Obituaries

Purlena C. Grays, age 99, of Maryville Tennessee, passed away Monday March 17, 2008 at Asbury Health Care Center, Maryville, Tennessee.

Purlena lived for 87 years in Freeville, New York before moving to Maryville in 1995 with her daughter and son-in-law. She enjoyed her last years at Asbury Place in Maryville.

Purlena is predeceased by her husband Cornelius "Neal" Grays and daughter Betty, sister Anna Chandler and brother William Chandler.

She is survived by twin daughters Connie (William) Evans of Maryville, TN and Carol (James) Gerow of Liverpool N Y, 8 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Also by special friends George and Edith Clark of Dryden, NY, their children and grandchildren.

James R. Marvin, 40, of Freeville, NY, died unexpectedly on Saturday, March 15, 2008 at home. Born in Bath, NY and raised in Prattsburgh, NY, he was a son of Donald and Karen Barkalow Marvin. He was previously employed at Cornell University as a Building Coordinator. Jim was very active with the Tri-County Horseshoe League and served as secretary/treasurer of the summer league. He enjoyed football, fishing and spending time with family and friends.

In addition to his parents, Donald and Karen Marvin of Elmira, NY, James is survived by his wife, Christie Marvin of Freeville, NY; sons, Matthew and Joshua Marvin of Savona, NY and son, Jacob Cooper of Freeville, NY; sisters, Diane Marvin, Teresa Vital, Debbie Marvin and Karen Marvin all of Elmira, NY; brother, Joseph Barkalow of Prattsburgh, NY and brother, Michael Marvin of Elmira, NY; mother in law, Valorie Adams of Newfield, NY; brother in law, Brian Adams of Newfield, NY; and father in law, Gary (Patti) Conklin of Cortland, NY. In addition, he is survived by aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Raymond Konecny, age 71, passed away at his home following a brief illness.
 
Raymond was born in Moravia on May 12, 1936, a son of the late Stephen J. and Elsie Konecny. He had worked in sales and also as a bartender for many years. Raymond is survived by his sons, Steven L. (Denise) Spafford of Auburn, Stephen J. (Linda) Konecny of Missouri and Vincent (Kelly) Konecny of Auburn, his grandchildren, Kellie, Jennifer and Linsey Spafford, Emily and Joshua Konecny and by several cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Dorothy in December 2007.

LANSING - Joyce W. Cima passed away February 29, 2008 at her home.

Joyce was born in Ithaca, NY, a daughter of the late Justin and Ruth (Mathews) White.

Joyce graduated from Cornell University '52 and was previously married to Alex Cima Jr. She was a loyal and dedicated employee at Cornell University working with the University Counsel and Board of Trustees for many years. Joyce was an active retiree participating in many university events including university-sponsored birding trips, hockey games and volunteering at the Alpha Xi Delta sorority house. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Ithaca.

Harriet Stupich was born in Milwaukee to Clara (Laszewicz) and John Dokulil in 1922. 1n 1946, after studying nursing, she met and married John Stupich. Having raised a family, she set out to become a successful entrepreneur - managing, and then owning, health food stores in Brown Deer and in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.

In retirement in 1984, she and her husband moved to Adams-Friendship, Wisconsin, where Harriet was instrumental in advocating for the construction of a community center (since completed).

NEWFIELD - Ronald D. Pettigrew Sr. age 74 of Newfield died Sunday evening at Cayuga Medical Center. Ron was born in Erie, PA, the son of the late Carl and Jessie Pettigrew. He served in Army during the Korean Conflict and a member of the VFW and American Legion in Ithaca. Ron was a soldier at The Salvation Army in Ithaca and a former Kiwanis member. For many years he worked for the Howard Johnson's in Ithaca and retired from Challenge Industries as a maintenance supervisor.

Survivors include a daughter Dorinda (Jeffrey) Cook; a son, David (Caroline) Pettigrew; four grandchildren, Danielle (Adam) Gerritsen, Landon Cook, Michael and Matthew Pettigrew; a sister, Janice Palmer; two brothers, Clarence Pettigrew and Dhurword (Joyce) Pettigrew; several nieces and nephews. He was formerly married to Donna LoVette.

ITHACA - Ollie J. Huddle, age 79 of Ithaca, died Tuesday morning at his residence. Ollie is the son of the late Harry and Jenny Huddle. Ollie is predeceased by his two brothers, Harry and William "Wee" Huddle.

He retired from Emerson Power Transmission in 1990 after 35 years of service. Ollie enjoyed his yearly vacations with his grandchildren. He is a member of the American Legion in Trumansburg, VFW in Ithaca and Eagles Club. He is a veteran of the Korean Conflict.

