are gratefully declined and memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. For more information or to sign the online guest registry please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com or call 343-8260. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, NY 14020.

Age 85, of Batavia, died peacefully Monday, April 8, 2013 at Lakeside Beikirch Care Center in Brockport. He was born February 24, 1928 in Buffalo to the late Frederick & Magdalena (Bach) Willig, also preceded in death by his granddaughter Karen A. Heist.

     Mr. Willig was an Industrial Arts teacher for many years at Alden Central Schools. He loved to travel, enjoyed watching TV, especially sports, and enjoyed routinely purchasing his new car and was fascinated by the technology of them over the years.  

     Surviving is his beloved wife of 64 years, Patricia (Eger) Willig; loving daughter, Sandra (Paul) Heist; grandson, Kevin Heist all of Batavia; brother, Frederick (Christina) Willig of Orchard Park; sister, Carol (James) Coffed of Lancaster; dear aunt, Erna H. Gerlach of Tonawanda along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

     Family and friends are invited to share in Roy’s Memorial Mass 11:00 AM Friday April 12, 2013 at St. Maximillian Kolbe Parish (East Pembroke Site). Memorials are suggested to HomeCare & Hospice 550 East Main Street Batavia, New York 14020 or to the church; burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery in Alden.

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

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

Lois Merrie Geissler, 85, formerly of Elba, died Friday (April 5, 2013) in Claremont Nursing Center, Carlisle, Pa. She had a great love for the Lord, of music, and was the foundation of the family home. Lois was born in Decatur, Clearfield County, Pa., to the late Leonard and Hazel (Gross) Rupe. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters and a brother, Lyla Miller, Elsie Howard and Norman Rupe, and the father of her children, Harold Geissler.

She is survived by her children, Barbara Bolas (James) of Pittsburgh, Pa., Jane Hollenbeck of Enola, Pa., George Geissler (Linda) of Enola, Pa., Steven Geissler (Sophie) of Fairfax, Va., and Nancy Miles (Fred) of New Cumberland, Pa.; five siblings, Leona Froelicker of Marana, Ariz., Benjamin Rupe of Grand Prairie, Texas, Alvin Rupe of Mansfield, Texas, Evelyn Muntz of Batavia and Marvin Rupe of Corfu; 10 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren; two aunts, Mary Rupe of Lincoln, Neb., and Velma Holiday of Kylertown, Pa.; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main St., Batavia. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services. Burial will be in Indian Falls Cemetery, Corfu.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org. To send messages of condolence to Lois’ family, please visit www.Parthemore.com or www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com and for more information please call 343-8260. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.

John Castronova, 87 of Batavia, passed away on April 7, 2013 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. He was born March 28, 1926 in Punxsutawney, PA to the late Elia (Paola Cipolla) Castronova. Mr. Castronova was a WWII Navy Veteran. He was an avid golfer that belonged to Stafford Country Club, longtime local businessman and member of Resurrection Parish-St. Mary’s Church. He is preceded in death by his wife Nina Castronova who died on November 8, 2011; son Joseph Castronova; son-in-law Thomas A. Smith; sisters Margaret Dispenza, Angelina LaMendola, Frances Castronova, Vanessa DiSanto, Immaculata Zbaczyniak, Lillian Bosco, brothers Peter and Elia Castronova.

He is Survived by his son John (Mary Ellen) Castronova of Chattanooga, TN; daughters Paula (James) Roden of Bethel, CT; Maria Castronova-Smith of Jamestown; Nina (Edward) Castronova of Bloomington, IN;  brother Daniel (Patricia) Castronova of Sherman Oaks, CA; 11 grandchildren Kristin (Joseph) Pannozzo; Melissa (Michael) Courter; Kiley (Peter Ellard) Roden; David (Kristin) Marciniak; Megan (Chad) McDill; John (Carrie) Castronova; Korey (Mark Thorne) Roden; Jaime (Edward) Peterson; Paul, Luca, Malcolm Castronova; 12 great-grandchildren Theresa, Jacinta Courter; Joseph Pannozzo; Cecilia Courter; Caden Thorne; Peter Ellard; Colin Peterson; Kinley Thorne; Jonah McDill; Collins Nina Castronova; John Courter; Blair Castronova, along with many nieces and nephews.

There will be no prior calling hours. A 12:00 Noon Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday April 12, 2013 at Resurrection Parish-St. Mary’s Church 18 Ellicott St. Batavia, New York 14020. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Batavia.      

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Palliative Care Program-Office of Advancement P.O. Box 278996, 300 E. River Road Rochester, NY 14627 or www.urmc.rochester.edu/medicine/palliative-care/ in John’s memory. To sign the online guest registry 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.

Karen D. Capozzi, 65 of Batavia, formerly of the Bronx, died Thursday April 4, 2013 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born March 22, 1948 in Bronx, NY to the late Edward (Josephine Crean) Pennell. She was Nana to four grandchildren who she adored, John Anthony, Kamarie, Peter Joseph and Antonio. She loved to care for her baby Sophia who is a beautiful loyal Chihuahua. She enjoyed spending her days with her family, the water, seafood, traveling and life.    

She is survived by two daughters; four grandchildren; three brothers and two sisters.  

