Obituaries

STEPHEN ELWOOD GARNER
January 21, 1946 – May 27, 2006

Steve Garner was a man of utmost honesty, integrity, and commitment. He was a dedicated family man, a passionate business leader, and a friend and mentor to countless people. Steve was a tireless worker and was committed to building relationships with his family, within the organizations he worked with and supported, and throughout the communities he served. He had a playful spirit, and a wonderful sense of humor. Of Steve’s many gifts, he will be remembered as a remarkable leader. He cared deeply about the personal and professional development of his family, friends, and business associates. Nothing made Steve as happy as seeing the people around him grow to their full potential. Steve also possessed a competitive team spirit. When asked by a reporter how to “beat the competition,” he responded by saying that first you must “respect the competition.” From the basketball court to the boardroom, Steve always had a deep respect for both his competitors and his teammates. Steve was also a gifted communicator, individually, and in front of the many groups with whom he spoke. His humor, presence, and genuine affection for others will be dearly missed.

CAYUTA - Herbert S. Mack, 53, of 6140 Route 13, Cayuta, New York, died Monday afternoon, May 22, 2006, at his residence.

Born May 31, 1952, in New York, New York, he was a son of the late Wilbert and Janet (nee Saunders) Mack. Mr. Mack was employed as a Graphic Artist for Distributor Data Forms, Cortland, NY, and Cornell University Press, Ithaca.

May 21, 1928 – May 23, 2006

Florence H. PrybylITHACA - Florence H. Prybyl, of Ithaca, NY, homemaker and world traveler, passed away in Wilson Memorial Hospital, Johnson City, NY, on May 23, of complications after open heart surgery, her second in six months.

The former Florence H. Kolber was born and raised in Buffalo. She attended Buffalo State College until marrying Richard Prybyl in 1949. Florence and Richard were faithfully married for 56 years. Over the course of their marriage, they lived in Western New York, the Boston, MA area, Williamsport, PA, Oxnard, California, New Brunswick, New Jersey, and most recently Ithaca.

ITHACA, NY—Betty Pomponio, 90, formerly of Palmyra and Fairport, died peacefully at the Hospicare residence in Ithaca on Friday night, April 21, 2006.

She is survived by her daughter Rosemary Pomponio and grandson Jesse, of Belmont, MA; by her daughter Elizabeth (Betty Ann) Hillbrand and son-in-law John, of Springdale, AR, and granddaughters Rose, Anna, Selena and Elana Hillbrand; by her son, Arthur Pomponio and daughter-in-law Diane, of Fairport, granddaughter Christy Giancursio and her husband, Jim, of Macedon, and grandson Mark Pomponio, of Fairport; and by her daughter Dorothy Pomponio and son-in-law Joel Rabinowitz, of Groton, NY. Betty was predeceased by her husband, Arthur, by her sister, Mary Miller, and by her brother, Eugene Thomas. Sadly, Betty did not live to see the birth of her first great-grandchild, due in May.

LOCKE: Betty L. Spry, 80 of 12 Locke Road, Locke, New York died at 12:30am, Friday, April 7, 2006 at the Groton Nursing Facility, after a long illness.

A life long resident of the Groton and North Lansing communities, Mrs. Spry was born in Groton, New York on April 25, 1925, a daughter of the late William and Nellie (nee Swartwood) Lisdell and was the widow of Frederick James Spry, Jr. who died in June of 1991. Mrs. Spry was a member and Past President of the North Lansing Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, a member of the Carrington Fuller Lodge Ladies Auxiliary, Groton and had served as the dog enumerator for the Town of Lansing for many years. She was an avid New York Yankees fan and will be remembered as a devoted Mother.

GROTON - Agnes "Nancie" Mader, 80, of 63 West Groton Road, Groton, New York, a former resident of Longview of Ithaca and long time resident of Bergenfield, New Jersey, died at 11:58 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2006 at Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca.

