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Obituaries

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January - March 2007

January 5, 2007 - Grand Island Dispatch

Wanda Nixson

Wanda Nixson of Grand Island passed away peacefully at Northgate Manor in Wheatfield on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, with her daughter at her side. Nixson’s love of family, friends and music prevailed her whole life through.

Nixson graduated from Bible College and served in radio ministry until 1945. She then graduated from nursing school and began her medical career as a school nurse. That was followed by time at Bath Hospital in Bath; at Children’s Hospital in Buffalo; at Robert Packer Hospital in Pennsylvania; and at Lafayette General Hospital in Buffalo. She also gave piano lessons to students.

Upon retirement, Nixson and her husband, Ken, considered relocating to Arizona. However, less than one year later they returned home and took up residence on Grand Island.

Together, the pair were members of the Grand Island Golden Age Club, joining in 1974. There, Wanda held various offices, including president. She served as pianist at every opportunity. Moreover, she started a weekly bingo game and helped organize the Golden Age Chorale. Both groups still exist.

The couple also started an “Over 50” club at Town Hall Terrace. She continued her services even after she went to Northgate Manor. Wanda was also a volunteer organist/pianist at Emmanuelle United Methodist Church on Grand Island.

She was very involved with the Grand Island Democratic Ladies. She received a presentation from Democratic Legislator Charles Swanick honoring her loyalty. The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce also recognized Wanda, naming her Senior Citizen of the Year in 1988.

Her attitude of service to others continued through her last weeks, when she knew that feeding another patient was the encouragement that was needed.

All – especially her family – will sorely miss her. Her love of family was constant and sincere.

Wanda was wife to the late Kenneth A. Nixson. Survivors include her daughters, Bonnie Hawn and Heather (James) Nowocien; her grandchildren, Michelle R. (John) Doyle, James R. (Mary), Blaine R. and Kyle C. A. Nowocien; and her great-grandchildren, Samantha Nowocien, Troy and Gavin Doyle.

Funeral services were held this week at the Kaiser Funeral Home. Interment in Elmlawn Cemetery in Tonawanda. Memorials may be made to Whitehaven Road Baptist Church.

January 12, 2007 - Grand Island Dispatch

Lorraine M. (Wilkinson) Robinson

A memorial service was held on Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, in Roebling, N.J., for Lorraine M. (Wilkinson) Robinson, who passed away on Jan. 1.

The former Grand Island resident was the daughter of the late Gerald and Helen Wilkinson. She is survived by her daughters, Wendy (Kevin) Mullin of Burlington, N.J., and Karen Robinson of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; her sisters, Jean (Douglas) Smith and Tamey (Michael) Henderson of Grand Island, and Patricia (Williams) Moravec of Penn Yan. Lorraine is also survived by her five grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, 706 Haddonfield Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002, care of “donor relations.”

Joseph P. Fitzgerald

Joseph P. Fitzgerald of Newstead and Lady Lake Fla., passed away in Florida on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007, inside a hospice facility.

Fitzgerald was a World War II Navy veteran. He had a long and distinguished career in newspaper advertising sales and management, starting his career at the Kensington Topics in the 1950s. Fitzgerald then moved on to the Tonawanda News, Kenmore Record and Grand Island Dispatch. After retiring, he acquired a furniture refinishing business – The Wood Wizard – that his son, Michael, still operates today.

Golfing and traveling were among Fitzgerald’s favorite pastimes.

Joseph was predeceased by his wife, Doris (Kubiak). He married Janice (Ernst) 35 years ago. He had a daughter, Marsha (Jones), and another son, Gerald, of Grand Island. Several grandchildren and great-grandchildren survive him.

A private family service will be held.

Barbara J. (DeGlopper) Butterworth

Barbara J. (DeGlopper) Butterworth, of Odessa, Fla., formerly of Grand Island, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006.

After graduating from Tonawanda High School, Butterworth worked in the human resources department at Williams Co. She moved to Naperville, Ill., in 1968, with her family. She worked for the law firm of McDermott, Will and Emery for 16 years, before retiring and relocating to the Tampa area in 1998.

