Obituaries

Jacoba Munson Baker passed away peacefully at her longtime home on Auburn Road in North Lansing, NY, on May 11, 2019, just a couple months shy of her 99th birthday.

Jacoba was born in Lansing, NY, on July 6, 1920. She graduated from Groton High School and continued her education, earning a bachelor’s degree in home economics from Michigan State University in 1943. She returned home after graduation and got a job with Cornell Cooperative Extension, where she met a young extension agent, Robert C. Baker. They were married in 1944 in Groton.

Jackie and Bob moved to State College, PA, shortly afterward for Bob to work on his master’s degree at Penn State, and to Purdue University in 1956 for Bob to earn his PhD in poultry science. In between, in 1950, Jacoba and Bob started Baker’s Chicken Coop at the New York State Fair, which is still operated by her children and grandchildren. The two also started Baker’s Acres, a plant nursery in North Lansing. Jacoba had a lifelong passion for gardening, and Baker’s Acres allowed her to pursue her love of horticulture as well as financially support the operation of their 75-acre farm during retirement. Baker’s Acres is still operated by her daughter Reenie.

Daniel John Ravas, 28, of Camillus formerly of Lansing passed away unexpectedly on May 7, 2019. Born in Ithaca, NY to Cathy Mehlenbacher and Paul Ravas. Daniel was most recently employed at Auntie Anne’s at Destiny USA, and as a security officer for Westcott Security and Events. Dan was to continue working with Hammi’s Bacon Bomb of the NY State Fair this summer. He was also formerly employed at Iroquois Nursing Home and the Dunkin Donuts in Fairmount. He was an accomplished high school swimmer for Lansing and Baldwinsville Central School Districts, going to the State level competitions twice. Dan also played soccer and competed in Track and Field for Lansing CSD. Daniel loved summer camp at Camp Aldersgate, attending CCYM events at both Camp Casowasco and Aldersgate. He loved hiking, camping and the outdoors. He was making plans to hike the Appalachian Trail in the future. He had a wandering soul and a deep love for and knowledge of music.

Margaret Ferretti Dill, 72, of Lansing, NY passed away at home with her husband by her side on March 27, 2019. Margie was the loving wife of James Dill for 48 years and leaves behind her daughter, Emily, son in-law Matt, and her beloved grandchildren, Elise and Griffin of Needham, MA.

Born in Boston, MA, Margie is the daughter of the late Rita (Woods) and Leonard Ferretti. She graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in 1964, Boston State College in 1968, and earned her Master’s in Education from Elmira College in 1979.

Anna S. Beckwith of Lansing died Saturday, March 2, 2019, at age 98. After a long, fruitful life in Lansing, she recently moved to live with her daughter in Manlius and enjoyed a round of weekend parties as many of her children, grandchildren, great-children and friends were able to come see her.

A lifelong communicant of All Saints Church in Lansing, Anna served on its parish council and, for a number of years, led a small prayer and Bible-study group. She worked for many years with young people in the 4-H programs of Cornell Cooperative Extension, teaching plant science, animal science, nutrition, and recreation, and serving as day-camp director and director of summer programs. She had returned to school in mid-life, earning at age 50 an associate’s degree from Tompkins Cortland Community College. She also attended clown school, and entertained children and adults as the clown “Miss Annie.”

Julianne "Jules" Milligan, a lifelong resident of Lansing, NY, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on February 25, 2019. Julie was born August 25, 1969, to Robert J. and Nancy Howell Milligan. She was a 1987 graduate of Lansing High School with a diploma from TST BOCES Auto Mechanics program, later receiving a New York State Mechanical Certification.

Her strong work ethic was established by her dad and many enjoyable summers working on The Barron Farm. Employed after high school by David Haney, she served in the parts department at Pritchard Dodge for 19 years until moving to the Maguire dealerships in Ithaca.

Francis Hugh Teeter, 92, passed away on January 8, 2019 at the VA Medical Center in Bath, NY. Born in Ithaca, he was the son of the late Raymond and Katherine (Carey) Teeter. At 17, he joined the US Navy during WWII, serving from 1943-1947, remaining a proud veteran to the end.

Leaving the military, he worked briefly at the National Cash Register Company. Next at Cayuga Lumber Company, he was promoted from laborer to yard foreman to salesman, ultimately leaving to join Cerrache TV, which installed the first TV cable in Ithaca. Before his retirement, he won the contest to rename the company American Community Cablevision.

