U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-CurrentCAIRNS - Robert, retired teacher war veteran 12/17/00
A memorial service for Robert Cairns, 78, of East Amherst, retired teacher and a Marine Corps veteran of World War II, will be held at 7 p.m. today in the Newman Chapel on the University at Buffalo North Campus.
Cairns, who was born in Buffalo, died Friday (Dec. 15, 2000) in Hospice Buffalo, Cheektowsaga, after a six-month battle with leukemia.
He was a graduate of Lafayette High School. He was a magna cum laude graduate of Buffalo State College and taught social studies at Tonawanda Senior High School and also at Niagara Community College until his retirement in 1985.
In the 1950s, Cairns was active in community theater and was president of the Kenmore Players. He was a member of the Capitol Hill Club.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, the former Doris Papineau; a daughter, Claudia of Buffalo; a son, Scott of Maryland; and four grandchildren.
INDERBITZEN - Ruth Marie, self-taught baker 12/17/00
Ruth Marie Inderbitzen, 78, a self-taught cake baker and decorator, died Saturday (Dec. 16, 2000) in Hospice Buffalo, Cheektowaga, after a lengthy illness.
The former Ruth Marie Ziemer was a lifelong resident of Buffalo. She graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy in 1939 and graduated summa cum laude from D'Youville College in 1943, with a bachelor's degree in Latin and Greek.
Though she was a homemaker most of her life, she taught Latin in the Lancaster School District in 1944.
She worked in her family's poultry business, Ziemer's Poultry, in the Washington Market on Chippewa Street. She also taught herself how to bake and decorate hundreds of cakes for all occasions, particularly wedding cakes.
Mrs. Inderbitzen was a member of the Mothers Clubs at St. Joseph-University Catholic Church, Canisius High School and Mount St. Joseph Academy and was a member of alumni committees for Mount St. Joseph Academy and D'Youville College. She played and taught piano, and was a member of a bridge club, Swiss club, Scrabble club, and one of the first members of the Sultanas bowling league.
She is survived by her husband, Emil R.; three daughters, Marcia Cartie of Endwell, Mary Beth Arlotta of North Tonawanda and Ann Ostrowski of Amherst; three sons, Robert of Clarence, Paul of Nashua, N.H., and Mark of Miramar, Fla.; three brothers, Edwin Ziemer of Cincinnati, Norman Ziemer of Hamburg and George Ziemer of Clarence; 19 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in St. Benedict's Catholic Church, 1317 Eggert Road, Eggertsville. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cheektowaga.
JOHNSON - Richard T., recreation supervisor 12/17/00
Richard T. Johnson of Grand Island, who worked as a recreation supervisor for the Town of Tonawanda for 20 years, died Thursday (Dec. 14, 2000) in Kenmore Mercy Hospital, Town of Tonawanda. He was 74.
Johnson was born in Chicago, where he graduated from South Shore High School. He also graduated from Western Illinois University in Macomb.
During World War II, Johnson served in the 1st Marine Division and was wounded in fighting on Okinawa. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Johnson was a physical director for the YMCA in Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio and Buffalo for 15 years. He retired in 1988 after 20 years as a recreation supervisor for the Town of Tonawanda. In that job, he operated swimming pools and basketball programs, plus the town's youth center and senior citizens center.
Johnson was a golfer and enjoyed playing basketball. He was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church on Grand Island.
Survivors include his wife, the former Elaine Rexroat; two daughters, Valerie Fuhrmann of Midland, Texas, and Karen Smith of Fairport; three sons, Paul of Houma, Calif., Timothy of Williamsville and Stephen of Barker; a brother, William O. of New Berlin, Wis.; and 13 grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Trinity United Methodist Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island.
O'CONNELL - Beatrice E., active in community 12/17/00
Beatrice E. O'Connell, a lifelong Buffalo resident who was active in her community, died Friday (Dec. 15, 2000) in Millard Fillmore Hospital from complications of a fall in her home on Dec. 9. She was 79.
