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Batavia - LaVerne E. "Turk" Francis, age 87, of Batavia, passed away Sunday, February 9, 2020.

Turk was born May 8, 1932, in Cuba, son of the late Norman Francis, Sr. and the late Marjorie Banker Francis.

A member of the Genesee Country Church, Turk faithfully served as a greeter of the church and as head usher for over 30 years. He enjoyed traveling with Nancy, was proud of his antique tractor collection and loved to wash and detail his car. He proudly served his country with the United States Army during the Korean War.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Manhardt Francis. The two were married August 23, 1952. Also surviving are his daughter, Lynda (Daniel) Lyons of Oakfield; three grandchildren, Jessica (late Derrick) Baity of New York City, Colleen (Paul) Kowtun of North Tonawanda and Kyle Lyons of Oakfield; three great-grandchildren, Elijiah Jones, Mason Baity and Parker Kowtun; three sisters-in-law, Elaine Francis of South Carolina, Irene Francis of Texas and Barb (late Dave) Conn of East Bethany along with several nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his daughter, Sharon L. Francis who passed away on August 31, 2009 and his brothers, Herbert Francis, Norman Francis, Jr., Walter Francis and Melvin Francis.

Friends may call from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Genesee Country Church, 3268 Drake Street Road, Oakfield, where funeral services will immediately follow visitation at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials in Turk's name to the Al Sigl Foundation, Inc., 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Suite 300, Rochester, New York 14620 or Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 North Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida 33607. He will be laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery, Batavia. To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Bohm-Calarco-Smith Funeral Home, Batavia.

Lorraine Susan Anderson, age 60, of Batavia NY, passed away on Monday, January 31st, 2022, at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester after a brief and brave battle with cancer. She was born in Niagara Falls, NY on July 1, 1961. Lori was a 1979 graduate of Elba Central School and received her A.S. in Accounting from Genesee Community College in 1981. She was employed as a mail clerk at G.C.C. for the past 24 years.  Lori also was the bookkeeper for her husband’s business, Anderson’s Appliance Repair.

Lori was well known for loving butterflies and the color purple.  She was an avid crafter and talented art quilter. Lori was an active member of the Museum Quilt Guild and Art C Girlz groups of Batavia where she always looked forward to showcasing her work at their quilt shows and participating in their classes and retreats.  Lori also enjoyed photography, gardening in her backyard, researching her family genealogy, and searching for signs of bigfoot in Salt Fork, Ohio.  Her caring and thoughtful personality will be forever loved and missed by all.

She is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, William Anderson; her two children, Bethany (Benjamin) Gillard of Lancaster and Bryan (Allison) Anderson of Fairport; her beloved grandson, Luke Anderson; her parents, Lawrence Cassatt of Batavia, and Shirley Cassatt of Batavia; her siblings, Lawrence (Patricia) Cassatt of Elba and Cindy (Robert) Elliott of Batavia; as well as many other family members and friends.

Keeping with Lori’s request, a celebration of her life will be held at a park at a later date. 

The family requests that any memorial contributions be made in honor of Lori to Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, P. O. Box 631, Buffalo, NY 14240 or Wilmot Cancer Institute Development Office, Alumni and Advancement Center, 300 E. River Road, PO Box 278996, Rochester, NY 14627.

Ha​rold E. Knapp, 85, of Lyndonville NY went to be with our Lord and Savior on Monday, April 10th, 2023 at his home. Born on November 30 th,1937 in Syracuse NY, he was the son of the late Edward and Rose (Hildreth) Knapp.

Harold moved and attended Attica Central School, and was later employed at General Electric / Black and Decker until they closed. He then went to work at Genesee Community College in the maintenance department. He enjoyed raising and breeding poultry for exhibition, where he showed with-in NYS and beyond. He worked with the youths of 4H for 2-1/2 decades sharing his passion of poultry and showmanship. When not doing 4H shows, you could find him spending time with his lovely wife, and in his garden where he planted a variety of vegetables and flowers. He was an active member of Alabama Full Gospel Fellowship Church in Medina NY.

