U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-CurrentAnna J. Fortman
Lifelong Tonawandas Resident
Anna (nee Bonish) Fortman, age 94, of Tonawanda, entered into rest Monday, October 21, 2002, at DeGraff Skilled Nursing Facility. Born in Tonawanda, she was the daughter of the late Steven and Anna (nee Govaler) Bonish and was a lifelong resident of the Tonawandas. She was the wife of the late Elmer E. Fortman, who died in 1990, and sister of the late Mrs. Elizabeth LaPay, Mrs. Mary Snyder, and Mrs. Helen Schwinger.
She is survived by her daughter, Mary (the late Richard) Sahr; three loving grandchildren, Richard (Helen) Sahr, Jr., Nancy A. Sahr, and Douglas E. Sahr; and a brother, Frank (Julia) Bonish. Also surviving are two great-grandchildren, James(Rebecca) Sahr and Karen (Jeffrey) Dole, and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 2-4 & 7-9 PM Wednesday at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM Thursday at St. Francis Chapel on Adam Street in Tonawanda. Friends invited. Interment will be cared for privately at Elmlawn Cemetery. If desired, memorials to the St. Francis Chapel Fund are preferred by the family.
Mildred E. Drotter
Member of Greater Niagara Falls Church of God
Mildred (nee Kightlinger) Drotter, age 71, of Tonawanda, died Monday, October 21, 2002, at Lockport Memorial Hospital. Born in Salamanca, NY she was the daughter of the late Robert and Hazel (nee Mott) Kightlinger and was a resident of the Tonawanda area for 50 years. She had worked as a home health aid before retiring. She was the wife of the late John A. Drotter, who died in 2001, and mother of the late John M. Drotter.
She is survived by two daughters, Daralene Peterson and Debra (Robert) Henry. Also surviving are 6 grandchildren, 1 great-granddaughter and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 2-4 & 7-9 PM on Wednesday and 2-4 PM on Thursday at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda, and after 7 PM Thursday at the Greater Niagara Falls Church of God, 2334 Lockport Road in Niagara Falls (phone 731-6407) where funeral services will be held at 7:30 PM Thursday, the Rev. Rick Mullins officiating. Friends invited. Interment at Acacia Park Cemetery, Town of Pendleton at 10 AM Friday.
Everil W. Mark
Former Funeral Director
Everil W. Mark, age 85, of Bradenton, FL, formerly of North Tonawanda, died Wednesday, November 6, 2002, in Florida. Born May 11, 1917, in Hermitage, NY, he was the son of the late Burton and Lois (nee Woodruff) Mark. Mr. Mark was an Army Veteran of WWII and had been a funeral director in the Tonawandas and Rochester before moving to Florida about 20 years ago. In Florida, he served with Toale Brothers Funeral Home in Bradenton, before retiring. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and enjoyed golfing in Florida. He was the father of the late Jeffrey and Douglas Mark, and brother of the late Robert Mark.
He is survived by his wife, Mildred Mark; a daughter, Diane L. Mark; two sons, Paul (Peggy) Mark and Dale Mark; a sister, Dorothy Carr; and two brothers, Burton Mark and Ronald Mark. Also surviving are five grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 AM Sunday, November 24, at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam & Seymour Streets, Tonawanda. Friends invited. If desired, memorials to the American Cancer Society are preferred by the family.
Gerald R. Berndt
Tonawanda Resident was Navy Veteran
Gerald "Beez" Berndt, age 82, of Tonawanda, died Sunday, November 17, 2002, at Kenmore Mercy Hospital after a brief illness. Born in Tonawanda, he was the son of the late Arthur and Nellie (nee McCarthy) Berndt and was a lifelong resident of Tonawanda. He served in the Navy on a Submarine Chaser during WWII, and took part in the invasion of Okinawa. Mr. Berndt was a member of Salem UCC and as a young man, he was active in many sports including football, basketball, baseball, and golf. He was married to Norma Clara Semper on March 11, 1943, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. He was employed as office manager at Hanna Furnace in Buffalo before retiring in 1982.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Norma (nee Semper) Berndt; a son, Dennis (Joanne) Berndt; and two grandsons, John A. Berndt and Jeffrey M. Berndt.
Services were cared for privately at the convenience of the family, followed by interment at Elmlawn Cemetery. If desired, memorials to Salem Church or the Salvation Army on Broad Street in Tonawanda are preferred by the family. Arrangements by the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda.
Barbara Marie McCormick
Lifelong Resident of Tonawanda
Barbara (nee Bowman) McCormick, age 86, of Tonawanda, died Monday, November 11, 2002, at the McAuley Residence after a brief illness. Born in Buffalo, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Barbara (nee Hermann) Bowman and was a lifelong resident of Tonawanda. She worked at the Curtis Wright Plant during WWII, then at Jenss in Tonawanda and the Summit Park Mall, and was later a health care aide for Erie County before retiring. Mrs. McCormick was an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, and was one of the founding members of the Forever Young Group at the Church. She was the wife of the late Jerome A. "Pants" McCormick, who died in 1978.
She is survived by two sons, Michael (Magda) McCormick and Thomas (Gayle) McCormick; two brothers, Lawrence (Shirley) Bowman and William (Helen) Bowman; a sister, Elizabeth Kantor; and five grandchildren, Leah, Jacqueline, Monica, Thomas, and Elena. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 2-4 & 7-9 PM Wednesday at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 AM Thursday at St. Francis Chapel on Adam Street in Tonawanda. Friends invited. Interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. If desired, memorials to St. Francis Parish are preferred by the family.
Bernice M. Schoenfeldt
Lifelong member of Friedens Church
Bernice M. Schoenfeldt, age 84, of Kenmore, formerly of the Tonawandas, died Friday, November 29, 2002, at Nazareth Nursing Home in Buffalo, after a brief illness. Born in North Tonawanda, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Anna (nee Rathgaber) Schoenfeldt and had been a lifelong member of Friedens United Church of Christ. She lived in Kenmore for the past 20 years, having resided in the Tonawandas for the remainder of her life. Ms. Schoenfeldt worked as a secretary for the Erie-Niagara Insurance Agency in Amherst before retiring. She was the sister of the late Lois Erhart and LeVant Schoenfeldt.
She was the dear friend of Frances Shaw and Marie Russo. Also surviving are two sisters, Dorothy Wiegand and Mildred Krull; a brother, Robert Schoenfeldt; and many nieces and nephews.
There is no visitation. Services will be cared for privately. Arrangements by the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Tonawanda.
Ottilie E. Holler
Born in Worcester, Massachusetts
Ottilie (nee Smith) Holler, age 98, of the Town of Tonawanda, died Wednesday, December 4, 2002, at the Erie County Medical Center after a brief illness. Born on July 18, 1904, in Worcester, MA, she was the daughter of the late Joseph L. and Ottilie (nee Lieber) Smith and had been a resident of the Tonawandas for the greater part of her life. Mrs. Holler was a member of St. Andrew's Parish in Kenmore and was the wife of the late Edgar F. Holler, who died in 1979.
She is survived by six children, Marjorie (Dr. Joseph) Warthling, Rita (Daniel) Chipchak, Hubert J. Holler, Joan (late Thomas) Thomas, Carol (Warren) Harrington, and Douglas E. Holler; a sister, Dorothy DiPirro; and a special friend, Judy Szaturski. Also surviving are 21 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, 2 great, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
There is no visitation. Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 AM Monday at St. Andrew’s R.C. Church, Elmwood Avenue at Sheridan Drive. Interment will be cared for privately at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. If desired, memorials to St. Andrew’s Church are preferred by the family. Arrangements by the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda.
