CLEMENCEAU J. SIMON
BUFFALO -- Clemenceau J. "Kelly" Simon, a former editor at The Evening Tribune and The Buffalo News, died Tuesday (Feb. 4, 2003) at DeGraff Hospital after a brief illness. He was 83.
Born in Olean, Simon began working as a correspondent for The Evening Tribune as a senior at Hornell High School. He spent three years in Gannett's Hornell bureau and served as a reporter for The Evening Tribune until he was inducted into the military in 1942.
Simon worked as a reporter, sports editor and city editor at The Evening Tribune from 1946 to 1953 following his discharge from the Army. He left the Tribune in 1953 to work for the Corning Leader, where he served as assistant city editor.
He joined the then-Buffalo Evening News in 1959, working as copy editor for a year before taking over duties as an assistant city editor. He maintained that position until his retirement from full-time work in 1981.
He filled in as assistant city editor once a week, or as needed until 1988. During his last years on the job he was in charge of The Buffalo News suburban bureaus, stringers and correspondents.
In 1994, Simon was inducted in the Hornell High School Alumni Association Sports Hall of Fame, for founding the association and his dedication to amateur athletics.
Simon founded and served as an officer of Hornell Little League, managed a basketball team of former Hornell High School players, and promoted amateur boxers and wrestlers.
He also delved into radio broadcasting, doing a nightly sportscast for WWHG-FM in Hornell in the late 1940s. In addition to the sportscast, Simon announced play-by-play for PONY League baseball and high school sports.
Simon is survived by his wife of 55 years, the former Carmella Colomarino; three daughters, Kelly Ann of Amherst, Mary Simon Buryta of Pendleton, and Rita Simon Penque of North Tonawanda; two brothers Raymond of Olean and Salem J. of Williamsville; five grandchildren and a great-grandson.
Obituary information is credited to The Buffalo News.
S.G. HEMANTH "BOB" RAO
ALMOND -- S.G. Hemanth "Bob" Rao, 29, of Melbourne, Fla., died Saturday (Feb. 1, 2003) in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Born in The Bronx, New York City, he was the son of Dr. S.H. Gopinatha Rao and Gladys Munoz Rao.
Bob lived most of his life in Almond and was a 1991 graduate of Alfred-Almond Central School. A graduate of the Florida Institute of Technology, he was employed as a paramedic in Melbourne, Fla., and the past two years as a Cardiac-Pulmonary Technician, employed by Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. He was also employed at the Holmes Regional Medical Center as a Cardiac-Cath laboratory technician and a certified fire fighter in Melbourne, Fla.
He is survived by two sons, Joshua Daniel and Elijah James Rao, both of Melbourne, Fla.; two sisters, Anjali (Kevin) Reagey, Islamorada, Fla. and Janaki Rao, Clark Summit, Pa.; two brothers, S.G. Goverdhan (Heather) Rao, Almond; S.G. Sunil Rao, Hornell; maternal grandparents, Luis and Carlina Munoz of New York City; paternal grandmother, Venku Bai, Bangalore, India; two aunts; and several cousins.
The family will receive friends 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday at the Robertson Funeral Home, Inc., Hornell. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at the Alfred Almond Bible Church, Almond, with Pastor John Prince officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Almond.
Memorial contributions may be made to Compassion International, Colorado Springs, CO, 80997; or Family Life Ministries, Inc., 7634 Campbell Creek Rd., Bath, N.Y. 14810.
RALPH C. JACKMAN
NORTH COHOCTON -- Ralph C. Jackman, 88, formerly of 13 University Ave., North Cohocton, died Tuesday morning (Feb. 4, 2003) at the St. James Mercy Health Care Facility in Hornell.
Ralph was born March 2, 1914 in North Cohocton, the son of Walter and Dollie (Peck) Jackman. He resided his entire life in the North Cohocton area. Ralph and Dorothy Miller entered into a loving marriage June 24, 1934 at the United Methodist Church in North Cohocton. Together they celebrated 68 years of marriage.