Born February 18, 1926, in North Bergen, New Jersey, she was the only child of the late William and Margaret (nee Selkirk) Savage and the widow of Major Carl B. Mader who died March 5, 1995. Mrs. Mader moved to the area in December of 2000 and enjoyed two years living at Longview where she was known as "The Dog Lady." The Maders resided in Bergenfield, New Jersey for more than 50 years and on most weekends, during good weather, enjoyed boating and the special friendships at The Palisades Boat Club on the border of Hastings and Yonkers, New York. She was a retired Sales Consultant at Rad's Jewelry Store where she became passionate about fine jewelry. A longtime member of The Church of The Good Shepherd in Bergenfield, New Jersey, she was active in their Mizpah Circle. Some of her other interests included being an avid reader, a fondness for watching old movies late at night, buying shoes and raising African violets. To celebrate her 80th birthday, she enjoyed a party with pizza and beer.

ITHACA, NY - Ellen M. Hitchcock-Sinn, formerly of Camptown, Pennsylvania, died at the age of 87 on March 18th, 2006 from pneumonia, causing her heart to fail. Ellen was a resident at Northwoods Nursing Home in Moravia, NY, when she passed away.

Ellen was born on September 29, 1918. She was the daughter of William T. Vinson and Debra Benjamin Vinson.  Ellen attended Camptown, PA, schools. Throughout her life, she worked as a cab driver for Yellow Cab of Ithaca, NY, worked as a nurse at The Odd Fellows and The Reconstruction Home, and worked at the Montessori School in Ithaca as a janitor.

SPENCER:Mrytle Irene Mastroberti , 81 of 800 Comfort Road, Spencer, New York passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, March 19, 2006.

Myrtle was born Mrytle Irene Eith, Sept. 21,1925, on Staten Island, NY, a daughter of the late August and Eleanor ( nee Cox) Eith. She worked hard on the family vegetable farm. She loved school and learning. She started her career right out of High School working as a typist/receptionist in New York City. She married Michael J. Mastroberti on August 20, 1949 and they built their first home. While raising three sons, she and Mike enjoyed some long camping trips around the country. They ultimately bought land in Danby where they built their home and enjoyed gardening and raising livestock. Mrytle began working at Ithaca College in 1973 and continued until her retirement in March of 1985; where she worked in the President's Office. After retirement, Mrytle continued to enjoy working around the yard, taking care of her home, being a grandmother and feeding and watching the birds. She was a member of the Spencer Federated Church where she had many friends.

MORAVIA – Georgiy A. Stepanok, age 49 of Moravia, died Wednesday evening at his residence. Mr. Stepanok was born October 15, 1956 in Karaganda, Kazahstan (the former Soviet Union), a son of the late Alexander and Klavdia Kyrnosova Stepanok.

Mr. Stepanok came to the United States in 1992 and became an American citizen. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, working on cars and he was a dog breeder. Mr. Stepanok will best be remembered for being a handyman who could fix practically anything. He was employed by Log City Milling for 14 years in Kings Ferry as a senior engineer and millwright.

Bob BakerNORTH LANSING, NY - A man unequalled in generosity of spirit and nature, Dr. Robert C. Baker, passed quietly early Monday morning at his home in North Lansing. He was known as the "Edison of the poultry industry" for his work in developing new food products. With the lifelong support of his wife, Jacoba, he was able to motivate his children, students, and friends to achieve their greatest potential. To him, everyone was of value-everyone shone in his presence.

He was 84 years old.

Dr. Baker was born in Newark, NY, December 29, 1921, and was raised on a fruit farm in Sodus, NY. He and Jacoba Munson began their 60+ year long life together when they were married in 1944.

ELMIRA - Troy Jeffrey Chisolm, age 31 of Elmira, died Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at his residence. Troy was born August 15, 1974, a son of Jefferson and Constance Chisolm.

He attended Amityville Junior High and High Schools on Long Island. He also attended Suffolk Community College for computer technology and obtained an A+ certification in computer repair. Troy's love for the outdoors led him to work mainly in construction. He enjoyed many sports, especially baseball and fishing. His loving and friendly nature brought many friends into his life.

