System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!Richard C. Ressler
11/9/2006 - Richard C. Ressler, 86, has gone to be with his loving wife, Eleanor, on Nov. 5, 2006 in the Waters of Westfield. He was formerly of 64 East Chautauqua St., Mayville.
He was born Feb. 27, 1920 in Knoxville, Tenn., the son of Joseph and Pearl Stebbins Ressler.
Mr. Ressler and his family moved to Mayville in 1940 when, along with his father and brother, he started a welding shop at the foot of Mayville School hill.
An outstanding baseball player, he was well known for his tremendous skills as a catcher and carried one of the highest batting averages on the team. In 1940, he signed a contract with the National Association of Professional Baseball Players with the Jamestown Pony League.
In 1941, he joined the U.S. Army as an airplane engine mechanic, serving until 1945. While in the service, the St. Louis Browns offered him a contract to play professionally with their team after returning home from the service. Although he never signed, it was one of his proudest accomplishments in his baseball career. He returned home to marry Eleanor A. Gervasi on Feb. 16, 1944 in St. James Catholic Church in Westfield. He continued to play on several championship teams throughout the area, including the Westfield Moose Team.
In June 1953, Mr. Ressler was appointed deputy sheriff by Charles McCloskey Jr. and was promoted to lieutenant in 1962. He served under Sheriff Charles McCloskey and Merle Campaign, and retired under John Bentley in 1979 as a criminal investigator. He then worked as a court crier under Judge Lee Town Adams as John Ward for another 17 years.
He loved his family and his church, serving as a board member on several different committees for St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mayville and as an usher and caretaker for over 50 years. He was a member of the Mayville Fire Dept., a charter member of the Lake Chautauqua VFW Memorial Post in Mayville, and a 62-year member of the American Legion in Mayville.
In addition to his love of baseball, he enjoyed golfing and bingo and had a passion in his heart to sing and dance.
Surviving are one daughter, June M. (Crow) Beers of Westfield; one son, Richard J. Ressler of Mayville; four grandsons, Jason Beers of Los Angeles, Calif., Jay (Alesa) Beers of Westfield, Jesse (Amy) Beers of Fredonia and Derek Ressler of Westfield; one granddaughter, Deena Guthrie of Erie; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Eleanor, who died Dec. 10, 2002; his parents, Joseph and Pearl; and a brother, Jack Ressler.
The funeral service will be held today at 10 a.m. in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mayville. Burial will be in St. James Cemetery in Westfield.
Memorials may be made to a charity of choice.
The Freay Funeral Home in Mayville is in charge of arrangements.
Paul L. Briggs
11/17/2006 - Paul L. Briggs, 77, of Potter Road, Mayville, died Nov. 9, 2006 in the Western Reserve in Erie, Pa.
He was born May 3, 1929 in Mayville, the son of the late George and Emma Zelmer Briggs. Paul was a veteran of the US Army and was a member of the Lake Chautauqua Memorial Post VFW in Mayville.
He is survived by six children, Harlan, Paul Jr., Fred, Patty, Susan, and Debbie; several grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; his companion of 13 years Joanne Briggs; and two brothers, Royal Briggs of Mayville, and Robert Briggs of Tamarac, Fla.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Elizabeth Swanson; five brothers, Howard, Jim, Alden, George, and Herbert Briggs.
A private service will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in the Magnolia Cemetery.
The Freay Funeral Home, Mayville is in charge of arrangements.
George A. Wright
11/9/2006 - George A. Wright, 82, of Main Street, Findley Lake, died Nov. 4, 2006 in his home.
He was born Dec. 3, 1923 in the Mina Township, the son of the late R. Lee and Mabel Newhouse Wright.
He was a member of the Findley Lake United Methodist Church and served as trustee and Sunday school superintendent. He was a former supervisor for the Town of Mina and past president of the Chautauqua County Supervisors Association. He was a former member of the Findley Lake Fire Department and served in the United States Army from 1948 to 1949 and then in the National Guard for four years. He worked at the former Corry Jamestown, later at the Corry Hebert Division of Hon Industries, retiring after 32 years as supervisor.