Ralph enjoyed employment at many different places throughout his life. They included ownership of an IGA Food store in Atlanta, N.Y., as well as working for General Railway Signal in Rochester, Foster Wheeler in Dansville, F.A. Owen in Dansville, Moore Cottrell Subscription Agencies in North Cohocton. He also enjoyed time being a Star Route Mail Carrier, and finally Ralph retired as an employee of the Craig State School at Sonyea in 1976. Ralph took great pleasure in collecting various memorabilia that included stamps, coins, antique cars, and Civil War collectibles.
Ralph was predeceased by both of his parents, Walter and Dollie Jackman; his son-in-law, John A. Ohler; and his grandson, John J. Ohler.
Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Dorothy M. Jackman; his daughter, Ruth (Jackman) Ohler of Crystal River, Fla.; two sons, William M. (Joyce) Jackman of Owego and David T. (Patricia) Jackman of Melbourne, Fla.; six grandchildren, William and Tom Jackman, Penny Hughes, Cynthia Oswald, Jill Akyuz and Kimberly Pearson; 18 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be conducted at the North Cohocton United Methodist Church, North Cohocton, at a time and date to be announced.
Funeral arrangements are by the St. George-Stanton Funeral Home, 109 West Naples St., Wayland.
PATRICIA J. KNAPP
DANSVILLE -- Patricia J. Knapp, 77, of Cottage Street in Dansville, passed away Wednesday morning (Feb. 5, 2003) at the Livingston County SNF in Geneseo, after a long illness.
She was born in Machias on Oct. 13, 1925, the daughter of the late Jay and Marie Kilburn Whitcomb. On June 30, 1951, she married to Kenneth Knapp, Ken predeceased her on May 15, 1988. She was also predeceased by her brothers, Kilburn and James Whitcomb.
Patricia was a Daughter of the American Revolution, the Corporal Josiah Griswold Branch. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and reading.
She is survived by a son, Thomas (Francine) Knapp of Dansville; four daughters, Kathleen (Bruce) Halpenny, Jo Ann (Charles) Kenney and Virginia (Willard) Hartson, all of Dansville, and Jayne (Ronald) Halpenny of Wayland; a step-son, Richard (Mary) Knapp of Rush; two brothers, Richard (Reida) Whitcomb of Akron and Alan (Marilyn) Whitcomb of Austin, Texas; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call today from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Hindle Funeral Home, 271 Main St., Dansville, where services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. Interment
will be in Greenmount Cemetery, Dansville.
Contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 1595 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, N.Y. 14620.
KATHRYN M. "KASS" KNAPP
HORNELL -- Kathryn M. "Kass" Knapp, of 1190 Webbs Crossing Rd., entered into rest Tuesday afternoon (May 28, 2002) at St. James Mercy Hospital, after a brief illness.
Born in Hornell, she was a daughter of the late Leo F. and Kathryn Ann Morsch Knapp.
A life long resident of Hornell, Kass was a graduate of St. Ann's School, Hornell High School and the St. James Mercy Hospital School of Nursing.
She was employed as a Supervisor of the Pediatric Department of St. James Mercy Hospital, before her retirement in 1980.
Her family includes her two sisters, Althea M. Kelley of Hornell and Anna K. Smith of Ontario; also her nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, Kass was predeceased by her two brothers, Francis J. Knapp of Hornell and Robert C. Knapp of Wilmington, N.C.
Calling hours are from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell. Friends are invited to meet her family at St. Ann's Church where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday. Committal prayers and interment
will follow at St. Ann's Cemetery, Hornell.
In lieu of flowers those wishing may contribute in Kathryn's memory to their favorite charity.
IRIS U. LaBELL
WAYLAND -- Iris U. LaBell, 78, of 10664 #3, Route 21 South, passed away this morning (June 12, 2003) at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Iris was born March 31, 1925, in the state of Idaho, the daughter of Jesse and Cecile (Adams) McFadden. She resided the first 10 years of her life in Idaho, and then moved to California where she and Edward F. LaBell Sr. met. Together they entered into a loving marriage in 1946. Iris and Edward moved to the Springwater area subsequent to their marriage, and then to Wayland where she resided the majority of her life.