LANSING – Florence I. Jamison, age 88 of Lansing, died Saturday evening (February 25, 2006) at Cayuga Medical Center.

Funeral Services will be private. Burial will be Tuesday (February 28, 2006) at Oxford Cemetery in Oxford, PA. Arrangements were completed by the Herson Funeral Home, Ithaca.

ITHACA – Clare Moyer Schuler, age 97 of Ithaca formerly of Allentown, PA died Sunday morning (February 5, 2006) at Oak Hill Manor in Ithaca.

Mrs. Schuler was born May 29, 1908 in Egypt, PA, a daughter of the late George S. and Florence Klein Moyer. She was the wife of the late Edward J. Schuler who died June 23, 1996.

WAVERLY: Rev. Ralph L. Crispell, 72 of 80 Spring Street, Waverly, New York died at 7:50am, Thursday, January 19, 2006 at The Tioga Nursing Home, Waverly, New York.

Born February 5, 1933 in Ithaca, New York, he was a son of the late Bertram and Mary (nee Sanderson) Crispell. Rev. Crispell was a member of Brooktondale Baptist Church, Keystone Baptist Church, South Waverly, NY. and served as a clergyman for baptist churces in Pharsalia, Sempronius and Ripley, New York. He had also been employed as a dispatcher with Ithaca Gun Company and in the Custodial Department at Cornell University.

Bernice Johnson Myers, born, June 19, 1923, died January 13, 2006.

Bernice, known as Bee or Mom to all who loved her, brought her great spirit, strength of mind, and humor to the world. Bee was born with her twin, Helen, in Andersonville, a Scandinavian neighborhood on the North Side of Chicago. As a girl, she loved her family, her beloved sister and inspirational older brother, Ken. She was a softball player and an avid Cubs fan and she enjoyed canoeing during summers at the family lake house.

Bee married Ken Myers, also of Chicago, March 15, 1952 and had three children, Jon, Jim and Susan. She cherished her six grandchildren, Peter, Miles, Sonny, Buddy, Colby and Genevieve.

LANSING: Mae A. Parker 86 of 62 Ridge Road, Lansing, New York died at 5:00pm, Monday, January 16, 2006 at the Hospicare Residence, 172 East King Road, Ithaca, New York.

Born January 12, 1920 in Christian Springs, Pennsylvania, she was a daughter of the late Granville and Carrie (nee Moser) Oplinger and the widow of Paul Parker, who died January 11, 1988. Mrs. Parker was employed at Cornell University as a Custodian and had also been a waitress at Joe's Restaurant, Ithaca and Chris n Green's Restaurant, Lansing. She had also been employed by The Lansing Central School System where she worked in the Cafeteria.

TRUMANSBURG: Dale O. Worrall, 70, of 1650 Taughannock Boulevard, Trumansburg, New York died at 2:15 pm, Friday, January 13, 2006 at Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca.

Born August 26, 1935 in Attleboro, Massachusettes, he was a son of the late Dale Forest and Helen Alice (nee Lindstrom) Worrall. He attended Attleboro High School, Dean Academy Prep School, Franklin, Mass., and Bryant College. During his youth, he spent summers on Cape Cod where he developed a true love for the ocean and beaches. This fondness has been passed on to his family. On January 30, 1965, he married Frances Genevieve Orzechowski, who survives and resides in Trumansburg. Mr. Worrall was employed as a Sales Representative for Balfour, Inc. for forty years. He will be remembered as a loving and dedicated husband and father, always putting his family first.

ITHACA: Edith Zimdahl, 87 formerly of 100 Graham Road, Ithaca, New York died at 9:00am, Tuesday, January 3, 2006 at a nursing facility in Auburn, NY.

Born September 18, 1918 in Big Flats, New York, she was a daughter of the late William and Emma (nee Robinson) Randall and the widow of Frank Zimdahl, who died December 11, 1986. Mrs. Zimdahl was a member of the Order of The Eastern Star, Lodge # 378, Big Flats, NY, Stonehedges Golf Club, Groton, NY and attended Lansing United Methodist Church.