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Obituaries

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April - June 2005

April 1 , 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch

Leonard "Gramps" Alessi

A mass of Christian burial for Leonard “Gramps” Alessi, age 92, of Madison, Ohio, was held Tuesday, March 29, 2005, at the Prince of Peace Roman R.C. Church in Niagara Falls.

Alessi, whose son Lenny runs the Town Cafe, Bar and Grill Family Restaurant on Grand Island, died March 26 at his Ohio home. He was born Oct. 28, 1912, in Soldier, Pa.

Alessi made his home in Niagara Falls, where he was known to his friends as “Doc.” Prior to his retirement he worked at the former Hooker Chemical Co. in the research lab. He moved to Madison several years ago and made his home with his daughter, Theresa Izzarelli.

Gramps never met a person he didn’t like. He was the greatest story teller there ever was. His blue eyes twinkled as he told of his many adventures and escapades; his imagination was as big as his heart.

Gramps had a knack for leaving people wondering if the whole story could possibly be true. For this reason when retelling Gramps’ stories, his family would always follow them with, “At least that’s what he said.” Gramps looked forward to Wednesday evenings, when he would go to Romans IV to see his friends. There was standing room only when Gramps was around. Everyone loved to hear what he had to say.

Gramps will be sadly missed by daughters, Theresa (Mario) Izzarelli of Madison and Shirley (Frank) Gualano of Niagara Falls; sons Lenny (Louise) of Grand Island, and Robert (Justine) of North Kingsville; 18 grandchildren and 52 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Josephine Spatz and Virginia Burton.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Inez Severini, on March 5, 1999, parents, Domenic and Theresa Alessi, bothers, Joseph, Sam, Tom, and Charles, a sister, Marge Orris, and a granddaughter, Debbie Gualano-Genese.

Friends called on Monday at the Potti Funeral Home in Madison. His burial was at St. Joseph Cemetery in Niagara Falls.

His family says the greatest contribution to honor Gramps would be continue to tell his stories, followed by, “At least that’s what he said.”

Contributions may also be made to the American Heart Association, 1689 E. 115 St., Cleveland, Ohio 44106, or to the National Kidney Foundation, 1373 Grandview Ave., Suite. 200, Columbus, Ohio 43212.

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April 8, 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch

Paul Scheu Murphy

Paul Scheu Murphy, 64, went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 1, 2005, after battling cancer.

Originally from the Buffalo and Grand Island area, he was a Florida resident for almost 40 years and was the head of the family-owned Tropical Fence Company.

An avid Harley rider, he was an annual participant in the Toys for Tots Bike Run.

He is survived by his wife, Carole Radder Murphy; son, Mark (Sue) Murphy; daughter Ginger (Pete) Frank; grandsons Samuel Murphy and newborn Alex Frank - all of Fort Myers, Fla. He is also survived by brothers Mike (Suzy) of Daytona, Fla., Terry of Jacksonville, Fla., Kent (Adrienne) of Gypsum, Colo.; and sister, Laurie (Roger) Paul of Charlotte, NC. He was predeceased by his parents, Virginia Scheu and Frank Murphy; a sister, Katy; and his grandmother, Louise “Granny” Scheu.

A private burial will be held this week. A memorial service for family and friends will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m., at Faith Assembly of God, 6850 Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL, 33908, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital Memorial Program - a charity dear to Paul’s heart - at 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.

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Catherine "Kay" (DeGlopper) Haller

Catherine “Kay” (DeGlopper) Haller, a lifetime Grand Island resident, passed away on Friday, March 25, 2005, in Rialto, Calif.

The wife of the late Arthur G. Haller, Kay was born on Grand Island on May 28, 1916. She worked for the Niagara Frontier State Parks Commission.

Haller is survived by her children, Catherine (John) Contino of Palmyra, Arthura (Virgil) VanHeerde of Rialto and Arthur (Patricia) Haller of Grand Island; her grandchildren, Jason and Jeremy VanHeerde of Rialto, John and Katie Contino of Palmyra; and her great-grandchildren, Micayla Contino and Ellie VanHeerde. She was predeceased by her grandson Derek Haller, and her brother Frank DeGlopper.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Stephen’s Church, 2100 Baseline Road, on Saturday, April 16, at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery. Arrangements by Kaiser Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Special Olympics.

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Cameron Michael Caudill

Cameron Michael Caudill, 3 months, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 2, 2005, at Kenmore Mercy Hospital.

