Obituaries

Rowena M. Landers, 85, formerly of Dellinger Ave., Batavia, died Friday (February 11, 2011) at Genesee County Nursing Home after a lengthy illness.

She was born in Batavia on May 12, 1925, a daughter of the late Stuart and Mary Shirley Myers.  Her husband Thomas Landers died in 1979. 

Mrs. Landers was a member of St. Joseph Church and enjoyed knitting and cooking.  She was an accomplished sewer and made many of her young children's clothes.

Surviving are four sons: Thomas (Vicki) Landers of Hudson, FL, Timothy (Linda) Landers of Byron, Francis (Maryanne) Landers of Rochester and Kim (Ruby) Landers of Brockport.  A daughter, Colleen Scroger of Bergen. A sister in law, Betty Myers of Long Island.   Eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. 

She was the mother of the late Dennis Landers who died in 1995 and sister of the late William Myers, Stuart Myers and Margaret Osterlitz. 

There is no visitation.  Private services will be conducted at the convenience of the family with interment in Stafford Cemetery.

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Crossroads House, P. O. Box 403, Batavia, NY 14020.

Expressions of condolence may be made at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.

Arrangements were entrusted to the J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC., 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY .  RONALD P. KONIECZNY, DIRECTOR & VETERAN.

Batavia - Miss Jeannette R. Pridmore, 81, of Batavia, formerly of Buffalo, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at Genesee County Nursing Home, after a long illness.

Miss Pridmore was born November 6, 1929 in Byron, a daughter of the late Andrew M. and Evelyn M. Wigton Pridmore.

She graduated from Elba Central School in 1947 and took nurses training at Millard Fillmore Hospital in Buffalo, where she worked for many years. She later worked as night supervisor at Children's Hospital until her retirement in 1995. She enjoyed traveling when she was able and a cruise trip and a trip to Hawaii were highlights. She was a long time, active member of West Avenue Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, holding several offices until suffering a stroke in late 2009.

Survivors include two sisters, Faye Anne (Carl) Barone and Margaret C. (late Donald) Parker, both of Elba, several nieces and nephews from Elba, Auburn and Georgia and a dear "daughter", Melanie McLeod of North Tonawanda.

She is the sister of the late Lawrence W. (late Carol) of Waterloo, Allan L. (Lillian) of Riverdale, Georgia, Raymond J. and Linda Lou, both of Elba.

Friends may call on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home, 11 Maple Avenue, Oakfield. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at The First Presbyterian Church of Elba, 23 North Main Street, Elba. Memorials may be made to Elba Presbyterian Church, 23 North Main Street, Elba, New York 14058. Burial will be in Maple Lawn Cemetery.

Condolences may be made at www.burdettandsanford.com.

Batavia - Mrs. Dorothy M. (Wiedrich) Petty, 92, of Batavia, retiree from the Batavia VA Medical Center in Batavia, died Monday, February 7, 2011 at Batavia Nursing Home.

Mrs. Petty was born August 13, 1918 in Batavia, the daughter of the late Neil and Lydia Wiedrich Smock.

A graduate of Batavia High School, she was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the former Moose Club of Batavia. She was an avid bowler and enjoyed going to horse races and stock car races. She would take bus trips to the area casinos where she loved playing bingo. She was a strong supporter of the Batavia Winter Guard and would wait tables wherever her late husband's band would play.

Her husband, Charles U. Petty, died January 18, 1990.

Survivors include her son, Gordon (Michal) Petty of Batavia; three grandchildren, Sarah (Michael) Wahl of Batavia, Christina (Adam) Lusk of North Carolina and Steven Petty of Batavia; two great-grandchildren, Hunter Lyle and Savannah Grace Lusk, both of North Carolina and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Bohm-Calarco-Smith Funeral Home, 308 East Main Street, Batavia, where services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. Burial will be in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Elba.

Condolences may be made at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Batavia - Mr. Richard F. Meier, 81, of Batavia, a teacher of agriculture at Genesee-Wyoming BOCES in Batavia, prior to his retirement in 1991, died Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at his home in Batavia.

Mr. Meier was born May 27, 1929 in Alexander, a son of the late Frank and Dora (Wagner) Meier.

