SOUTH DAYTON: Lorna E. Kerr, 86, of Main Street, South Dayton, passed away Thursday, November 25th, 2021 at her residence. She was born in the Town of Pomfret, on September 1, 1935, the daughter of the late Walter and Blanche (Grantier) Scheskey.
Lorna was a graduate of Forestville Central School, Class of 1954. After the passing of her mother at a young age, she was raised by Gifford & Anna Clement. For many years, she wrapped meat for Kerr’s Custom Butchering, South Dayton. Lorna was a member of South Dayton United Methodist Church and the Forestville Order of Eastern Star Chapter #245. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and also enjoyed sending out special occasion cards to her church family & friends.
Survivors include Carl Kerr, three daughters, Sue (Mike) McCadams, of McKenzie, TN; Jay Lee (Joe) Robinson, of Forestville; Julie (Steve Foster) Kerr, of South Dayton; two sons Ricky Kerr, of South Dayton; Scott (Heather) Kerr, of South Dayton; and a sister, Alice Scheskey, of Gowanda. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren; Melody, Cheryl & Jeremy Kerr, Stephanie McCadams Smith & Megan McCadams, Andrew & Tiffany Kerr, Derek, Dylan & Deven Robinson, Ryan & Robbie Clutter and eleven great grandchildren. Besides her parents she was predeceased by a grandson Steven Kerr and by three sisters Betty Scheskey, Lila Libby, Viola Offhaus and her best friend Ellie Mae Saye.
Friends are welcome to call at the South Dayton United Methodist Church, 328 Pine Street, South Dayton on Thursday, December 2nd from 1-3 PM from where a Celebration of Life will be held at 3 o’clock, with Rev. Wes Tessey and Rev. Carol Dill officiating.
The family suggests memorial donations may be made either to the South Dayton United Methodist Church, 328 Pine Street, PO Box 272, South Dayton, NY 14138 or to the Charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements are by Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, Forestville. To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
FORESTVILLE: Robert Carl Benchley, 93, of Pearl Street, Forestville, passed away Wednesday, November 24th, 2021 at Brooks Memorial Hospital, Dunkirk. He was born in Detroit, MI on August 23, 1928, the son of the late Kenneth H. and Mildred S. (Durkee) Benchley.
Robert was an unbelievably hard worker who founded Benchley Construction in 1957 and is still in business today, almost 65 years later. He was a member of the Forestville United Methodist Church, Forestville, the Masonic Lodge and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 17.
In retirement, he enjoyed woodworking in his barn, building furniture for his friends & family. Mr. Benchley also enjoyed returning to Michigan every year to visit with his siblings and their families. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Mr. Benchley loved spending time with his family, especially his grandkids & great grandkids. He will be missed by many.
The family would like to express their gratitude and thanks to Dr. Steven Barnes, Kathy Davis, Denise Olsen, Bill Hafner and a special thanks to all the 3rd floor nurses at Brooks Memorial Hospital.
Survivors include two sons John Merrill and Cornelius (Pam) Benchley, a daughter, Beth Benchley, three sisters, Jean Boyd, Dorothy Cameron, Deloris Collins, five brothers, Elmer (Virginia) Benchley, Revy (Margo) Benchley, Paul (Joyce) Benchley, Thomas Benchley, Kenneth (Cherrie) Benchley, seven grandchildren; John (Molly) Merrill, Jr., Michelle (Todd) Tanner, Brian (Deb Zimmerman) Benchley, Laurie Benchley, Kristen (Caleb Stroup) Benchley, Andrew (Sonja) Benchely and Muffin Thoreson, thirteen great grandchildren; Emily & Nathan Merrill, Riley & Madison Tanner, Lukas, Quinn, Myle & Reese Benchley, Ciara & Patrick O’Connor, Reed Benchley, Nia Benchley-Stroup, and Sierra Thoreson. Also surviving are several nieces & nephews including; Carol Plaehn, Beryl Fuller, Cheryl Majecki, Mary Conradt, Marcia Sheehan, David Kniese, Ronald Kniese, Robert Kniese, John Kniese and Gregory Ferry and three sisters-in-law; Donna Benchley, Barb Benchley and Jean Benchley. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his wife Nellie (Kniese) Benchley, whom he married on July 18, 1946 in Forestville and who died almost 60 years later on July 9, 2006, a sister Lois Hammerberg, six brothers Miles, Floyd, Marvin, Daniel, Donald & Bernard Benchley, seven sisters-in-law; Maria Benchley, Vivian Benchley, Dorothy Benchley, Cornelia Ferry, Jane Franwick, Irene Kniese, Twila Kniese and nine brothers-in-law; Kuno Hammerberg, Kent Boyd, Kenneth Cameron, Richard Collins, Bill Kniese, Cornelius Kniese, John Kniese, Julius Ferry and Richard Franwick.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
The family suggests memorials may be made either to Forestville Fire Department, Inc., PO Box 299, Forestville, NY 14062 or to the Forestville United Methodist Church, 3 Park Street, Forestville, NY 14062.
