HAROLD W. NORTHRUP
HORNELL/FLORIDA - Harold W. Northrup, 67, of 3980 Plymouth Sorrento Rd., Apopka, Fla., formerly of Big Creek Road, Hornell, died Sunday (July 6, 2003) in Winter Park, Fla.
Born in the Town of Almond, Aug. 3, 1935, he was the son of Samuel P. and Margareta Wittersheim Northrup.
Harold had served in the United States Army from 1952-1967, and again from 1974-1976. He was a disabled American veteran and had served in the Korean War during the Vietnam Era. He was a life member and past commander of the Arthur H. Cunningham Post 2250, VFW of Hornell, for 25 years. He was a member of the American Legion in both Hornell and Canisteo.
Harold had been employed for the former Foster Wheeler Corporation in Dansville. He owned and operated a rubbish removal service in Wayland, and had been employed as a former police officer for the Town of Wayland. He had served as a volunteer at the Bath VA Hospital for 15 years, and also served as a scout leader in Hornell for a period of time.
He is survived by his wife, Carol Pettit Northrup, whom he married on April 7, 1964; three daughters, Mary Louise Duong of Syracuse, Tamarra Marie Johnson of Florida and Deanna Lynn Northrup of Florida; three sons, Samuel P. Northrup of Hornell, John L. Northrup of Florida and Joseph H. Northrup of Hornell; four sisters, Eleanor (Richard) Roselle of Savona, Elsie Ormsby of Dansville, Dorothy Fox of Savona and Carol Walker of Hammondsport; one brother, Rudolph (Gladys) Northrup of Florida; 12 grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
The family will be present to receive friends on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. at the Bender-Brown & Powers Funeral Home, 354 Canisteo St., Hornell. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Bath National Cemetery.
RUTH H. TEARS
BATH - Ruth H. Tears, 88, of Steuben Health Care Facility, passed away Tuesday (July 8, 2003) at Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital, Bath.
She was born Dec. 11, 1914, in Syracuse, to Frank and Rowena Lakey Green Hallings.
She was a retired bookkeeper for Steuben Rural Electric Coop., Inc., Bath. Prior to working at REA, she also was the office manager for the Boy Scouts of America, a nurse's aide for Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital, and the office manager of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Wilson, N.C. Ruth was a member of the Centenary United Methodist Church, Bath.
Ruth is survived by two daughters, Elaine K. Tears of Bath and Donna (Jack) Alvermann of Athens, Ga.; five nieces, Eileen (Rick) Partise of Leroy, Barb (Stuart) Howell of Dundee, Linda (Jim) Howell of Brockport, Dee (Ron) Anderson of Dundee, Mary Hallings of Penn Yan; one nephew, Dale (Karen) Hallings of Penn Yan; sister-in-law, Mary Louise (Freeman) Fowler of Dundee; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was predeceased by her brother, Frank (Twila) Hallings; and cousin, Winifred Soldan.
Friends may call on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Seager-Jones Funeral Home, 4 E. Washington St., Bath. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Penn Yan.
Memorials can be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, Bath; or to the Bath Ambulance Corp.
PHYLLIS I. DRAKE
NORTH HORNELL - Phyllis I. Drake, 73, of Cleveland Avenue, died Sunday (July 6, 2003) at her home, following a short illness.
She was born May 6, 1930, in North Hornell, the daughter of Harry E. and Viola VanOrman Ide. Phyllis was married July 2, 1949, to Thorl J. Drake, who died in 2000. She is also predeceased by a sister, Shirley Sisson; and a brother, John Ide.
She graduated from Alfred-Almond Central School in 1948, and had resided in Almond and Bath before moving to North Hornell in 1985. She was employed by Westinghouse Corporation and Phillips Lighting in Bath, retiring with over 30 years of service. Phyllis and her family enjoyed a summer residence on Waneta Lake for over 30 years.
She is survived by a daughter, Sharon L. (David) Orcutt, Portville; one son, Harry (Gwen) Drake, Dansville; two sisters, Harriet Jay and Patty Fairchild, both of Hornell; one brother, William (Vicky) Ide, Canisteo; two granddaughters, Brenda Jean Drake of Waco, Texas, and Shawn (Paul) Bleakley of Geneva; one grandson, Ronald T. Orcutt, Salamanca; one great-granddaughter, Darby Rose Bleakley; and one great-grandson, Gabriel Drake Notham.
There are no prior calling hours. Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to Southern Tier Hospice, 11751 East Corning Rd., Corning, N.Y. 14830.
