John Richard Kilmer Sr., 94, died at his home on Grand Island on Father's Day, June 21, 2020, with his younger daughter, Geraldine Rapp, and son, John Kilmer Jr., by his side.

Peter J. Marston Sr. of Grand Island entered into rest June 8, 2020.

George E. Sullivan Jr., formerly of Grand Island, went to his eternal reward on May 28, 2020.

Daniel D. Mezhir, age 70, of Niagara Falls, entered into rest Thursday, April 23, 2020, after a brief illness. He was born in Niagara Falls on June 11, 1949, the son of the late James and Viola (Trunzo); stepson of the late Samuel Torcasio.

Robert E. Waterson III of Grand Island entered into rest May 6, 2020.

Marian Theresa Burns, 88, died peacefully on April 29, 2020. She was the beloved wife for 67 years of the late John William (Jack) Burns, who died in 2017.

Luigi "Lou" D'Orazio, 91, of Grand Island, passed away on April 1, 2020, of the COVID-19 virus.

William "Kester" Bleich. Once in a while, someone enters your life who is known for quick wit and an engaging smile. That person was "Kester Bleich." He departed this life and entered eternal life on Good Friday, April 10, 2020.

Edgar (Ted) Sackett Bates, 81, of Ocala, Florida, passed away March 14, 2020.

Edward L. Burns, of Clarence, formerly of Grand Island, passed away March 10, 2020.

Marjorie L. (Garvin) Chase of Jupiter, Florida, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2020, at the age of 84. Marge was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, and attended West Virginia University after graduating from Moundsville High School as salutatorian. She resided on Gregory Place on Grand Island from 1970 to 1981 before moving to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with her family in 1981.

Alice T. Duxbury of Grand Island entered into rest March 1, 2020, at the age of 100.

Delilah "Dolly" A. D'Orazio, 73, of Grand Island passed away on March 2, 2020, at her residence under the care of Buffalo Hospice.

After a 12-year battle against multiple myeloma, Louise Whitworth Sims passed away peacefully under the care of Hospice.

George J. Fries entered into rest Feb. 19, 2020. A resident of Grand Island, he was the husband of 62 years of Betty A. Fries; father of Cynthia R. (Jim) Stump and Michael A. (Yi Chen) Fries; grandfather of Amber and Brian Stump and Chance Fries; brother of Rosemary Rivers and the late Stephen Fries, Louis Fries, Helen Banigan and Dolores Pilkington.

Catherine (Shearer) White, 55, of the Town of Knox, near Altamont, New York, passed away at St. Peter's Hospital, Albany, surrounded by her loving family on Feb. 6, 2020, following a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Allan H. Craddock of Grand Island entered into rest Jan. 31, 2020.

George R. "Andy" Andross of Grand Island, entered into rest on Jan. 29, 2020. He was the beloved husband of Judy (née Biggie) Andross; devoted father of Traci Andross Terlecky, Andrew Andross and Alexandria (Josh) Fry; cherished stepfather of Justin (Rachael) Selzler and Greg (Danielle) Halbert; adored grandfather of Nicholas George, Sophia, Julien, Josh, Edmund, Jonny, Alayna, Willow, Amber, Emma, Ari, Robert and the late Samuel; dear brother of Edward (Karen) Andross and Linda (Tony) Cellini. He is also survived by loving nieces and nephews.

Caroline L. (nee Feldman) Stoll of Pendleton passed on Feb. 2, 2020.

Joan Ann Pax (née Hughes) of Grand Island passed away Jan. 24, 2020, at age 79. She was the loving mother of James W. (Karen) Pax, Jeffrey (Sheryl) Pax, Jacqueline (Joseph) Valente and Jason (Lori) Pax; cherished grandmother of nine grandchildren; dear daughter of the late Bernard and Noreen (née Cotter) Hughes.

Former Grand Island resident Kenneth W. Brodie, aged 78, entered into rest Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020.

Thomas James Slaiman entered peacefully into rest on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, after a brief illness. He was 69.

Barbara Ann Joseph, 70, of Niagara Falls, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. Born in Niagara Falls on Feb. 22, 1949 she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Susan (Ferris) Joseph and attended local schools. She was a 1967 graduate of Madonna High School.

Miles E. Havens, 89, of Grand Island, passed away on Dec. 13, 2019, at Elderwood at Grand Island. Born in Buffalo, on July 9, 1930, he was the son of the late Lillian (Raffel) and Clifford Havens.

Veteran broadcaster James Nowicki passed away Friday, Dec. 6. A Grand Island resident for most of his life, Jim loved the Island, only living elsewhere when his first love demanded it.

Michael W. Kline, 63, passed away on Oct. 28, 2019, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.

Gary R. Burkhart of Grand Island entered into rest Nov. 17, 2019.

Jessica Louise Melgar of Grand Island entered into rest Nov. 19, 2019.

Carol Lynn Marston (née Howell) of Grand Island entered into rest Nov. 13, 2019.

Arielle Lynn Reed, 28, of Grand Island passed unexpectedly on Nov. 2, 2019.

William R. Yockey passed away Nov. 6, 2019, at his Grand Island home.

Peter S. Fabiano of Grand Island entered into rest Oct. 28, 2019, from a heart attack at the age of 47.

Phyllis B. Lange unexpectedly passed away peacefully in her Grand Island home Sept. 18, 2019.

Irene F. Burley, age 93, of Fruitland Park, Florida, formerly of Grand Island, passed away June 10, 2019.

Eileen M. (Dealey) Minton passed on Sept. 28 after a brief illness.

James F. Bartolotta Jr. of Grand Island entered into rest Sept. 21, 2019.

Ann Billica (née Palgutt) of Grand Island entered into rest Sept. 20, 2019, at the age of 102.

A celebration of the life of Kevin R. Maras of Grand Island will take place Oct. 5.

Penny J. Belviso, 68, of Youngstown, was born in Niagara Falls, New York, on April 18, 1951, to the late Albert and Elizabeth Pries. She held God's hand as she entered into rest on Sept. 22, 2019, after battling cancer.

A loving and incomparable wife, mother, aunt, colleague, and friend, Frances Jensen died peacefully on June 30, 2019, after bravely battling cancer. She was 81.

Joan M. Ackerman, age 84, of Bradenton, Florida, and formerly of Grand Island, died peacefully in her home on June 20, 2019, under Hospice care.

Gladys Irene (Walke) Kantenwein of Niagara Falls passed away peacefully on July 2, 2019. She was 96 years old.

Patrick Joseph DeCillis, 96-plus, a formerly of Grand Island, died peacefully June 23, 2019, in Paducah, Kentucky, after a brief stay at Parkview Nursing and Rehab.

Richard C. "Bud" Whiting, formerly of Grand Island, passed away June 13, 2019.

The Diocese of Buffalo reports the passing Wednesday, June 12, 2019, of Father Lynn Shumway.

Evy Magnusson Newlin, 92, was called home on the morning of May 27, 2019. She was predeceased by her husband, Lyman Newlin.

Leonard Cornelius "Leo" VanderVoort, 93, loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather of Grand Island, died on June 5, 2019, with his family at his side.

Viola R. Hood Achkar of Grand Island entered into eternal rest June 9, 2019, at the age 89.

Marilyn "Lyn" Laman of Grand Island (née Mauri) entered into rest May 31, 2019.

Ralph D. Hoover of Grand Island, at the age of 91, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2019.