Melvin Eastman, 75, passed away on Tuesday, October 30, 2018, at Cayuga Medical Center as a result of a head injury.  Born September 11, 1943, to the late John and Ethel (Crockford) Eastman, Mel graduated from Lansing High School in 1961.  Mel went on to work for Smith Corona, Cargill Salt Company, and he retired as a Rural Carrier with the United States Post Office.

A fan of many sports, especially the St. Louis Cardinals, Mel bowled and played slow-pitch softball for a number of years. 

Jackie Butler, 69, of Lansing, NY, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Sunday, October 28, 2018.  Born in Ithaca, she was the daughter of the late Byron and Josephine Campbell Stone. Jackie worked at Ithaco and later at BF Goodrich, from where she retired as a manager.

Jackie’s joy in life came from being grandma to her two grandsons, Tucker and Mason.  Her grandkids and their sports were her life.  She was also very close to and loved her sisters and the family dog, Jackson.  In her free time, she enjoyed golf, visiting the casinos, and playing games—especially poker, euchre and scrabble.

Lorin 'Lefty L. Hardy, 78, of Lansing, passed away on Wednesday, September 12, 2018, at Cayuga Medical Center, Ithaca, while surrounded by his loving family. Born in Torrington, CT, he was the son of the late Lorin G. and Dorothy Bramen Hardy. Following high school, Lorin enlisted in the US Army, where he proudly served his country from 1958 to 1962. After being honorably discharged, he married Marguerite Wightwood on October 26, 1963. Lorin was employed at Cargill in Lansing for several years before joining the Laborer's Union Local 785 in Ithaca, where he retired after 32 years.

The most important thing in life to Lorin was his family, and he loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also had a passion for fishing, golfing, gardening, bowling, and playing horseshoes. He was a Dallas Cowboys football fan and NY Mets baseball fan. Lorin was also a member of the American Legion, and enjoyed reading their publications.

1926-2018

John N Johnson, 91, of Holly Hill, FL passed away on September 8, 2018 after a short illness.

John was born in Ludlowville, New York on November 16, 1926, the son of the late Carl and Alma (Randall) Johnson of Ludlowville, NY. John and his wife Dorothy lived in the Cayuga County and Lansing, NY area until they retired and moved to Florida in1987. John attended Ludlowville School then enlisted in the US Navy to serve in the Pacific region in World War II. Toward the end of his naval service, in 1946, he married his sweetheart Dorothy Inman. John and his wife operated Johnson’s Atlantic gas station and auto repair on Ridge Road across from the Lansing Schools. Later, John was a favorite bus driver for many students; and mechanic for the Lansing School District. John had a warm demeanor and a sense of humor, always making and telling jokes and keeping things lighthearted.

So many memories but not enough time. Karl William Czymmek, best known by family and friends as Will, passed away on August 28, 2018, just one day short of his eighteenth birthday.

He leaves behind a large grieving family. Two older sisters, Meredith and Madeline, and his parents, Karl and Anne Czymmek. His grandparents, Karl and Joyce Czymmek, his uncle Kirk and aunt Martha Czymmek, his aunt Maria and uncle Dana Paddock, his uncles Kent and Kyle Czymmek, his uncle Michael and aunt Kate Balcolm-Mattson, his uncle Mark and aunt Kim Mattson, his aunt Amber and uncle Peter Heimbucher, his aunt Amy Phelps, and many cousins.

James L. Barron, 70, of Lansing, NY, passed away on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, at Cayuga Medical Center, Ithaca, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Cortland, NY, on July 7, 1948, he was the son of the late Harry and Marie Beckwith Barron. Jim was a 1966 graduate of Lansing High School and later attended BOCES, where he studied electrical engineering. Most recently, he was employed as an injector repairman at D&W Diesel, Inc., in Auburn, NY.

Jim had a passion for hunting and fishing, but more than anything, he loved spending time with his wife and family. He also was the best farmer around and worked on his dad’s farm for many years.

