Obituaries

LANSING, NY - Lois J. McKane, age 64 of North Triphammer Rd., Lansing, NY passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 4, 2009 at her home.

Born August 17, 1944 in Cortland, NY she was a daughter of the late Alfred and Iva Cotterill Schutt and wife of the late James R. McKane, Sr. who died in 2005. She was retired from Lansing Central School District and was a member of the Lansing and Dryden Senior Citizens. She and her late husband loved traveling and camping. She was the youngest sister, but acted like the oldest, looking out for her older sisters helping them whenever needed.

 

Judy A. Wilson passed away peacefully in her Searles Rd. home on Friday, July 3, 2009.

Born October 30, 1941 in Montour Falls, NY, Judy was a daughter of Edward and Mildred (Brown) Wickham. She was a 1959 graduate of Odessa-Montour High School and attended Alfred College prior to her employment with Cornell University. While she was working at Cornell University she went on a blind date with Hillis L. Wilson, and they've been together ever since, enjoying over 40 years of marriage.

Judy was a faithful member of Lansing United Methodist Church, where she took great pleasure in her participation with the Bell Choir and the Bible Study Group. She was also an avid reader, but first and foremost, her priority was her family.

Robert M. Sharp passed away on Friday, July 3, 2009, at the age of 88.

Born August 27, 1920, in Ithaca, Bob was a son of the late Emory and Emma (Cook) Sharp. A life resident of the area, he served with the Civilian Conservation Corps. from 1937 - 1939 and he honorably served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII. Bob was employed as a machinist at Therm Inc., retiring after over 25 years of service.

 

 

Elizabeth "Betty" Ainslie Kelly, of Woodsedge Apts. in Lansing, passed away Friday, July 3, 2009, at the age of 94, at Cayuga Medical Center surrounded by her loving family.

Born December 6, 1914, Betty was the daughter of the late J. Stuart and Elizabeth (Boyd) Ainslie. As a young child she and her family lived in various parts of the United States and Canada before coming home to Ithaca where she graduated in 1932 from Ithaca High School. Betty attended college at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. In 1939 she married the late Roland J. Kelly and together they raised six children on various dairy farms around central New York. Later in 1952 they settled in Lansing, New York where they made Sharpsteen Road their home. Betty was employed at The Cornell University Veterinary College, where she worked for over 20 years as a lab technician. Betty had many interests. She and Roland were instrumental in regenerating the Ithaca Farmer's Market. She was a member of the North Lansing Auxiliary, a past secretary of the Lansing Senior Citizens, a member of the L.O.A.P. program, and enjoyed bowling in the Senior League. Betty was involved in many knitting projects over the years such as caps for newborns at the Cayuga Medical Center. All of these activities ranked second to her family, as they were her primary focus and a source of much love and joy.

 

Leah R. Snow, age 65, of 915 Cobb Street, Groton, NY and formerly of Etna passed away Sunday, June 15, 2009 at the Cortland Regional Hospital. Leah was born Nov. 18, 1943 at Ithaca, a daughter of the late Paul and Virginia Lee Kobasa. Leah was graduated from Ithaca High School and was employed for 37 years at NYSEG. Her husband, Kenneth Snow, passed away Feb. 18, 1991. Leah was a wonderful and devoted mother, grandmother and friend that will be greatly missed.

Prudence M. Pisciotta, age 82, of Boynton Beach, FL, passed away Thursday, June 11, 2009 at the Hospicare Residence, Ithaca, NY following a brief illness.

Born October 20, 1926 in New York City, NY, she is the daughter of the late Frank and Rose Bologna Musso and wife of the late Peter F. Pisciotta who died in 1997. She was employed with the Town of Hempstead, NY from 1967 until 1979 when she and her husband moved to Boynton Beach, FL. She was a transcriptionist with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department in Delray Beach until her retirement in 2003.

