Author: Glenn Leaman

Josephine M. “Jo” Carretto, 99, lifelong Hornell resident, died Friday morning (September 20, 2024) at Updyke Willow Ridge Nursing Facility where she had resided for the past six months.

Born in Hornell on August 19, 1925, she was the daughter of Dominic & Rose (Girondo) Carretto.

Josephine attended Hornell High School and later graduated from the Federal Commercial School (Hornell Business School). She continued her education by taking classes at Union College in Cranford, NJ.

She was employed for about 2 years at the former Koski’s Variety Store in Hornell. In 1950 she began working as a clerk typist at Foster-Wheeler Corporation in Dansville. Two years later she was promoted to stenographer. In 1958 her career took a significant turn when she joined the Accounting Department as a Secretary and by 1967 she served as Plant Accountant. In 1976 Jo was transferred to the corporate Headquarters in Livingston, NJ when she was promoted to the position of Corporate Payroll Manager.

Josephine is a former Director of the foster-Wheeler Boilermakers Credit Union at the Dansville plant and a member of the FWEC Equal Employment Opportunity Committee. In 1978, Jo was honored as the recipient of the Tribute to Women & Industry Award. She retired in 1982.

She was a communicant of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church where she had served as a member of the St. Ann’s Church Parish Council and for two years as parish council secretary. Jo was also a former member and former president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Sons of Italy and a former member of the Hornell Women of the Moose. For five years she served as co-secretary of the Bishop’s Thanksgiving Appeal and for many years was a member of the National Audubon Society. Jo was a member of both the Dansville 25 Year Club of Foster-Wheeler and the Livingston Office 25 Year Club of Foster- Wheeler.

Jo enjoyed traveling and especially enjoyed her 28 day motor trip through Italy which she took with her best friend, Dorothy “Dottie” Meehan. She also loved reading mystery novels, rooting for the Buffalo Bills, New York Yankees and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame football team.

Josephine was preceded in death her best friend of 70 years, Dorothy “Dottie” Meehan who died July 27, 2018; 4 brothers, Louis Carretto, Jim Carretto, Dominic Carretto & Frank Carretto; 3 sisters, Grace Armella, Ann Constantino & Sarah Fortuna.

Surviving are several nieces & nephews and several great-nieces & great-nephews.

At Josephine’s request there will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church with Burial in St Mary’s Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Memorial contributions in Josephine’s name may be made to St. Ann’s Academy, PO Box 446, Hornell, NY 14843.

To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com.

HORNELL – Richard L. “Dick” Oyer, Sr., 84, died of natural causes on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at his home.

Born in Hornell on August 12, 1940, he was the son of the late Ellsworth and Rheda (Sell) Oyer. On June 19th, 1965, he was married at St. Ann’s Church in Hornell to Irene Recktenwald Oyer, who predeceased him on October 4, 2015 after 50 years of marriage. Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his two brothers, Raymond Oyer and James Oyer.

A lifelong resident of Hornell, Dick was a graduate of Hornell High School, class of 1959.

Before retiring, he was employed for 37 years as a Pavement Marking Supervisor for the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). After his retirement, he was employed for a brief period as a Courier for the former Steuben Trust Company in Hornell. In his younger years, he was employed part-time for the former Max Wilkins Service Station in Hornell.

Dick was a 60+ year member and past Governor of the Hornell Moose Lodge No. 210. He was also a member of the Hornell Elks Lodge No. 364 and the Hornell Masonic Lodge.

An avid hunter, he loved spending time at his hunting camp, “Windy Hill.” He loved animals, which was evident by all of the stray cats and other animals he took care of. He loved to camp, especially in Arendtsville, PA where his mother’s family originated. He also loved attending his grandchildren’s school functions and sporting events. Dick was a routine-orientated guy. After his morning coffee and later with his sweets and bowl of ice cream, he was like clockwork! He was often seen around town at the same time, same place every day. Dick is irreplaceable and will be truly missed!

He is lovingly survived by his two sons, Rick (Lisa) Oyer of Loon Lake and Chris (Elena) Oyer of Victor, NY; four grandsons, Matthew, Nicholas, Nathan and Weston Oyer; one brother, Rev. Robert (Irena) Oyer of Holley, NY; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Calling hours are 6-8 p.m. on Thursday (Sept. 12, 2024) at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main Street, Hornell, where a funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Friday (Sept. 13, 2024) with his brother, Rev. Robert Oyer officiating. Private interment will be in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Hornell.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to the Hornell Moose Lodge Children’s Christmas Fund, 66 Seneca St., Hornell or to the Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Road, Hornell, NY 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.