Cameron was born Jan. 12, with twin sister Alexandrea Mary, at Sisters Hospital in Buffalo. He was infant son to proud parents Bryan and Denise (Mulvena) Caudill.

He is survived by his grandparents, Bruce and Rosemary Wojick, Daniel and Susan Mulvena; the late Andrea (Caudill) Nye; uncles Chad Caudill and Michael Mulvena; and aunt Michelle Mulvena.

Cameron will be remembered as a baby who shared his smile with the world; he was someone ready to face any challenge life could bring.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday at St. Stephen’s Church. Interment in St. Stephen’s Cemetery. Arrangements by Kaiser Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Cameron’s family.

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May 6 , 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch

Mildred C. Grimm

Mildred C. Grimm, a longtime Grand Island resident, passed away on Saturday, April 30, 2005.

She was grandmother to Nicole (Jamie) Reynolds, Curt (Linda) Grimm Jr. and Lindsey Grimm; sister to Charles Grimm, David Grimm, Harry (Betty) Grimm and the late Almon Godfrey; she is survived by four great-grandchildren.

Memorial services were held this week at Kaiser Funeral Home. Interment in Elmlawn Cemetery in Tonawanda.

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Patricia Kelly (Alt) Carminati-Levere

Patricia Kelly (Alt) Carminati-Levere, a longtime Grand Island resident, passed away on Monday, May 2, 2005.

She was wife to Ralph “Butch” Levere; mother to Patricia Ashley and Casey Carminati; sister to Christopher Carminati, Billy Carminati and the late David Alt; she was daughter to Patricia and Ron McNamee and the late Rodney Alt.

Visitation will be held today, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., at Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island. Funeral services will be private.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to Roswell Park Cancer Institute, PO box 631, Buffalo, NY 14240.

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Patricia E. (O'Reagan) Gaiser

Patricia E. (O’Reagan) Gaiser, a resident of Grand Island since 1954, passed away on Tuesday, May 3, 2005.

Gaiser was the baker at Grand Island High School for many years. She retired in 1974.

She was wife to James J. Gaiser; mother of Kathleen (Robert) Hickman, James J. (Eleanor) Gaiser II, Diane (Richard) Gurbacki, Joseph Gaiser and John (Peggy) Gaiser; sister to Florence Dignan and Rose Schwartz; she is survived by 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren

Visitation will be held today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., at the Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated tomorrow at 10 a.m., at St. Stephen’s Church, 2100 Baseline Road. Interment will be in St. Stephen’s Cemetery.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to the Grand Island Fire Co., 2275 Baseline Road, Grand Island, NY 14072.

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May 20, 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch

Lydia E. Endres

Lydia E. Endres, a 58-year Island resident and founding member of St. Timothy Lutheran Church, passed away on Thursday, May 12, 2005.

Doug and Joanne Stewart, departing pastors, performed the service for Endres, the longtime owner of Mohawk Truck, Inc. of West Seneca.

Endres was the wife of the late Alfred E. Endres. She is survived by her children, Liz (Greg) Barker and Mike (Terry) Endres, both of Grand Island; grandchildren Anne Barker, Jill, Katie and Al Endres; sisters Elsie Hegedus, Ida Stark and Violet Runckel; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brothers Robert, Alvin and Max Litke.

Interment in Buffalo’s Forest Lawn Cemetery. Arrangements by Kaiser Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made in Lydia’s memory to St. Timothy, 1453 Staley Road, Grand Island.

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May 27, 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch

Francis Carr

Dr. Francis Shattuck Carr of Grand Island entered into rest on May 19, 2005.

Carr was born in Bath, N.Y., on June 13, 1913. He was the son of the late James Earl and Florence Etta Carr.

He received his bachelor's degree from Alfred University and then attended Albany Medical College.

After completing a three-year OB-GYN residency, Carr began his medical practice. He retired in 1977 after 24 years.

He was married to the late Marian Wilcox Carr for 56 years and to Betty O'Dea Carr for eight years.

"Dad was a very kind and gentle man who lived out his faith with his life," said his daughter, Deborah Rice of Grand Island. "He was always going out of his way and doing for others."

An avid golfer, he golfed until the age of 88. His hobbies and varied interests included lapidary work, bird watching, hunting, fishing, photography, gardening and computer games.

He bought his first computer at the age of 81 and enjoyed it until the age of 91.

His family said, "We have no idea exactly how many babies he delivered, but between Erie and Niagara counties, we are sure it was a great number."

"Toward the end of my father's practice, he began taking pictures of the moms holding the babies that he had just delivered," said Rice. "When they came in for their six-week checkup, he would surprise them with the photos as a gift."