Iris enjoyed farming, hiking, nature and music. However most of all she enjoyed raising her family. She also was known to assist a neighborhood child or two from time to time. She always had room for "one more." Iris was also involved in a local "garden club," however it was often said there was no gardening done, just a lot of eating at the local restaurants. She was employed by the Gunlocke Company and affectionately referred to herself as a "chippy."
Iris was predeceased by her husband, Edward F. LaBell Sr.; a son, Edward F. LaBell Jr.; a granddaughter, Ruby; a grandson, Aaron; two sisters; and a brother.
Iris is survived by 10 children, Garland (Laura) Baber of Idaho, Jean (Everett) Laursen of Geneva, Linwood (Olga) LaBell of Texas, Cecile (James) Evans of South Carolina, Sandi LaBell of Wisconsin, Donna (Robert) Hough of Conesus, Jackie LaBell of Wayland, Barb (Adelbert) Perry of Wayland, Michael (Nancy) LaBell of Missouri; Emma Espinoza of England; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Henrietta "Tiny" McFadden; several other sister and brothers-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends may call 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday at the St. George-Stanton Funeral Home, 109 West Naples St., Wayland. Iris' funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Springwater Church of the Nazarene. Rev. Dennis Swart will officiate the service.
Contributions in Iris U. LaBell's memory may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 810 Seventh Ave., New York, N.Y. 10019 or to Parkinson's Research at the Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Ave., PO Box 673, Rochester, N.Y. 14642.
MARIAN L. TAPP
NUNDA -- Marian L. Tapp, 96, died Monday (June 9, 2003).
She was born Aug. 1, 1906, in the Town of Portage, to Fred and Grace Rawson Holly.
Marian was a member of the Nunda United Methodist Church, the Queen of the Genesee Eastern Star, and the Hunt Grange.
She was predeceased by her husband, Marvin.
Survivors include a daughter, Marlene (Doug) Noden of Orlando, Fla.; a son, Keith Tapp; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Friends may call Friday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Mann Funeral Home in Nunda. A funeral service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, with Rev. Laura Chatelle officiating. Burial will be in Pennycook Cemetery, Town of Portage.
Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Nunda United Methodist Church or the Nunda Ambulance.
RAYMOND K. WATSON
BELMONT -- Raymond K. Watson, 75, of 3569 State Route 244, died Saturday (June 7, 2003) at the Wellsville Highland Healthcare Center.
Born Sept. 2, 1927, in the Town of Ward, he was a son of E. Ellsworth and Gladys (Cline) Watson. He was married Feb. 24, 1951, in Belmont to Joan Heuer, who survives.
Ray was a self-employed truck driver working on the construction of roads and building. He was a Town of Ward Councilman for many years and town supervisor for two years.
Surviving in addition to his wife are four daughters, Laura Schrader of Swain, Kathy Hooker of Rochester, Sharon (Martin) Woodard of Canisteo and Diane (Raymond) Burdick of Scio; three sons, Dean (Carrie) Watson of Scio, Dale (Tiersa) Watson of Almond and Donald Watson of Almond; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Larry (Dorine) Watson of Belmont and Paul Watson of Belmont; three sisters, Phyllis Tincher of Hornell, Shirley Morey of Hornell and Ruth Watson of Olean; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by two sisters, Virginia Tillman and Esther Watson; and one brother, James Watson.
Friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Belmont. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the funeral home. Pastor Nathan Hayman will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery, Belmont.
Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
GARY L. KEDDY
HORNELL -- Gary L. Keddy, 50, of 32 Catherine St., passed away Thursday (June 5, 2003) at his home.
Born in Corning, Jan. 24, 1953, he was a son of Stewart and Elsie Matison Keddy. He was a graduate of Haverling High School in Bath, and had been employed at Phillips Lighting in Bath. He had resided in Hornell the past 12 years.