There will be no prior calling hours. Funeral Services will take place at St. Benedicts Church and Interment will take place at St. Raymond’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to HomeCare and Hospice 550 East Main St. Batavia, NY 14020. For more information or to sign the online guest registry please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com or call 343-8260. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, NY 14020.

Renee M. Panepinto, 55 of Batavia passed away on April 4, 2013 at her home. She was born March 16, 1958 in St. Louis, Missouri to the late Ben Houghton and Jolaine (Millward) Houghton of Buffalo. Renee was an inspiration to many as a teacher’s aide and secretary at Robert Morris Elementary School. She dedicated most of her life to supporting education and the Arts. Renee was a loving mother and wife and a wonderful friend to many.

She is Survived by her beloved husband Russell Panepinto; son Michael and daughter Rachel Panepinto all of Batavia; brother Tom (Linda) Houghton of Richmond, VA along with several nieces and nephews.

There will be no prior calling hours. Funeral Services will be private. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Batavia.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association at www.rsds.org/donate.html. To sign the online guest registry 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.

Oakfield – Betty J. Uschold, 87, of Oakfield, passed away Friday, (March 29, 2013) at Medina Memorial Health Care System, in Medina, following a brief illness.

Mrs. Uschold was born November 21, 1925 in Buffalo, a daughter of the late Peter and Victoria (Beken) Vacanti.

Betty loved animals; especially dogs, cats, and horses.  She was very private, and it was difficult to get to know her, but it was worth the effort.  Those who were fortunate enough to get to know her will remember her as a very nice, warm and wonderful person. 

She was the wife of the late Raymond Uschold who passed away in 1983.  They were married for 36 years. 

Betty is survived by the “Blessed O’Connors”, Michael (Barbiann) O’Connor of Oakfield and their family, Shawn (Melissa) and Rowan O’Connor of Depew, Kyle O’Connor of Akron, Lisa Marie and Emily Fearby of Oakfield; her dear friends, Rebecca (Robert) Chatt of Oakfield, Gary (Helen) Smith of Corfu; her many friends at the Alabama Store and her devoted companion of 13 years, Baby. 

Preceding her in death are her siblings, Peter Vacanti and Ruth (Striker) Vacanti.

Friends may call on Saturday from 11 a.m to 12 noon at the Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home, 11 Maple Avenue, Oakfield, where Betty’s Memorial Service will immediately follow calling at noon.   Flowers are gratefully declined; however those wishing may make memorials to Volunteers For Animals, P.O. Box 1621, Batavia, NY 14021.  Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cheektowaga.  Please leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Margaret H. Prince, 83 of Batavia, formerly of Long Island died Thursday April 4, 2013 at the Genesee County Nursing Home. She was born March 30, 1930 to the late Andrew (Helen Berger) Gitto. Mrs. Prince was retired from the Syosset School District in Long Island. She regularly attended services at the Grace Baptist Church in Batavia. She enjoyed her family, telling stories and writing poetry. Mrs. Prince is preceded in death by two husbands, Richard Dale and Murray Prince.

She is survived by her children Pamela Zola of Batavia; Christopher Dale of Huntington, NY; grandchildren Tonya Smith of Batavia; Kevin Zola of Buffalo; great-grandchildren Kira Ryan, Kaylee Smith both of Batavia; along with many cousins.  

Friends are invited to call on Saturday April 6, 2013 from 3 to 5 PM at the Grace Baptist Church 238 Vine St. Batavia, NY 14020. Funeral Services will follow calling hours on Saturday 5:00 PM at the church. Interment will take place at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale, NY.

Flowers are gratefully declined and memorials may be made to Audio Bibles for the Blind at www.audiobiblesfortheblind.org or the donor’s choice to a charity for the visually impaired. For more information or to sign the online guest registry please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com or call 343-8260. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, NY 14020.

Lois E. Link, born May 28, 1937 and raised in Perry, NY with her parents Ethel B. and Clayton H. Link and five brothers and sister: Marion, Roland, Charlotte, Donald and Gordon. She danced her way home with Angels on March 30, 2013. For over three decades Lois was a teacher, coach, and mentor to several hundred students who she always referred to as “her kids”. The greatest lesson she taught was to “live a good life, treat others kindly and help when you can.”
She was an amazing Spirit who could sink a hook shot from half court, rebuild a car engine and lead marathon campfire sing-a-longs with her trusty guitar “George”. She touched countless lives; most often by the example of how she lived. It was filled with deep love, wonder and gratitude for all the gifts and magic of life. She adored nature and animals, and worked tirelessly to protect and care for the earth and it’s many and varied inhabitants.

Her last days were spent at her home in Castile, deep in the care of her woods, her three children and her beloved animals. She is survived by her three children John, Lynne (David) and Dan, grandchildren David (Drew) and Amy (Liz), Brother Gordon and sister-in-law Cory.

There will be a Memorial for her this Saturday April 6th in Letchworth State Park at the Trailside Lodge from 11 am until 6 pm. Anyone who felt a connection to her, or was touched by her, and feels that they would like to come and share in this celebration of her life, is welcome.

Memorials in her name may be made to Angel Action, ASPCA, or Heifer International. For more information please call 237-2626 or to sign the online guest registry visit www.eatonwatsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, New York 14530.