He is survived by his wife, Betty. Carr is the father of Carol (Tommy) Fox of Conover, N.C.; Deborah S. (Dr. Charles) Rice of Grand Island. He is the stepfather of Martin O'Dea, James, Michael and Mar Jo Beyer, and Patrick and Kathy Donath. He is the grandfather of David (Paula) Zahm, Scott Zahm, Alexis, Tara, Charles Francis and Elizabeth Rice; and stepfather to 23; and step great-grandfather to 13.

He was the brother of Richard (Wanda) Carr and the late Luella Chrisler, Frank Carr, Marian Martin and Douglas Carr.

A wake was held on Sunday, May 22. A funeral service was held on Monday, May 23. Burial was at Whitehaven Cemetery. Arrangements by Kaiser Funeral Home.

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June 3, 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch

Frank M. Wohlfehrt

Frank M. Wohlfehrt, 53, of North Tonawanda, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 27, 2005.

Born in Buffalo, Wohlfehrt was the son of John J. and the late Phyllis (nee Montgomery) Wohlfehrt. He was a resident of the Tonawandas for the greater part of his life. A graduate of Grand Island High School, he served with the U.S. Army in Germany for two years during the Vietnam War.

Wohlfehrt is survived by his father, John J.; his daughter, Janelle (Michael) Jowsey; two sons, John M. Wohlfehrt and Dylan J. Wohlfehrt; two brothers, William (Becky) Wohlfehrt and Charles (Donna) Wohlfehrt; a grand-daughter, Jaelynn Jowsey; several nieces and nephews; and a dear friend, Paula Shillan.

The family received friends yesterday at Hamp Funeral Home.

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June 10, 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch

Charles W. Marlin

Charles W. Marlin passed away on Tuesday, June 7, 2005.

Marlin was born in Buffalo, and lived on Grand Island since 1938. He was a stereotyper at the Courier Express and he ran his own wallpaper and painting business.

He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Marlin was husband to the late Barbara (Gross) Marlin; the father of Deborah M. (William) Hays and Donna M. (Stuart) Lavallee, both of Grand Island; the grandfather of Matthew and Brianna Hays, Timothy, Charles and Julianne Lavallee; the brother of the late Edwin Marlin. He was the son of the late Charles G. and Esther Marlin.

Visitation will be held today, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Road. Funeral services will be held tomorrow, at 11:30 a.m., in Trinity United Methodist Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

June 17, 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch

Earl S. Long

Earl S. Long, 70, passed away on Friday, June 10, 2005.

Long was born in Tonawanda, and lived on Grand Island for most of his life. He was the owner and operator of Sam Longs Landscaping & Excavating Inc.

He enjoyed stock car racing at War Memorial, where he has a record holder. Hobbies included boat racing; tractor pulling; dirt modified car racing with his son, Tom; hunting and inventing.

He had a passion for snowmobiling; four wheelers; working in his shop rebuilding projects, trucks, bulldozers, etc.; and watching NASCAR racing.

Long was one of the first members of the Grand Island Snowmobile Club and a member of the Grand Island Rod & Gun Club and Grand Island Moose Lodge.

He is survived by his wife, Laura L. Long; his children, Tommy (Marie) Long, Kimberly (Rob) Domagala, Melanie (Russ) Banas and Robin (Jason) Moore - all of Grand Island; stepchildren Ronald (Kim) Wendt, Lynn (Steve) Sadar, Kathleen Gaylor and Robert (Betty) Wendt; his brother, Paul E. Long; his nephew, Paul M. Long; and 21 grandchildren. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren at his camp.

He was the son of the late Earl and Pearl Long.

Visitation was held Monday at the Kaiser Funeral Home. Memorial services were held Tuesday at Trinity United Methodist Church.

Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association.

Ann Elizabeth Emerson

Ann Elizabeth Emerson (nee Drexelius), 72, passed away on Thursday, June 9, 2005.

Emerson was born March 2, 1933, in Buffalo, to Marion and Herbert A. Drexelius, Sr. She lived on Grand Island for 45 years, and that was the place she always called home. She had lived in Hurst, Texas, for the last five years.

Emerson was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Raymond Emerson; her parents; and her brother, Anthony Drexelius. Survivors include her brother, Herbert A. Drexelius Jr. and wife Jeanne (nee Schwalb), of Boston, N.Y.; her sons, Raymond L. Emerson, of Hurst, Texas, and David B. Emerson and wife, Martha (nee Mikulsky), of Coppell, Texas; her grandchildren, Brian Joseph Emerson and Leia Nicole Emerson; and several nieces.

