Stories from

Corfu - Ruth B. Nati, 78, of Corfu, passed away Wednesday (October 10, 2012) at her home.

Ruth was born February 24, 1934, in Salamanca, NY, a daughter of the late Alfred and Elsa Bachman Schnabel.  She attended Bryant and Stratton for secretarial studies. Ruth was an avid dog lover. She was married to the late Orlando F. Nati on August 15, 1953. He passed away on September 16, 2000.

She is survived by her five children; Gino (Cheryl) Nati, Michael (Jackie) Nati, Lisa Uzarowski, Michelle (Tim) McCoy and Lonnie (Chelle) Nati; 18 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; her sister, Betty Miller and many nieces and nephews.

There are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish (St. Francis site) 18 West Main Street, Corfu. Burial will be in Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Corfu. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Volunteers for Animals 3841 W. Main St. Rd., Batavia, NY 14020. Arrangements were made by C. B. Beach & Son Mortuary, Inc. 4-6 Main Street, Corfu, NY 14036

Corfu - Constance Plummer Miller, 93, passed away Sunday (September 9, 2012) at St. Joseph’s Hospital. The daughter of Clayton and Grace Plummer, she was born in Buffalo, August 14, 1919.

Following graduation from William Smith College in Geneva NY with a B.A. in sociology, Mrs. Miller joined the Red Cross and was stationed in India where she spent nine months at Air Force Headquarters. She then moved to China for a second tour of duty where she was responsible for radio publicity and broadcasted two shows daily from Radio Tokyo. She was also stationed in Japan during WWII and was a volunteer plotter for the Army Air Corps Early Warning System, where she tracked and identified all aircraft in the area. 

Upon her return to the US Mrs. Miller worked with the USO in Texas, Virginia and Massachusetts prior to returning to Buffalo and earning a Master’s Degree in Social Work from The State University at Buffalo.  Mrs. Miller was employed by the State of New York at Buffalo Psychiatric Center where she held several positions and was the first female non-medical professional to hold the position of Unit Chief.  She retired from the Buffalo Psychiatric Center in 1980 but remained very active in the community. Her professional and public service careers showed an extraordinary commitment to those in our community who have been afflicted with mental illness. She helped found the Restoration Society in Buffalo to serve recovering mental health clients.

In 1988 Mrs. Miller was honored to receive the Susan B. Anthony Award from The Interclub Council of Western New York.  This prestigious award honors women of distinction who have exemplified the characteristics and spirit of Ms. Anthony which include her undaunted courage and unselfish devotion to many philanthropic purposes and to the cause of equal rights for women.

After Moving to Genesee County in 1981 and discovering that services to the mental health community were limited, she helped to found the Genesee County Mental Health Association.  More recently, The Constance E. Miller Award for Commitment to Excellence, was created in her name by the staff at the Mental Health Association in Genesee County and is given annually to an organization or individual for conspicuous service on behalf of people with mental illness.

Mrs. Miller served by appointment of the New York State Governor to the Rochester Board of Visitors of the Rochester Psychiatric Center. She served on the Community Services Board of Genesee County, Living Opportunities of Western New York and DePaul Community Services Board.

She receive many other honors for her dedication to the community in the course of her lifetime, including the Hyman Levin Professional Award from the Western New York Mental Health Association in 1974, the Volunteer of the Year Award in 1995 from the New York State Mental Health Association, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York State Commission of Mental Health in 2002.

Mrs. Miller was very active for many years in The Women’s Overseas Service League (WOSL), the only national veteran’s organization composed of women from all services; civilian, military and government.  She served as WOSL’s Historian, First Area Director, Executive Board Member, Carry On Editor and the Buffalo Unit’s President

An avid gardener, she enjoyed tending her extensive vegetable gardens at her summer home in Cohocton, New York. The fruits of her labor were appreciated by many, as she also enjoyed preserving the bounties of the harvest by canning.

Mrs. Miller was pre-deceased by her parents Clayton and Grace Plummer and her sister, Lois Plummer, MD. She is survived by her son Douglas (Robin) Miller of Corfu, grandson Darren Miller of Rochester and granddaughter Andre’ Miller of Corfu.

Friends may call Wednesday 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the C. B. Beach & Son Mortuary, Inc. 4-6 Main Street, Corfu.  Funeral services will follow at 8 p.m. Flowers gratefully declined.  Memorials may be made to The Genesee County Mental Health Association.

Corfu - Alberta S. Brightenfield, 90, of Corfu, passed away Thursday (August 16, 2012) at her home.