Arrangements are by the Robertson Funeral Home, Inc., Hornell.
WILLIAM H. THOMAS
SPRINGWATER - William H. Thomas, 72, passed away peacefully Wednesday (July 9, 2003) at Highland of Brighton SNF in Rochester.
Bill was born June 8, 1931 in Rochester, a son of Roman and Gertrude (O'Grady) Thomas. He was a veteran of the US Coast Guard, serving from 1949-1952. He married Beverly Jane Pecht on Dec. 30, 1950, she survives. He was an inspector at Kodak in Rochester, retiring in 1987. He also was a carpenter, an avid hunter and outdoorsman.
He was a proud member of the Springwater Fire Department where he had previously held the positions of captain and fire commissioner. He was a life member of the Springwater Rod & Gun club and a member of the Springwater American Legion.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jane; his children, Marie (James) Craig of South Dakota, Daniel Thomas of Springwater, Timothy (Carol) Thomas of Rochester, Connie (George) Snyder of Pittsburgh, Pa., David (Sally) Thomas of Dansville and Susan (James) Farrell of Honeoye; 10 grandchildren, Amy & Tyler Henson, Phillip Craig, Kevin and Jason Thomas, Michael and Jennifer Synder, Cory and Matthew Thomas and Kasey Canute; brothers and sisters, John (Phyllis) Thomas of Oklahoma, Roman Thomas (Lorraine Roth) of Springwater, Dorothy Reichardt, Delores Strassner, Susan (Gerald) Leva and Maryellen (George) Beadle all of Rochester, several nieces, nephews & cousins.
Friends may call 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday at the Walter E. Baird & Sons Funeral Home, 100 E. Naples St., Wayland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph's Church, Wayland. Burial with full military honors will be held in Evergreen (Covered Bridge) Cemetery, Springwater.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Springwater Fire Dept. in memory of William H. Thomas.
JOHN R. GAVIN SR.
ANDOVER - John R. Gavin Sr., 73, passed away unexpectedly at home on Wednesday (July 9, 2003).
He was born Feb. 15, 1930, in Hornell to James and Mary Gavin. On Oct. 11, 1958, he married Carrol J. Harris, who predeceased him on Jan. 27, 1995.
John served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1952 to 1954. He worked most of his career in road construction as a heavy equipment operator, retiring in 1974.
John is survived by two sons, John R. (Kayleen) Gavin Jr. of Canisteo and Raymond ( Tammy) Gavin of Andover; two daughters, Marlene Gavin Otto of Andover and Linda (Kevin) Gilbert of Hilton; nine grandchildren, Chelsey, Katelyn, Joseph, Samantha, Mitchell, and Dakota Gavin; Jonathon Otto; Felicia and Mark Gilbert; three brothers, James Gavin, Francis (Norma) Gavin and George (Charlotte) Gavin, all of Andover; and several nephews, nieces and cousins.
In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by four brothers, Carl, Joseph, Donald and Charles Gavin.
John was a long time member of the American Legion Lynch Burgett Post #397 and the Local 832 Operators Union. He enjoyed mowing and plowing for his neighbors and greatly enjoyed his grandchildren.
Friends may call on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Baker-Swan Funeral Home, 7 Church St., Andover. A funeral mass will be held at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Andover on Saturday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Dennis G. Wolf officiating. Burial will follow in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
The family has requested memorial contributions be made to the Andover Rescue Squad or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 277 Alexander St., Suite 810, Rochester, N.Y.
VIRGINIA I. TAFT
WOODHULL - Virginia I. Taft, 86, of 4863 Walrath Rd., passed away Tuesday (July 8, 2003) at St. James Mercy Hospital, Hornell.
Born in the Town of Canisteo, Sept. 20, 1916, she was the daughter of Lewis and Ethel Butler Ellis.
She married Howard J. Taft, Nov. 20, 1935, and they ran a dairy farm in the Town of Woodhull until their retirement.
Virginia was a former member and past master of Woodhull Grange 871; was a member of Canisteo Grange and Steuben County Pamona Grange; and was a former member of the South Canisteo United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen M. Drake of Woodhull; her brother-in-law, Coral Vance of Addison; her niece, Doris (Lloyd) Westervelt of New Braunfels, Texas; and several other nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; a daughter, Joyce Ann Taft; her brother Myles Ellis; and sister, Olive Koch.