He graduated from Cornell University, was a member of St. James Episcopal Church and a social member of the Alexander Volunteer Fire Department. He was an avid reader of westerns and enjoyed farming, gardening and especially enjoyed growing tomatoes. He was a member of NYSUT, Retired Ag. Teachers of NY, and was a Future Farmers of America (F.F.A) leader for many years and was active after his retirement. 

He is survived by his wife, Jane C. (Casterline) Meier whom he married July 30, 1955; a daughter, Debra L. Meier of Grand Island; a son, James L. Meier of Batavia; a brother, Frank (Virginia) Meier, Jr. of Alexander; a sister-in-law, Ellen "Bessie" Meier of Alexander; several nieces and nephews. 

He was the brother of the late Leonard Meier and Allen Meier. 

Friends may attend services at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 E. Main Street, Batavia. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the New York FFA Foundation, 9340 Long Pond Rd, Croghan, NY 13327 (Please place Dick Meier Campership Fund in memo line). Condolences may be made at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Batavia - Mrs. M. Lucille King-Downing, age 85, of Batavia, retiree of Kozak Auto Dry Wash in Batavia, died peacefully Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at Crossroads House in Batavia.

Mrs. King-Downing was born April 23, 1925 in East Rochester, a daughter of the late Walter and Dorothy Parker Brydges.

A member of the First United Methodist Church of Batavia she loved to play bingo, knit and crochet. She gave a lot of her knitting and crocheting away as gifts in the form of afghans, baby clothes and as donations to her church. A very family oriented person, she enjoyed visits with her family and friends.

She was predeceased by her husbands, E. Douglas King in 1967 and Harold Downing in 2007.

Surviving is her son, E. Douglas (Sherry) King of Elba; two step-children, Robert (Phoebe) Downing and Linda (Thomas) Calmes, both of Hilton; her sister, Harriett (Earl) Davis of Batavia, step-grandchildren and nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.

She is the sister of the late Ralph "Bob" (Evlyn) Brydges of Pavilion, Althea (William) Barrett, Sr. of Batavia, Pauline (George) Mills of Basom, Beverly (Ronald) Francis of Cheektowaga and Dorothy Jane Brydges of Batavia.

There are no prior calling hours. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 8221 Lewiston Road, Batavia. Burial will be in Grand View Cemetery, Batavia. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 8221 Lewiston Road, Batavia, New York 14020 or to Crossroads House, P.O. Box 403, Batavia, New York 14021. Condolences may be made at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements were completed by the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street, Batavia.

     Age 85, of Batavia died peacefully Friday February 4, 2011 at the home of her daughter in Green Bay, WI where she has resided since June 2010. She was born July 26, 1925 in Buffalo, daughter of the late Anthony and Mary (Capella) Delson; she was married for 36 years to Edward Dombrowski who preceded her in death in 1985. She was a loving and devoted sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Lucy was a graduate of Batavia High School class of 1942. She was a friendly face at Marine Midland Bank for 42 years as head note teller. Lucy was a member of Ascension Parish (former St. Anthony's) their Altar & Rosary Society and many other school and church activities where counting and keeping track of money was always her main responsibility. She was a member of the Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation. Lucy loved reading Danielle Steele novels, playing cards on Friday nights with her brother Tony, daily phone conversations with her brother David, weekly shopping trips to Buffalo and Rochester with her sister Babe and frequent trips to the casino. Traveling with her daughter and family was one of her favorite things to do, and she was able to take advantage of airline pass travel to see so much of this country and abroad that would have never been possible without them. Nothing compared to the joy that she found in becoming a grandmother to her "Numero Uno" Jenni and her "Favorite Redhead" A.J. Later the love of her life became her great-granddaughter Ella. She would call Grandma Lucy and always say "Wake up sleepy head!" and Lucy would smile from ear to ear. She was a devoted mother to her only child Mary Jo, and would make any sacrifice for her that she could. Towards the later part of her life their roles were reversed and she was cared for and loved just as she did. Lucy was one of the best people you could ever know. She loved everyone and everyone loved her. She made this world a better place and she will be truly missed.

     Surviving is her beloved daughter Mary Jo Piskor and her wonderful son-in-law Thomas Piskor of Green Bay, WI and their children and spouses Jennifer (Jason) Dettman of Huntsville, AL; Andrew (Natalie) Piskor of Chicago, IL and great-granddaughter Ella Marie Dettman. Brothers Anthony & David Delson and sister Frances "Babe" Gentile all of Batavia along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and very dear friends and neighbors.

