Obituaries

We are heartbroken to announce that our mother and Bumpa, Carol A. Sherwood, passed from this life on June 16^th, 2023. Born to Lucille (Gentner) and Gerald Ellis on December 6^th, 1939, she was a lifelong Batavian. She graduated from St. Joseph’s School and attended Notre Dame High School. In her younger years, Carol was a member of the St. Joseph’s Drum Corp, which is where she met the love of her life, her husband Paul. Carol was a member of St. Padre Pio Parish, Oakfield/Elba and Resurrection Parish, Batavia.

Bumpa was excellent at baking, cooking, quilting, sewing, crocheting, knitting, and needle point. She could revive any plant and was a master stain remover. She has left her family with many beautiful craft  pieces to remember her and her gift by. 

Although she did not understand a single rule of any of the games or competitions she attended for her grandchildren, she was their biggest supporter and tried not to miss any event. She truly was their biggest fan in all aspects of their lives. Bumpa called each of her children and grandchildren, without fail, every single day to say goodnight and prayed for them ceaselessly. Her votive candle was lit every day for their safety. 

Carol was on the St. Joseph's Church prayer chain and there is probably not a person in Batavia that she hasn’t at one time prayed for.  She was a volunteer at All Babies Cherished and loved the time she had with the ladies there. For many years she enjoyed the swim exercise class at the YMCA and the friends she made there. Up until to her last day she could be seen taking her daily walk. 

Bumpa could be found sitting on her porch, with her rosary and prayer books. Her life was devoted to her family and faith in God. The most important things to her were faith, family, and friends.

Carol has been reunited with her beloved husband, Paul, who passed away in 2018. She is survived by daughters Dawn (Rex) Norton and Maureen Sherwood of Batavia, and her son Dennis Sherwood of Las Vegas, NV. She is also survived by the lights of her life, her grandchildren: Lucy (Josh) Maier, Riley (Justin Hawley) and Shea (Tina) Norton; Trevor (Emily) and Jaden Sherwood; Nicholas (Jyssica), Nolan, and Whalen Sherwood. She is survived by two great grandchildren, Cash and Jessy Mae Sherwood. Also surviving are siblings Nancy (Ronald) Welker, Gary Ellis, and Ricky (Melissa) Ellis, sister-in-law Pauline Sherwood, and numerous nieces and nephews from the Ellis and Sherwood families whom she loved dearly. 

Calling hours will be from 4-7pm on Tuesday, June 20^th at the Bohm-Calarco-Smith Funeral Home, 308 East Main Street, Batavia. Funeral Services will be held privately. She will be laid to rest in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Batavia. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Carol’s memory to St. Joseph's Regional School, 2 Summit Street, Batavia, New York 14020, All Babies Cherished, 445 Ellicott Street, Batavia, New York 14020 or in the form of Mass Intentions. To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle in her memory, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Bergen -Raymond Henry Allyn, 93 of Bergen passed away on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Raymond was born on April 10, 1930, in Rochester, NY, a son of the late William and Hazel (Caudle) Allyn.

Raymond began life in Gates, where he attended Spencerport school and played basketball and baseball. While in Rochester where he met Emma Nichols. They were married in WV, in the holler of Nichols Mountain, at her parent’s homestead on February 7, 1952. They had a beautiful horse farm in Gates, where Raymond operated a Racehorse farm and worked the nearby land. The crops were then sold at his Vegetable stand. Together they raised three wonderful children. Raymond worked for the railroad, milked cows, was an owner/operator of a dump truck business and retired as a tractor operator for Colby Homesteads Farms until his retirement.

He was a member of the Gas-Steam engine association, Churchville Lions Club, and many tractor pull competitions. Raymond enjoyed sitting on the porch, growing vegetables in his garden, especially his sweet corn and pumpkin patch, and spending time with his loved ones. 

Surviving is his daughter, Susan Fabretti and her husband, JR, of Bergen, NY; great grandchild, Nikolas Fabretti of Rochester, NY.

In death Raymond is reunited with his parents, William and Hazel Allyn; children, Cheryl Reis and Debra Dutton; grandchildren, Virginia Reis, Emily Reis, and Timothy Reis; siblings, Ralph Allyn, Charlie Allyn, John Allyn, and Alfred Allyn.

