All Obituaries

Ruth N. Riehlman, 89, of Maxson Rd., Homer, passed away on October 1, 2020. Ruth was born May 29, 1931 in Rochester, a daughter of the late Willis and Alpha Blankshine Newman. She was employed for more than 20 years at Victor Kraut and later Comstock Foods. She enjoyed painting, working in her flower gardens and watching the birds. Surviving are her children, K. Stephen (Connie Burdett) Riehlman; Elaine (John) Collins; David (Lisa) Riehlman; Douglas (Martsje Van der Schaaf) Riehlman and...

Ed O’Donnell, 88 of Walden Place, Cortland passed away peacefully at Hospicare of Tompkins County on September 30, 2020. Ed was born and raised in Truxton, NY to John and Margaret (O’Brien) O’Donnell on March 11, 1932 the 5th of 6 children. He was predeceased by his sisters Mary, Helena, Frances and Catherine and is survived by his younger brother Leo. Ed graduated from Truxton High School. At 19 years old, he married Phyllis Jenney, from East Homer, on September 15,...

Margaret Thomas, 82, of Naples, Florida passed away September 24, 2020 peacefully surrounded by her loving family.  Margaret Thomas was born in Cortland, NY and graduated from Cortland High School in 1956. Promptly she married her childhood sweetheart, Donald Joseph Thomas. He was known to all his friends and family as “Joe”, and she as “Maggie.” While in Cortland, together, Maggie and Joe owned Homer Hardware and raised their three children...

Laura S. Gage, of Cayuga St., Homer, passed away on Monday, September 21, 2020 at the age of 101. A lifelong area resident, Laura was born January 22, 1919 in Marathon, a daughter of the late Ezra and L. Sylvania Weiser Carter. She worked for several years at Wilson’s Sporting Goods in Cortland. Following her retirement Laura and her late husband, Leon Gage, enjoyed wintering in Florida. Surviving is a daughter, Stella Johnson of Lakeside, OR; two stepdaughters, Vada Dular of Ohio...

Robert D. Riehlman, 88, formerly of Abdallah Ave., Cortland, passed away on September 16, 2020 in Chipley, FL. Born January 10, 1932 in Cortland, he was the son of the late Harold and Katherine Alvord Riehlman. He received his bachelors in Engineering from Syracuse University. Bob resided in New Jersey for 32 years, working as an engineer with the Department of Avionics Research & Development Lab in Ft. Monmouth, NJ, retiring in 1990. For six years following his retirement, Bob and...

Donald I. Steger was born September 22nd, 1923, to John Steger and Lucy Isley Steger on the family farm in Preble, New York, on the east side of Mount Topping.  Don died August 26th, 2020 in his home at Cold Brook Tree Farm on the west side of Mount Topping in Homer.  Don attended Homer Academy, where he was coached in baseball and basketball by George Butts.  They became life-long friends.  He graduated in 1941 and was inducted into the Homer Central School District...

Lynda A. Rawson of Bennie Road, Cortland, passed away at her home on August 19, 2020, while under the care of hospice and her loving family at the age of 82. A lifelong area resident, Lynda was born July 7, 1938 a daughter of the late Harry and Ethel Robbins Davis. She had worked at the former Brewer Titchener in Cortland and retired from Homer High School as a library assistant. Surviving is her longtime companion, Mahlon Irish, Sr. and his family; her children and step-children, Steve...

John F. Brewer, 67, of State Route 41, McGraw, passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2020, while under the care of hospice and his loving family. John was born December 19, 1952 in Binghamton, NY, a son of the late Harold and Ethel Moore Brewer. He was a graduate of McGraw High School and a 2005 graduate of TC3 with an associate’s degree in Accounting. John retired from the United States Navy following 20 years of dedicated service attaining the rank of Chief Aviation Structural...

Lois M. Keller, 84, Route 11, Homer passed away on July 30, 2020 at Groton Nursing Facility, where she had been a resident since May. Born March 4, 1936 in Lyons, NY, she was the daughter of the late Arthur J. and Vera M. Van Deusen Roy and was a graduate of Moravia High School. For 18 years, Lois was employed as a secretary at Brockway Motors. She retired after 10 years of service from SUNY Cortland. Lois enjoyed camping when her children were young and traveling with her late husband,...

Marian B. Calale, 89, formerly of Sunset Drive, Homer, passed away on July 21, 2020 in the Cortland Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, where she had been a resident since 2015. A lifelong area resident, Marian was born November 29, 1930 a daughter of the late Francis and Rose Gazetta Bogardo. She graduated from Cortland High School. Then attended St. Joseph school of Nursing in Auburn, NY where she graduated as a register nurse.  Subsequently she worked in area hospitals, and...