Barbara was the wife of John G. Butterworth; devoted mother to John W. of Grand Island, and Terri (John) Ferrin of Odessa; and sister to Robert (Karen) DeGlopper of Grand Island. She was the daughter of the late Walter and Hazel DeGlopper, who were 93-year residents of Grand Island.

Private services were held in Odessa.

January 19, 2007 - Grand Island Dispatch

Ellen (Fredrickson) Mayo

Ellen (Fredrickson) Mayo, 94, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, in Beechwood Residence, Amherst. She was born in Buffalo on Dec. 19, 1913, and was a Grand Island resident since 1954. She was predeceased by her husband, Willard C. Mayo.

Mayo graduated from Hutchinson Central in Buffalo and Fredonia College in 1935 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education. She retired in 1973 after 17 years teaching elementary school music in the Niagara Falls school system. Mayo helped various high schools and the Niagara Falls Little Theater group with musical productions, serving as an accompanist. She also accompanied the Trinity Belles at Trinity Church on Grand Island; and the Niagara Falls Retired Men’s Chorus for 25 years.

Voice students, hospitals, singing groups and churches were the recipient of Mayo’s time and talent. So too, Mayo served as a volunteer with the American Red Cross at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center for 15 years. She also volunteered with Meals on Wheels in Niagara Falls.

Mayo was honored as Niagara Falls Citizen of the Year and, in 1996, was the Grand Island Senior Citizen of the Year. The Council of Churches also honored her for her community volunteerism.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 2:30 p.m., at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road. Interment is in Acacia Park Cemetery in Pendleton. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels, 1920 18th St., Niagara Falls, NY 14305.

Arrangements were made by Kaiser Funeral Home.

January 26, 2007 - Grand Island Dispatch

Deborah Cole-Whiting

Deborah Cole-Whiting, 51, of Grand Island, passed away in Hospice Buffalo after a long illness, on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2007.

Whiting was born on May 25, 1955, the daughter of Dorothy (Richmond) Cole of Niagara Falls and the late Lewis Cole. She attended local schools and graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1973.

A worker at Chisholm Ryder for several years, Whiting also worked in the transportation department of the Niagara Falls Air Force Reserve Base. She was an honorary member of the 914th Division.

In addition to her mother, Deborah is survived by her husband, William C. Whiting; her children, son Charles James “CJ” Whiting and daughter Brandy Nicole Whiting – both at home; a sister, Mary Jane (Steven) Cole-Lampman of Wilson; a brother-in-law, Daniel J. (the late Francesca) Whiting of Grand Island; James Muscato of Tyler, Texas – who was like a second father to her; a special aunt, Patricia Mundy; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and from 7 to 9 p.m., on Sunday, Jan. 28, in the Lane Funeral Home, 8622 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls. Funeral services will take place there on Monday, at 11 a.m. Entombment will be in Gate of Heaven Mausoleum, in the Town of Lewiston.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Buffalo, 225 Como Park Blvd., Cheektowaga, NY 14227.

February 9 , 2007 - Grand Island Dispatch

Francis ‘Frank’ Rodriguez

Francis “Frank” Rodriguez, 80, of Grand Island and formerly Niagara Falls, passed away on Monday, Feb. 5, 2007, in Kenmore Mercy Hospital.

Rodriguez was born in Niagara Falls on Sept. 9, 1926, son to the late Sebastian and Frances (Covelli) Rodriguez. He attended local schools and graduated from Niagara Falls High School in January 1945.

An accomplished athlete, Rodriguez enjoyed a long history of success in both softball and basketball. As a senior at NFHS, he co-captained the baseball and basketball teams. A big thrill for Rodriguez that year was playing with a team called the Red Wings in the annual Kiwanis Basketball Tournament. His team of high school players won the tournament, which was comprised of athletes from Niagara University, St. Bonaventure and Canisius College.

Rodriguez earned the nickname “The Cat” due to his quickness on the court. He used that speed and an outstanding eye to win several batting titles on the baseball – and later softball – field.

Upon graduation from high school, Rodriguez joined the U.S. Navy, where he spent the next two years. He then attended Sampson Junior College, graduating in 1948. He went on to Syracuse University and, in 1952, graduated with a major in physical education and a minor in sociology.

