Obituaries

Marjorie N. Sharpsteen, born January 23, 1935, passed away peacefully March 1, 2015 after a long illness.  She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Donald R. Sharpsteen, of Lansing, NY; four children, Julie (John) McGuire of Roanoke, TX, Fay Sharpsteen (Marlene Berich) of Mt. Vernon NY, Jaime Sharpsteen of Abilene, TX,  James Sharpsteen (Ianthe Warner) of Cortland, NY; five grandchildren, Brian, Amy, Michael, Alexander, and Jesse; two brothers, Bill and John Nedrow of Lansing, NY; and one sister Nancy McKane, of King Ferry, NY.  She is predeceased by her sister, Ruth Swearingen.

Marjorie worked at The Statler Hotel and Lansing Middle School.  She was a loving woman who cared for many foster children.  She will be greatly missed by many people.  A memorial service is planned for the spring and will be announced at that time.

Raymond J. Farkas passed away unexpectedly after a sudden illness on February 12, 2015.


Born February 24, 1948 in Ithaca, Ray was a son of the late John M. Farkas and Blanche H. Farkas.  Ray proudly served in the U.S. Navy and was formerly employed with Cayuga Crushed Stone Inc. and Lansing Central School District, Ray was most recently enjoying his 'retirement job' at Carquest in Lansing.

Constance “Connie” Corning Salm Conlon passed away Monday, February 9, 2015 at the age of 80.  Connie was born in Rome, NY on March 22, 1934 to Roy M. Salm and Marion Howe Salm.  She was predeceased by her parents and her husband, Lawrence “Pat” H. Conlon, Jr.  She is survived by her two sisters, Royann (Hollis) Blodgett and Nancy Bisenius, sister-in-law Katharine Conlon Payne and several nieces and nephews.  In addition, she is also survived by her two children Martin A. Conlon (Sandra), and Lauren E. Conlon (William Radzik).  Grandchildren include Chad D. Worsell, Erin L. Worsell, Andrea R. Conlon, M. Ross Conlon, Amber L. Radzik (son Daiker) and great granddaughter, Jordan E. Brinkley. Connie grew up in Town of Rome and graduated as an honor student and member of the first graduating class of Vernon – Verona - Sherrill Central School in 1951.  Connie attended the School of Human Ecology at Cornell University, majoring in Home Economics Education, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in May 1955.  While at Cornell, Connie was a sister of the Pi Beta Phi sorority and enjoyed serving on the Alumnae Advisory Committee at the Pi Phi house on Triphammer Road following her years at Cornell.  It was while at Cornell that Connie met her future husband, Pat, at an impromptu candlelight “party.”  An event triggered by Hurricane Hazel which knocked out power to the entire Ithaca area.  The party took place across the street from the AGR frat house at her sorority, Pi Beta Phi.  The results were immediate as 48 hours later, Connie called to invite Pat to attend her spring formal in two weeks – that’s where it all began, thanks to Hazel! Connie and Pat were married on May 5, 1956 in Verona, NY.  Shortly thereafter, as a newly married bride, Connie accompanied Pat to Japan for the remainder of his Army tour of duty.  After returning to Lansing, Connie and Pat started their family while living in the Conlon’s ancestral home on North Triphammer Road before settling in their homestead on Conlon Road.

Robert C. Boda, 88 of Lansing passed away February 5 after a long battle with cancer.  He was born September 6, 1926 and lived in Danby most of his life. He graduated from Ithaca High School in 1944, played football and was a wrestling champion.  Robert was a proud marine and served his country from 1944 to 1946, fighting on Okinawa and serving in China for 2 years.  September 10, 1949 he married his high school sweetheart, Ina Tyler and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year.

He was predeceased by his parents, Raymond Boda Sr. and Nora Sabin Boda; brother, Raymond Boda Jr., his wife Lillian;  youngest sister, Roberta Beach and brother-in-law Earl Andrews.