The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Dick’s family with the arrangements.

Online condolences or remembrances of Dick are welcome at www.bishopdesanto.com or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.

ARKPORT-Ronald O. VanScoter, 83, of Sharps Hill Road, passed away late Thursday evening (Sept. 5, 2024) at St. James Hospital in Hornell.

Born in North Hornell on Jan. 17, 1941 he was a son of the late Olmstead and Adell (Colley) VanScoter. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by three sisters, Helen (Jerry) Crosson, Luella VanScoter, Mildred Griffin; one brother, John VanScoter; two brothers-in-law, Joseph Cicero and Robert Parada.

A native and lifelong resident of the Hornell/Arkport area, Ron was a graduate of Hornell High School, attended SUNY Oneonta for one year and received a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Geneseo.

He was originally employed by the former Marion Rohr Company in Hornell as a sewing machine operator for many years before becoming an officer manager. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, he became employed by the Hornell City School District as a second-grade teacher at the former Irving School, a fourth-grade teacher at the former Lincoln School, and retired as a fifth grade teacher at the Intermediate School. When he “retired” he became a fourth-grade teacher at the former St. Ann’s School in Hornell. To additionally support his family, Ron was employed during the summer months from 1960’s to 1989 as teller at the former Security Trust Company in Hornell.

Ron converted to the Catholic faith in 1978 and became an active member and a devout communicant at St. Ann’s Church in Hornell where he was a former member of the Parish Council. He was also a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Canaseraga and Ss. Brendan and Jude Parish in Alfred/Almond and attended bible study at the church. After COVID he and his wife hosted it at their home. Ron was a former member and past treasurer of both the Hornell Area Arts Council and the Hornell City School District Teachers Association.

He was a master at tailoring and altering clothes and throughout the years he made several wedding gowns. He was also very talented at knitting as well as crocheting beautiful afghans. Ron was excellent at doing home repairs and woodworking; having made many toys and dolls. From a kit he made a large Grandfather clock for his home and enjoyed collecting miniature cars and hummingbirds. Ron was an avid traveler and enjoyed trips to Europe, Hawaii, Alaska and the southern states.

On June 26, 1982 he was married at St. Ann’s Church in Hornell to Maryann (Cicero) VanScoter who lovingly survives him after 42 years of marriage. Ron is also survived by four children, Linda (Michael) Krahe of Erie, PA., Bill (Larissa) of Hornell and Michigan, Andy (Diane) VanScoter and Kris (Sara) VanScoter all of Hornell; 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, whom he loved to spend time with; one sister, Fay Parada of Arkport; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Calling hours are 1-3 p.m. Sunday (Sept. 15, 2024) at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell. Relatives and friends are invited to join his family at St. Ann’s Church, 31 Erie Ave., Hornell where a concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday (Sept. 16, 2024). Private committal prayers and interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org), or St. Ann’s Academy, P.O. Box 446, Hornell, NY 14843 (www.saacademy.org), or Our Lady of the Valley Parish, 27 Erie Ave., Hornell, NY 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.

The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Ron’s family with the arrangements.

Online condolences or remembrances of Ron are welcome at www.bishopdesanto.com or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.

September 3, 2024

H. Marilyn Murphy, 96, of formerly of 1190 County Rt. 66, Hornell, passed away Saturday morning (August 31, 2024) at Elderwood of Hornell Nursing Facility where she had resided for the past four years.

Born in Rochester, NY on June 21, 1928, she was the daughter of Bernard & Helen (Riley) Seeley.

Her family resided in Conesus, NY when Marilyn was a small child. When she was about 7 years old, her family moved to Dansville, NY. She was a graduate of Dansville High School (class of 1946).

Marilyn moved to Hornell, NY in 1947 when she married William T. “Bill” Murphy. She was employed for about 10 years in the Sears Store in Hornell where she worked at the catalog desk. She later worked for about 28 years in the office of JC Penney’s in Hornell. She retired in 1993.

For many years, Marilyn had been a communicant of St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Hornell. In recent years she attended St Brendan’s Church in Almond, NY. She was a former member of Catholic Daughters of America where she served as an officer.