Rodriguez took a position as assistant recreation director in Niagara Falls before joining the United Way. He’d spend the next 30-plus years there, running Boys Clubs of America. From 1965-67, Rodriguez also served as Grand Island Recreation director.

His Boys Club endeavors included time at Pine Boys Club and East Falls Boys Club in Niagara Falls, as well as the then Town Boys Club in Tonawanda. He retired as executive director in 1986.

Over the next six years, Rodriguez worked as a merchandiser for Phillip Morris. He retired from that job in 1992.

Rodriguez joined the Ernie B’s of the MUNY Basketball League in 1952 and helped his team win three championships in six years. During that time, he was named to several all-star teams and earned a most valuable player award.

In fast pitch softball, Rodriguez played for the Ernie B’s, Stadium Grill, Rickshaw Lounge, Pat Dillon’s and Von Duggan’s Steel over a period of 20-plus years. A portion of that time was spent as a player/manager, and Rodriguez won three batting titles. The last of which was the GNSA title in 1968, when, at the age of 42, he batted .339.

Rodriguez helped his team win four New York State Class AAA Softball championships. In 1981, he was honored by the Niagara Falls Fabulous 40’s Athletic Association and was voted into its honor roll for his basketball accomplishments.

Similarly, in 1983, Rodriguez was inducted into the Western New York Softball Hall of Fame for his vast accomplishments.

Frank is survived by Donna (Hawley) Rodriguez, his wife of 53 years. Additional survivors include his children, Patricia (Harry) Beal of Kenosha, Wisc.; Michael (Kathy) and James (Mary) of Aurora, Ill.; Lisa (John) Black and Thomas (Linda-Kate), both of Grand Island; and Richard (Laurie) of Oxford, Mich. Frank was the grandfather of Hamilton (Dina), Francesca, Patrick, Harrison, Alexander and Margaret Beal; Michael, Matthew, Marcus and Joseph Rodriguez; Jillian, Erin, James, Kylee and Brianne Rodriguez; Robert, John, Kara and Franklin Black; and David, Robert and Carleigh Rodriguez.

He was the brother of John Chido of Niagara Falls, Joseph (Rita) Rodriguez or Boise, Idaho, S. Jay (Renee) of Niagara Falls and Donald (Mary) Palacios of Wilson; the sister of Rose Schwartzentruber of Ontario, Canada, Jennifer Zimmerman of Niagara Falls, Margaret (Fred) Manuel of New Jersey, Sister Suzanne of Clarence, Marian (Angelo) Nichele of Lewiston and Julie (Jack) Dryja of Lewiston. Frank is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters: Ann Hoplight, Lena Gregg, Joan O’Grady and Susan Rodriguez.

Visitation was held Wednesday at the Kaiser Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Thursday at St. Stephen’s Church. Interment was in St. Stephen’s Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Hospice Foundation, 225 Como Park Blvd., Cheektowaga, NY 14227.

Joseph C. Thomas

Joseph C. Thomas, 83, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007, after a brief illness.

A native of New York City, Thomas settled in Buffalo in 1946 after serving honorably in the U.S. Naval Air Corps during World War II. He graduated from the University at Buffalo and joined the Ellicott Permanent Savings and Loan in 1955.

In due course, Thomas became president of the business. During his tenure, he managed a series of mergers in the local banking community. Those moves resulted in the creation of The Permanent Savings Bank, wherein he served as CEO and chairman of the board before his retirement in 1985.

That same year, the Niagara University MBA Association honored him as Executive of the Year.

Active in professional and community activities, Thomas served as a director of the Western New York League of Savings and Loan Associations. He worked on various committees with the New York State Banking Commission, and was a director of the Buffalo Junior Chamber of Commerce and later the Niagara Falls Chamber of Commerce.

Thomas was a longtime member and director of the Advertising Club of Buffalo and was a member of the former Buffalo Trap and Field Club and the Buffalo Launch Club. Known for his dry sense of humor, he enjoyed traveling, fishing and bowling with his friends.