Anna M. Ayers, age 97, of Punta Gorda, FL, formerly of Ithaca, NY, passed away in Punta Gorda on January 23, 2015.

Born December 10, 1917 in Ithaca, Anna was a daughter of the late Bela Horvath and Julie Vari Horvath.

Sharon A. Marshall passed away February 10th, 2015, at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA at the age of 67.

Born December 13, 1947 in New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Beverly Swaim Garcia.  

Sharon had recently retired as the office manager at Mandel Therapy.  Active in her community, she was a former Girl Scout leader, an election worker with the Town of Genoa, and was a member of the King Ferry Fire Department Auxiliary.

Ruth E. Finniss, of LaFayette, NY, formerly of Ithaca, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2015 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse at the age of 83.

Born July 1, 1931 in Salem, MA, Ruth was the daughter of the late Walter and Minnie (Ruhmpohl) Annable.  She was retired from Cornell University’s Gannett Health Center, where she had been employed as a secretary.  She enjoyed crossword and jigsaw puzzles, knitting, and playing games, especially scrabble and boggle.  Ruth’s greatest pleasure came from spending time with her family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Robert Finniss, who passed away in 1999.

Shirley R. Sullivan of Lansing passed away February 9, 2015, at the age of 87, surrounded by her loving family.

Born June 19, 1927 in Masten, PA, she was a daughter of the late Jasper and Almira (Walker) Robbins.  

In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her brothers, Bernard, Emmett, Merrill and Theron Robbins, all of Canton, PA; her sisters, Laura Koernig of Philadelphia, PA, Marjorie Cott of Williamsport, PA, and Mary Jane Saxe of Dayton OH; and granddaughter in-law, Kimberly Mikula of Buffalo, NY.

Edward M. Wilcox, age 66 of Lansing, New York passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Friday, January 23, 2015 at home.

Born June 15, 1948 in Ithaca, New York he was the son of the late Orman and Stephanie Jaworski Wilcox. Ed was retired from Cornell University after 36 years and has been employed at Worsell Farms, Genoa Sand & Gravel and currently at Binns Excavation & Gravel.

Ed was the happiest when he was working. Whether repairing large equipment, cooking ten turkey’s for Thanksgiving, or working the North Lansing Election Day Dinners and pancake breakfasts.

Wilma J. Gilmore of Ludlowville passed away January 17, 2015 at Cayuga Medical Center at the age of 81.

Wilma, known to many as Willie, was a unique person of remarkable skills, interests, achievements and contributions.  She loved life.  Willie was tireless and able in any undertaking.  Her constant energy was unmatched. Most of all she was a best friend, companion and sweetheart to Bill, her husband of more than sixty years.

Born March 14, 1933, in Saarbrucken, Germany, she was the only child of the late Octavian and Wilhelmina Wagner Maximilian.  She met her future husband, William H. Gilmore, at Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh where both were students.  They were inseparable, married in 1952, and both graduated from Carnegie in 1953.  They relocated to the Lansing area in 1969.

Sherman H. “Tobe” Tobey, 81, of Lansing, passed away Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at the Hospicare Residence with his loving family by his side.  Born April 30, 1933 in Lodi, he was the son of the late Sherman G. and Rose M. Tobey and husband of Barbara Tobey.

He married Barbara Davis on May 16, 1953, and nine days later left for a two year stint in the U.S. Army. Sherman was employed as a welder at Cornell University for 43 years.  After retiring from Cornell University he worked for the Lansing Parks and Recreation for several years.  He was a charter member of the Lansingville Fire Department.  He was also a longtime member of the Skamper Camper Club.  He also belonged to Car Pride, a classic car club in which his pride and joy was his 1957 Green and White Oldsmobile which he won several trophies with over the years.  He also belonged to the “Bored to Death” club which met twice a month to visit different businesses and then would enjoy lunch afterwards.  He also built a few old trucks, painted cars, and built two dune buggies.  He and Barbara traveled all over the country hitting all but six states of the U.S. including Mexico and Nova Scotia.  They also made many cruises with Car Pride to interesting places throughout the Northeastern U.S. over the past several years.