Family and friends are invited to call on Thursday June 29, 2023, from 10:00 am to 12:00 am at H. E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 51 S. Lake Ave, Bergen, NY 14416. Raymond’s Funeral Service will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Mount Rest Cemetery in Bergen, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, or the Reis Memorial Scholarship, ATTN: Reis Memorial Scholarship 6917 W Bergen Rd, Bergen, NY 14416

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

On June 14, 2023, John Donald (JD) Barrett, 98 ½, of Stafford, NY, entered the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  JD was born January 10, 1925 in Wyoming, PA to John J. and Margaret L. (Guilford) Barrett.

Upon graduation from high school, he joined the US Navy.  He was a veteran of WWII, serving from February 12, 1943 to February 22, 1946 aboard the USS Carroll and USS Charles Plunkett as a radioman.  After leaving the military, he attended King’s College in New Castle, DE, where he met his sweetheart, Dorothy Scarborough.  They were married on October 18, 1947.  They were married 75 ½ years.  

He was employed at Lapp Insulator for 42 years.  He was a faithful servant for his Lord at Grace Baptist Church, Batavia, NY, playing the piano and serving as a trustee.

JD enjoyed flyfishing and tied his own flies and built his own rods.  Later in life he enjoyed canoeing.  He and Dorothy built 2 strip canoes in their retirement years.  He made many friends fishing and paddling.  He was an honorary member of the Oatka Fish and Game Club, LeRoy, NY, and Philip Garbutt Rod and Gun Club, Rochester, NY.

In addition to Dorothy, he is survived by his 2 daughters, Sally (Tim) Fry of Elyria, OH, and Gayle (Gerry – deceased) Ludwig of Rochester, NY.  JD is also survived by his brother, Alvin (Wilma) Barrett of Turner, ME, along with grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

There will be no calling hours.  His funeral service will be held Monday, June 19, 2023 at 11 am at Grace Baptist Church, 238 Vine Street, Batavia, NY.  Burial at Western NY National Cemetery in Corfu, NY, will be held Friday, June 23, 2023 at 10:00 am.

PLEASE NOTE:  Due to a member of the family having severe allergies, please no perfumes, flowers or plants of any kind.  

Gifts in memory of JD may be made to Grace Baptist Church.

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

Arrangements for John were entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, Batavia, (585) 343-8868.

Richard N. Neth, 82 of Batavia, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at Veterans Home @ Batavia. He was born in Batavia, July 14, 1940 to the late Norman and Rose (Donahue) Neth. 

Dick was a proud United States Navy Veteran and also served 25 years in the Army Reserves. He volunteered at the VA Medical Center in Batavia, he was an Ombusman for many years and member of Ascension Parish. Dick was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Shirley A. (Ruzzi) Neth of Batavia; sons, John (Julie) Neth of North Fort Myers, FL, Michael (Tonya) Neth of Birmingham, AL, Stephen (Anna) Neth of Nashville, TN; four grandchildren, Gary (Jennifer) Neth, Gregory (Jessica) Neth, Jamie (Alicia) Neth and Ruby Neth; four great-grandchildren, Charley, Corrie, Liam and Niko, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.   

A 9:15am Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at Ascension Parish, 19 Sumner Street, Batavia, NY 14020. He will be laid to rest at 11:00AM with Military Honors at Western New York National Cemetery, Corfu.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in the form of masses. To leave an online 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.

Donald Selover, 74, of Avon passed away on June 13, 2023 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. He was born in Rochester on August 14, 1948 to the late Kenneth and Delia (Galipeau) Selover. In addition to his parents, Donald is predeceased by his brother; Alan Selover.

He is survived by his wife; Shelby (Tripp) Selover of Avon; children Erryn (Larry) Selover of Bergen, Brandy Selover of LeRoy and Kenneth Stasiw of Gates; sisters Gail Doohan of Webster, Donna Fralick of CA; brother Paul Selover of CA; 5 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, along with many nieces an nephews.  

There will be no prior calling hours or Services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Avon Fire Department 74 Genesee St. Avon, NY 14414. To leave an online 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.