Gary had served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era from 1972 until 1975.
Surviving are his wife, Flora J. Keddy of Hornell; his mother, Elsie Keddy of Bath; two daughters, Alicia (Jason) Soles of Hornell and Autumn Keddy of Las Vegas, Nev.; one son, Mitchell Keddy of Hornell; two step-daughters; four step-sons; one sister, Lois (Herb) Higgins of Kanona; one brother, John (Ann) Keddy of Bath; one granddaughter, Taylor Soles of Hornell; several step-grandchildren; one niece; and one nephew.
The family will be present to receive friends from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Saturday at the Bender-Brown & Powers Funeral Home, 354 Canisteo St., Hornell, where funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, with Rev. Donald Maynard officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Canisteo.
Friends wishing may consider memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, 1400 Winton Road North, Rochester, N.Y. 14609-5896. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
REV. ROBERT E. TUTTLE SR.
BATH -- Rev. Robert E. Tuttle Sr., 85, of 107 Gansevoort St., passed away Wednesday (June 4, 2003) at the McAuley Manor, Hornell, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Oct. 21, 1917, in Wolcott, to Harland K. and Bertha L. Cutton Tuttle.
Rev. Tuttle had a masters degree in education from Columbia University. He was involved in education for over 35 years. He was retired Superintendent of Schools at Hammondsport Central Schools, Superintendent of Elmira Heights School, Plainsville School of Long Island, Principal of Arkport Schools.
He was the assistant clergy of the Bath Baptist Church, and the minister in the churches of Coopers Plains, Hartsville, and Clarion, Pa. Rev. Tuttle also was an Associate Pastor for Seniors at the Bath Presbyterian Church for several years and throughout his life he touched and helped many people and their lives through his witnessing ministry.
He was a former member of the Rotary Club and a life member of the American Association of School Administrators.
Rev. Tuttle is survived by his wife of almost 63 years, Onnolee Watkins Tuttle; three daughters, Priscilla (Tom) Griffiths of Duanesburg, Sarah (Larry) Zeliff of Almond, Roberta (Glenn) Cordell of Indio, Calif.; and one son, Robert E. Tuttle Jr. of East Lansing, Mich.; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Friends may call at Seager-Jones Funeral Home, 4 E. Washington St., Bath, on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Bath Presbyterian Church, Bath, on Saturday at 2 p.m., with Rev. Anne Waasdorp officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Hammondsport.
Memorials can be made to McAuley Manor, Special Fund, 1 Bethesda Dr., Hornell, N.Y. 14843.
GERALDINE R. COWLEY
DANSVILLE/BATAVIA -- Geraldine R. Cowley, 90, formerly of the Meter Road in Dansville, passed away Wednesday afternoon (June 4, 2003) at the Genesee County Nursing Home in Batavia.
She was born in Dansville on Aug. 11, 1912, a daughter of the late Leon W. and Barbara Freas Fluno. She was the widow of Stephen J. Cowley, who predeceased her on April 25, 1988.
Geraldine was a communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Dansville.
She is survived by her daughters, Barbara Bliemeister of Batavia and Sharon Flickner of Arkport; eight grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
There will be no prior calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 11 a.m. in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Dansville. Interment
will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Dansville.
Arrangements are by the Hindle Funeral Home, 271 Main St., Dansville.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Mary's School Library, 43 Elizabeth St.; or the Dansville Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 235, both of Dansville, N.Y. 14437.
LeROY P. FISHER
DALTON -- LeRoy P. Fisher, 61, died Wednesday (June 4, 2003).
He was born Aug. 16, 1941, in Philadelphia, Pa., to Paul and Edna Buchholz Fisher.
He was predeceased by his parents and step-father, William Gelser.