Freda L. Wilson, age 95, passed away peacefully at her home on Ridge Rd., Lansing, on December 11, 2014.

Born June 22, 1919 in Ithaca, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Harriet (Minier) Howland.  Freda was a graduate of Ithaca High School and she attended hairdressing school for a period of time.  She was married to Arthur A. Wilson in November of 1940, and they enjoyed 61 years of marriage before he passed away in 2002.  Freda worked for many years in the family business, Howland’s Red & White Store in Lansing, and also had a beauty shop in her home.  In her spare time she loved sewing, cooking, gardening, scrabble and all the pleasures that went along with raising and spending time with her family.   Freda also enjoyed her canine companions and feeding the birds.

Our mother, Mary Phyllis Bowman Howell, left this world December 11, 2014 to be with her late husband, James Ward Delaney Howell, who passed away in 2010.

She is survived by their sons, William (Marcy) Howell of Atlanta, GA, Donald (Judy) Howell of Ludlowville, David (Sherri) Howell of Monroe, NC, and James (Bonnie) Howell of Montour Falls, NY; grandchildren, Debra Howell, Michael (Cyndi) Howell, Benjamin (Kerry) Howell, Jeffrey Howell, Carolyn (Brian) August, Kathryn (Scott) McCann, Michael (Katrina) Stevens and Tyler Stevens; great grandchildren, Kevin (Sarah) Howell, Bailey Howell, Marisa and Cody Howell, and Olivia and Nicholas Stevens; brother, Bruce (Carol) Bowman of Bracey, VA and their families; cousins, Paul (Verna) Bowman of Lansing and their families; Barbara (Gene) Swords of Lancaster, PA and their families.  Dear to her heart are the over 100 Howell nieces, nephews, their spouses and all of the next generation.  In addition to her parents and her husband, Phyllis was preceded in death by her sister, Floy Ann Hunter; step grandmother, Kitty Keim Bowman; uncle, Vernon (Jewel) Bowman; her husband’s siblings, Barbara and Ralph Rohm, Charles and Helen Howell, Herbert and Ernestine Howell and Josephine Howell Taylor Green.

Wallace C. Avery, age 93, of Lansing, passed away peacefully at home on December 3, 2014.

Born March 30, 1921, in Sayre, PA, he was a son of the late Fred and Lydia (Bates) Avery.  After graduating from high school in Sayre in 1941, Wallace proudly served his country with the US Army from 1942 until being honorably discharged in 1946, at which point he settled in the Ithaca area.  Wallace married Helen Listar and they enjoyed 58 years of marriage until her death in 2005.  Wallace was employed as a meat cutter with the Co-op Market, and in the last few years prior to retirement, with TOPS Market.  A member of the Groton American Legion, Wallace also enjoyed hunting, fishing and reading.

Mildred D. Bernard, age 85, of Peruville Rd., Lansing, passed away peacefully at home in the presence of family on November 27, 2014.  

Born April 4, 1929, in New York City, Millie was the daughter of the late Simon and Dolores (Matheu) Cerezo.  At the age of seventeen Millie met her future husband, Victor Jose Bernard, Sr., and they enjoyed over fifty years of marriage until Victor’s death in 1997, at which point Millie moved to Lansing to be near her daughters.  Living upstate opened a whole new world to Millie and she thrived here, traveling about town in her red Volvo.  She took great pride in completing her GED at the age of 70. A lady of many talents, she loved sewing, crocheting, knitting and created many blankets, tablecloths and other items that will be treasured by family for years to come.  Millie liked the company of her dogs, especially Piccollo, Lady and Yuki.  She enjoyed working crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, and recently beat the entire family at her final scrabble game.  Always up for a trip to Finger Lakes or Turning Stone Casino, Millie also loved playing the Monday evening Bingo games here in Lansing.  Aside from all her activities, time spent with her grandchildren was most precious.