He enjoyed hunting, gardening, mowing, visiting with friends and the New York Yankees.
He is survived by his wife, June Ward Wright, of Findley Lake, whom he married Sept. 11, 1954; two daughters, Pamela Wright, of El Dorado Hills, Calif. and Wendy Wright of North East, Pa.; a sister, Shirley Eliason, and her husband, Leonard (Penner) of Findley Lake; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Rev. Robert Wright; and four sisters, Ruth Hitchcock, Ella Thompson, Muriel Morton, and Hazel Swoap.
A memorial service will be held today, Nov. 9, 2006 at 7 p.m. in the Spitzer Funeral Home in Sherman with the Rev. James Pegan, pastor of the Findley Lake United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Mina Cemetery. Friends will be received in the funeral home one hour before the service.
Memorials may be made to the Findley Lake United Methodist Church or the Mina-Findley Lake Historical Society.
Arrangements are by the Spitzer Funeral Home in Sherman.
Amelia Laine Worth
11/17/2006 - Amelia Laine Worth died gracefully on November 7, 2006 at age 22 due to complications of Leukemia.
Amelia was born January 10, 1984 in Jamestown. She was the daughter of Michael W. Dean of Los Angeles (formerly of Westfield) and Patricia Worth of Coos Bay, Oregon (formerly of Jamestown). In 1985 Amelia moved with her mother to Portland, Oregon, later Brandon, then Coos Bay, Oregon where she graduated from high school in 2002.
During her 22 years on earth she accomplished a lot, and approached everything with a great passion and enthusiasm. She was an excellent trumpet player who played in three bands. She loved swing music and loved to dance. She was deeply passionate about her relationships in high school. She loved coordinating events and activities for all of her friends to enjoy. In her playful spirit she matched her hair to her Senior prom dress, spreading a path of purple throughout the festivities.
Amelia was a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. The last two years she was employed as an assistant karate instructor.
In 2002, she enrolled in the University of Oregon, (Eugene) where she pursued the dream of completing her PhD in Anthropology, with a focus in Archeology. Even through the challenge of her health issues, she attended classes the past three years and was just a few credits away from her bachelor's degree. She was inducted into The Friars at U of O and belonged to Alpha Phi Omega where she was a Pledge Educator. Amelia was a founder of the Northwest Primate Conservation Society. She was a Deputy and Headmistress of the “Castle Hogwart” LiveJournal community, along with being co-moderator of the LiveJournal group, One_Happiness. Amelia touched many hearts and lives worldwide, both in person and electronically.
During her final 11 months, Amelia and her boyfriend Andy traveled far and wide: Seattle on New Year’s weekend; snowshoeing in the Oregon wilderness; and fishing trips with friends. Her most memorable trip was to Los Angeles last 4th of July to be with her father Michael W. Dean and his wife, Debra Jean Dean, where they enjoyed paddleboating and hiking, going to the beach; visiting with friends and having a blast at Disneyland.
She is survived by Andrew Case, her knight in shining armor; mother and companion, Patricia Worth and Kym Kennedy; father, Michael W. Dean; maternal grandmother, Esther Worth; paternal grandfather, Jack Dean; grandparents, Mel and Bettie Rice; Susie Barney and Sarah Bishop, beloved college roommates; along with her kitten, Taylor, who gave her great snuggles.
Those who have passed on before her are: Gordon L. Worth, maternal grandfather; and Virginia Wareham Dean, paternal grandmother.
Amelia lived life passionately with a mighty zeal. Her smile preceded her in every room. She has become a bridge in her passing, uniting many hearts. Shine on!
Remembrances graciously accepted at: Amelia Worth Memorial Fund, c/o Unity By the Bay Church, P.O. Box 947, North Bend, Oregon 97459
Jerry L. Nickerson
11/9/2006 - Jerry L. Nickerson, 38, of Lake Shore Drive East, Dunkirk, died Nov. 3, 2006.