Beverly A. Mingle, 79, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at the Beechwood Continuing Care in Getzville. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at the First United Methodist Church-65 Main St. North Tonawanda, NY 14120 on Friday June 23 at 11:00 AM. For a full obituary and to share condolences visit www.jerfh.com.

Carol L. Ryan, 72 of Batavia, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 in her own home. She was born on February 8, 1951 on Clifton Springs to the late Gerald and Virginia (Bowman) Weyneth. She is predeceased by her sister Linda Lincoln.

Carol was a well-known travel agent in Genesee County and also worked for Walmart as a cashier where she retired from. She was a member of the Attica American Legion Auxiliary, and the Warsaw Vets Club. She loved travelling, going out and spending time with all her friends in her social clubs.

Mrs. Ryan is survived by her beloved husband; Gary Ryan; son Dennis (Nicole) Schrader of Batavia; sister Deb Cali of Macedon; grandchildren Riley and Maya Schrader, along with several nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call from 11am to 2pm on Saturday, June 17, 2023 (please note location) at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020. A 2:00PM Funeral Service will be held immediately following visitation at the Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest at Forest Hill Cemetery in Attica. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Attica American Legion Auxiliary 83 Market St. in Attica. For more information or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC, 135 Main Street, Attica, NY 14011. 

Elizabeth A. Long, 99, of Bergen, passed away on June 1, 2023 at the LeRoy Village Green Nursing Home.

Elizabeth was born February 24,1924, in LeRoy, a daughter of the late Charles and Laura (Spooner) Arnold.

Elizabeth was born and raised on a farm in LeRoy, and would end up marrying a farmer.  She was a lifelong member of Stone Church Presbyterian Church and an interpreter for Genesee Country Village and Museum in Mumford for 25 years.  

Surviving are her son, Richard (Suzanne) Long of Bergen; daughter-in-law, Cathy Long of Leavenworth, Kansas; 6 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her husband, Robert Long, son, Donald Long, brother, Alton Arnold and a sister, Jean Hider.

Family and friends are invited to call on Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 51 South Lake Ave., Bergen.  Elizabeth's funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at Stone Church Presbyterian Church, 7549 South Lake Road, Bergen.  She will be laid to rest in Stone Church Cemetery in Bergen.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Stone Church Presbyterian Church, 7549 South Lake Road, Bergen, NY 14416.  

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

LeRoy ~ Donald W. Kurtz, “Kurtzie”, age 87, of Mill Street, passed away at home early Sunday morning (June 11, 2023) in the loving presence of his family.

     He was born August 24, 1935 in Rochester, a son of the late Joseph and Joanna Kelly Kurtz.

    Don was a lifelong LeRoyan, who will be remembered for his love of family and community.  He was a member of the LeRoy Fire Department, having served as a past chief.  He was also a member of the Excelsior Hook & Ladder Company and the Oatka Fish and Game Club.

Whether Don knew you or not, you could be guaranteed that he would greet you by the term of “partner”, which to him, meant friend.

     He will be sadly missed by his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Janice Finco Kurtz; his daughters, Molly (Michael) Iten and Marcy (Brian) Sage; grandchildren, Alexis (Scott) Tilburg, Jacob Iten and Elijah Iten; future great-grandson, Beau Tilburg, who is expected on Don’s 88^th birthday, along with his faithful canine companion, Milly. 

     Family and friends are invited to attend his Rite of Christian Burial to be held on Friday, 

June 16^th at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, St. Peter’s Church, 44 Lake Street, LeRoy.  Interment and graveside prayers in St. Francis Cemetery will immediately follow his mass.

     In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to LeRoy Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 56, LeRoy, N.Y. 14482, towards the purchase of a new ambulance. 

     A celebration of life will be held at a later date, to be announced.

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

Marlene Sharp Murphy (nee Cotton), age 87, of Williamsville, formerly of Batavia, died on Oct. 12, 2022, at Elderwood at Williamsville.