Francis G. Hancharik (83) of Lansing, NY, passed away on Saturday, July 28, 2018, at Cayuga Medical Center, Ithaca, NY. Born in Barnesboro, PA, he was the son of the late Michael and Anna (Mehal) Hancharik. He moved to Ithaca and graduated from Ithaca High School in 1954. An accomplished athlete while at IHS, he was a stand-out starting pitcher and fullback for the Little Red. His exploits on the diamond and field, well documented in the Ithaca Journal.

Frank joined the US Army in 1958 and rose to the rank of SGT. His unit, the 2nd Armored Division out of Fort Hood, TX, was part of the peace keeping forces in West Germany. When asked, he would fondly reminisce tales of tank driver training, exploits with townsfolk at the local bier gartens, and how he never connected with Elvis even though they were stationed in the same area.

Laura Baty passed away on May 6, 2018 at Beechtree Nursing Home. She married Paul Baty in 1946. They had 4 children, Kathleen (Lyle) Wadell, Tim and Linda Baty, Carolyn Blake. Her youngest daughter (Janet)  passed away in 2016.

She made seashell jewelry, wedding cakes, Christmas fudge, and sold eggs for extra income.

She lived in Lansing since 2005. A family graveside service was held on May 8th in Vestal, N.Y.

Wendell J. (Windy) Thompson, 85, of Lansing, went home to the Lord on February 13, 2018, while surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Odessa, NY to the late Stewart and Ruth (McKay) Thompson, Wendell spent most of his life in the Lansing, NY area.

As a young married man he started his work life at Rudy Krantz' Garage, and then worked at Rock Salt (Cargill). He worked for 35 years at the Lansing Schools, starting as a bus driver, and retiring as the Transportation Manager.

Daniel William Gee, 62, of Lansing, NY, lost his long courageous battle with kidney cancer on February 23, 2018. He was very brave and maintained his sense of humor until the end of his life.

Born May 21, 1955, on his paternal grandmother’s birthday, Dan loved life and lived it to the fullest.

After graduating Ithaca High School in 1973, he attended college in Florida for a year before enlisting in the US Navy, where he served for 4 ½ years on a submarine. Dan was a proud to be a Veteran. He then went on to work for the US Postal Service, retiring as Postmaster in Brooktondale at the age of 55. During his time with the Postal Service he completed his bachelor’s degree at Ithaca College.

Harold Withiam, 91, died Monday, January 22. A resident of Longview, Harold was born in Geneva, NY, and grew up on a farm in the town of Seneca. After graduation from Geneva High School in 1944, he joined the Army in 1946, where he learned to read Morse code. He was discharged from active duty in 1947 and continued in the reserve until 1950. When his father, George, died he lived with and cared for his mother, the former Allie Farr. In 1951, he married Norma, and the newlyweds continued to live in Allie’s house, which was eventually filled with four children, Glenn, Alan, Vicki, and Daniel.

Harold was a 35-year employee of the Seneca Army Depot, working first on the roads and grounds crew and later as a driver in the motor pool, a job he enjoyed. In 1954, he partnered with the late Charles Hartman to re-activate Troop One, which was one of the oldest Boy Scout troops in the nation, continuing as a scout leader for over twenty years.

Carl E. Nedrow of Lansing passed away peacefully and quietly in the presence of family on January 13, 2018, at the age of 87.

Born April 20, 1930 in Ithaca, Carl was a son of the late David J. and Lina Rose Nedrow. After high school, Carl graduated from the Cornell School of Agriculture and proudly served his country for 2 years with the US Army. He was married to Nancy "Ann" Tierney Nedrow in February 1955. Carl retired from NYSEG after 30 plus years of dedicated service. He enjoyed boxing in his younger years, raised Appaloosa horses, was passionate about coon hunting, and was content just being busy around the farm, whether cutting firewood or puttering on a project. Carl was also an avid follower of the Lansing sports programs and the New York Giants. Most importantly, Carl was dedicated to and loved his family. He and Ann always had an open door and welcomed friends and family for a visit or an extended stay. He took great pride in his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mary M. Benson passed away peacefully at Walden Place in Cortland, NY with family at her side on December 22, 2017, at the age of 99.

A lifelong Groton/Lansing resident, Mary was born at home on July 24, 1918. She graduated from Groton High School in 1937 and went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics from Cornell University in 1941. In 1943, she married Clarence C. Benson and in 1946 they purchased Bensvue Farm on Lansingville Road. Over the course of the next 58 years their family and farm grew and prospered.