He was formerly of Brocton, where he had lived most of his life.
He was born in Dunkirk on Jan. 23, 1968, the son of the late Louise Nickerson and the late Nancy Jean Haskin.
He was a roofer and former employee of Farrell Roofing Co. of Dunkirk.
A Dunkirk High School graduate, he was a former All-Star pitcher for the Dunkirk Babe Ruth baseball team. He was a former member of the Columbus Club of Dunkirk.
He enjoyed playing softball and was an avid fan of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres.
Surviving are a daughter, Amber Nickerson, of Brocton; two brothers, Louis Nickerson of Silver Creek and Richard Nickerson of Dunkirk; a sister, Kelly Schintzius, of Eggertsville; two nieces, Alicia Jean Osar and Abigayle Malcolm; and a nephew, Thad Nickerson.
Funeral services will be held Nov. 10th at 11 a.m. in the Portland Congregational Church with the Rev. Gordon Spiller officiating.
Interment will be in the Westfield Union Cemetery.
Friends are invited to call today, Nov. 9th, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Morse Funeral Home.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Educational Fund of Amber Nickerson at the Community Bank NA, Main Street, Brocton.
Arrangements are by the Morse Funeral Home in Brocton.
Gladys M. McBratnie
11/9/2006 - Gladys M. McBratnie, 79, of Star Apartments, Brocton, died Nov. 4, 2006 at the Westfield Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.
She was born in the Town of Portland on April 18, 1927, the daughter of the late John and Emma Pitt Kelsey.
She was a member of the West Portland Baptist Church and former member of the South Dayton American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. Her hobbies were crocheting and knitting and plastic canvas art.
She is survived by one daughter, Shirley Burau, of Silver Creek; one sister, Carolyn Gilbert, of Westfield; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by four brothers, Raymond, Ralph, Frederick and Howard Kelsey; and four sisters, Katherine Thomas, Lois Kelsey, and two infant sisters.
Interment will be in the Stockton Greenwood Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials be made to the West Portland Baptist Church.
Arrangements are by the Morse Funeral Home in Brocton.
Julia A. Palermo
11/9/2006 - Julia A. Palermo, 89, of Colburn Street, died Nov. 2, 2006 at Brooks Memorial Hospital following a brief illness.
Julia was born Sept. 10, 1917 in Pittsburgh, Pa., the daughter of the late Paul and Anna (Popovich) Toplovich.
A longtime resident of Westfield, Julia had been a homemaker who loved her family. She was an avid gardener who enjoyed cooking and canning. Her hobbies included furniture refinishing and antiques. She was a member of St. James Major Roman Catholic Church.
She is survived by her son, Michael J. Palermo, of Chandler, Ariz.; her grandson, Shea Palermo, of Buffalo; three sisters, Helen T. Kecer, of Columbus, Pa., Victoria T. Baker and Katherine T. Eggert, both of Westfield; and three brothers, Joseph Toplovich, of Lebanon, Tenn., Daniel Toplovich, of Columbus, Pa. and Carl Toplovich, of Warren, Pa.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, James M. Palermo, whom she married on April 4, 1951 and who died on Dec. 28, 2000; as well as by her five sisters, Pauline T. Smith, Anna T. Wright, Mildred T. Hovanic, Mary T. Zavinski and Thelma T. Kushner; and two brothers, Emil and Paul Toplovich.
No calling hours will be observed. Funeral services will be private. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Westfield.
Arrangements are by the MASON Funeral Home on Clinton Street, Westfield.
Arnold Mathias (“Smoky”) Schroeder
11/17/2006 - Arnold Schroeder died in his sleep in his home in Yorktown, Virginia on Nov. 3, 2006.
He was born Feb. 24, 1927 in Tipton, Kansas.
