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Obituaries

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April - June 2007

April 6, 2007 - Grand Island Dispatch

Frederick W. Whitaker

Frederick W. Whitaker, 89, of Grand Island, passed away on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at Riverwood Health Care.

Whitaker was born in Newburgh, N.Y., on April 8, 1917, the son of Fred and Anna (McConnell) Whitaker. He served in the United States Navy during World War II as a landing craft operator. Whitaker is a Lifetime Charter member of the Winona Lake Fire Company in Newburgh.

Frederick is survived by his wife, Laura (Lussier) Whitaker; he was the father of Lois Jean (Dominick) Affuso and Frederick Whitaker Jr.; he was the grandfather of Chris (Audene) Affuso, Mark Affuso, Frederick Whitaker III and Richard Whitaker; the great-grandfather of Stephanie, Melissa, Kaitlyn Affuso and Eric Whitaker.

There was no prior visitation. A service will be held at the family’s convenience.

April 13, 2007 - Grand Island Dispatch

Mae Klocke

Mae Klocke, wife of the late Franklin Klocke, passed away suddenly on Friday, April 6, 2007, with her grandchildren at her side.

Mae and her husband moved to Grand Island in 1937.

She was a past president of St. Stephen’s Altar Society; a charter member of the Grand Island Centennial Committee; and an active member of the Erie County Republican Club and the Grand Island Republican Woman Society. Mae and her husband were also active members of the Buffalo Launch Club.

In the 1980s, Mae and Franklin moved to Venice, Fla. There, they were active with the Harbor Cove Boat Club.

Mae is survived by her children, Barbra (Ken) Voegelin of Sarasota, Fla., Gale (Richard) Sander of Grand Island and Jim (Jan) Klocke of Sarasota; her grandchildren, Gale (Tom) Podsiadlo of Cheektowaga, Teresa (Mike) Hooper of Grand Island, Rich (Mary) Sander of Grand Island, Eileen (Mark) Klein of Grand Island, Marie Klocke of Buffalo, Mark Klocke of Grand Island and Pam (Rich) Miller of St. Pete, Fla.

She was great-grandmother to Ashley, Cameron and Stephen Miller; Elizabeth and T.J. Podsiadlo; Luke Hooper; Emily, Jessica and Nolan Klein; and Bridgett and Rebecca Sander.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gliding Stars of Western New York – 1404 Sweethome Road, Amherst, NY 14228 – or to the Spina Bifida Association of Western New York – 300 Corporate Parkway, Amherst, NY 14226.

Family will be present Friday, May 18, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the George Roberts and Son’s Funeral Home, 3000 Delaware Ave., Kenmore. A 10 a.m. memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 19, at St. Stephen’s Church, 2100 Baseline Road, Grand Island.

April 20, 2007 - Grand Island Dispatch

Beatrice C. Killian

Beatrice Catherine Killian, 87, of Spotsylvania County, Va., passed away on Thursday, March 15, 2007, at her residence.

She was a native of Buffalo and a long-time Grand Island resident.

Beatrice is survived by her husband, Raymond W. Killian; and her children: Daniel Killian and his wife, Jennifer; Patricia Meyers and her husband, Jerald; Gerald T. Killian and his partner, Mark; Maureen Swaney and her husband, Andrew; Elizabeth Prange and her husband, Terry; and Joseph Killian and his wife, Maureen.

Additional survivors include her sister, Regina Smith; her 16 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Her son, Raymond W. Killian Jr., and two brothers, John and Vincent Murphy, preceded Beatrice in death.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 28, at St. Stephen’s Church, 2100 Baseline Road. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, 113 Tallpines Ave., Locust Grove, Va., 22553.

An online guestbook is available at covenantfuneralservice.com.

April 27, 2007 - Grand Island Dispatch

Colleen M. Samland

Grand Island resident Colleen M. Samland passed away on Monday, April 23, 2007, following a courageous two-and-a-half year battle with cancer.

A resident of the Island for the past 33 years, she graduated from Grand Island High School in 1979 and Erie Community College in 1981. In 1982, Colleen married her high school sweetheart, Michael Samland, and together they raised three wonderful children, Jessica, Ryan and Justin.

Colleen focused her life around her family. A devoted mother, she could be found anywhere her children were. In fact she was a fixture at their softball, baseball, soccer and lacrosse games for the past 15 years and never missed a game.

Colleen was a longtime member of St. Stephen R.C. Church and taught religious education for eight years there with her sister-in-law, Karen Fischer.

Best known for her love of the New York Yankees, Colleen was also an avid reader and longtime Bruce Springsteen fan. She will always be remembered for her beautiful smile, generous spirit and positive attitude.

In addition to her husband and children, Colleen was the daughter of Earl and the late Patricia Clements; sister of Kelly (David) Robel, Sean Clements, Kristin (Mark) Resse, and the late Karen (Frank) Nuchereno; daughter-in-law of Bernhard and Clarice Samland, sister-in-law of Darlene (Richard) Simmons, Karen (Joseph) Fischer, and Lisa (Michael) Gallagher; and an aunt to 14 nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen Church, 2100 Baseline Road.