Mrs. Brightenfield was born July 9, 1922 in Corfu, a daughter of the late Albert and Martha Nuwer Smith. She was the wife of the late Edward Brightenfield;  Mother of the late Albert J. Brightenfield and James A. Brightenfield; and sister of the late Elmo Smith, Laverne Smith, Robert Smith and  Norma Feller.

Alberta worked as a secretary, tax collector and census taker for the Pembroke Central School District for over 40 years. She was a faithful member of St.  Maximilian Kolbe Parish (St. Francis) and the church secretary for over 40 years. Alberta was also a member of the Corfu Fire Department and the Ladies Auxiliary, the Corfu Senior Citizens and served as an election inspector for many, many years. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family. Alberta's favorite pastimes were baking, gardening and playing pinocle with her family, card club and senior citizen friends .

Alberta is survived by her daughter, Mary (Bud) Ulander of East Pembroke and her son, Robert (Patricia Navas) of Corfu and daughter-in-law Lori Birghtenfield of Stafford; eight grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Rosemary Smith of Batavia. Several cousins, nieces and nephews also survive.

Family and friends may call Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the C. B. Beach & Son Mortuary, Inc. 4-6 Main Street, Corfu. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish (St. Francis site) 18 West Main Street, Corfu. Burial will be in Our Lady of Good Counsel Cemetery, Darien Center, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to be used for the church building fund.

September 26, 1910 - June 10, 2012

Peacefully passed away in her sleep on June 10, 2012 at Morningside/Park Vista Skilled Nursing in Fullerton, CA. at age 101.

Born,  Ethel Boller Foster on September 26, 1910 in Chicago, Illinois to Rolland Clyde Foster and Zillah Gweendolyn Dodds Foster. Ethel spent her childhood in Chicago with fond memories of horseback riding in Lincoln Park along the shores of Lake Michigan with her father and working in his stockyard cattle business in Chicago.

Her family resided for many years at 7140 Princeton Avenue in Chicago and were active in the community.

She was a graduate of Chicago Parker High School and graduated from the University of Chicago in 1933 with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in Education (division of social sciences).

After graduating, Ethel was employed by the City of Chicago as a social worker serving the residents of Chicago during the Great Depression.  Her passion to help those less fortunate would continue throughout her life.  Ethel was an enthusiastic supporter of the HollyGrove Orphanage in Los Angeles, receiving its special recognition Angel Award and the Woman's Club of Hollywood.

She was active in her local Episcopal Church while living in Chicago, Batavia, New York and Los Angeles.

On September 23, 1937 Ethel married the love of her life, Frank (Tubby) Robinson Stafford, a recent civil engineering graduate from Northwestern University who would later become a trainmaster for the New York Central Railroad in Batavia, New York.  During World War II, Tubby served as a major in the army in North Africa, Italy and Germany.  During their 57 year marriage Tubby and Ethel enjoyed traveling and cruising.

In 1960, Tubby and Ethel moved to the Griffith Park area of Los Angeles, Ca. when Tubby retired from the railroad. Tubby passed away in 1994.  Ethel's enjoyment of cruise ships continued on with many excursions to the Carribean, Mexico, Alaska and the Panama Canal with her sister Betty, nephews and nieces.

She always treasured her family and her many friends and neighbors.

Ethel lived a long and wonderful life and has touched us all in a special way.  She will be dearly missed.

Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her sisters Mary Abrahamson and Pearl Philip.

Ethel is survived by her sister Zillah (Betty) Frost of Holland, Michigan.

She will be sadly missed by numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Ethel's life July 14, 2012 at 3:00PM at Forest Lawn Memorial Park located at 1712 South Glendale Avenue, Glendale, CA. 91205.  Please arrive at "The Last Supper Window" by 2:30PM to participate in the procession to the niche site.  Following the memorial service, family and friends are invited to the Tam O'Shanter Restaurant located at 2980 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA. 90039.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association

Medina - Alvina M. Peterson, 102, formerly of Corfu, passed away at Orchard Manor Nursing Home in Medina, where she had been a resident since July 2006.Alvina was born June 8, 1910 in Tracy, Minnesota, a daughter of the late John and Bertha Wedger Klehn.  She was the last surviving child of twelve children,  which included her dear twin sister, Christine Richley.  Alvina worked for Sylvania in Batavia before her retirement.  She was very handy at many things like sewing and upholstery work. She even re-upholstered a chair when she was 93 years old.  One of her very favorite pastimes was playing cards. Alvina was the oldest member of the Corfu United Presbyterian Church.