Kenneth Holston Myers (Ken), long-time Ithaca N.Y. resident passed away peacefully on February 1, 2008. Ken is survived by his three children, Jim, Susan and Jon and his six grandchildren, who reside in Boulder, Colorado; Redmond, Washington; and San Rafael, California. Ken was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and found great joy and nourishment in his marriage and family. Ken's beloved wife, Bee, whom Ken lovingly referred to as his "soul mate", passed into eternity, January 13th, 2006.

Ken's life reflects his belief that one can do what one puts one's mind to. Ken loved the book intended for young children, "The Little Engine That Could". The story's message is: "I think I can, I think I can". Ken's life is characterized, in large part, by Ken's indomitable will to succeed and contribute.

Jeannie Patricia Lattimer, age 52 of Ithaca, went to be with her Lord, Monday (January 28, 2008) at Cayuga Medical Center. Jeannie leaves behind to morn her son, Tyrell Devon Anthony Lattimer; and a host of family and friends.

Friends and family may call Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until time of 11:00 a.m. Funeral Service at the Herson Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. A repass will be held at the Baptized Church of Jesus Christ, 412 First St., Ithaca.

TRUMANSBURG - Susie L. Cooper, age 86 of Trumansburg, a retired LPN at Tompkins County Hospital, died Monday evening at Oak Hill Manor. Susie was the daughter of the late Rev. Edward and Nora Miller. Her husband of 56 years, Oscar D. Cooper Sr., died in 2002. After her retirement, Susie continued caring for the ill and infirmed as a private duty nurse until 2003.

Survivors include her son, Oscar D. Cooper, Jr.; two grandsons, Jemal Cooper, Sr. and Rafiq Cooper; three granddaughters, Heather Cooper, Ayana White, and Nika Cooper; eight great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews; a sister-in-law, Sarah Miller; a daughters-in-law Audrey Cooper and Rita Watts.
She is predeceased by her two brothers, Richard and Elens B. Miller; a step-mother and close friend, Moria Miller.

Friends and family may call from 10 a.m. until time of 11:00 a.m. Funeral Service at the Herson Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Cayuga Heights. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Oak Hill Manor.

ITHACA - Bunny O'Brien/Schassburger, age 63, a retired head nurse and manager of Ithaca Dialysis, and nurse practitioner for its medical director, Dr. Robert Hesson, died Saturday morning, January 26, 2008, at her residence. She was born in Ithaca, a daughter of Edwin and Betty Watson. Bunny had been with her husband, Ron Schassburger, since March 30, 1989, and the two had been a loving couple ever since, with their formal marriage on May 12, 2007 at their home. Theirs was a fairy tale courtship and romance that grew in love and affection day by day from the time they met until she died, and will live well beyond.

Bunny was formally trained as a nurse and nurse practitioner, with her care touching numerous lives over the past forty years. While highly respected for her medical competency, she was even more widely known for her compassionate care, kind bedside manner, and always placing the needs of her patients above all else.

TRUMANSBURG - Dr. Alvin F. Sellers, age 90 of Trumansburg, a retired comparative gastroenterologist at Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, died Saturday, January 19, 2008, at Cayuga Medical Center. Dr. Sellers was born in Somerset, PA, son of Addison B. and Marion F. Sellers. He recently celebrated 65 wonderful years of marriage with Dorothy M. Sellers.

Upon completing his Veterinary MD at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, he received a Masters of Science degree in Pathology from Ohio State University and a PhD with a double major in Physiology and Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota. He was the first and the youngest in his field to receive a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1956. Dr. Sellers served with the 1st Medical Mobile Laboratory in World War II in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany from 1943 through the end of the war.

FREEVILLE - Margie Vorhis, of 4 Cricket Lane, Freeville, NY, passed away at the Hospicare residence on King Road in Ithaca on Sunday, January 20, 2008, at the age of 62.

Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on July 20, 1945, Margie was the daughter of Alice and Bruce Alexander. Margie attended high school in Syracuse. While living on Long Island, she was Pool Director of the Floral Park Pool, where she also worked as a tennis instructor and an aerobics instructor. More recently, Margie was employed by Lansing Central School as Secretary to the Principal of the Middle School and served on the board of Small Comforts, a foundation providing quality of life support for people in need. An avid reader, she was the member of a local book club. Margie was also an active member of the Groton Assembly of God.

GROTON - Ivan P. "Butch" Lansdowne, age 69, of 200 W. South St., Groton, NY passed away Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca following a lengthy illness. Butch had been employed as an electrician in Colorado Springs, CO prior to his retirement. Butch is survived by his wife, Marilyn Yacano Lansdowne of Groton, NY; three children, Kelly (Brian) Brown of King Ferry, NY, Kevin (Delann) Lansdowne of Robbins, NC and Kimberly Lansdowne of Scottsdale, AZ; grandchildren, Lauren and Sara Lansdowne and Taylor and Cameron Gustafson; his brother, Larry (Janet) Lansdowne of Sempronius, NY and nieces and nephews.