He was the fifth of ten children of Phillip Caspar Schroeder and Anna Moritz and grew up on wheat farms in Kansas. As the first son of the family, he worked at his father’s side and but also helped to care for his five younger siblings when his mother was ailing with Huntington’s Chorea – honing his abilities to “do and fix anything.”
He joined the Air Force at the age of 21 and completed his basic training during a cold winter in San Antonio. He spent 24 years as a weather observer, with assignments in Alaska, Illinois, Weisbaden, Germany, Fort Monroe, Virginia, Andersen AFB, Guam, and Langley AFB. He met Betty Black from Boaz, Alabama, while working in Nebraska at Global Weather Central at Offutt AFB.
They married in 1951 and had three children. Following his Air Force retirement, he worked as a fleet supervisor and mechanic for BD Ashe and for the Florida Dept of Forestry. Mr. Schroeder moved to Lake City, Florida in 1978 and returned to the Tidewater area in 1992.
Except for the last ten months of his life, “Smoky” had a retirement filled with gardening, mechanics, and making blackberry jam from his beloved vines.
He was a frequent visitor to his out-of-town children, visiting them in far-flung places including Australia, Canada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Texas, and South Carolina and recently spent four months in Westfield on the Johnson Family farm.
He is survived by his three children, Jennifer Schroeder Johnson of Cincinnati, Ohio and Westfield; Dr. Tarina Mendes, of Seneca, South Carolina; and Kim F. Schroeder, of Poquoson, Virginia, their spouses: Fred Johnson, Dr. Michael Mendes, and Debbie Schroeder, and his ex-wife, Betty Black of Mountain Rest, South Carolina. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: F. Spencer Johnson, Blaine Johnson, Genevieve Mendes, Michael Mendes, Brenton Schroeder, and Chris and Tara Sherman. He has four surviving siblings in Kansas: Kathy Ritter, Mary Beth Sprecker, Carol Eck, and Phillip Schroeder and one sister, Marjory Wainwright in Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: Helen, Wilma, Nancy, and Gerald.
Alexander Giambra Jr.
11/9/2006 - Alexander Giambra Jr. died November 2, 2006 at the age of 93.
He resided at East Main Road, Brocton for the past three years. Previously, he resided on North Road, Fredonia for 60 years.
Alex was born in Marianopoli, Sicily on February 10, 1913 to Alexander and Josephine (Deforte) Giambra. He first arrived in American when he was around seven years old. His family settled in Johnstown, Pa. While there, he worked in the coal mines. He relocated to Fredonia when a flood occurred in Johnstown.
He married Bertha Sciafani on April 28, 1943 at St. Joseph Church in Fredonia, N.Y.
He was a very hard-working man. He did farm work for others and had his own farm for several years before working at Allegheny Ludlum Steel Co. as a maintenance repairmen in the grinding department. He retired from Allegeny Ludlum in 1975 after 23 years of service.
Alex was a patient, gentle man with a remarkable amount of quiet wisdom. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening and could make or repair just about anything. He was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church where he belonged to the Holy Name Society. He previously held a membership to the conservation club.
Survivors include his wife, Bertha; three sons, Joseph (Dianna) Giambra, Laurel (Rosie) Giambra and Anthony Giambra, all from Brocton; three daughters, Marygrace (James) Barry of Brocton, Anita (Thomas) Espersen of Dunkirk and Lucy (James) Hurley of Fredonia; 22 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren; five brothers, John Giambra of Florida, Sam Giambra of Fredonia, Marian Giambra of Dunkirk, Charles Giambra of Florida, Paul Giambra of Colorado; and one sister, Jenny Barone of Florida.
He was predeceased by his parents; one sister, Lena Gullo; and one daughter-in-law, Sarah Giambra.
Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Sheridan.
The family suggests that memorials may be made to Hospice Chautauqua County, 4840 West Lake Rd., Mayville, N.Y. 14757.
The Morse Funeral Home in Brocton is in charge of arrangements.