He is survived by his children Edward (Hope) Knapp of Alexander, and Donald Knapp of Indiana. James and Robert Vanderwoude, both of Medina, Linda (Henry Azcue) Vanderwoude of Brooklyn, 3 grandsons, Jonathan (Amirose) Knapp of Leroy, Michael (Nicole) Knapp of Batavia, Joshua (Brandy) Knapp of Bethany, granddaughter in-law Shannon Daugherty of North Adams MA, Travis Vanderwoude of Florida, along with 8 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he is predeceased by sisters Mary Nelson, Pat Williams and Joyce Knapp.

Friends and family are welcome to attend a memorial service in Harold's honor at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 13 th, 2023 at the Alabama Full Gospel Church, 5329 Gravel Road Medina, NY 14103. Memorials may be made in Harold's name to the AFGF at the address listed above. Arrangements were entrusted to the Bogan & Tuttle Funeral Home, 226 Pearl St. Medina, NY 14103. Please light a candle or share a memory of Harold at: www.bogantuttlefunerals.com

Joseph A. Wolak, 83 of Attica, died at his residence on Friday (January 15, 2016).

He was born in Buffalo, NY, a son of the late Joseph J. Wolak and Stephanie Wlodarczyk Wolak.

He retired from Attica Central School as a teacher of English and was Attica Town and Village Justice for over 17 years, retiring in November of 2015. An active outdoorsman, he taught DEC Hunter, Archery, and Trapper education courses for 20 years. He was active with dogs and held offices in several dog clubs. German Shorthaired Pointers were his favorite. He established Wag-Ae-Kennels and developed many champions and field winners. He was also an AKC Show and Field Judge.

Joseph served in the U.S. Air Force, was a member of the NRA, served on many community committees and groups including the Board of Directors of the Cooperative Extension of Wyoming County, and was a leader and longtime supporter of 4-H.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, B. Arlene Mast, daughter of the late Susan and Daniel Mast; Daughters, Nancy Gross of Pavilion and Karen (John) Brown of Batavia. Sons, Jeffrey (Vicki) Wolak of Bethany and Jonathan (Deborah) Wolak of Varysburg. Sister, Joan (Paul) Schaefer of Clarence and brother, Eugene (Patty) Wolak of Syracuse. Sister in-laws and brother in-laws, Mildred (late Carlton) Graff of Lyndonville, Mary (late Don) Penninger of NC, Doris Brand of Ohio, Carol (late James) Webster of Akron, NY, Ruth (Robert) Crane of Arkansas, Paul (Candy) Mast of SC and the late Alice (James) Hendry. 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren also survive.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2016 from 2-4pm at the J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Roswell Park Cancer Institute, American Heart Association or Hospice and Homecare of Wyoming County. 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.

 

 

Dr. Alan L. Siegel, a prominent local Ophthalmologist died Wednesday evening at his home surrounded by his loving family at the age of 57 while under the care of Hospice.

He was born January 3, 1953 in Brooklyn, NY son of the late Samuel Siegel & Phyllis (Dobry) Siegel of Florida. Dr. Siegel received his Bachelor's from Colgate University and his Medical Degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and served his Ophthalmology residency at Boston University Hospital.

Upon coming to Batavia Dr. Siegel along with his partners established University Eye Specialists in Batavia which was later expanded to many communities throughout Genesee, Livingston & Wyoming counties.

Active in the community he was a member of the Batavia Lions Club, Board Member of Genesee Cancer Assistance, Inc., Batavia City School Board where he served two years as its President, Past President of the Medical Staff at UMMC, Board of Trustees for UMMC and its Chief of Ophthalmology. An avid Sabres and Yankees fan he was a wonderful son, husband and father. The last few years were dedicated to caring for his wife Rosemary who suffers from ALS and spending time with his children whom he was most proud of.