Pittsford, New York - Raymond Canwell Buckley, 86, a longtime resident of Lansing, New York, and a former resident of Leeds, Maine, went to join his loving wife Dorothy, Sunday, November 2, 2014. Both had resided at the Highlands Living Center in Pittsford, New York for the past year.

He was born third of three sons, to Gladys Mabel (Canwell) Buckley and Guy Gilbert Buckley on December 9, 1927, in Leeds, Maine. Brother Russell, passed away December 20, 1999 at the age of 81 and Ralph (Gib) passed away June 26, 2005 at the age of 82. Dorothy’s Chateauvert’s sister-in-law, Doris Ann, introduced Ray and Dot at a dance hall. They were married October 8, 1948 and had four children, Raema, Lorna (married to Gary), Shaun (married to Kathy) and Anissa. Raema has three children, Christopher, Cory and Kelly. Lorna has three children, Lindsay, Ashley and Justin. Shaun has a daughter Christina. There are several great-grand children: Joey and Sophie (Christopher), Haley and Jacob (Cory), Emma and Nathan (Kelly).

Lynn Martin Eastman III passed away as the result of an accident on September 27, 2014, at the age of 19. 

Born January 28, 1995 in Ithaca, Lynn was the son of Lynn M. and Rebecca Barber Eastman, Jr. He enjoyed his job, was eager to learn, and was beginning to excel as a welder with Innovative Metals in Locke, NY.  He loved to hunt and fish and was looking forward to the upcoming bow season.  Lynn was a kind person and enjoyed helping out family and friends.  He had a soft spot for animals, especially his cat, Jack, and dogs, Jake, Travis and Buddy.  A loving caring son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend, Lynn will be missed more than words can describe.

Ruth Bachelor Davis Hughes, formerly of Lansingville, passed away peacefully in the presence of family, August 22, 2014, at the Groton Nursing Facility, at the age of 101.

Born October 18, 1912, she was a daughter of the late Herbert and Susie (Inman) Bachelor. Ruth was a resourceful and generous woman.  She could stretch a dollar far, made beautiful dresses for her daughters from feed bags, was a skilled upholsterer, canned hundreds of jars of peaches, tomatoes, corn and beef, and welcomed service men from Sampson Air Base to the family home for Thanksgiving dinners in the 40’s.  She was a wonderful cook, and always welcomed others to the table.  Ruth also did home health care for many people in the area.

William Neal Bement, 84, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2014, at his home in Myers.

Born August 5, 1930 in Syracuse, NY, Bill was a son of the late Edward Andrew and Margaret Childs Neal Bement.  Bill grew up in the Elmira area and graduated high school from Elmira Southside.  He proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1951-1955.  Shortly after being honorably discharged he was married to Louise Pier, and began his studies at Cornell University, where he earned his degree from the School of Agriculture.  He and Louise settled in Myers in the late 60’s, raised their family, worked and enjoyed life.  Bill spent 30 years with Cornell University, retiring in 1992.  Aside from his family, Bill loved the lakes (Cayuga and Seneca), and spent many enjoyable hours boating and sailing.  He was also fond of hitting the open road in his RV.  Bill and Louise were fortunate to be able to spend time in their second home near Seneca Lake.

Sally A. Snyder, of North Wood Rd., Freeville, passed away August 14, 2014, at Beechtree Care Center in Ithaca at the age of 65.

Born April 7, 1949, Sally was a daughter of the late John “Jack” and Anne Burin Burns.  She spent 30 years employed by NCR in Ithaca, after which she was employed by Cayuga Medical Center and Cornell University.  Her family was the center of her life, with golf coming in a close second.  Sally also enjoyed traveling with friends and family.