Survivors include four brothers, Donald (Thara) Fisher of Dalton, Walt (Jennifer) Fisher of Tuscarora, Robert (Betty) Fisher of Conesus and Keith (Barb) Gelser of Dalton; four sisters, Joan Sullivan of Tuscarora, Wilma Willey of Nunda, Judy (Steve) James of Dalton and Donna (Mark) Pike of Dalton; numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends may call Friday from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. at the Mann Funeral Home in Nunda. A funeral service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, with Rev. David Peck officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Hill Cemetery, Town of Portage.
Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Dalton United Methodist Church.
ELAINE M. HOOPER
KANONA -- Elaine M. Hooper, 82, of the Avoca Back Road, entered into rest Tuesday (June 3, 2003) at Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital, following a short illness.
Elaine was born July 13, 1920, in Buffalo, the only child of Cecil and Hazel Marsh Elliott. On Nov. 3, 1941, she married Donald Hooper in Buffalo, who survives.
She was a graduate of Layfayette High School and the Children's Hospital School of Nursing in Buffalo; and was a Charter member of the Genesee Community College of 1968.
Elaine was a registered nurse and social worker for 15 years, working out of the Bath Veteran's Administration, Bath. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who loved to chat with family and friends on the Internet when she wasn't spoiling her grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Donald, to whom she was married for 62 years, she is survived by two sons, Gary (Patricia) Hooper of Canisteo and Daryl Hooper of Seneca Falls; her grandchildren, Elizabeth, David and Laura Hooper, all of Canisteo.
There will be no calling hours. A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions in the name of Elaine M. Hooper may be made to either the Dormann Library, 101 West Morris St., Bath, N.Y. 14810; or to the Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital, 7571 State Route 54, Bath, N.Y. 14810.
Arrangements are in care of the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home in Canisteo.
DONALD F. EDWARDS JR.
CANASERAGA -- Donald F. Edwards Jr., 44, died Tuesday (June 3, 2003).
He was born June 9, 1958, in Lackawanna, to Donald and Maureen (Lynch) Edwards Sr. He served in the United States Marines.
Donald was predeceased by his father.
Survivors include his mother, Maureen Edwards of Buffalo; his wife, Kathleen Edwards of Canaseraga; his daughter, Stephanie; his sons, Zachary and Nicholas; his sister, Michelle (Vinnie) Cooley of Colden; two brothers, Kevin Edwards of Buffalo and Rick (Dawn) Edwards of Buffalo; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends may call Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Mann Funeral Home in Canaseraga. A funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the Valley Wesleyan Church in Canaseraga, with Pastor Herb Shaffer officiating. Burial will be in Canaseraga Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Hospice of Buffalo, 225 Como Park Blvd., Buffalo, N.Y. 14227-1480.
RICHARD A. CRANDALL
CANISTEO/WASHINGTON -- Richard A. Crandall, 61, formerly of the Canisteo and Alfred area, passed away Monday (May 5, 2003) in Bellingham, Wash.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at the Davidson Memorial Chapel of the United Presbyterian Church of Hornell on Saturday, June 7, at 7 p.m. The Rev. David Kilgore will officiate.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Brown & Powers Funeral Home of Canisteo.
FRANCIS J. GOSS
WAYLAND -- Francis J. Goss, 80, passed away on Sunday (June 1, 2003) at Livingston County Campus in Mr. Morris, after a short illness.
Fran was born on April 9, 1923, in Hornell, a son of Alfred and Florence (Staub) Goss. He married Geraldine (Davis) Goss on July 6, 1946, who survives. Fran worked for 20 years at the Wayland Central School as the maintenance engineer. After retiring from the school he owned and operated his own welding fabrication shop from his home.
He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Gerry Goss; a daughter, Teresa Goss of Geneva; a son, Wayne (Jackie) Canute-Goss of Livonia; two nieces; a nephew; and a brother and sister-in-law, Ira (Sylvia) Davis of Holland Patent.
Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday at the Walter E. Baird & Sons Funeral Home in Wayland, where funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Village Cemetery in Wayland.
Contributions may be made to Wayland Fire Dept. or St. Paul's United Church of Christ in memory of Fran Goss.