Joseph was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He and the former Helen Kulichik celebrated 60 years of marriage. In addition to his wife, Joseph is survived by his immediate and extended family, including three married daughters: Jane Marie Black, Betty Ruhland and Mary Thomas Scott; his three grandchildren, David Ritz, Katie Steele and Tom Steele; four great-grandchildren; and four sisters: Verna Fedor, Margie Turnier, Pauline Andrillon and Dorothy Wank. He was predeceased by his parents, Andrew and Mary; his two brothers, Anthony and Frank; and his sister Maria Giordano.

Visitation was held Tuesday and Wednesday at the Kaiser Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Thursday at St. Stephen’s Church. Interment was in St. Stephen’s Columbarium.

February 16, 2007 - Grand Island Dispatch

Donald Albert Hess

Donald Albert Hess passed from this life on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, with his family by his side.

He was born on Jan. 8, 1923, in James City, Pa., the son of William and Catherine Hess. He married Stella Bernadette Maciborski on Aug. 25, 1946. His wife passed away in August 2006.

He moved to Grand Island in 1964 with his beloved family. He was professor emeritus at the State University College at Buffalo, from which he retired in 1989.

He was a member of many professional associations throughout his lifetime. He was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church. He also was a member of the Golden Age Center, where he will be sorely missed by all of his many friends.

He is survived by three daughters, Connie (Joel) Canfield, Margaret (Frank) Monaco and Danna (Tim) Klaaren; a son, Bill Hess; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son, Bradley, and seven brothers and sisters.

A memorial service will be held at the Trinity United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 31, at 3 p.m.

(included photo)

Velma M. Harding

Velma M. (Boeck) Harding, 94, formerly of Grand Island and Bradenton, Fla., passed away Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, at the home of her daughter, Donna, in Tonawanda.

A resident of Grand Island for more than 30 years, she taught Home Economics at both Charlotte Sidway Junior High School and Grand Island High School for 20 years, retiring in 1972.

She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church on Grand Island and Grand Island Order of the Amaranth. She was the wife of LaVerne Harding, who died in 1989.

She is survived by three daughters, Doris M. Watson of West Palm Beach, Fla., Dianne H. (Ronald) Swick of Clarence and Donna J. (the late Michael) Smith of Tonawanda; eight grandchildren, Cynthia, Cherie, Brian, Nancy, David (Mary), Christopher (Laura), Matthew (Jennifer) and Elizabeth (Terrance); six great-grandchildren, James J., Gino, Jamie, Jenna, Isabella and Owen; and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Virgil Boeck.

There was no prior visitation. A memorial service was held in Kenmore United Methodist Church on Monday, Feb. 12. A private interment will be in Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery on Grand Island. Arrangements were made by the John O. Roth Funeral Home Inc. in Tonawanda.

Rene A. Gerber

Rene A. Gerber of Grand Island, longtime executive chef at the Buffalo Launch Club, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007, at the age of 68.

He was born to Joseph and Germaine Gerber in Colmar, France. He came to the United States at the age of 15 to work for his uncle’s French restaurant, Le Petit Paris, in Albany. He served a three-year apprenticeship under a chef who had worked on French ocean liners.

Gerber joined the U.S. Army in 1958. While serving in the Army, he was sent to cooking school and soon became the cook for troops in Frankfurt, Germany. His culinary expertise was noticed by General Abrams and General Adams, who selected him to be their personal cook. He went on to become NATO’s VIP chef during War Exercises.

He went back to Albany after his service in the Army, and became a U.S. citizen, an occasion celebrated by ceremonies and lunch with New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller and U.S. Sen. Jacob Javits. Gerber left Albany to open The Isle Flower Restaurant on Grand Island and later became the chef at the Brighton Acres Supper Club and the Buffalo Athletic Club.

In 1963, he was hired as the sous chef at the Buffalo Launch Club on Grand Island. He was promoted to executive chef of the club in 1965. He retired in 2003, after almost 35 years of dedicated service. He was active with the Grand Island Lions Club and enjoyed cooking the Lions Club’s annual spaghetti dinner.

He was a very loving father, grandfather and a friend to so many on Grand Island.

He is survived by his wife, Carleen Alt Gerber; two daughters, Danielle (Mike) Shean and Nicole Gerber; three grandchildren, Caitlin, Ryan and Faith; three brothers, Raymond, Armand and Gerard Gerber; and a cousin, Lucien Gerber. He has many relatives still living in France.

Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 16, at Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Road, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be private. Memorials may be made to Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Dorothy M. Ahern

Dorothy M. (Anetsberger) Ahern of Grand Island died Friday, Feb. 9, 2007, in Sisters of Charity Hospital.

She was the wife of the late Dennis E. Ahern. She was a member of the Grand Island Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary, the Buffalo Launch Club, the George Washington Club and the Zonta Club.

She is survived by a brother, Robert Anetsberger; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a brother, Leroy Anetsberger.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Church, 2100 Baseline Road. Interment will be in St. Stephen’s Cemetery. Flowers are declined. Memorials may be made to the Hospice Foundation, 225 Como Park Blvd., Cheektowaga 14223.

Esther ‘Betty’ Gertrude (McKinney) Wilson

Esther “Betty” Gertrude (McKinney) Wilson passed away on Friday, Feb. 9, 2007, in Kenmore Mercy Hospital. A resident of Grand Island, Wilson was born in Niagara Falls on May 15, 1924.

Wilson attended Niagara Falls schools. In the 1940s, she worked for Niagara Music in Niagara Falls. She was also the former head cook at Lippen’s Restaurant on Grand Island, and was an avid gardener.

Betty is survived by her children, Harry A. Adams, Rhonda L. (Robert) Miller, Loray E. (James) Greco and Marrisa H. Fournerat; her 13 grandchildren; her 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; a sister, Helen Blessing; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas B. Wilson, as well as her daughter, Cara L. (survived by husband Harry) Kowaleski; two grandchildren; her brother, Arthur McKinney; and her parents, Arthur B. and Bridget McKinney.

Visitation was held Tuesday at the Kaiser Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday at St. Stephen’s Church. Interment was in Riverdale Cemetery in Lewiston.

Memorials may be made to Kenmore Mercy Hospital, 2950 Elmwood Ave., Kenmore, or to St. Stephen’s Church, 2100 Baseline Road, Grand Island.

February 20, 2007 - Grand Island PennySaver

Gary Allen Glessner

Gary Allen Glessner, 61, of Clinton, Tenn., a longtime resident of Grand Island, passed away at his home surrounded by family on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007.

He was born June 9, 1945, in Niagara Falls, to parents Oliver and Elsa Schmitt Glessner. Following retirement from Sweet Home school in November 2005, he relocated to Clinton.

Gary is survived by his wife, Linda E. Glessner; his son, Allan (Kimberly) Glessner; his daughter Beth (Greg Golde) Glessner, and child, Peyton Gregory; his brother, Grant Glessner; his sister, Debbie Zucco; and his grandchildren, Cole Allan Glessner and Parker Blaire Glessner.

He was grandfather to Wyatt and Morgan Tollner; Mason and Brennan Livingston; Ryan Livingston; Ashly Gambino; and Anthony Gambino.

A memorial service, with military honors, was held Monday, Feb. 19, at 4 p.m., at Edgemoor Baptist Church, 330 Old Emory Road, Clinton, with Pastor Mike Petty officiating.

Memorials may be made to Knoxville Area Rescue Ministry, P.O. Box 3310, Knoxville, TN 37927.

Arrangements by Cremation Options Inc. For more information, call 1-865-6WE-CARE (693-2273) or visit www.cremationoptionsinc.com.

March 16, 2007 - Grand Island Dispatch

Harriet E. Johnstone

Harriet E. Johnstone, a Grand Island resident, passed away on Friday, March 9, 2007. She was the wife of James R. Johnstone for 66 years.

Harriet was the mother of Susan (Robert) Starzynski, Linda (Carl) Pinzel and Sandra (Dan Palazzo) Munzert; the grandmother of Krista (Michael) Mettler, Robert (Erin) Starzynski Jr., James and Mark (Michelle) Pinzel; the great-grandmother of Michael, Robert III, Thomas, Ryan and Megan; and the sister of Ellie (Bud) Pritchard.