     Family and friends may visit from 9-11 AM Saturday Feb. 12, 2011 at Ascension Parish (St. Anthony's Site) followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM, celebrated by Father Eugene Slomba. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her memory may be made to Unithy Hospice 2366 Oak Ridge Circle De Pere, WI 54115, or candles lit and Masses in her name at Ascension Parish. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery.

ARRANGEMENTS WERE COMPLETED BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020 ~ FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL MICHAEL AT (585)343-7500. 

Helen Fuest, age 94, of North Maple Street, Warsaw, formerly of Wyoming, died February 3rd, 2011 at the Wyoming County Community Hospital in Warsaw.

She was born in Middlebury, July 12th, 1916, the daughter of the late John and Mabel Brown Herman. Hon was a dedicated homemaker and also worked for several years at the Haxton Canning Company.

She was a kind and loving person for which her family was her top priority. Hon will be most fondly remembered for her peanut butter fudge. She enjoyed bowling, playing bingo and cards.

Hon was predeceased by her husband, John Fuest who passed away November 6th, 1992; a son-in-law, Clayton Pierce; a sister, Bernice McNair, and 5 brothers, Jack, George, Fred, Chet and Ray Herman. Survivors include 2 daughters, Betty Pierce and Marge Dersam of Warsaw; a granddaughter and her husband, Mary Lou and Walt Strathearn; a great grandson, Christopher Strathearn; a great granddaughter and her husband, Carrie and Wayne Bartholomew; a great great grandson, Turner Bartholomew; 2 sisters, Mary (Harland) Page and Mabel Orman; a brother, Paul (Esther) Herman; and 3 sisters-in-law, Ruth Herman, Polly Stoffer and Helen Herman, and several nieces and nephews.

Friends of Hon may call Sunday, February 6th, 2011 from 12-3pm at the Weeks Funeral Home 123 N. Main Street, Warsaw. A funeral service will follow with Rev. Douglas Evans as celebrant.

Please visit www.weeksfuneral.com to offer online condolences. Memorial contributions may be made in Hon’s name to the Wyoming Free Public Library at 114 S. Academy St. Wyoming, NY 14591.

 LeRoy - Mr. James Clayton Johnson, 72, of LeRoy, former police officer for the City of Batavia Police Department for 10 years, died Thursday, February 3, 2011at Strong Memorial Hospital.

Winnifred L. Knipe, 96, died February 3, 2011 at Orchard Manor nursing home in Medina.

Mrs. Knipe was born May 19, 1914 in Cornwall, Ontario, the second daughter of Fred and Lois Hanes Morgan, and grew up in Wales, Ontario. She was proud that the house in which she grew up, and the church in which her parents were married, were among historic buildings moved in 1957 when the St. Lawrence Seaway project flooded the village and fields she roamed as a child. She became an elementary teacher in rural Ontario and Toronto, where she met Roger Knipe, MD.
 

The couple married in 1943 and lived in British Columbia and Ontario before moving to the Batavia area in 1953, where Dr. Knipe became the first Genesee County public health director. The family moved to the Pacific NW in 1957. Dr. Knipe died in 1962, but “Win” remained in Everett, WA, returning to WNY in 2006 to be near family.
 

She was an avid community volunteer and served on the boards of the Red Cross and United Way, and other volunteer roles. She knit (and got others to knit) thousands of finger puppets, which became indispensable to children being treated at local hospitals. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Everett, and travelled extensively with her family.
 

Mrs. Knipe is survived by a daughter, Mary (Georges) Haour of Geneva Switzerland, and a son, Robert (Linda) Knipe of Batavia; four grandchildren, Anne (Richard) Doyle of Norwich, England, Patrick (Anne-Laure Meline) Haour of Paris, France; Thomas (Mary Grover) Knipe of Ithaca NY, and Andrew Knipe of Washington DC; and by six great-grandchildren. Win was the sister of the late May Morgan Reynolds, and has several nieces and nephews.
 

A memorial service will be held at the Batavia First Presbyterian Church, 1:30pm, Sunday February 6. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Everett WA.
 

Memorials may be made to Partners in Health (https://donate.pih.org/page/contribute/tribute) or to the charity of one’s choice. Win championed the causes of children, health care, and international church missions.

Condolences may be expressed at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net or to the family
 

Arrangements were entrusted to the J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, (343 – 6158).  RONALD P. KONIECZNY, DIRECTOR & VETERAN.