The former Beatrice Kenline attended Holy Angels Academy and was active in the parents' association when her two daughters attended the school.
She loved attending theatrical productions, had a cameo role in the DIVA by DIVA Mother's Day show in Cabaret in the Square with her daughter, actress Mary Kate O'Connell, and was featured in several commercials with her son, Kevin, the weatherman at Channel 2, WGRZ-TV.
She was a member of the Newman Center at the University at Buffalo's North Campus and a past president of the Altar & Rosary Society and Legion of Mary at St. Rose of Lima and All Saints parishes. She was a eucharistic minister, a member of the Ladies of Charity and was a Prayer Chain member from St. Leo's Parish.
Family members and friends said her love, kindness and indomitable spirit were known throughout the community.
She was the widow of George D. O'Connell, who had served as city comptroller.
Survivors include three sons, Kevin M. of Williamsville and Thomas P. and Terrence S., both of Buffalo; two daughters, Mary Kate and Patricia M. Cook, both of Williamsville; and nine grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:30 a.m. Monday in St. Joseph-University Catholic Church, 3969 Main St. Prayers will be said at 10:30 in Amigone Funeral Home, 5200 Sheridan Drive, Amherst. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Town of Tonawanda.
PELS - John L. 12/17/00
John L. Pels, a trombone player and active church member, died Friday (Dec. 15, 2000) in Beechwood Nursing Home, Getzville, after a brief illness. He was 78.
Pels, a City of Tonawanda native, attended North Tonawanda High School and the University of Buffalo. During World War II, he served in the Army and was stationed in California.
For many years, Pels was an inside sales manager at Columbus-McKinnon Corp. He retired in 1983 after 35 years with the company.
He played trombone in the military band and for Tonawandas Post 264, American Legion. He was a band member for 50 years.
Pels sang in the choir at Faith United Church of Christ, where he also was a member of the consistory and served as president of the church council.
Pels also enjoyed gardening.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, the former Betty J. Schutrum of Williamsville.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Faith United Church of Christ, 1300 Maple Road, Amherst. Burial will be in Acacia Park Cemetery, Pendleton.
SCHMITT - Robert, salesman and veteran 12/17/00
Robert "Bud" Schmitt of Buffalo, a World War II Army veteran and retired salesman, died Friday (Dec. 15, 2000) in Buffalo General Hospital after a brief illness. He was 82.
Born and raised in Buffalo, he graduated from East High and was a member of the Kenmore Council, Knights of Columbus, and St. Joseph's Holy Name Society.
He served in the 33rd Field Artillery Battalion as a forward observer and fought at Mount Casino in Italy.
He worked as a salesman and distributor for Blue Seal Bread, and later as a distributor for Voortman Cookies. Schmitt retired in 1984 to pursue his love of golf. He played his final round with his sons this summer.
Schmitt was a card player and a longtime member of the Unknown Social Club of Tonawanda.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, the former Jeanette Doino; two daughters, Marilyn DeGuzman of Wellsboro, Pa., and Carole Bredenbach of Lancaster; three sons, Michael, Richard and Joel; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Joseph's University Catholic Church, 3269 Main St. Prayers will be said 9:15 in Schlager Funeral Home, 4614 Main St., Snyder. Burial will be in Acacia-Resthaven Cemetery, Pendleton.
WHITNEY - Donald W. 12/17/00
NEWFANE - A memorial service for Donald W. Whitney of Burt will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Faith Tabernacle Church, 5676 Beattie Ave., Lockport.
Whitney died unexpectedly Thursday (Dec. 14, 2000) in Newfane Inter-Community Memorial Hospital. He was 58.
Born in Binghamton, Whitney moved to Newfane in 1989. He was self-employed in marketing.
He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Emmerson Whitney; his father, Harold of Binghamton; a daughter, Suzanne; two sons, Gregg and Chris; and a stepdaughter, Jennifer Brauer of Nevada.