Arrangements are by Riles & Woolley, Funeral Home, Forestville. To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com
DUNKIRK: Richard Mahlon Petersen, 66, of Deer Street, Dunkirk, passed away Wednesday, November 24th, 2021, at his home. He was born on December 3, 1954, the son of the late Theodore and Agnes Ruth (Hasbrouck) Petersen, Sr.
Richard was a graduate of Forestville Central School, Class of 1973 and worked as a Forklift Operator/Foreman for the former Dunkirk Ice Cream, Dunkirk, for approximately 30 years.
He was born & raised in Forestville and had a clever sense of humor, that his friends & family enjoyed. Richard was a talented man who enjoyed woodworking and playing guitar. Affectionately known as “Woog” to his family & friends, he was kind and dearly loved and will be deeply missed by his family & friends.
Survivors include a daughter, Catherine Anne Petersen, of Dunkirk; three brothers, Carl Petersen, of Ohio; Chris Petersen and Mark Petersen, both of Forestville; and a sister, Marcia Petersen, of Forestville. Also surviving are several nieces and a nephew Teddy. Besides his parents he was predeceased by a brother Theodore Petersen, Jr. and two nieces Hannah Petersen & Theodora Rae Petersen.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Time and place to be announced. Arrangements are by Riles & Woolley Funeral Home Forestville. To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
PERRYSBURG: Robert “Eddie” Johnson, 72, of Pinecrest IRA, Main Street, Perrysburg, died Sunday, November 21st, 2021. He was born in Dunkirk on June 17, 1949, the son of the late Bonnie Apthorp.
There will be no visitation observed. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, November 30th at 11 o’clock from Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville, with Rev. Fred Holdridge officiating. Private Interment will be in Jolls Cemetery, Perrysburg. To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
TONAWANDA: Floyd V. Peebles, Jr., 90, of Aspinwood Place, Tonawanda, NY, formerly of Forestville, passed away Friday, November 5th, 2021, peacefully with family by his side at his daughter’s residence. He was born in Varick, NY on October 13, 1931, the son of the late Floyd V. and Mary Mae (Taylor) Peebles, Sr.
He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War aboard the USS Quinci, worked as an Engineer for the State University at Fredonia, for 15 years and he previously worked for Cornell University. Floyd enjoyed woodworking, was very involved with Gage Chapel Community Church, Smith Mills and had a very strong faith.
Survivors include three daughters, Kimberly (Steven) Little, of Tonawanda; Dawn Peebles, of Cassadaga; Kristy (Rick Lamb) Peebles, of Westfield; two sons Mark (Darron Lazzaro) Peebles, of Alden; Kevin Peebles, of Cassdaga; step children, Kimberly (John) Clark, Jan Wasinger, Gerry (Kathy) Franclemont, Tim (Lisa) Franclemont, Bill (Karen Mack) Franclemont, John Franclemont, Rick (Sharon) Franclemont, two sisters, Orlinda Keach, of Waterloo, NY; and Carol Peebles, of Romulus, NY. Also surviving are four grandchildren- Cody, Derek, Hunter, Samuel, four great grandchildren Dannie, Danny, Eric & Jazmine, sixteen step grandchildren and twenty-one step great grandchildren and several nieces & nephews.