At Butch's request, services will be private. There are no calling hours.

Perkins Funeral Home, 55 W. Main St., Dryden, NY is assisting the family.

ITHACA - Mark S. Puterbaugh, age 57 of Ithaca, died Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at Cayuga Medical Center. Mark was born in Johnson City, a son of the late Warren and Elizabeth Puterbaugh.

Mark was a loving husband of 35 years who was dedicated to taking care of his wife and family's needs. He has served as a station supervisor with US Airlines in Ithaca and currently was employed by Ithaca Airline Limousine Service.

Vernon H. Gatewood, 82, of Lansing, NY, passed away on Sunday morning December 30, 2007, at Lakeside Nursing Home, Ithaca, NY. He is survived by his wife, Esserlene Gatewood; his two sons and daughter-in-law, Vernon Keith Gatewood, Long Island, NY, Francis Kevin and Susan Gatewood, California; three grandchildren, Kevin, Allysa, Gregory Gatewood; his sister, Alice Reynolds, Rochester, NY; several nieces and nephews. Vernon was born in Massillon, OH on July 6, 1925, the son of the late George and Hazel May Gatewood.

He retired in 1981 from the Cornell University, Physiology Department of the Veterinary School. Vernon served two terms on the Lansing School Board and also volunteered for the Lansing Lions Club.

Francis P. “Frank” Vallely, 75, of Lansing, NY passed away on Sunday December 16, 2007 at his home. He is survived by his wife, Nora Vallely; his sons and daughters-in-law, Kevin F. and Mary Vallely, Dryden, NY, Sean and Teri Vallely, Erin, NY; his daughters and son-in-law, Honora Vallely, Elizabethtown, NY, Bridget and Jeffrey Kentch, Virgil, NY; four grandchildren, Erin, Quinn, Timmy, Daisy; brothers and sister-in-law, Terry Vallely, Edward and Becky Vallely; sister, Audrey Fields; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, William, Robert, Thomas Vallely; and sisters, Margaret Boyton, Eileen O’Connor. Frank was born in Bronx, NY on August 29, 1932, the son of the late Francis A. and Bridget Delia (Reynolds) Vallely.

John Reynolds, 84, of Ithaca, NY, passed away on Saturday December 8, 2007 at home in Ithaca. He was predeceased by his wife, Kay; and his brothers, infant Anthony Balaski, Robert Balaski, Walter Tyc, Joseph Tyc. John is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Rudy Maneff; son, John Wylie Reynolds; daughter, Paula Reynolds; grandchildren, Rudy, Brian, Kevin Maneff; sisters, Florence Wisniewski, Pearl Keksz, Nellie Wisniewski, Frances Srednicki, Dorothy and Al Feldbauer; and many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy A. Konecny, 78, of Moravia, NY, passed away on Saturday December 1, 2007, at Auburn Memorial Hospital. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Raymond Konecny; her sons and daughters-in-law, Steven and Denise Spafford, Auburn, Vincent and Kelley Konecny, Auburn, Stephen and Linda Konecny, Missouri; her grandchildren, Kellie, Jennifer and Linsey Spafford, Emily and Joshua Konecny; her brothers, Michael and Ruth Bilinski, Joseph Bilinski, Jack "Frank" and Judy Bilinski; her sisters, Catherine Metz, Sophie Panella, Helen Podalak; many nieces, nephews, cousins; and a lifelong friend, Ruth Dann.

Dorothy was born in Auburn, on August 20, 1929, the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Bilinski. Throughout her life, she enjoyed many pastimes with her husband, such as, fishing on Cayuga Lake, or watching Notre Dame Football and NY Yankee baseball. She especially loved to dance. Dorothy was a member of the Locke and New Hope Senior Citizens groups.

Lawrence F. "Larry" Small, age 84, of 16 Sharpsteen Road, Locke, NY, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, November 18, 2007.

Larry was born on February 8, 1923 in Ithaca, NY, a son of the late Fred and Elizabeth Lawrence Small. Upon graduation from Ithaca High School in 1942, Larry enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served his country overseas from 1943 to 1946. Upon his return he worked as a truck driver, and eventually joined the Teamsters Union. He worked for over 20 years as the secretary/treasurer of the Teamsters Local #65 in Ithaca. In his retirement, he enjoyed many hours lake cruising and navigating the canal systems, hunting and traveling with his wife.