Obituaries

Dexter L. Stinson, 48, of Rochester, was called home to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 25, 2023. He was born October 25, 1975 in Batavia, to the late Harry and Ruth (Hatcher) Stinson. He is preceded in death by his two oldest brothers, Titus Stinson and Otis Thomas. 

Dexter was a proud United States Navy Veteran. He worked as a cook and is remembered by his family for his excellent meals. He was outgoing, positive and lived life to the fullest, always putting God first. Dexter was an awesome father, loved his children dearly and will be missed.

He is survived by his beloved children, Rachel and Gabriel Stinson of Philadelphia, PA; siblings, Tyrone (Maggie) Stinson of Buffalo, Kevin Thomas of Rochester, Charlotte Thomas of Rochester, Tamar Lopez of Cheektowaga, Onita Thomas of Rochester, Rosa (Abram) Cotton of Rochester, Regina Stinson of Rochester, Michael Stinson of Peekskill, NY; two Godsons, Javaughn Johnson and Hassan Harris, along with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Friends are invited to call on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 from 12:00 Noon to 2:00pm at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020. A Celebration of his Life will immediately follow at 2:00.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. To leave an online message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020. 

Batavia - Marie Blackshear, 87 of Batavia passed away on Saturday, (May 27, 2023) at Orchard Rehab and Nursing Center in Medina.

Mrs. Blackshear was born June 27, 1935 in Miami, Florida a daughter of the late Samuel and Nora (Williams) Roberts.

Marie was a founding member of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Batavia and was affectionately known as Mother Blackshear to most. She greatly enjoyed attending church events, singing, and going for rides. Most of all, Marie cherished time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Marie is the wife of the late Rev. Oraid Blackshear.

Surviving are her children, Billy Blackshear of Batavia, Gloria (late Mike) Sanders of Batavia, Diane (Kelvin) Shannon of Stafford, and Charlene Blackshear of Batavia; a brother, Christopher (Dell) Roberts of New Jersey. 29 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews also survive.

In death, Marie is reunited with her parents; husband; son, Rodney Blackshear; daughter, Ann Blackshear; several brothers, and a sister.

Family and Friends are invited to call on Wednesday (June 7, 2023) from 11-12 p.m. at the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 516 Ellicott Street in Batavia, where Marie's funeral service will immediately follow visitation at 12:00 p.m. She will be laid to rest in Elmwood Cemetery in Batavia. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Blackshear Family.

Arrangements were entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home in Batavia. Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Batavia – Roger C. Draper, Sr., 65, of Batavia, passed away Friday, May 26, 2023 at Rochester General Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Draper was born May 18, 1958 in Batavia, a son of Charlotte (Gould) Draper of Batavia and the late Charles G. Draper.

Roger enjoyed fishing, hunting, and being in the outdoors. He liked cars, playing pool and family barbeques. Most of all, he loved his family and spending time with them.

Roger is survived by his wife, Dianna Draper of Batavia; mother Charlotte Draper; sons, Roger (Christine) Draper Jr., David Draper, and Jason (Brenda) Draper all of Batavia; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; brothers, Jeff (Tammy) Draper of Batavia, Dennis (Betty) Draper of LeRoy, Gary Draper of Batavia, and Andrew Draper of W.VA; sisters, Diana Draper of Batavia, and Charlotte (Albert 'Butch') Jepson of Batavia. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Roger is predeceased by his siblings, Chuck (Wanda) Draper and Janice Williams.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of H.E Turner & Co. Funeral Home. A memorial gathering will be at the convenience of the family. To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle in her memory, please visit https://www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

James M. Alvut, 59 of Bethany, passed away on Sunday, May 27, 2023. He was born March 3, 1964 in Batavia, to the late Clarence and Barbara (Kowalik) Alvut.

James was a 1982 graduate of Batavia High School. He worked at UPS in Batavia. Jim enjoyed camping, gardening and working on cars, especially Volkswagen’s.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda S. (Worthington) Alvut, children, Emily Alvut of Philippi, WV, Michael (Rebecca Saile) Alvut of Batavia, sister, Sandy (David) DiSalvo of Batavia, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

An 11:00am Celebration of his Life will be held on Monday, June 5, 2023 at Sacred Heart Social Center, 17 Sumner Street, Batavia, NY 14020.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crossroads House, PO Box 403, Batavia, NY 14020. To leave an online message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020.