Besides his parents he was predeceased by his first wife Sally (Lycett) Peebles, his second wife Sandra (Clifford) Peebles and three brothers Kenneth, Donald & David Peebles.
Graveside Services will be held at Balltown Cemetery, Smith Mills, Saturday, November 20th at 11 o’clock, with Rev. Michael Pollock, pastor of Gage Chapel Community Church, officiating. Military services will be conducted by members of J. Carter Knapp American Legion Post #953, Forestville.
The family suggests memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org. Arrangements are by Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, Forestville. To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
DUNKIRK: John P. Travers, 62, of McKinley Avenue, Dunkirk, formerly of Cherry Creek, passed away Monday, November 1st, 2021 at Brooks Memorial Hospital, Dunkirk.
He was born in Lockport, on June 26, 1959, the son of the late William and Jeanette (Gerner) Travers.
Friends are welcome to call at Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Friday morning from 10-11 AM, where Funeral Services will follow at 11 o’clock. Private Interment will be in Jolls Cemetery Perrysburg, NY.
To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
IRVING: Edith B. Beck, 91, of Main Street, Irving, and Zephyrhills, FL, passed away Thursday, October 28th, 2021 peacefully at Dunkirk Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, following a short illness under HOSPICE care with family by her side. She was born in the Town of Hanover, on August 15, 1930, the daughter of the late Floyd and Mildred (VanVlack) Bradigan.
She was a graduate of Forestville Central School, Class of 1948 and attended Fredonia State College. Edith was employed as a LPN for the former Chautauqua County Home in Dunkirk, for 12 years, retiring in 1988 and was also a past teller for the former Liberty National Bank in Fredonia. She was a member of Town of Hanover Republican Club, DAR and attended the Angola Wesleyan Church and the Awake Wesleyan Church, Zephyrhills, FL. She enjoyed spending winters in Zephyrhills, FL with her late husband Ray for approximately the last 30 years, china painting, flower gardening and her special K-9 companion “Kylee”.
Survivors include two daughters, Janet Clark, of Fredonia; Nannette (Robert Martin) Pollard, of Newfield, NY; a son, Andrew (Anne) Wilmot, of Forestville, a daughter in law Melinda Wilmot of Dunkirk, and a sister in law Linda Bradigan of Forestville. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and several nieces, nephews & cousins. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her first husband Thomas C. Wilmot, by her second husband Raymond Beck, whom she married on July 21, 1973 in the Forestville United Methodist Church and who died December 5, 2020, a son Shawn Wilmot, Sr., two sisters Jenny Farnham & Florabel Majeske, and five brothers Clyde “Sharkey” Bradigan, Floyd John Bradigan, Neal Bradigan, Mark R. Bradigan and Benjamin F. Bradigan.
Friends are welcome to call at Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM from where Funeral Services will be held Tuesday morning at 11 o’clock with Rev. Michael Trippett, pastor of the Angola Wesleyan Church, officiating. Interment will follow in the Forestville Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials may be made either to Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, NY 14750 or to the Lakeshore Humane Society, 431 E. Chestnut Street, Dunkirk, NY 14048. To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
FORESTVILLE: Patricia S. “Sue” Thompson, 74, of Rt. 39 Forestville, passed away Friday, October 22nd, 2021 after a valiant battle with cancer, at Brooks Memorial Hospital, Dunkirk. She was born in Pittsburgh, PA on March 26, 1947, the daughter of the late Joseph and Hazel (Guntrum) Runyan.
Sue was a graduate of Knoch High School, Class of 1965 and attended the Sewickley Hospital School of Nursing. She worked as a Service Advisor for Independent Health Buffalo, previously working for Nova before it was purchased by Independent Health. She was also a Real Estate Agent for ERA at one time. Sue was a member of the Forestville Branch of the Fredonia Garden Club, where she helped decorate the town and volunteered with the Lakeshore Humane Society. She loved animals, gardening, was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, enjoyed playing cards, socializing and was one of “The Golden Girls.”