Visitation was held Sunday at the Kaiser Funeral Home. Funeral services took place Monday at the Forest Lawn Chapel, with the Rev. Mary Anne Nelson-Loefke officiating. Interment was in Buffalo’s Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Grand Island Fire Company.

William A. ‘BA’ Aydelotte II

William A. “BA” Aydelotte II passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2007, at Hospice Buffalo in Cheektowaga. He was born Sept. 29, 1950, in Niagara Falls and later was a Grand Island resident.

William is survived by his wife, Nancy (Sasala) Aydelotte. He was the father of Ross and the late Cole Aydelotte; the son of Paula and the late William Aydelotte; the brother of Gayle (John) Piershalski; and the son-in-law of Carolyn Sasala.

Visitation was held at the Kaiser Funeral Home. Memorial services took place Tuesday at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, where the Rev. Mary Anne Nelson-Loefke and the Rev. Robert Fink officiated. Interment was in Whitehaven Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Buffalo.

March 23, 2007 - Grand Island Dispatch

John W. Werth

John W. Werth of Grand Island and Parrish, Fla., passed away on Saturday, March 17, 2007. He was a World War II veteran, serving with the U.S. Army in the Battle of the Bulge, and earned a Bronze Star.

Werth retired from Carborundum Co. in Niagara Falls after 42 years of employment. He and his wife, Elizabeth, were founding members of – and very active at – St. Timothy Lutheran Church.

John was husband to Elizabeth (Haese) Werth; the father of George Werth of Hartford, Mich., Lawrence (Judith) Werth Sr. of Litchfield, N.H., and Margaret (late Daniel) Tichy of Plantsville, Conn.; the grandfather of Teresa Stimpson, Lawrence Werth Jr., Scott Werth, Aurora Onorato and Kirk Daley; the step-grandfather of Kenneth, Gregory and Jennifer Netto; great-grandfather to 11; the brother of Donald (Lorraine) and the late Carl and Fredrick Werth; the cousin of William Koepke; the uncle of Joselyn Szfranski and Rebecca Albert; and the son of the late Charles and Emma Werth.

Friends may call Sunday, March 25, from 2 to 4 and from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Road.

Memorials may be made to St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 1453 Staley Road, where funeral services will be held on Monday, at 10 a.m.

Interment will be in Tonawanda’s Elmlawn Cemetery.

March 30, 2007 - Grand Island Dispatch

Sally E. (Schmit) Leckey

Sally E. (Schmit) Lackey, 21, passed away suddenly on Thursday, March 22, 2007, in Camp Lajeune, N.C. She attended Riverside High School and graduated from Grand Island High School.

Sally was the beloved wife of U.S. Marine Gary Leckey; the dear daughter of Albert (Antoinette) Schmit and the late Susan Miller; sister of Eric and Michelle; granddaughter of Vera (late Herbert) Schmit and Robert (Marlene) Miller; and the daughter-in-law of Gary (Lynn) Leckey. She is survived by aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services were held from the James E. Grace Funeral Home and All Saints Church on March 29.

Dorothy L. Bonora

Dorothy L. Bonora (nee Love) passed away on Sunday, March 25, 2007, at the age of 79. She was the beloved wife of Joseph J. Bonora; the dearest mother of John L. (Dawn) Bonora, Diane C. (Jeffrey) Power and the late Joseph J. Bonora; the loving grandmother of Michael, Daniel, Brendan, Joseph and Nicholas; great-grandmother to Isabella; dear sister of the late Maxine Wright, Ruth (James) McCorkle and Jewel (Ray) Allen.

Andrew J. Beyer III

Andrew J. Beyer III, a long-time Grand Island resident, passed away on Tuesday, March 27, 2007. The former owner of AJ Beyer Heating and Air Conditioning on Grand Island, he was also a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army.

Andrew was husband to Rhada I. Beyer and the late Phyllis J. Beyer; the father of Andrew J. (Deborah) IV, Peter (Mary Jo), Christopher (Sandra) and Russell (Lizzie) Beyer. He was survived by 10 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild. He was predeceased by his brother, Arthur (late Ginny) Beyer.

Visitation was held Thursday at the Kaiser Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, March 30, at 10 a.m., inside St. Stephen’s Church, 2100 Baseline Road. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Western New York.