Constance M. “Connie” Spring, age 73, passed away on May 25, 2023, at the Aurora Zilber Hospice Facility.
She was born in New York on November 12, 1949, the oldest of 7 children to the late Harvey and Mildred (Alwardt) Bartz.

Connie graduated from Alexander High School in New York and later received her certification as a CNA from Genesee Community College. She worked full time as a CNA in Sheboygan and Plymouth and held other part times jobs, most recently at Walmart in Plymouth.
She loved caring for people which led her to serve many years as an EMT with the Adell First Responders, and she also served many years as a Lioness with Lions Club International.

Connie loved baking, cake decorating, coloring books, sewing, and crafting. Most recently she enjoyed making hand towels and fancy hats. In her younger years, her passion was dancing and she always enjoyed playing a good prank on someone.
 

She is survived by: Two daughters: Dawn Bailey and Naomi Spring; Five grandchildren: Jennifer Nichols-Fraser, Marissa Proefrock, Joe (Mariah) Peters, William Springer, and Hunter Springer; 12 Great grandchildren; and 1 Great-great grandchild. Connie is further survived by: Her siblings: Thomas (Betty) Bartz, Skip (Nancy) Bartz, Cathy (Richard) Maniace, Debbie (Ron) Spink, Arnie (Brenda) Bartz, and John Bartz; As well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by: Her parents; Sister-in-law, Donna Bartz; and great niece, Madeline Bartz. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday (June 3, 2023) at the Suchon Funeral Home in Plymouth. Visitation will take place from 10:00am – 12:00pm, with a service to follow at 12:00pm. The service will be live-streamed and can be watched on the Suchon Funeral Home Facebook page –
www.facebook.com/suchonfuneral. Memorials are suggested in Connie’s name to Adell First Responders.
The family would like to send special thanks to: Slinger Police Dept., Aurora At Home Hospice, and Aurora Zilber Hospice, for the wonderful care and compassion given to Connie. The Suchon Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Plymouth is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.suchonfh.com.

LeRoy ~ Sharon R. Royce, age 73, of Britt Road, passed away early Tuesday evening (May 30, 2023) at Crossroads House in Batavia surrounded by her loving family.

  She was born April 10, 1950 in Batavia, a daughter of the late Raymond and Arlene Garrow Mancuso.

     Sharon will be remembered for her love of family, especially her grandchildren and holiday gatherings.  She was a lifetime member of the LeRoy Moose and enjoyed casino trips with family and friends. 

     She will be sadly missed by her husband, Tom; children, Roxanne Coniber, Jason (Missy) Coniber, Brian (Becky) Coniber and Toni Jo Royce; grandchildren, Zachary Bieber, McKenna Coniber, Hailey Coniber, Lindsey Coniber (Dillon Beehler) and Madison Coniber; sisters, Debbie (Vern) Falcone and Laura (Dean) McClurg; nieces and nephews, Jenna (Matt) Brooks, Kristin Falcone, Michael (Paula) McClurg; great-nieces and nephews, Aiden McClurg, Brenna McClurg and Baby Brooks; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Paul (Karen) Royce and Cheryl Royce and their children, Bryant Thompson, Lauren Royce and Erin Royce, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.

     Family and friends may call on Sunday, June 4 from 1 ~ 5 PM at the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc., 8700 Lake St. Rd. (Rt. 19), LeRoy. Interment in St. Francis Cemetery will be private.

     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crossroads House, P.O. Box 403, Batavia, N.Y. 14021  www.crossroadshouse.com/donate

     Your memories and condolences may be shared with Sharon’s family at www.falconefuneralhome.com.

Joseph S. Orlowski, 60, of Attica passed away peacefully on May 26, 2023 at the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo surrounded by his loving family. He was born on December 14, 1962 in Buffalo to the late Michael and Angeline (Kisiel) Orlowski. 

Joe was a Correctional Officer at Attica Correctional Facility as well as a member of C.E.R.T. and a volunteer fireman. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking and spending time with his family. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor and his loving heart.

His memory will live on through his loving wife; Paula (Merkle) Orlowski; sons Joe, Nate and Ryan; daughter in law Shelby; along with many brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.  

Friends are invited to call on Friday June 2, 2023 from 3:00-7:00PM at Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main Street Attica, New York 14011.  A 10:00AM Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday June 3^rd at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish (Sacred Heart site) 1230 Clinton St. Rd. Attica, NY 14011. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Attica Fire Department 11 Water St. in Attica. To leave an online message of condolence please visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC, 135 Main Street, Attica, NY 14011.