Marilyn always enjoyed attending her children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s school functions and sporting events. She was an avid reader and especially enjoyed reading books written by Rochester native & historian Arch Merrill. For many years she also enjoyed crocheting.

She was married in 1947 to William T. “Bill” Murphy who died in 1997. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Deborah Lyke who died in 2019; her daughter-in-law, Gail Murphy who died in 2022; her brothers, Bernard Seeley JR and William Seeley; her sister, Corrine Miller.

Surviving are her son William T. Murphy II of Hornell; 2 daughters, Jennifer (John) Beckerman of South Lyon, MI and Bridget Murphy of Amsterdam, NY; her son-in-law, Larry Lyke of Novi, MI; her longtime friend, Pat; 9 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; several nieces & nephews.

The family of H. Marilyn Murphy will receive friends on Friday from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11:00 AM at St. Brendan’s Church of Almond. A “Celebration of Life” will follow at the Hornell American Legion. Burial will be in the Bath National Cemetery.

Marilyn’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to the Hornell Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Road, Hornell, NY 14843. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.

To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com.

NORTH HORNELL – Duane T. Heineman, 88, formerly of Elmwood Avenue, left this world on Friday (July 19, 2024) after a full and happy life of professional accomplishment, family, community service, and travel.

He was born in Buffalo, NY on Oct. 29, 1935 and grew up in nearby Springbrook, NY with his parents, Earl and Della Heineman and his older brother, Bruce and younger sister, Sharon. Duane was a strong student, graduating from East Aurora High School in 1953 and Cornell University with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering Degree in 1958. There he was a proud member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and met his loving wife, Sarah Stack of Medford, MA and they were married in the summer of 1958. After a brief but memorable stint in El Paso, TX during Duane’s service in the Army, they made Springbrook, NY their home until 1978. Their family grew steadily with sons, Jeff (1959), Jim (1960), Bill (1965), and daughter, Susan (1969), for a time living with each set of grandparents in the two houses next door.

Duane began a long and accomplished career with the NY State Department of Transportation (DOT) in 1959, rising from the ranks of the planning and design departments—where he played a significant role in the design of the Aurora Expressway—to senior management in the DOT office in Buffalo, NY. He also taught surveying at Erie Community College during the 1960s. In 1978 he was appointed Regional Director of the DOT office in Hornell, NY and led many important projects including construction of the Corning Bypass; he retired in 1993.

Duane was a dedicated member of the Elma United Methodist Church in Elma, NY and later the Spencer United Methodist Church and Hornell United Methodist Church in Hornell. He also served on the board, and was Chairman, of the Maple City Savings Bank, FSB and was President of Hornell Rotary Club. He served on the board, and as Executive Director, of the Bethesda Foundation and served on the board of Kids Café. also, he was a driver for Faith in Action in Hornell. The Heineman families early lives were full of birthday parties, snowy Christmas’ and regular travel around the United States including the annual Cornell Homecoming Weekend. Eventually, Sarah and Duane saw all four kids off to college, married off three and eventually welcomed eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren into the family. After retirement, they engaged in many overseas trips to Europe, Russia, Canada, Turkey, and Morocco. Duane enjoyed playing golf and was an avid fan of Cornell and Buffalo sports teams and had season tickets to the Buffalo Bills games for decades. Duane loved his homes, pets, vegetable gardens, and puttering around his yard. A highlight of almost every summer was family get togethers in the Adirondack Mountains with dear Cornell friends Ruth and Fred Ehrlich and their family. Duane’s family and friends will always remember his kindness, loyalty, work ethic, level-headedness, commitment to doing the job well, and his love for all of us.

He is lovingly survived by his sister, Sharon (husband, Nick) Lazarus; sons, Jeff (companion, Amy), Jim (companion, Ivy), William (wife, Linda); daughter, Susan (husband, Tom) Stanko; eight grandchildren, Cristopher James, Kelsey, Louis, Tyler, Joanna, Kate, Madeline and Emily; three great-grandchildren, Emeril, JR and Cameron; as well as multiple nieces, nephews and cousins.

Duane was predeceased by his parents, Earl P. and Della (Becker) Heineman; his loving wife of 65 years, Sara (Stack) Heineman; and his brother, Bruce Heineman.

There will be no calling hours. Relatives and friends are invited to join his family at the Webbs Crossing Bible Church (the former United Methodist Church), 7528 North Main St., Ext. where a funeral service will take place in his memory at 10 a.m. MONDAY (AUG. 19, 2024). Inurnment will be in Rural Cemetery, Hornell.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to the Bethesda Foundation, 396 Cleveland Ave., Hornell, NY 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the church.