A Memorial Service will be held today, at 10 a.m., in St. Stephen’s Church, 2100 Baseline Road, Grand Island.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be donated to St. Stephen’s Church.

Hazel K. DeGlopper

A memorial service will be held Friday, June 24, at 1 p.m., in Trinity United Methodist Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road, for Hazel Kaegebein DeGlopper, 94, who died at home on June 9, 2005.

DeGlopper was born in 1911, in the Town of Tonawanda. In 1912, the Kaegebein family moved to a farm on Whitehaven Road on Grand Island. Today, it is the site of River Oaks Golf Course.

DeGlopper lived the vast majority of her life on Grand Island - the past 55 years at her home in Ferry Village.

She began attending Trinity Church with her parents as a baby, and continued to be active therein her whole life.

As an avid gardener, she provided flowers for the altar for many years. Being a great cook, she worked on many church dinners, as well.

She was an accomplished seamstress and crafts person, as well as an elections inspector.

DeGlopper was a member of the Grand Island Historical Society. She was so knowledgeable on Island history, that she was asked to speak on the topic at local schools and Island events.

Hazel was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Walter L. DeGlopper. Together, they were active members of the Buffalo Launch Club for more than 50 years.

DeGlopper is survived by her son, Robert W. (Karen) DeGlopper of Grand Island; her daughter, Barbara (John) Butterworth of Odessa, Fla.; grandchildren Mark (Jerica), Erik (Julie) and Daniel DeGlopper, John Butterworth, Teri (John) Ferrin; great-grandchildren Izabella, Evan and Emily DeGlopper; and her brother, E. William (Marion) Kaegebein of Lakeland, Fla.

Hazel was the daughter of the late William M. and Dora Kaegebein. She was sister to the late Elmer Kaegebein, Ellen Harrington and Wilma Clemenhagen.

DeGlopper’s family is grateful that they were able to fulfill the promise made to her by her son to let her spend her final months at home.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Church.

Arrangements by Kaiser Funeral Home.

June 24, 2005 - Grand Island Dispatch

Walter J. "Scotty" Cowan

Walter J. “Scotty” Cowan, 82, a retired printer and veteran, went to be with the Lord on Friday, June 17, 2005.

Cowan was born in Niagara Falls on Sept. 11, 1922, to William and Rosa Cowan.

He joined the Navy in World War II as a gunner’s mate on a PT boat in the South Pacific. Upon returning home from the war, he married Ruth Williams of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

The couple resided in Niagara Falls until 1957, when they moved to Grand Island. There they raised four children.

Walter’s loving wife Ruth passed away in 1976.

Cowan began his career as a printer with Amendola Printing in Niagara Falls. He worked for JW Clement, Co., the Niagara Gazette, the Buffalo News and the Courier-Express. He retired from the Courier-Express in 1982 and began his own offset printing business. He worked at his operation until retiring in the fall of 1994.

Cowan was a member of the Bible Presbyterian Church for many years, and served as a Sunday school teacher, usher, elder and choir member. He was a spiritual leader and mentor for many young people.

Cowan joined the Moose Lodge and met and married Norma Senn in 1992. Together, they participated in many of the Lodge’s activities promoting community service.

He joined the VFW Post #9249 in 1991. He became a member of the post’s “Honor Guard” and participated in Grand Island’s Veteran’s and Memorial day services, as well as July 4 celebrations.

As the membership chairman, he was responsible for recruiting new members to the post. His devotion to fellow soldiers led him to create a “Wall of Honor,” honoring deceased post members.

Walter loved life and enjoyed boating, fishing, singing, dancing, hiking and taking leisurely walks with his wife Norma.

Cowan is survived by his children, Walter O.W. Cowan, Sharon (Richard) Pearson, Gale (Gregg) Miner and Joyce Cowan; step-children James Phillips, Steven and Michael Weber, and the late Thomas and William Weber; grandchildren Ruth, Aaron (Rebecca) and Tamara Miner; and brother-in-law George Williams. He was brother to the late Donald, William and James Cowan, Mary Durbin and Delores Fisher.

Services were held at the Kaiser Funeral Home, with the Rev. Gregg T. Miner officiating.

The family of Walter Cowan would like to express its deepest appreciation and gratitude at this time for all the love and support provided by friends, members of the VFW, the Grand Island Fire Company and the Grand Island community.