Memorials made be made to Hospice Buffalo.

May 3, 2007 - Grand Island Dispatch

Mary G. (Dretto) Capizzi

Mary G. (Dretto) Capizzi, 91, a long-time Grand Island resident, passed away on Thursday, April 12, 2007.

She was the dear mother of Russell (Philomena) Capizzi and Joyce Madonia; the dear grandmother of Maria (Fred) Korhummel, Salvatore Capizzi, Russell (Gina) Capizzi, Philomena (Richard) Dworak, John Madonia, Kathy (Joey) Northrup; and great-grandmother of 10 great-grandchildren.

Mary was predeceased by four brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 18, at St. Stephen R.C. Church. Committal services were held on Thursday, April 19, at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Rochester.

Clare H. Jones

After a three-year battle with cancer, Clare H. Jones passed away on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, in Hospice Care, Cheektowaga. He was 77 years old.

Born in Buffalo, Jones was a 57-year resident of Grand Island. There, he spent many years with the Grand Island Fire Department and the Niagara Sunday Flyers.

Clare was the beloved husband of Jean D. Jones and the late Dorothy Mahuk. He was the father of Sharon and Jody Jones and stepfather of John Dearlove of Texas, Dane Dearlove of Georgia, Todd Dearlove of West Seneca and the late Mark Dearlove; the brother of Susan Triffitt of Lynnfield, Mass.; the grandfather of 12 and great-grandfather of six.

Private funeral arrangements were made by Kaiser Funeral Home on Grand Island.

May 11, 2007 - Grand Island Dispatch

Bruce A. Kaiser

Bruce A. Kaiser, a fifth generation Grand Island resident, passed away on Sunday, May 6, 2007, in Dansville’s Noyes Memorial Hospital.

He was born on May 16, 1953, to Ruth and Allen Kaiser Jr. Bruce graduated from Grand Island High School and Houghton College.

After college, he did boating reports on WBEN AM 930 and took a job in radio sales. Bruce advanced to become sales manager for Rock 102.

In 1985, he and Edward McCarthy founded Americom Communications, which installs and maintains telephone and computer systems for local businesses.

Bruce was active in the Republican and Conservative parties, and was formerly chairman of the Grand Island Republican Committee. He was a member and past commodore of the Niagara Sailing Club; a member of the Grand Island Lions Club; former director of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens; and vice moderator and a member of the Whitehaven Road Baptist Church choir.

An avid plane pilot, Bruce enjoyed guided his Piper Cherokee and was an active member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He loved to sail, and enjoyed steering his 27-foot Ericson sailboat.

Bruce loved being with people and would do anything for them.

He is survived by his wife, Katharina (Sausner) Kaiser; his step-children, Kristina (Brett) Carey and Victor Cappello; his grandchildren, Collin and Samantha Carey; his brother, Bryan (Donna) Kaiser; his nieces, Laura and Jenna Kaiser; and his step-father, Frank Sausner. His parents predeceased him.

Eric Berger, chairman of the Grand Island Conservative Party, worked with Bruce in politics and knew him since childhood.

“Bruce’s passing came as a big shock to us all. He will be greatly missed,” he said. “He was very much involved in the Conservative Party on Grand Island.” Bruce was on the party’s Executive Committee.

“He was a very hard worker, very dedicated,” Berger said. “We certainly offer our regrets to his wife, Katharina.”

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 11, at 10 a.m. They will take place at Whitehaven Road Baptist Church, 1290 Whitehaven Road. Interment will be in Whitehaven Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Grand Island Lions Club, PO Box 71, Grand Island, NY, 14072.

Arrangements by Kaiser Funeral Home.

May 18, 2007 - Grand Island Dispatch

Helen (Kamieniarz) Derner

Helen (Kamieniarz) Derner, 84, of Grand Island and formerly the City of Tonawanda, passed away on Saturday, May 12, 2007, at Kenmore Mercy Hospital.

Born in the Black Rock section of Buffalo, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Josephine (Skiba) Kamieniarz, the sister of the late Sister Mary Michael Kamieniarz, John (late Lydia) Kamman, Joseph Kamman, Lottie (late Robert) Schwabenbauer and Mary (late Walter) Platek.

Derner was employed as a clerk typist for the City of Tonawanda Housing Authority for 20 years, and was a member of St. Stephen R.C. Church. She also served as a hostess at the Grand Island Golden Age Center.

Helen was wife for 59 years to the late Warren C. Derner. She is survived by five children: Warren G. (Nancy) Derner of Buffalo, Gail D. (late Gary) Fuller of Kenmore, Gary (Sharon) Derner of the Town of Tonawanda, Michelle (Stephen) Hoffman of New Berlin and Susan (Michael) Wegrzyn of Grand Island; her sister, Anne (late Edward) Cybulski of Las Vegas; her brother, Matthew (Jessie) Kamieniarz of Florida; her sister-in-law, Jane (late Joseph) Kamman of Tonawanda; 18 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours were held Tuesday at the John O. Roth Funeral Home in Tonawanda. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday at St. Stephen.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Stephen, 2100 Baseline Road, Grand Island, NY 14072.