Friends may call today 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 1607 Main St., Woodhull, where funeral services will be conducted Friday at 2 p.m. Rev. Brian Diffenbacher will officiate. Burial will be in Woodhull Cemetery.
Memorials will be received for the Woodhull Ambulance Corp.
JOHN J. "JJ" DeWISPELAERE III
SPARTA - John J. "JJ" DeWispelaere III, 21, of the Reeds Corners Road, passed away unexpectedly at home on Tuesday (July 8, 2003).
He was born in Oswego on June 11, 1982, a son of John J. and Lizbeth Hollenbeck DeWispelaere, who survive.
JJ was a 2000 graduate of Dansville Central School. He was currently employed as a waiter at the Old Madrid Restaurant in Dansville. He loved animals, reading, spending time with his friends playing paintball, ultimate Frisbee and fishing.
JJ is survived by his mother, Beth DeWispelaere of Sparta; his father, John J. (Carol) DeWispelaere of Wayland; a sister, Carrie DeWispelaere of Penn Yan; a brother, Nathan DeWispelaere of Sparta; a half-sister and brother, Jill and Andrew DeWispelaere, both of Wayland; his maternal grandparents, Richard (Wanda) Hollenbeck of Elizabethtown, Pa.; his paternal grandmother, Marlene DeWispelaere of Wolcott; several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Friends may call today from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Hindle Funeral Home, 271 Main St., Dansville. Services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the Sparta Center United Methodist Church. Interment will be in Kiehle Cemetery, Sparta.
Contributions can be made to the Sparta Center United Methodist Church, 8555 Reeds Corners Rd., Dansville, N.Y. 14437.
MARIAN L. WILLOVER MURPHY
BATH - Marian L. Willover Murphy, 83, of 11 Dogwood St., formerly of Jasper, passed away Thursday (July 10, 2003) at home, after a short illness.
Born in Cuba, Sept. 21, 1919, she was the daughter of Walter and Marguerite Dorsey Willover.
A graduate of Jasper Central School and Geneseo Normal School, she later earned a bachelor of education degree at SUNY Geneseo.
An elementary school teacher for 40 years, she taught at Jasper and Greenwood Central Schools; and was for several years the librarian at Jasper Free Library.
She was a life member and past matron of Jasper Chapter 652 OES, and a member of the United Church of Jasper.
She married Donald Neil Murphy, June 30, 1939, he survives.
Also surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, John D. (Anne) Murphy of Cameron Mills; her granddaughter, Bonita (Tony) Petti of Canandaigua; her grandson, Scott D. (Karen) Murphy of Cameron; her brother, Richard (Rosamond) Willover of Bath; six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Sunday from 1-3 p.m. at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 1607 Main St., Woodhull, where memorial services will be conducted immediately following visitation. Interment will be in Hinsdale Cemetery, Hinsdale, at a later date.
Memorials will be received for the Jasper Free Library.
ALICE V. ROSS
HORNELL - Alice V. Ross, 89, of 16 Davenport St., died Thursday (July 10, 2003) in St. James Mercy Hospital.
Born in Dansville, Sept. 24, 1913, she was the daughter of William and Marie Kennedy Johnson. She had resided in Hornell since 1932. She had been employed as a nurse's aide for several area nursing homes including the former Harris Nursing Home and the Furlong Nursing Home. She was also employed at the former Westinghouse Plant in Bath. Alice will be remembered for her love of bingo.
She was predeceased by her husband, Kenneth L. Ross in 1975; two grandchildren, Marian Allen and Jessie Ross; as well as two sisters, Edith Butler and Mabel Goodnoe; and three brothers, Harry Johnson, Fred Johnson and Stanley Johnson.
She is survived by five daughters, Ella (Donald) Gardner of Rochester, Mable (John) Shaver of Hornell, Lana (Wilson) Nichols of Hornell, Edith (Gerald) Jackson of Arkport, Arlene O'Dell of Hornell; two sons, Lyman (Joanne) Ross of Rochester, Stanley (Mary) Ross of Florida; one brother, Charles Johnson of Dansville; 27 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
The family will be present 7-9 p.m. Friday to receive friends at the Bender-Brown & Powers Funeral Home, 354 Canisteo St., Hornell, where funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m., Rev. Dudley Jenkins officiating. Burial will be in Rural Cemetery, Hornell.
Friends may make memorial contributions to Southern Tier Hospice, 11751 East Corning Rd., Corning, N.Y. 14830; or to St. James Mercy Hospital, 411 Canisteo St., Hornell, N.Y. 14843.