The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell is honored to assist Duane’s family with the arrangements.

Online condolences or remembrances of Duane are welcome at www.bishopdesanto.com or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.

PITTSFORD/HORNELL – James Raymond Morey, 95, of Pittsford, NY formerly of Hornell, passed away Thursday afternoon (July 25, 2024) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY.

Born in Hornell on April 11, 1929, he was the son of the late Dominic and Theresa (Lyons) Morey. On June 23, 1973 he was married in Rochester to the former Patricia (Brill) O’Neil, who predeceased him on Dec. 23, 1980 Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his sister, Ruth (James) Griswold; and a nephew, Mark Griswold.

A graduate of St. Ann’s School and Hornell High School, Jim proudly served his country with the United States Navy from 1950 to his honorable discharge in 1954. He resided in Hornell before moving to the Rochester area more than 20 years ago.

Before he retired Jim was employed as a civil engineer with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) in Hornell. While residing in Hornell Jim was a parishioner of St. Ann’s Church.

He is lovingly survived by three stepdaughters, Michael L. “Mickey” O’Neil of Aurora, CO, Theresa “Terry” Kessler of Fulton, NY and Colleen Broman of Victor, NY; four step grandchildren; five step greatgrandchildren; one niece, Mary (James) Garofalo of Erie, Pa; two nephews, James (Petra) Griswold of Dallas, TX and Joseph (Bridget) Griswold of Hornell; as well as several great nieces and nephews.

To honor his request there will be no calling hours. Relatives and friends are invited to join his family at St. Ann’s Church, 31 Erie Ave., Hornell where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. FRIDAY (AUG. 2, 2024). Committal prayers and interment will follow at St. Ann’s Cemetery, Hornell.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may have masses offered in his memory.

The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell is honored to assist Jim’s family with the arrangements.

Online condolences or remembrances of Jim are welcome at www.bishopdesanto.com or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.

NORTH HORNELL – Elizabeth “Beth” (McCabe) Shults, 77, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family, Thursday afternoon (July 11, 2024) at her home on Seneca Road.

Born in Hornell on March 12, 1947, she was a daughter of the late Peter and Elizabeth “Betty” (Palmer) McCabe. Besides her parents, she was also predeceased by her son, Christopher Shults and her sister, Mary Margaret Wyant.

A lifelong resident of Hornell and North Hornell, Beth was a graduate of Hornell High School, class of 1965 and attended a cosmetology school in 1966.

She was employed as a secretary at the U of R Admission Department, also at St. James Mercy Hospital School of Radiology, the Xerox Sales Department and for various doctors including, Dr. Andy Call, Dr. Tejinder Virdee and Dr. Andy Rupert.

Beth operated Gifts By Design from her home and co-owned and operated the franchise Curves for Women for many years with her sister, Karen Myers. She was employed as a teacher’s aide at BOCES and as a realtor for the former Lang Agency in Hornell.

An avid reader, she belonged to a local book club and was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Hornell where she served on the vestry. Beth was a trustee and a member of the Hornell YMCA Board of Directors and was named Woman of the Year by the YMCA. She was also active in the United Way campaign.

She is lovingly survived by her husband of 50 years, Eric Shults, who she married on March 2, 1974; two daughters, Katherine M. Shults and Anna E. Shults; granddaughter, Olivia Giglio; two grandsons, Everett Turner and Jack Turner; her sister, Karen Myers; brother-in-law, Ronald Wyant; nieces, Laura Neumann, Barbara McCarthy and Linda Albrecht; nephews, Peter Wyant, Mark Davidson, Mike Davidson and Scott Day; her cousin, Michael McCabe; her adopted Brazilian son, Venilton Carlos Mariano; and her faithful dog, Dudley.

Calling hours are 5-7 p.m. Monday (July 15, 2024) at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell. Relatives and friends are invited to join her family at Christ Episcopal Church, Center St., Hornell where a Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday (July 16, 2024). Interment will follow at Lakeside Cemetery at Loon Lake.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in her memory to either Christ Episcopal Church, 6 Center St., Hornell or the Hornell YMCA, 18 Center St., Hornell, NY 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home and church.

The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Beth’s family with the arrangements.

Online condolences or remembrances of Beth are welcome at www.bishopdesanto.com or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.