Marlene Alice Cotton was born May 1, 1935, in Buffalo, to the late Marsden H. and Maude (nee George) Cotton. She grew up in East Aurora. She married John Edwin “Jack” Sharp on Sept. 15, 1956, and they were together for 33 years until Jack’s death in 1989. They had five children, Joseph, Mary, John, Anne and Thomas, and lived most of their married life in Batavia where they raised their children. Jack was a high school guidance counselor at Oakfield-Alabama Central School. In the late 1990s, Marlene met and married her second husband, John V. “Murph” Murphy, and they were together for several years until Murph’s death in 1999. She later moved to the Buffalo area, residing in Williamsville and North Tonawanda, and lived for more than 10 years with her companion and friend, Donald Markovitz. 

Over the course of her life, Marlene touched many people. She taught ballroom dancing, and liked to sew and quilt, bake and cook, and play bridge. She also sold trees and attended clown school. Marlene worked as a telephone operator, waitress, hostess, and bank teller, and was active in the Genesee Memorial Hospital League, as well as St. Mary’s Parish and St. Joseph’s Parish in Batavia. 

Surviving are her children, Joseph M. (Cindy Thompson) Sharp of Farmingdale, NJ; Mary Sharp Sutula, of League City, TX; Anne Sharp (Mark) Oleksy, of Williamsville; and Thomas E. (John “Bert” Russ) Sharp of Washington, DC. She is also survived by her sister, Diane M. (Fred) Finkbeiner, of Bishop, Calif.; daughter-in-law, Carrie Sharp, of Fort Mill, S.C.; grandchildren, Garrett C. (Erica) Sutula, Meganne (Zac) Gibson, John T. “Jack” (Maria) Sharp, Allyson Sharp, Kaleigh (Josh Gabrelcik) Sutula, Maggie (Lance) Justus, Timothy E. (Kelly Doyle) Sharp and Katherine “Katie” Russ-Sharp; four great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and their families; and Murph’s children, Maura Murphy Pierce, John V. Murphy, Michael J. Murphy and their families. 

Marlene is predeceased by her husbands, Jack and Murph; her son, John Marsden Sharp; her grandson, Joseph Cotton Sharp; and her sisters-in-law and their husbands, Mary Jane and Robert Page, Jean and Dr. A. Charles “Chuck” Massaro, and Margaret “Peggy” and Carle Ingram. 

Friends and family are invited to call on Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 10 am to 12 pm at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street, Batavia. She will be laid to rest in Grandview Cemetery, Batavia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice-Buffalo, Inc., 225 Como Park Blvd., Cheektowaga, NY 14227.  To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle in her memory, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Churchville - Floyd  Monroe  Pire , 80  of Churchville  passed away on Friday, June 9, 2023 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York.

Mr. Pire was born Wednesday, January 13th, 1943 in Rochester, New York a son of the late Frances Pire and Laverne Pire.

Floyd was independent from a young age. Growing up in Rochester he overcame many struggles. In 1981 he married the love of his life, Robin Mallette, and together had two wonderful children. He was an exceptional house painter, working on many of the "Pained Lady" homes in Rochester. Floyd put his heart and soul into his business, as a painter, and worked for over 40 years in the Rochester area. While he enjoyed many of the little things in life, his truest passion was being a loving father and husband.

Surviving are his wife Robin of Churchville; Son Elan (Katherine) Pire of Covington; grandchildren, Bohannon Monroe of Covington, Daxton Mason of Covington, Wesley Cliff and Natalie Cliff, both of Corfu. In death Floyd is reunited with his parents and his daughter, Doncia Cliff.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home. There will be a celebration of life at a later time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Floyd's name to UR Medicine Hospice at https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/senior-health/end-of-life/hospice.aspx.

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

Lawrence C. Abendschein, 83 of North Java, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 8 2023 at Charlotte House, surrounded by his family. He was born September 17, 1939 in Lancaster to the late Clifford (Viola) Abendschein. He is preceded in death by three sisters, Betty Haynes, Eleanor Klinkman and Jean Crane. 

Larry was a farmer his entire life and there is nothing he loved more then farming, he worked construction for years but farmed before, after and during. He was a simple man that enjoyed family, friends and being together. 