Alvina was the wife of the late Martin A. Peterson; mother of the late Eleanor P. Herman, Norman R. Peterson and Arthur Peterson; and great-grandmother of the late Nicole E. Herman.
She is survived by her son-in-law, Charles A. (Patricia) Herman of Indian Falls; nine grandchildren: Charles B. (Lori) Herman, Julie A. (Patricia Marvin) Herman, Richard B. (Debbie) Herman, Elizabeth A. "Betsy" (Sander) Abramson, Jan (Jim) Goodenbery, Barb (Ron) Thurber, Gerry (Cynthia) Peterson, Cathy (John) Marchese and Russ (Deb) Peterson: great grandmother of 23 and great-great grandmother of 11 and her former daughter-in-law, Mary (Don) Mumford. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Family and friends may call Friday 6-8 p.m. at the C. B. Beach & Son Mortuary, Inc. 4-6 Main Street, Corfu. The funeral service will be held from the mortuary on Saturday at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Corfu. I  lieu of flowers, memorials may be made the the Corfu United Presbyterian Church, PO Box 159 Corfu, NY 14036.

William W. Self, Jr., USA, CW4 (Ret.), 82, passed away peacefully Saturday, May 12, 2012 in the MICU at HRMC, with his loving wife, Christa, by his side.

Bill was born December 18, 1928, in Shreveport, LA, to the late William Walker Self and Carol Armenia Self. Bill went to Orlando High School, and in 1944, he enlisted in the Army. Bill had a very distinguished career in the US Army, which included service as a security officer, counter terrorism officer, and tank maintenance officer. He served in the Pacific Theatre in WWII, Korea in the Korean conflict, and Japan for the occupation forces. During his honorable service, he received his Bachelors degree from Rollins College in 1975. Bill retired as a Chief Warrant Officer (CW4) on December 18, 1988.

Bill held the position of Elective Office Vice Chairman for the Orange County Commissioner of Budget from 1959-1964. He also worked for US Civil Servant Department of Army 2nd 98th division-Buffalo; as Development Manager in Washington DC; and for NASA at the Kennedy Space Center.

He is survived by his wife, Christa Corey-Self; sons, William (Carol) Self and Gregory (Tina) Self; grandchildren, Ashley and Eric; stepchildren, Claudia Corey-Church, Michael Corey, and Joachim Corey; step granddaughter, Jasmine; and his long time friend of 60 plus years, Clyde Goolsby.

Bill was preceded in rest by his first wife of 53 years, Juanita Self.

Bill was proudly involved in Reserve Officers Assoc. Chapter # 12; NARFE Chapter # 609 of Melbourne; Buffalo Chapter 390th Regime Retiree Assoc.; Ret. Officer Assoc NY Chapter; American Legion Chapter 400 Orlando; Eola Masonic Lodge # 207 Bahaia Shrine of Orlando; 32nd degree Scottish Rite of Freemasonry S.J. of Orlando; and Oldtimer’s of Orlando. He was also an avid race car driver.

We would like to offer our sincere gratitude to the MICU staff at HRMC for their care and nurturing of Bill and our family during his illness. This gratitude also extends to Dr. German Castro, Dr. Simmy Pinto, Dr. Michael Green, Dr. John McKinney, Dr. Sangita Sahay, Dr. Anthony Tran, and Dr. Maritza Riascos-Mazo.

Family will receive friends from 11 AM to 12 PM on Saturday, May, 19, 2012 at Davis Seawinds Funeral Home, 560 Montreal Ave., Melbourne, FL with a Celebration of Bill’s Life following at 12 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Bill to the Shiners Tampa Hospital or The American Lung Association.

Bill will be missed by all that knew him; his memory will remain in our hearts forever.

Condolences may be expressed at www.davisseawinds.com

Christian R. "Dick" Barthel: On Saturday May 5, 2012 at the age of 83. Predeceased by his son Charles William "Chub" Barthel, his parents and many brothers. He is survived by his children Nanci (Bill) Bogan, Richard Barthel, Russell (Jeanine) Barthel, Don (Lisa) Barthel, Catherine (Pete) Loran, Cynthia (Blaine Timmerman) Barthel and their mother Johanna McMullen, 15 very special grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, sister Loretta Smith, several nieces and nephews and many beloved friends. Friends may call Wednesday May 9th from 6-8 pm at the Fowler Funeral Home Inc. 340 West Ave Brockport. A funeral mass will be held Thursday, 10:00 am at St. Mark's Parish 16789 Kenmor Rd. Kendall. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute to the Kendall Fire Department.

