U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-CurrentDonald F. Diedrich
Operated Antique Shop
Donald F. Diedrich, age 80, of Tonawanda, died Thursday, December 11, 2003, at Newfane Health Care Center, after a long illness. Born October 20, 1923, in Tonawanda, he was the son of the late Franklyn and Hattie (nee Benzino) Diedrich and was a lifelong resident of Tonawanda. An Army Veteran of WWII, Mr. Diedrich had been a volunteer fireman in Tonawanda. He was the owner of Diedrich's Antiques in Newfane, until retiring in the late 1970s.
He is survived by two sisters, Marjorie Dietrich and Mildred Kowalski; and his good friends, Morrie Johnson and Robert Levi. Also surviving are several nephews and a niece.
Services are private at the convenience of the family. Interment at Elmlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are being cared for by the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda.
Stephen M. Biro
Lifelong Resident of North Tonawanda Area
Stephen M. Biro, age 46, of Pendleton, died Saturday, May 8, 2004 at Erie County Medical Center. Born April 28, 1958, in North Tonawanda, he was the son of the late Richard M. Biro, who died in 1997. A lifelong resident of North Tonawanda and Pendleton, Mr. Biro was employed as a welder at ITT Standard in Cheektowaga, and was an avid outdoorsman who especially enjoyed motorcycling and snowmobiling. In keeping with his wish to help others, Steve was an organ and tissue donor.
He is survived by his loving mother, Irene (nee Rusko) Biro; two beloved brothers, Richard S. Biro and Thomas (Ellen) Biro; and a beloved sister, Nancy (John) Mangus. Also survived by Elizabeth Biro; his nieces, Mary, Angela, Rachel, and Erin; nephews, Randy, David and Michael; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Friends may call from 2-4 & 7-9 PM Tuesday and Wednesday at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM Thursday at St. Joseph's R.C. Church on Payne Avenue in North Tonawanda. Friends invited; please assemble at the church. Interment will be cared for privately at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in the Town of Tonawanda. Flowers gratefully declined. Memorials to the Erie County Medical Center Trauma Unit or a charity of your choice are preferred by the family.
Patrick M. Berezuk
Active in Civil Air Patrol
Patrick M. Berezuk, age 31, of Tonawanda, died Friday, July 2, 2004, surrounded by loving family and friends, after a brief illness. Born May 29, 1973, in Portsmouth, Virginia, he had been a lifelong resident of the Kenmore - Tonawanda area. An Army Veteran of the Somolie Conflict, he owned and operated American Aeriel Company in Tonawanda. He had been a member of the Civil Air Patrol since the age of 13, where he currently held the position of TAK Composite Squadron Deputy Commander for Cadets; he was the Cadet Programs Officer for the Western New York Group and Assistant Cadet Programs Officer for the New York Wing of CAP. Mr. Berezuk was very involved in the emergency services field of the Civil Air Patrol, and was a member of the Red Cross Disaster Response Team.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra (nee Hollister) Berezuk; four children, Olivia, Emily, Leonard, and Timothy; his parents, Peter and Jean (nee Sullivan) Berezuk; two brothers, Capt. Peter M. Berezuk, USMC, and Matthew (Valerie) Berezuk; and his grandmother, Anna Berezuk. Also surviving are many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 PM Monday only at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 AM Tuesday at St. John the Baptist Ukranian Church, 3275 Elmwood Avenue, Town of Tonawanda. Friends invited. Interment will be cared for privately at Bath National Cemetery. If desired, memorials to the Berezuk Children's Education Fund, care of Sandra Berezuk, are preferred by the family.
George P. Swartz
Wheatfield Resident was Army Veteran
George P. Swartz, age 76, of Wheatfield, died Monday, July 5, 2004, at the Beechwood Residence, after a long illness. Born July 18, 1927, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late John and Catherine (nee Gronco) Swartz. An Army Veteran of WWII, Mr. Swartz had been a parking attendant for Alright Parking in Buffalo, before retiring in 1989. He was the beloved husband of the late Shirley (nee Kless) Swartz.
He was the dear father of George F. (Robin) Swartz, Linda (Steve) Gurney, Lori (Michael) Rosten, and Nancy (Gary) Altman; dear brother of William (Marion) Swartz, Dorothy Pincelli and Eleanor Heron; and loving grandfather of Brian, Cory and Kelly Swartz, James (Shauna) Kelley, Dalton Green, Melissa, Jacqueline and Stephanie Rosten, and Jacob and Morgan Altman. Also survived by many nieces and nephews, and many friends at Sawyer Garden Apartments.
Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 PM Wednesday only at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets in Tonawanda, where funeral services will be held at 10 AM Thursday. Friends invited. Interment will be at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Cheektowaga. If desired, memorials to Beechwood Residence, 2235 Millersport Highway, Amherst, NY 14068, are preferred by the family.
Ann P. Westra
Member of St. Francis Parish
Ann (nee Pukajlo) Westra, age 85, of Clarence, formerly of Tonawanda, died Tuesday, July 6, 2004, at Bristol Village in Clarence. Born May 25, 1919, in North Tonawanda, she was the daughter of the late John and Mary Pukajlo and was a resident of Tonawanda for the greater part of her life. A member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Tonawanda, she was a devoted homemaker and enjoyed sewing, knitting, and many other crafts. She was the beloved wife of the late John T. Westra, Jr., who died in 2002.
She was the loving mother of John (Karen) Westra, III, Joyce Anne (Jack) Flood and Janet (Robert) Gosch. Also surviving are seven loving grandchildren, Lisa, Ria, John, Jeffrey, Jordan, Troy, and Madison; and two great-grandsons, Jack and Owen.
Friends may call from 3-7 PM Friday only at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM Saturday at St. Francis Chapel on Adam Street in Tonawanda. Friends invited. Entombment at Epiphany Chapel Mausoleum at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Town of Tonawanda. If desired, memorials to the Clarence Center Volunteer Fire Company, 9415 Clarence Center Road, Clarence Center, NY 14032, are preferred by the family.
Beulah Mante
Mante, Beulah, 89, of the Tonawanda’s on Friday (August 17, 2007) after a long illness. Wife of the late Edwin Mante. Sister of the late Lorraine Copp and Muriel Kipa.
Loving mother of Harold E. (Rose Mary) Mante of North Tonawanda and Ruth Gorski of Gastonia, NC. Proud grand-mother of Cheryl McAbee. Also survived by 3 great grand daughters and one great-great granddaughter.
Friends received by the family on Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Brunner Funeral Home (692-3841), 156 Robinson Street, North Tonawanda where services will be held on Sunday evening at 8:30 p.m. The Rev. Dennis F. Fronckowiak will officiate. Interment will be private at Elmlawn Cemetery. The family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Western New York.
Michael R. Molnar
Michael R. Molnar, 43, of Niagara Falls, on Monday February 20, 2006. Beloved son of Francis and Shirley (nee Wurtz) Molnar of North Tonawanda. Loving brother of Dennis Molnar and Judith (Richard) Boerdner all of North Tonawanda and Kathleen (Carmine) Frascatore of Amherst. Uncle of Nicole and Eric Boerdner, Rachel Molnar and Maria and Anthony Frascatore. Dear nephew of Nancy Whitehead.
Friends received by the family on Wednesday 3-8 p.m. at the Brunner Funeral Home, 156 Robinson St., North Tonawanda. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Christopher R.C. Church on Thursday morning at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be private at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The family requests that memorials be made to St. Christopher’s R.C. Church.