Survivors include her husband Lee E. Thompson of Forestville, a daughter, Roberta “Missi” Johnson, of Jamestown; a son, Joseph (MaryEvelyn) Pifer, of Corry, PA; two step daughters, Ellen (Raul Diaz) Tafel, of Pittsburgh, PA; Sarah Tafel, of Pittsburgh, PA; a step son, Christopher (Colleena) Thompson, of Florida; and a sister, Marcy (Mike) Wiant, of Rimersburg, PA. Also surviving are two grandchildren Natasha and Abigail and three step grandchildren Sabastian, Felix & Marina. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her first husband Paul I. Tafel, Sr., a brother Edward Holland and her a son Paul I. “PT” Tafel, Jr., who died on March 3, 2016.
Friends are welcome to call at Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Wednesday from 2-4 PM from where Funeral Services will be held at 4 o’clock.
The family suggests memorials may be made either to Lakeshore Humane Society, 431 E. Chestnut Street, Dunkirk, NY 14048 or to the Fredonia Garden Club, % Ila Merryweather, Treas., 19 Skyeandro Drive, Fredonia, NY 14063. To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
SOUTH DAYTON: Donna M. Crowell, 73, of Route 322, South Dayton, died unexpectedly, Friday, October 22nd, 2021 at her residence. She was born in Gowanda, on November 6, 1947, the daughter of the late Walter and Stevanna (Kota) Burek.
Donna was a graduate of Gowanda High School, Class of 1965 and received her Bachelor’s Degree from Empire State College in 1997. She also previously worked for the former Peter Cooper in Gowanda, was a stay at home mom, worked for 3 years as a Bookkeeper for Harry Austin Milling, Inc., South Dayton from 1986-1989 and from 1989-2009 she worked in the Collins & Gowanda Correctional Facilities as a Counselor. Donna was an avid reader, enjoyed traveling and especially enjoyed her family and attending her grandchildren’s sporting events.
Survivors include a daughter, Michelle (Corey) Swanson, of Kennedy; a son, Eric (Julie) Crowell, of Fredonia; two sisters, Janice Putney-Bromley, Susan Burek-Sysol, two brothers, Dennis (Marley) Burek and Timothy (Susan) Burek. Also surviving are grandchildren Cameron & Colin Crowell, step grandchildren Sidney, Brendon & Evan Swanson and several nieces & nephews. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her husband of 49 years Terrance “Terry” C. Crowell, whom she married on November 6, 1971 and who died January 6, 2021.
Friends are welcome to call at Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Saturday, November 6th from 12 noon to 2 PM, from where Funeral Services will be held at 2 o’clock with Rev. Jennifer Delahoy, pastor of Kennedy United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will follow in Forestville Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials may be made to Kennedy Free Library, 649 2nd Street, PO Box 8, Kennedy, NY 14747. To post condolences go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
ERIE, PA: Edward A. Davis, a resident of Erie VA CLL, Erie, PA, formerly of Mayville, passed away Thursday, October 7th, 2021 at his residence. He was the third child of Benjamin and Helen Davis of Brainard Road, Fredonia.
Edward served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from February 13, 1951 to November 18, 1953 and was stationed in Korea. He was a member of the Mayville VFW Post #8647 and he loved to hunt & fish.
Survivors include two daughters, Tracy Apa, of Harbor Creek, PA; Sharon Stoddard, of Sherman, NY; two sisters, Norma Crimi, of South Bend, IN; Shirley Crowell Huff, of Collins, NY; and a brother, Oliver (Irene) Davis, of South Dayton. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren and twenty six great grandchildren. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his son Michael, a brother Paul Davis, one grandchild, a niece and a great nephew.
Private Interment, a Celebration of Life, and a Military Graveside Service will be held at the convenience of the family in Cowdens Corners Cemetery, Town of Arkwright, next to his mother & father.
Arrangements are by Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, Forestville. To send condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
