OBITS: The Buffalo News 5 Apr 2005; Buffalo, Erie co., New York text-formatted by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives *********************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/ny/nyfiles.htm *********************************************************************** Source: The Buffalo News http://www.buffalonews.com BROWN - Mattie Mae 4/5/2005 Services for Mattie Mae Brown, of Buffalo, will be at noon Wednesday in Promiseland Missionary Baptist Church, 227 High St. Burial will be in Concordia Cemetery. Mrs. Brown died March 26 in Sisters Hospital after a brief illness. She was 71. Born Mattie Mae Lucas in Alabama, she was a homemaker. Survivors include two daughters, Gracie Mae Foots and Julie Mae Davis, both of Buffalo; a son, David of Buffalo; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. CONTE - Lawrence J., VA center administrator 4/5/2005 BATAVIA - Lawrence J. Conte, a longtime administrator of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Batavia, died Saturday in United Memorial Medical Center. He was 85. A Navy veteran of World War II, Mr. Conte earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Buffalo. He served as the veterans hospital's chief of staff for 40 years until his retirement in 1985. He was a 50-year member of Glenn S. Loomis Post, American Legion, and a member of Veness-Strollo Post 1602, Veterans of Foreign Wars; the St. Nicholas Club; and Batavia Country Club. He served as president of New York State Basketball Officials and refereed high school and college games for more than 30 years. He also held the golf championship of Terry Hills Country Club. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, the former Catherine N. Riforriato; two sons, Lawrence J. Jr. of Fairport and Gary Conte of Clarendon Hills, Ill.; a daughter, Barbara Wedow of Batavia; three brothers, Gene of Wappingers Falls, Frank of Lackawanna and Joseph of Columbus, Ohio; and seven grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. today in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 301 E. Main St., after prayers at 9:30 in Gilmartin Funeral Home, 329 W. Main St. Burial will be in the St. Joseph's Cemetery Mausoleum. DILLER - Elaine P., former Legion post commander 4/5/2005 Elaine P. Diller, a past commander of Post 567, American Legion, in Orchard Park, died Friday in Veterans Affairs Medical Center after a brief illness. She was 82. A Cohoes native, the former Elaine Perry served in the Army and worked at the Watervliet Arsenal during World War II. She was stationed at several bases, eventually serving as a classification specialist before leaving military service as a sergeant. Mrs. Diller and her husband, Burton, lived in Washington, D.C., from 1946 to 1954. She worked at the U.S. Employment Service before transferring to the Army Security Agency. The couple then returned to Western New York, living for several years in East Aurora before settling in the Town of Orchard Park. In 1988, she retired from the Southtowns YMCA, where she was a secretary. In addition to the American Legion, she was a member of Orchard Park Senior Citizens and Orchard Park Home Bureau. In addition to her husband of 59 years, survivors include three sons, John of Apex, N.C., Kenneth of Macedon and James of the Town of Orchard Park; a daughter, Susan McLaughlin of Honeoye Falls; two brothers, Raymond Perry of Albany and Edward Perry of Cohoes; and nine grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, 36 Thorn Ave., Orchard Park, after prayers at 8:45 in F.E. Brown Sons Funeral Home, 6575 E. Quaker St., Orchard Park. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Orchard Park. JENKINS - Evelyn L. 4/5/2005 Evelyn L. Jenkins, a former foster grandparent, died last Tuesday in Millard Fillmore Hospital after a brief illness. She was 72. Born Evelyn Howell in Fannin, Miss., she moved to Buffalo in the late 1950s. She was a nurse's aide at Millard Fillmore Hospital in the 1970s for about 10 years. She also was a foster grandparent for about five years until February. Mrs. Jenkins was a member of Walls Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, where she was a member of the usher and trustee boards. Her husband, Robert, died in 1971. Survivors include a son, Brandon O. of Buffalo. Services will be at 1 p.m. today in Walls Memorial Church, 455 Glenwood Ave. Burial will be in Forest Lawn. KOWSKY - Lauraine 4/5/2005 Lauraine Kowsky, a retired Western Electric employee, died Friday in Schofield Residence, Town of Tonawanda, after a long illness. She was 95. Born Lauraine Sitzman in Buffalo, she attended Buffalo public schools. Mrs. Kowsky worked as a machine operator for Western Electric from 1940 until her retirement in 1970. She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in the City of Tonawanda, where she participated in the Forever Young program and the Altar and Rosary Society. She was also active with the McLaughlin Center, the YWCA of the Tonawandas and its travel club, as well as the Electric Pioneer Club, AARP and Meals on Wheels. Mrs. Kowsky was a avid bridge player. Her husband of 53 years, Levant, died in 1983. Survivors include a daughter, Marilyn Martin of Tucson, Ariz.; a son, Donald of North Tonawanda; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. Francis Church, 71 Adam St., City of Tonawanda. Private interment is planned in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Town of Tonawanda. MATECKI - Mary 4/5/2005 Mary Matecki, a retired housekeeper at Buffalo Psychiatric Center and a lifelong resident of North Tonawanda, died Sunday in DeGraff Memorial Hospital, North Tonawanda, after a brief illness. She was 88. The former Mary Paczos worked at the psychiatric center for 14 years until retiring in 1981. She was a member of the bereavement committee at Our Lady of Czestochowa Catholic Church and a charter member of the Third Warders' Ladies Auxiliary. Her husband of 48 years, Benjamin C., died in 1983. Survivors include four sons, David, Gerald, Michael and John, all of North Tonawanda; two daughters, Christine Marasciello of Williamsville and Sandra Pazik of Bethel Park, Pa.; a sister, Michaeline Petti of North Tonawanda; a brother, John Paczos of Williamsville; 16 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 64 Center Ave., North Tonawanda. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Town of Tonawanda. MELLIN - Gary L. 4/5/2005 GAINESVILLE - Services for Gary L. Mellin, of Gainesville, will be at 4 p.m. today in Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, 98 N. Main St., Perry. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Gainesville. Mr. Mellin died Thursday in his home after a brief illness. He was 52. Mr. Mellin was born in Buffalo. He worked for Maple Valley Hardwoods Co. in Freedom. He enjoyed woodworking and gardening. He is survived by two brothers, Allan of Opp, Ala., and Larry of Perry, and four sisters, Linda Hall and Kristine Barrett, both of Perry, Penny Pope of Bliss and Cindy Bennett of Gainesville. PETERANGELO - Carol Lee 4/5/2005 A Mass of Christian Burial for Carol Lee Peterangelo will be offered at 11 a.m. today in St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 885 Sweet Home Road, Amherst, after prayers at 10 in Lombardo Funeral Home, 885 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst. Burial will be in Acacia Park Cemetery, Pendleton. She died Friday in Kenmore Mercy Hospital, Town of Tonawanda, after a lengthy illness. She was 62. Born Carol Cunningham in Buffalo, she graduated from Sloan High School in 1961, resided in Amherst and worked as a secretary and bookkeeper. She also was known for her abilities as a seamstress. In addition to her husband, Robert J., she is survived by two daughters, Lisa A. and Darla M., both of Amherst, and three sisters, Sally A. Grucza of Lakeland, Fla., Bonnie L. Utz of the Town of Tonawanda and Darla M. Zelakiewicz of Wheatfield. PETERS - Rita A., owned taxi company 4/5/2005 A memorial service for Rita A. Peters of Buffalo, a former taxi company owner, will be at 10 a.m. April 23 in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Parkside and Parker avenues. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Town of Tonawanda. Mrs. Peters died March 27 in Brothers of Mercy Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Clarence. She was 88. Born Rita Davis in Buffalo, she and her late husband, Thomas, opened a taxicab service in Kenmore. They established Ken-Ton Cab Co. in 1944, and it remained in business until 1975. Mrs. Peters was active in North Buffalo Senior Center, St. Rose of Lima Seniors and the New Voice Club of the Niagara Frontier. She is survived by four daughters, Mary Ann Thompson of Mesa, Ariz., Joan Wilkinson of Grand Island, Dorothy Winterberg of Springfield, Mo., and Bernadine Valenti of Buffalo; two sons, Thomas of Buffalo and Joseph of Amherst; 20 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. PIERCE - Delphine C. 4/5/2005 DALE - Delphine C. Pierce, a retired inspector, died Sunday in Wyoming County Community Hospital, Warsaw, after a lengthy illness. She was 83. Born Delphine Buchholz in Warsaw, she was employed for 25 years as an inspector at Mallory Timers Co., Warsaw, retiring in 1986. Following her retirement, Mrs. Pierce worked with the Wyoming County Office for the Aging. A Dale Road resident, she enjoyed caring for her dog, Fanny. Her husband, Luther, died in 1986. She is survived by a daughter, Joan Stalker of Dale; a brother, Llydon Buchholz of Dalton; a grandson; and four great-grandchildren. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Robinson & Hackemer Funeral Home, 246 N. Main St., Warsaw. Burial will be in Warsaw Cemetery. REYNOLDS - Marion E. 4/5/2005 Marion E. Reynolds, a longtime employee of New York Telephone, died unexpectedly March 28 in her Amherst home. She was 84. Known as "Dot," Miss Reynolds was born in Illinois and was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving stateside. She remained a member of the Naval Reserve for several decades afterward. She moved to this area after the war and worked 45 years at New York Telephone, retiring in the 1980s. Miss Reynolds was a member of Telephone Pioneers of America, had served two terms as president of the Chief Petty Officers Club of Western New York and was one of the first docents at the Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park. Miss Reynolds was a member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Amherst, and of the mother church in Boston, Mass. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Harry A. Wedekindt Funeral Home, 280 Grover Cleveland Highway at North Bailey Avenue, Amherst. Burial will be private. WENZEL SR. - Donald L. 4/5/2005 A vigil for Donald L. "Taxi" Wenzel Sr. of Buffalo, a retired cab driver, will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today, followed by prayers, in Lombardo Funeral Home, 102 Linwood Ave. He died Sunday at home after a long illness. He was 70. He was born in Pennsylvania but lived most of his life in Buffalo. He graduated from School 76 and Seneca Vocational High School. Mr. Wenzel worked as a taxi driver for 30 years at City Service, retiring in 1995. He was a Navy veteran. He was the widower of Marlene Wenzel. Surviving are a daughter, Margaret; two sons, Donald L. Jr. and Michael, both of Buffalo; a sister, Jacquelyn Feig of Williamsport, Pa.; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.