Obituaries

Barbara M. Reffner (Markle) age 90, of the City of Tonawanda, passed away January 17, 2023. She was the wife of the late Oris S. Reffner who died in 2016. Beloved mother of Mary Sue (late Timothy) Kanalley and the late Joseph K. Reffner. Grandmother of Ryan T. Kanalley and Elizabeth M. Kanalley. Sister of Robert (Nadine) Markle, Judith Ham, Joyce Murphy, Paul Markle, and the late Susan Riley and the late Ellen Jacobs. Aunt of many nieces and nephews. Barbara enjoyed Crocheting and knitting....

Cecilia “Ceil” Eckstein, age 87, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2023. Born on February 12, 1935 in Glasgow, Scotland, to John and Margaret Watson. Ceil traveled to America when she was 17 aboard the Queen Elizabeth. She was a lifelong resident of Tonawanda, and was an active member at Immanuel Lutheran Church. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Taylor Eckstein, Sr. Loving mother to Cindy (Late Albert) Stahlman, Celia Eckstein, Taylor (Sue) Eckstein, Jr.,...

Carol E. Ingersoll, age 86, of North Tonawanda, passed away peacefully surrounded by her husband, son and granddaughter on December 20, 2022.  Survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Robert E. Ingersoll; Her children, Robert H. (Jane) of Texas, Jeffrey A. (late Teri) of North Tonawanda, and Michael E. (Mary) Ingersoll of Arkansas.  Also survived by her sister Marian (Jim) Redmond, brother Harold E. (Gayle) Miller Jr., sister Myra Jane (late Ray)...

Helen C. Cassavaugh (nee Brenon) age 96, of North Tonawanda, passes peacefully in her sleep, December 18, 2022. She was the wife of the late Ernest “Dusty” Cassavaugh who died on January 1, 1988. Beloved mother of Patricia (Howard) Carnrike, Nancy (Bryan) Geesler, Jeanne (late Ronald) Regis, and Debra (Lester) Spoth. Grandmother of 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Sister of Dolores Thuman, Suzanne May, and the late Margaret, Agnes, Lucille, Anna, Rosemary, Gloria,...

Donald E. Hamm-Johnson, age 89, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2022. He was born Donald E. Johnson, the son of Gunnard and Marie Johnson. Donald was the loving husband of Nancy Hamm-Johnson and cherished father of Susan Johnson, Linda (Donald) Shultz, Krista (David) Stryker, Donald (Sandra) Johnson, and the late Matthew and Eric Hamm-Johnson. He will also be missed by his grandchildren; Garrett, David, Hannah, Lauren, Rachel, Elsa, Mya, Amanda, Gregory, Daniel, Jessica; as well as...

Peter K. Kuczkowski, age 87, of Tonawanda, passed away on December 5, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.  Peter was born on April 14, 1935, in Tonawanda, NY to Peter E. and Helen Kuczkowski. He was a 1952 graduate of Tonawanda High School. Peter enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1957 and proudly served in the United States Navy Seabees Construction Battalion. He retired from the Navy in 1995, after 20 years of service. Peter worked as a welder fabricator and eventually took...

Betty R. Kolnacki, age 89, of Tonawanda, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on November 28, 2022. She was a dedicated mother and housewife. Betty loved reading, country dancing, and sewing. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Tonawanda. She was a resident of Tennyson Court Assisted Living, and enjoyed playing Bingo and attending concerts there.  She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of over 67 years, Francis P. Kolnacki, who is a...

Dennis Jay Schultz, age 58, of Tonawanda, on November 28th, 2022, in the care of Hospice, surrounded by family. Dennis was born to the late Herbert and Myra (nee Radtke) Schultz. He is the cherished father of Cheri Derry, and loving brother of Cheryl (late Rodney) Damon, Linda Zack, Jeffrey (Laurie), Bradley (Linda), and David (Jennifer) Schultz. He was the loving grandfather of Coraline Derry, and Rose Mecca. He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Dennis graduated...

Sister Margaret Mary (Ancilla) Duggan died peacefully at Sisters of Saint Joseph Residence in Clarence, on November 18, 2022. She was 91 years of age and the  daughter of John and Margaret (Frisbee) Duggan of Albion and later of North Tonawanda. Sister came from a family of seven, four boys (James, John, Robert, and Daniel) and three girls (Kathleen, Lucille and Ancilla), whose parents encouraged them in the service of the Catholic Church. Three of her brothers (Robert, John, and...

Rev. Robert M. Neisen, age 72, of the City of Tonawanda, went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 7, 2022, following a brief illness. Rev. Neisen was the pastor of Open Bible Baptist Church in the city of Tonawanda for 41 years. He was a life-long Buffalo resident and was a graduate of South Park High School. Beloved husband of Charlene (Sheets) Neisen for over 44 years. Dear father of Nicholas, Eileen, Katherine, Ruth, Michael, Robert, and John Neisen. Grandfather of Madison, Dylan,...