 

ITHACA - Margaret Pirko Janowsky, age 85 of Ithaca, died Monday morning at Cayuga Medical Center. Margaret was born on May 11, 1924, the daughter of the late Joseph and Eva Pirko.

She attended Immaculate Conception School and graduated from Ithaca High School, Class of 1942. On Sept. 2, 1944, she married her husband, the late Carl Janowsky, who died on December 18, 1983. Margaret was a long time resident of Fall Creek where she raised her children and enjoyed congregating with her neighbors. For the past five years, she was a resident of McGraw House.

ITHACA - Marjorie H. Sullivan, age 92 of Ithaca, died Saturday evening at Seneca View Nursing Home in Montour Falls. Mrs. Sullivan was born April 13, 1917 in Ithaca, the daughter of the late William and Gladys Hess Holmes.

Marjorie was a graduate of Ithaca High School, Class of 1935 and she served in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII. Following the war, she worked at New York State Gas and Electric until she met he husband, William J. Sullivan, and began to raise a family. After her children were raised, she worked for a short period of time at Agway before working at Cornell University in the Admissions Office. In 1983 she retired after 20 years of service. After her retirement, Marjorie worked for RSVP especially during tax season when she helped many seniors prepare their taxes.

William J. Ketter, formerly of Harford Mills, NY, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2009 at his residence in Moravia, NY. Bill was born in Oneida, NY on Sept. 11, 1928, a son of the late Earl and Mary Burghardt Ketter. He signed up with the US Army at age 16 and later served in the US Navy aboard the USS North Carolina and the USS Wisconsin. Bill was married for 32 years to the former Arlene Thornton who died January 20, 1988. Later, Bill was married to Carolyn Saxton Ketter who survives. Bill was a mechanic, a truck driver and a carpenter. He worked for a while at Crispell Automotive and had also been employed at Cargill Salt Mine, GLF, Agway, Empire Soils Investigations and ALNYE Trucking.

Syracuse-Mary Jane (Chase) Fuller, 74 of Syracuse went home to be with her Lord on Thursday, May 28, 2009. She was the daughter of the late Rev. William H. and Flora Turk Chase, formerly resided in Ithaca. She predeceased by her brother, Richard Chase.

Mary was a graduate of Edmeston Central High School and worked toward a nursing degree during the 1970's. She was active in music in her church for many years. She loved reading, puzzles and spending time playing games with her grandchildren.

 

James Myron Sherwood, 96, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at the Hospice unit at Retreat Hospital in Richmond, Va. Jim's prior residence was The Laurels of Willow Creek in Midlothian, Va.

Jim relocated to Richmond area August 2008 to be closer to family members, but was a life long resident of Ithaca, New York.

Margaret V Ruane, 86, passed away peacefully at home on May 24, 2009. Born at Portland Point, NY of Garbor and Rosa Varga, on March 26, 1923.

Margaret attended Lansing Schools, always looking forward to and attending annual Alumni Reunions with family and friends. She worked for New York Telephone Company for 32 years as an operator until her retirement. After retirement she found the Service League where she spent many hours volunteering. The Service League became her passion where she would spend hours working among other volunteers that she considered among her closest friends.

SLATERVILLE SPRINGS - Margaret Mae Beam Decker of Slaterville Springs died in her home on March 3, 2009 with special family friend Delores Newman by her side. She was born on May 31, 1921 to Oscar Bullis and Nellie Straight Beam who predeceased her. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of almost 60 years, LeRoy J. Decker and her sister Betty Beam. She was a lifelong resident of the Town of Caroline.

Margaret was retired from Tompkins County where she was Receiver of Taxes. She also previously worked at Fletcher's Dry Cleaners, Dr. Elwood Smith, Optometrist and Agway before she went to work for the County.

 

DANBY - Edward Rapp Strobel, age 84, of Danby, died Tuesday evening at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Ed was born in Brewster, the son of the late Edward D. and Rose Rapp Strobel. He was a World War II veteran, where he served in the Airborne Corps, 412 Fighter Squadron. After the war, he moved to Danby where he became a dairy farmer.