Mrs. Janie E. Stokes of Woodstock, GA passed away Tuesday April 10, 2012 at home with her husband Bruce and daughter Heather by her side after a courageous battle with cancer.  She was 61.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M. Monday, April 16, 2012 at Timothy Lutheran Church with the Rev. Stephen Constien officiating.  Visitation will be held Sunday, April 15, 2012 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Woodstock Funeral Home.  Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to www.gaovariancancer.org/donate/

Mrs. Stokes was born October 23, 1950 to the late Leon and Cynthia Cutler Martin in Potsdam, New York.  Janie attended Potsdam High School.  She obtained a Bachelor and Master’s Degree in English and Education at the State University of New York at Potsdam and a Gifted Specialist Degree from Berry College in Rome, GA.  Janie and Bruce were married August 19, 1972 in Potsdam, New York and were happily married for 39 years.  She had a lifelong love of children and her childhood ambition was to become an educator.  Mrs. Stokes realized her ambition by teaching for 35 years in New York, Michigan, Cobb and Cherokee Counties where she positively touched the lives of hundreds of young students.  She was honored as the Cherokee County Teacher of the Year in 1988 and the Cobb County Teacher of the year in 1994.

Janie’s other passion was making quilts.  She collected over 140 children’s story books that incorporated quilts in the story.  Her dream of using books and quilts based on the stories as an educational tool has been realized by an organization called “Story Book Quilts-Janie’s Dream”.  Her quilt guild, Chattahoochee Evening Stars, to date, has made quilts to compliment thirty-seven of the storybooks.  The quilts and books are lent to schools and libraries in the metro Atlanta area for their reading programs.

Janie is survived by her husband Bruce G. Stokes, Woodstock, GA.; daughter, Heather Elizabeth Wurst, (Peter),Pennsburg, Pennsylvania; one son, Nathaniel Martin Stokes, Central Square, New York; one granddaughter, Emma Elizabeth Wurst, Pennsburg, Pennsylvania; one sister, Catherine Yack, Huntsville, AL.; two brothers, Leon Martin, Jr., (Paula) Potsdam, New York, and Robert Martin, (Marie) Potsdam, New York;  mother-in-law, Alice Stokes, South Byron, New York; one brother-in-law, Douglas Stokes, Poway, California; two sisters-in-law, Sandra Gillard (Craig), Batavia, New York, and Kathy Cummings (Dan), South Byron, New York.

Online condolences may be made to www.woodstockfuneralhome.com

July 18, 1936 – February 13, 2012

Ward, born in Buffalo, New York, proudly served in the United States Marine Corp. He was a New York State Trooper for 20 years, and in 1979, moved with his family from Batavia, New York to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he worked in security at the Sands and New York, New York Hotel/Casino properties. He retired in 2001, and in 2009 moved to Beaumont, California. He is survived by his wife of 38 years; Mary (Hackett); his sister JoyceFeiertag; daughters Catherine Sylvester, Carolyn Morton, and son Christopher; daughter in-law Alison;7 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.  A mass will be held for him on Thursday, February 16, 2012, 2:00 pm at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, 2525 North Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino, California, 92405. Additionally, a memorial will be held for him Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 1:15 pm at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, California, 92518. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital would be appreciated.

Corfu - Joseph M. Murray,  "Joe", 84, of Corfu, passed away Friday (August 12, 2011) at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia.

Joe was born June 19, 1927, in Frankfort, NY, a son of the late Merton and Mary Gibbons Murray. He was a sales representative for the Thomas J. Lipton Company. In his younger years, Joe was very dedicated in serving his community. His past accomplishments include Pembroke Babe Ruth League Baseball Manager, First Commissioner of Pembroke Little League Football and was instrumental in the formation of the Oatka Junior Football League, Committeeman of Boy Scout Troop 67 in Corfu and Chairman of Joint Youth Recreation Commission. Joe proudly served two terms as a former Mayor of Corfu and then went on to serve as Town of Pembroke Supervisor.  On June 27, 1953, he was united in marriage to Winona Sliker Murray.

Survivors include his loving wife of 58 years, Winona Murray of Corfu; two sons, Michael (Karen) Murray of Doylestown, PA and Timothy (Wendy) Murray of Bennington; four grandchildren, Jackson, Breanna, Keith and Kyle; one sister Margaret Yardley of Oneida.

Family and friends may call Monday 6-8 PM at the C. B. Beach & Son Mortuary, Inc. 4-6 Main Street, Corfu. Services will be held Tuesday at 11 AM at the Indian Falls United Methodist Church 7908 Allegheny Road, Corfu, NY. Burial will be in Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Corfu. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the donors choice. Arrangements were completed by C. B. Beach & Son Mortuary, Inc. Corfu, NY.