Lowville, NY - Mrs. Margaret A. "Peg" Smith, age 91, formerly of Bergen; Batavia; Raleigh, North Carolina & Utica passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility.

Peg was born on May 24, 1932 in Louisville, Kentucky a daughter of the late Thurman Whalin and Firman Speed Whalin.

Peg enjoyed ceramics, shopping, playing cards, dominoes, bingo, lunch dates and spending time with her family and friends. She also loved visits at the nursing home from her grand-dog Molly Smith.

She is predeceased by her husband, August F. Smith and her brothers, Michael Whalin and Steven Whalin.

She is survived by her son, Larry (Julie) Smith of Brantingham; her four granddaughters, Melissa (Ron) Harrell of Glen Burnie, Maryland; Karen Smith of Batavia; Krista (Eric) Wagner of Alexander and Kimberly (Tom) Murphy of Amherst. Also five great-grandchildren Aria Harrell, Jalen Smith, Gage Wagner, Hunter Wagner and Samantha Wingate. 

Additionally, she is survived by her sister Sandra Elder, brothers Ronald (Diane) Whalin, Jay Whalin and sister-in-law Carol Whalin.

Friends may call on Thursday, June 1, 2023 from 4 pm to 7 pm at the H. E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street, Batavia where services will be held at 10 am on Friday, June 2nd. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband at Grandview Cemetery, Batavia. Memorials may be made to the family for appropriate distribution. To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle in her memory, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

BETHANY - Joyce Cupicha, 86, of Bethany, passed away Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Wyoming County Skilled Nursing Facility. 

Joyce was born May 29, 1936, in Riga.  She was the daughter of the late Edward and Gladys (Pimm) Spring.

She was a devoted Roman Catholic and a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in East Bethany. Joyce worked hard on her family farm and enjoyed spending time with her family. She was an exceptional grandmother, who cherished the time she spent with her grandchildren, and enjoyed being a part of their life as they grew up. 

She graduated from Wyoming High School in 1954, she married her husband, George Cupich Jr., December 30, 1954, they were together 64 years until his passing in 2019. She was a loving mother, homemaker, calf feeder, and the bookkeeper and manager of the family farm.

Survivors include 2 daughters, Darlene (Late Raymond) Follett of Attica and Donna (James) Keough of Warsaw; a son, Mark Cupicha of Bethany; 3 grandchildren, Sara (David) Pollock of Bethany, Maura Cupicha, and her significant other, Cameron Bowles, of Warsaw and Daniel (Brooke) Follett of Batavia; 3 great-grandchildren, Louden Pollock, Autumn and Julian Follett; 2 brothers, Duane (Donna) Spring of Attica, Wesley (Joan) Spring of East Bethany; a sister, Linda Wineberg of Sun City, Arizona and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, the late Gerald Spring.

Joyce’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at Mary Immaculate Parish, 5865 Ellicott Street Rd, East Bethany, NY 14054. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joyce's memory may be made to the family.

Arrangements were entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, Batavia.

To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle in her memory, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Stafford ~ Susan J. Call, age 77, passed away on Saturday, May 13, 2023 unexpectedly at her home.  

     She was born September 1, 1945, in Wayland, NY to James and Elizabeth (Wright) Covey.  

    She was a 1963 graduate from Oakfield High School.  She always wanted to become a nurse and she finally realized that dream, after raising her family.  She retired from the NYS Veterans Home in 2012, where she was a well respected and loved RN Unit Manager.  

     Throughout the years Susan enjoyed gardening, fishing, cooking, bird watching, sewing, reading and shooting.  She was a champion metallic silhouette shooter and won several awards.  

     In retirement, Susan and Gary enjoyed spending winters on the coast of Port Aransas, Texas and also in Avon Park, Florida, where they would enjoy afternoon toddy time with fellow campers. 

     She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Gary; her son, Frank (Melissa) and daughter, 

Christine (Scott); grandsons, Frankie, Anthony, Ethan and Mason; sisters, Judy Figliulo and Patricia (Rob) Bak and brother, Larry (Paula) Covey and many nieces and nephews. 

     She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Elizabeth Covey, siblings, Diane Lang and Michael Covey.  

     At the family’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial service.  Instead, we know that Susan would ask that everyone remember the fond memories that you shared.

     Your memories and condolences may be shared with Susan’s family at www.falconefuneralhome.com.

Batavia - Dean Merriman, 69 of Batavia passed away on Monday, May 22, 2023 at his home in Batavia, NY.

