Sandra R. Benns entered into rest May 1, 2017.

Elinore (Grey) Spiesz was born June 15, 1917, in Buffalo. She grew up there in a large, loving family. She met her future husband, Benjamin Spiesz, before World War II, and after he returned from serving in the U.S. Navy, they were married.

Former principal of Veronica E. Connor Middle School, Bruce Frederick Benson, died last Friday, June 9, at the age of 60.

Michelle lived on Grand Island until she met her husband, Nathan Wallace, in 2001. She was a devoted wife and mother to Nolan, Becca and Parker.

Martha "Marty" (née Bir) Kennell of Grand Island entered into rest May 26, 2017.

Grand Island resident Capt. Dennis E. Trach (USMC, Ret.) entered into rest May 28, 2017.

The Rev. Elton J. Rengstorf of Lewiston passed away Thursday, April 6, 2017, at Niagara Hospice in Lockport.

A memorial service will be held for John Harold Myhre, who passed away April 29, 2017.

Robert F. Utz, a retired FBI agent, died April 22, 2017, at his home on Grand Island after a brief illness. He was 88.

North Tonawanda Common Council President Phillip "Russ" Rizzo, age 83, went home to be with the Lord on April 29, 2017, following a valiant battle with cancer.

Whitney Jade Washuta, 25, of Youngstown, passed away on April 18, 2017.

Doug Smith, whose 68-year career included stints at numerous Western New York newspapers, ballparks and community theater groups as well as WIVB-TV, died quietly at his home in Cortland on April 20, 2017.

Grand Island resident Claudia L. LaPress died after a long illness April 23, 2017.

The Diocese of Buffalo Office of Communications reports Father David J. Peter died Monday, April 17, at Brothers of Mercy, Clarence.

John Kenneth Sanborn, 73, a resident of Grand Island since 1970, passed away on God's Friday, April 14, 2017, surrounded by his loving family at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center-ICU.

Marcia E. (Clark) Dymek passed away Saturday, April 8, 2017, in her home under hospice care.

Elizabeth Dobson Eydt, age 95, formerly of Lewiston, died Wednesday, March 29, 2017, in McArthur Manor in Manchester, Tennessee.

Born Nov. 6, 1917, Helen B. Radder would have been 100 this year, but she was a little short (story of her life!). She finished her race Tuesday morning, March 28, 2017, and gathered the prize that was set before her (Philippians 3:14).

Dorothy M. Cochran passed away March 1, 2017,​ at 1:30 a.m. of natural causes.

James A. Brown 92, a long-time resident of Grand Island, died peacefully on April 4th. He was the husband of Gloria Risden Brown, father of Daniel (Wendy), Paul (Cindy) Brown, Carolyn Starr and Sandra (Timothy) Boebel. He is survived by nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

William "Spike" Vampotic, entered into rest March 21, 2017.

Bob Marcel of Grand Island died suddenly March 17, 2017, at the age of 67.

Always remembered and loved by all those whose lives she touched, Chris Mongielo of Grand Island entered into rest March 20, 2017.

Beverly J. Dyet entered heaven on March 10, 2017, after a fall in her home at the age of 83.

Island resident Patricia A. Bachert entered into rest Feb. 24, 2017.

Elsie G. (Moreland) Fleischmann entered into rest Feb. 27, 2017, at the age of 101.

Frank M. Wasko passed away on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, at his home in Orlando, at age 86.

Shirley A. Jones of Lewiston passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, in DeGraff Memorial Hospital, North Tonawanda.

The Rev. Harold Tyson Jr. died Feb. 17, 2017, at the age of 86 in Brookdale Kenmore under Hospice care after a long and fulfilling life.

Grand Island resident Betty A. (Fose) Marshall went to be with her Lord on Feb. 21, 2017.

Carleen Alt Gerber passed away on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, with her family beside her. Devoted sister, mother, grandmother, matriarch, friend and one-time bicycle rodeo champion, Carleen inspired everyone she encountered with her free spirit, kindness, sense of humor, and positive attitude.

Judith Kohl passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017.

Kaoru (Yuriko) S. Willard passed away peacefully Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016. She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, John K. Willard.

Grand Island resident Peter James Ragnar entered into rest Jan. 2, 2017.

Walter Edward (Wally) Shefka passed away peacefully in his home in the loving care of his entire family after a brief illness on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017.

Beverly J. Seibert of Grand Island passed peacefully Dec. 14, 2016, surrounded by her loving family under the care of Hospice.

"Did you ever hear the one about ..." that was the opening for a delightful conversation with George Davis.

Torgeir Bleken Fadum, lieutenant colonel, U.S. Air Force (retired), born Nov. 11, 1923, left us suddenly on Nov. 28, 2016, at the age of 93. Born in Niagara Falls and longtime resident of Grand Island, he spent the last four years residing in Stockton, California.

Barbara J. (née Dale) Macaluso, age 78, of Grand Island, passed away peacefully on Dec. 1, 2016, surrounded by her family. She was the loving wife for 56 years of Joseph F. Macaluso, devoted mother of David (Lisa) Macaluso and Christine (William) Horne and adoring grandmother of Amanda and Jason Horne.

Jeffrey Forrest Carr, a former Grand Island resident, passed away Nov. 17, 2016, in his home in Tomball, Texas. He pursued a variety of careers, ranging from professional musician, to home contractor to airline mechanic.

Beverly A. Surdi of Grand Island, formerly of Amherst, passed away Nov. 27, 2016.

Surrounded by friends and loved ones, Linda Carosella (Locke) passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 25, 2016, in her new home in Chittenango, New York, at the age of 71.

D. Denise McGrath of Nyack, New York, originally from Lewiston, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, surrounded by family and friends following a short but valiant battle with cancer.

Michael G. Wolfgang of Williamsville, an attorney at law and Star of David Emblem holder, passed way on Oct. 26, 2016.

Lifelong Grand Island resident Bernice Dinsmore passed away Oct. 13.

Lee A. Wroblewski, 64, of Otto, died July 18, 2016, at her home.

James Milne, formerly of Grand Island and late of The Villages, Florida, passed away Monday, Oct. 3, 2016, at the age of 77.

Leonard J. Kijowski of Lewiston, New York, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016.

Mamie C. (Maroon) Simonson, age 87, of Lewiston, passed away at home on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016.

Stuart W. Savory, 78, of Hamilton, Montana, and a former 45-year resident of Grand Island, died unexpectedly on Friday, July 29, 2016.