Surviving along with his mother is his beloved wife Rosemary (Sauter) Siegel of Bethany; loving son William Siegel and loving daughter & son-in-law Jacqueline (Stuart) McLean all at home. Mother-in-law Agnes McWilliams of the Bronx; brother Howard (Marcia) Siegel of Pittsburgh along with a niece Bryna (David) Finer of Vermont and nephew Scott (Megan) Siegel of Florida, 

The Siegel family will be present from 2-5 PM & 6-9 PM Saturday May 29, 2010 at the Michael S. Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel, LLC where a Celebration of Life for Dr. Siegel will take place at 1:00 PM Sunday May 30, 2010. In lieu of flowers in his honor the family requests contributions be made to HomeCare & Hospice, Volunteers for Animals or the UMMC Hospital Foundation. 

Arrangements were completed by the Michael S. Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel, LLC 4120 West Main Street Road Batavia, New York 14020 ~ for more information call  (585) 343-7500.

  Mary Alwardt, 83, a life-long resident of Batavia passed away on September 5, 2019. Mary was born on September 24, 1935, the daughter of the late Henry and Nellie (James) Hitchcock and was married to the late Harold Alwardt for 45 years.

Mary worked as a bookkeeper for Thomas & Dwyer Shoes in Batavia for many years before retiring in 2000.  During retirement she volunteered for several years in a kindergarten class at John Kennedy School. She was an active member of the Batavia First United Methodist Church for over 50 years, where she led youth fellowship groups, was a member of the McNabb class, took part in the many church fundraising events, and assisted members by bringing them to church services when they no longer could drive.  She and her late husband Harold were also members of the Genesee County Fish and Game Association for over 50 years, enjoying summers camping when their kids were young, and picnics with the extended family.  Mary enjoyed reading, classical music, crossword puzzles, and baking her well known pastries. Her home could often be found filled with family, friends, board games, sweets, and kind laughter.     

Survivors include her son Peter Alwardt (Gisela Scharein), her daughters Donna (Michael) Turner and Marsha (Dennis) Ball, five grandchildren; Vincent Alwardt Anderson, Erin Turner, Matthew Turner, Avery Ball and Owen Ball, as well as her sisters Doris (late Everett) Norris and Dorothy (Donald) Norris and several nieces and nephews.

There will be no prior calling hours. Mary will be laid to rest by her family in the West Bethany Cemetery.  A private service and celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary's memory may be made to the Batavia First United Methodist Church, 8221 Lewiston Rd, Batavia, NY 14020. 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.

 

 

  Shirley Jane (Waite) Parrish was born in Alexander on August 16, 1928 and was the daughter of the late Ellsworth and Neva Conn Waite. She married George B. Parrish, Jr, her lifelong friend and the love of her life, on May 7, 1949 at the West Bethany Baptist Church.

Shirley was a 1945 graduate of Alexander Central School and the Rochester Business Institute in 1946.  She retired from the Alexander School in 1984 after 25 years of service, first in the library and later in the Business Office. A longtime member of the Alexander United Methodist Church, Shirley served in many capacities.  In late years, volunteering as a contact person for the American Red Cross Blood Drive at the Church. She truly enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She also enjoyed traveling, needlework, reading and having family parties, and garage sales.

Shirley is survived by her husband George, and her three children, daughters Laura (Joseph) Schmieder of Alexander, and Karen (Allan) Cecchini of Silver Lake, and son Robert (Beth) of Bergen.  Also surviving are three grandchildren, Noel (Robyn) Good of Pavilion, Robert (Max) Parrish of LeRoy and Kathryn (Andrew) Bogdan of Akron, plus two great-grandchildren, Nevan Good and Clara Bogdan, and many nieces and nephews. Shirley is also survived by sister-in-laws Mildred Waite and Carol Waite of Alexander, and brother-in-law Del Mills of Texas.

Calling hours will be Held on Wednesday, February 20, 2018 from 4-8 P.M. at the Marley Funeral Home, LLC, 135 Main St., Attica, NY 14011.  A Funeral Service will held on Thursday at 11:00 A.M. at the Alexander United Methodist Church, 10540 Main St, Alexander, NY 14005.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Alexander United Methodist Church, the Stevens Memorial Library, 146 Main St, Attica, NY 14011, or the Alexander Ambulance Fund. For more information please call (585) 591-1212 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main Street, Attica, New York 14011.