Survivors include his sister, Rose Graham of Lansing; and several nieces and nephews.

 

Friends and family may call Friday from 9:00 to 11 a.m. Funeral Services will be held at the Herson Funeral Home. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

John Joseph Smith, 85, of Locke, NY, passed away Saturday evening April 11, 2009 at the Groton Nursing Facility.

Born in Ludlowville on November 2, 1923, John graduated from Lansing High School and proudly served his country in the US Army during WWII. In 1948 he married Evelyn Argetsinger, and they enjoyed 59 years of marriage before her passing in 2007. He was employed at Cornell University and enjoyed working his farm for many years as well. In addition to farming and his family, John had a broad range of hobbies including wood carving, furniture making, mountain climbing, rappelling, cross country skiing, hot air ballooning and RV camping. A lifelong resident of the area, John was a member of All Saints Catholic Church, Flashing Feathers Bowhunters, Lansing Bowhunters and Cayuga Lake Beagle Club.

 

ITHACA - Allen J. Hover, age 84 of Ithaca, died Saturday April 11, 2009 at Cayuga Medical Center. A.J. was born on September 6, 1923 in Ithaca, the son of the late Arthur and Edith Hover.

He loved hunting, fishing, and playing cards. Allen worked as a machinist at Borg Warner for over 25 years. He was co-owner of the Plantation Inn and the Woodside Inn, now known as Kumas. Allen served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the 624th Quartermaster Company as a truck driver hauling troops & supplies in Europe.

FREEVILLE - Bernice M. Beckman, age 72, of Freeville, NY passed away Thursday, April 9, 2009 at her daughter’s home in Newark Valley with her family at her side.

Born October 27, 1936 in Spencer, NY she was a daughter of the late Leon and Alice Drake. Mrs. Beckman is survived by her husband, John and a very large extended family.

ITHACA –  Charles Lawrence Boykin Sr., age 87 of Ithaca, passed away on Friday April 3, 2009 at Cortland Memorial Hospital. Chuck was born February 15, 1922, in Indianapolis, IN, a son of the late Howard and Velma Brown Boykin. The Boykin family moved to Ithaca when he was 2 years old. Chuck served in the US Marine Corp. during World War II and was in active duty from April 1942 to August 1945.

He owned and operated Charles Boykin’s Body Shop on West State St. for 25 years until moving his business to West Clinton St. for 3 years before he retired. He was a member of the Ithaca B.O.E. Elks #636, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and he was past president of the Danby Pirates Club.

ITHACA – Linda Louise Jones-Hinson, age 58 of Ithaca, died Friday morning at Clifton Springs Spa, in Clifton Springs. Linda was born in Ithaca, the daughter of the late Richard & Gladys Jones. Prior to her retirement, she worked in the medical profession as a secretary for many years.

Survivors include her four children, Sean, Nigel, Sheria, and George, Jr.;  five grandchildren; two sisters, Terry Lisa and Kathy Ann; three brothers, Charles, Michael, and Abdullah,  a host of nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her two brothers, Leeland and Steven.

Danby – Robert O. Sundquist, age 69, of Danby, died Sunday morning at Hospicare after a courageous battle with cancer. His recent battle, like his life, exemplified courage and determination, as in the Finnish concept of SISU. Bob was born in Ithaca, the son of the late Mildred (Ollie) and Onnie Sundquist. Bob graduated from Cascadilla School and was a well self-educated individual.  He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a gifted landscape artist.

With his gentle, kind, and quite spoken demeanor, Bob was a beloved son, brother, cousin, and friend. He is survived by his siblings, Joseph, Marian, and Helen. As “Uncle Bobby” he was a steadfast man who was a fatherly figure to many of his nieces and nephews.  He will be greatly missed especially by the current youngest ‘lights of his life,’ Anthony Neal Imani Solomon Sundquist and Richard (“Little Ricky”)William Sundquist  III.