Gladys M. Litfin, 76, of Akron, died Wednesday (February 2, 2011) at Hospice Buffalo in Cheektowaga after a brief battle with cancer.

She was born in Buffalo, NY on April 26, 1934 a daughter of the late Robert and Gladys Hallet McCombs.

Gladys worked for M & T Bank in Clarence for 12 years as Head Teller prior to raising her family. She enjoyed cooking, gardening and being with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was also a wonderful care giver to others.

Surviving is her husband of over 54 years, Robert N. Litfin whom she married on June 30, 1956. Her children, Laura L. (Paul) Carley of Oneonta, NY, Kathy A. (Dave) Olson of Akron, Jayne M. (Brian) Perry of Akron and Gregory R. (Janine) Litfin of Akron. Ten grandchildren, Krista, Kendra, Katie and Brendan Lord, McKenna Carley, Brooke and Erik Olson, Jenna Perry and Lauryn and Ian Litfin. A brother, Norman (Grace) McCombs of Tonawanda. Nieces and nephews also survive.

She was the sister of the late Robert McCombs and Edna Younkers.

Family and friends may call Friday from 1 - 4 and 6 - 9PM at the J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, 32 JOHN ST., AKRON.   Services will be Saturday at 11AM at the First United Methodist Church, 7 Church St., Akron with Rev. David Weidman officiating.

Burial will be in Evergreen Lawn Cemetery.

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Hospice Buffalo, 225 Como Park Blvd., Cheektowaga, NY 14227

Expressions of condolence may be made at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net

Arrangements were entrusted to the J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, 32 JOHN ST., AKRON.   Ronald P. Konieczny, director & veteran.

Batavia - Mr. Harold E. Smith, 88, of Batavia, died Thursday, (February 3, 2011) at the New York State Veteran's Home.

Mr. Smith was born February 1, 1923 in Williamsville, the son of the late Edward and Anna (Gaser) Smith.

He was formerly employed by GTE Sylvania for 40 years. A veteran, he served during World War II with the United States Navy. Mr. Smith was a member of Resurrection Parish, GTE Retirees Association and a former member of Stafford Country Club. An avid bridge and card player, he was a former resident for many years at Horseshoe Lake and also Little River, South Carolina. 

Survivors include a son, James (Mary) Smith of Batavia; a daughter, Georg Ann (Thomas) Feldman of Little River, South Carolina; seven grandchildren, Jason (Lori) Smith of Batavia, Justin (Elizabeth) Calarco-Smith of Elba, Joshua (Kristin) Smith of Batavia, Jenna (Mark) Alexander of Oakfield, Kristen (Stephen) Cassell of South Carolina, Thomas (Nancy) Feldman of Illinois, James Feldman of South Carolina; eleven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. 

Mr. Smith is predeceased by his wife, Marian A. (Hammer) Smith who died in 2004 and his sisters, Vera Walters, Geraldine Beiter and Frances VanderWerf.

Calling hours are Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street, Batavia. His Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Resurrection Parish - St. Joseph’s Church, 303 East Main Street, Batavia. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Genesee Cancer Assistance, Inc., 16 Bank Street, Batavia, New York 14020 or Homecare & Hospice, 550 East Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020. Condolences may be made at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Bergen - Mrs. Louise M. Bailey, 83, of Bergen, an employee of the Rochester City School District for 20 years, died Saturday, January 29, 2011 at her home in Bergen.

Mrs. Bailey was born November 5, 1927 in Rochester.

Her husband, Donald F. Bailey, died in 1982.

She is survived by her children, Donna (John) Smith of Broadalbin, Jeff (Mary) Bailey of Rochester, Russell (Martha) Bailey of LeRoy, Linda (Charlie King) Hanna of Rochester and Wayne (Nancy) Bailey of Bergen; three sisters, Betty Vereecke of Greece, Estelle Barber of Ohio and Barb (Joe Putch, Jr.) Widger of Spencerport; 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She is the sister of the late Don and Ken Van Alystine.

Friends may call on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 51 South Lake Street, Bergen. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Bergen First Presbyterian Church, 38 South Lake Street, Bergen. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 101 John James Audubon Parkway West, Amherst, New York 14228 or to the Byron-Bergen Public Library, P.O. Box 430, Bergen, New York 14416.

Condolences may be made at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.