Dean was born Sunday, January 3rd, 1954 in Batavia, New York a son of the late Myron Merriman and Marion (Morrison) Merriman. 

He enjoyed an eclectic variety of music, including Frank Zappa, going to concerts, volunteering at the Byron dig site with his children, camping, walking, and biking. The greatest joys in his life were spending time with his family and his dogs, Buddy and Popeye. 

Dean was a hard worker all his life; he worked as a machinist and raised two wonderful children.

Surviving are his children, Jesse Merriman of Lockport and Heather Merriman of Depew; siblings, Dick Morrison of Batavia and Carol Merriman of Batavia. 

Burial will be in Byron Cemetery on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 3:00 pm. Arrangements are under the care and direction of H. E. Turner & Co. funeral home. Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Oakfield - Myron L. “Mike” Day, age 86, passed away on Friday, May 26, 2023 at LeRoy Village Green Nursing Home.

He was born Tuesday, March 9th, 1937 in Mount Morris, a son of the late Llewellyn Day and Dorothy Anderson Day.

A member of St. James Episcopal Church in Batavia, Mike was a member and past president of the Batavia Kiwanis Club. He also served as lieutenant governor of the Genesee Division of the Kiwanis Club. He served on the Board of Directors and was Past President of the Grandview Cemetery Association. Mike was also a member of the Town of Oakfield Board, Oakfield Historical Society and served on the advisory board for the Salvation Army. A talented artist, he was a member of the Batavia Arts Society and enjoyed traveling. 

Surviving are his wife, Norma A. Fischer Day whom he married December 4, 1993; his sons, Jeff (Sharon) Day of Batavia and Tom Day of Alabama; step-children, John H. Nelson, IV of Attica and Karen (John) Brown of East Bethany; thirteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. 

He is predeceased by his first wife, Betty Lou Baize Day who passed away on November 7, 1992, his daughter, Diane Bolster who passed away on December 1, 2013 and his brothers, Jim and Paul Day. 

Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, May 31st, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street, Batavia. Funeral services for Mike will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 1st, 2023 at St. James Episcopal Church, 405 East Main Street, Batavia. He will be laid to rest in Grandview Cemetery, Batavia.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kiwanis Club of Batavia, P.O. Box 562, Batavia, New York 14021 or The Salvation Army, 529 East Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020. To leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle in Mike’s memory, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Batavia - Jeanne E. Haber, 97, of Batavia joined God’s heavenly choir May 24 where she resided at Le Roy Village Green nursing home.

Born September 21, 1925 in Batavia, she was the daughter of the late Marion F. and Jennie Winegar Ingalsbe.

Following graduation from Corfu High School she was accepted into the nurses’ training program at Wyoming County Community Hospital which provided her the opportunity to work at Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City.  While in New York she met her future husband whom she married October 18, 1947 on his twenty-third birthday.
Called home to care for her ailing mother she began her western New York registered nursing career at the former St. Jerome Hospital prior to becoming part of the nursing staff at the former Genesee Memorial Hospital.  After dedicating heart and soul to her patients for more than forty years she retired in 1986 from the Genesee County Health Department as a visiting nurse.  Her love of nursing never diminished in retirement as she was instrumental in founding Hospice in Genesee County, sat on its board as one of the first members, served as a volunteer for ten years and was named Genesee County American Cancer Society’s Nurse Hope.

Outside of nursing her other great passion was singing.  From the age of three years old her voice could be heard in churches, weddings too numerous to recount (including two of her daughters) and funerals.  Plus she thoroughly enjoyed performing in several Rotary show productions.  Her favorite and most-requested song was His Eye is on the Sparrow which earned her the nickname of “bird lady” in the community.  And as a great lover of the United States and the American flag she cherished every opportunity to “belt out” the National Anthem.  She was a member of Genesee Country Church in Oakfield.

She is survived by daughters, Carole Haber of Brookline, Massachusetts, Donna Jean (John) Herbert of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania and Nancy (Matt) Paul of Manchester, Georgia; grandson Sean Widlake of Brookline, Massachusetts; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband of sixty-seven years, John B. Haber, brothers Carlton Ingalsbe and Earl Ingalsbe and sisters Hazel Murchison, Evelyn Schultz and Aleatha Scroger.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at a future date at Genesee Country Church, 3268 Drake Street Road, Oakfield.  A private burial, at the convenience of the immediate family, will be in Grand View Cemetery, Batavia.  In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Crossroads House, 11 Liberty Street, Batavia, 14021.

Arrangements were entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home in Batavia. Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.