May 25, 2007 - Grand Island Dispatch

Vivian T. (Kenny) Fitzgerald

Vivian T. (Kenny) Fitzgerald, 90, of Grand Island and formerly the Tonawandas, passed away on Wednesday, May 16, 2007, at the home of her daughter, under Hospice care.

A resident of Grand Island for the past 10 years, she was wife to the late Charles F. Fitzgerald. He passed away in 2003.

During her early years, she was a private secretary for Ohio Salt in Cleveland. She married Charles in 1942, and soon began teaching elementary education at St. Francis of Assisi School in Tonawanda. She worked there for 25 years, before retiring in 1977.

Vivian is survived by two children, Dale (late Rita) Fitzgerald of Newfane, and Kathy M. (Robert) Ringler of Grand Island; three grandchildren, Paula Fitzgerald of the Town of Tonawanda, Dennis W. Ringler of Rochester and Paul C. Ringler of Anchorage, Alaska; and a great-grandson, Brennan, of Ontario, Canada. She was a second mother to very close friends Jean, Joanne, Betty and Marcia. Joseph Kenny, Vivian’s brother, predeceased her.

There was no prior visitation. A private prayer service was held last Friday in Holy Family Chapel Mausoleum in Mount Olivet Cemetery. The Rev. Robert Fink officiated.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Buffalo.

John O. Roth Funeral Home in Tonawanda made arrangements.

June 15, 2007 - Grand Island Dispatch

Sandra J. Stamler

Sandra J. Stamler, a resident of St. Petersburg, Fla., formerly of Grand Island, passed away suddenly on Thursday, May 31, 2007. She was born on May 6, 1944.

Sandra was predeceased by her parents, Warren and Jean Stamler. Survivors include two brothers, Michael (Cindy) and David (Jill) Stamler, both of Grand Island. She was the beloved aunt of Robert (Kimberly) Miller, and the cherished godmother of David Herrs.

Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers and cards, donations can be made to the Niagara County SPCA.

Imogene Chamberlin Zavodny

Imogene Chamberlin Zavodny, 81, a former Grand Island resident, passed away on Saturday, June 9, 2007, in Sarasota, Fla.

For more than 20 years, Zavodny was an elementary school physical education teacher in various Niagara Falls schools. She retired in 1988, and established the Imogene Chamberlin Fifth Grade Academic Scholarship at Niagara Street School. Post-career, she enjoyed extensive world traveling.

Imogene was predeceased by her husbands, Howard Chamberlin and Ernest Zavodny. She was the mother of Howard Chamberlin Jr., of Boston, Aleeta (Nicholas) Zornek of Niagara Falls and Gwyn (Arthur) Beyer of Cheektowaga; the grandmother of Tammy (Rick) McCarthy, Melony Beyer, Jason and Anna Zornek and the late Eric Zornek; the great-grandmother of James Tyler and Alyssa Marie McCarthy. She was the dear friend of Peter Jones.

The family will hold private funeral services. Interment will be in Whitehaven Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Kids Escaping Drugs, P.O. Box 643, West Seneca, N.Y., 14224.

Arrangements were made by Kaiser Funeral Home.

Thomas C. ‘Tim’ Tomkinson

Thomas C. “Tim” Tomkinson, 79, of Grand Island, passed away suddenly on Friday, June 8, 2007.

Tomkinson enjoyed spending time with his family, playing euchre with his friends, gardening and watching Yankees baseball. He was a charter member of the Niagara River Station Fishing Club – which he attended daily – and a member of the VFW Post 9249.

Tomkinson, a Korean War Army veteran, retired from the SPCA of Erie County.

Tim is survived by his wife, Helen (Lucchino) Tomkinson; his daughter, Nancy (Jay) Hollinger; his grandchildren, Ashley Hollinger and Jason Hollinger; his brothers, Wayne Tomkinson and Philip (Hilda) Tomkinson; and his sister, Lynda (Rand) Hunt.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Stephen Church, 2100 Baseline Road, on Saturday, June 16, at 10 a.m.

Memorials may be made to the SPCA of Erie County, 205 Ensminger Road, Tonawanda, NY, 14150. Flowers are gratefully declined.

Arrangements were made by Kaiser Funeral Home.

June 22, 2007 - Grand Island Dispatch

Laura (Lussier) Whitaker

Laura (Lussier) Whitaker, 91, of Grand Island, passed away on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, in Riverwood Health Care Center. She was born in Tupper Lake, the daughter of Mary and Vern Lussier.

The wife of the late Frederick Whitaker, Laura is survived by her children, Lois Jean (Dominick) Affuso and Frederick Whitaker Jr.; her grandchildren, Chris (Audene) Affuso, Mark Affuso, Frederick Whitaker III and Richard Whitaker; and her great-grandchildren, Stephanie, Melissa and Kaitlyn Affuso and Eric Whitaker.

Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements by the Kaiser Funeral Home.