He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Kathleen (Lung) Abendschein of North Java, children, Darlene Abendschein of North Java, Annette (Kevin) Vickers of North Java, Thomas of Red Hook, Kenneth of Arcade, Michael of Chaffee and Frederick Abendschein of Freedom; 4 grandchildren, Melissa (James) Haenle, Kevin, Ian, Aiden, 3 great-grandchildren, Jacob, Hunter and McKayla, along with many nieces and nephews. 

Friends are invited to call on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 from 3 to 7pm at (Please note location) Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020. An 11:30am Celebration of his Life will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 11 Washington St., Attica, NY 14011. He will be laid to rest in Forest Hill Cemetery, Attica.   

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Charlotte House, PO Box 123, North Java, NY 14113. To leave a message of condolence please visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC, 135 Main Street, Attica, NY 14011. 

A committal service with military honors for Henry “Hank” Kujawski, Sr., 91, of Batavia who passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on January 7, 2023, will be Friday, June 16^th, 11:00am at St. Joseph Cemetery.

ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD McANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY 14020.

Kathryn A. Westermeier, 70, of Akron NY entered into rest on May 17, 2023 after a brief battle with lung cancer.  Kathy was a graduate of Alexander Central School & earned her BA & MaEd at SUNY Geneseo. Kathy worked as a librarian at W.G. Rice Elementary in Boiling Springs PA for 34 years. She loved her job, touched countless lives & made life-long friends. Upon her retirement, she returned to NY to be with her beloved family, living next door to her daughter Heidi, son-in-law Paul, & her cherished grandson Leo. She loved exploring other cultures & was a frequent traveler who visited France, England, Poland, Italy, Peru, Costa Rica & Mexico in recent years, among many other destinations with her family. She was an avid reader of non-fiction who enjoyed learning new things, teaching herself Spanish in recent years. She found joy in art, nature, & saw beauty in the smallest of things.

Kathy is survived by her daughter Heidi (Paul) Muck; her grandson Leo; her brother Walter (Kathie) Kershenski; her nephews Kent (Jess) Kershenski & Michael Kershenski; her sister-in-law Jane (Bruce) Kershenski, her sisters-in-law Barbara & Carla Westermeier, & many other nephews, nieces & cousins.

She was pre-deceased by her parents Chester & Jane Kershenski & her brother Bruce Kershenski.
Calling hours will be Friday, June 23 from 4-7pm at the Charles Meyer Funeral Home, 13228 Broadway Alden, NY. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, June 24 at 10:00 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Darien Center. A separate memorial service will be held in PA at a later date.
Memorials may be made in Kathy’s name to Roswell Park Cancer Institute.  Share your condolences at meyerfuneralhome.com. 

Paul D. Strogen 81, of Daly City, California and formerly of Batavia, passed away January 29, 2023 at his home.

Mr. Strogen was born May 17, 1941 in Batavia, the son of the late Joseph P. Strogen and Elva Hyde Strogen.

Surviving are his son James Wohlford (Sherri) of Bloomsburg,PA, brother James A. Strogen (Virginia) of Sunrise Beach, MO and sister Mylynne Austgen (Wayne) of Elizabeth,CO.

Mr. Strogen was a graduate of Batavia High School where he played drums in the band and ochestra. He also was a member of the Saint Joseph Drum and Bugle Corps.

Paul served his country honorably in the United States Navy, serving on the USS Dewey and later as an electronics instructor at the Treasure Island facility of the US Navy at San Francisco.He served during the Vietnam years on a special warfare intelligence aircraft.

He was a member of the Batavia VFW as well as in San Francisco.

In later years he worked as an electrical engineer for various firms.

Mr. Strogen travelled extensively all over the world.  He especially loved to sail his own sailboat  with friends.

Special destinations for him were the Hawaiian Islands, Australia , Europe and especially Slovakia where he visited Strogen family relatives.

Mr. Strogen was a patron of the San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco Opera and participated in folk dance in Europe and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.  His motto was: "Music feeds my soul-Dance is my lifeblood"

He will be missed by family and a large number of friends all over the world.

Mr. Strogen's Navy Honors Memorial Service we be held at the West Bethany cemetery at 1:00 pm on Saturday June 17th, 2023.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the United States Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. Ste 123, Washington,DC, 20004-2608.