All Obituaries

Betty J. Fisk, of State Route 41, McGraw, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, November 15, 2018 at the age of 93. A lifelong area resident, Betty was born October 18, 1925, a daughter of the late Francis and Grace Euson Craft. She was a longtime and active member of Church of the Redeemer (Memorial Baptist). Betty was a housekeeper at the Cortland Holiday Inn for many years, retiring in 1990. She is survived by her son, David Fisk of Syracuse; her adopted daughter, Judy...

It is with great sadness that Jason and Jessica Wood VanPatten, of Douglas St., Cortland, announce the passing of their precious little angel, Annabelle Sara VanPatten on Saturday, November 10, 2018.  In addition to her parents, Annabelle is survived by three siblings, Christian, Madeline and Trevor VanPatten; grandparents, Vicki VanPatten of Cortland; Robin (Wilson) Wood-Drew of Remsen and Robert (Anne) Wood of Whitesboro. Also surviving are two uncles, Jeffrey VanPatten and Andrew...

Donald D. Ripley, 96, of River Street, Homer, passed away on October 31, 2018 while under the care Hospice and his loving family. Born on Copeland Avenue in Homer on July 12, 1922, a son of the late Harold and Beryl Howe Ripley. He was a 1940 graduate of Homer Academy. In 1942, Don enlisted in the US Navy, serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Belleau Wood. The ship shot down a Japanese kamikaze plane which fell on her flight deck aft, causing fires which set off ammunition. Before the...

James A. Vaber, 85, of East River Rd., Homer, passed away unexpectedly on October 30, 2018. A lifelong area resident, he was born March 30, 1933 a son of the late John and Tressa Campbell Vaber. Jim graduated Homer High School in 1951 and faithfully served his country in the US Army during the Korean War. He retired in 1996 from Homer Central School where he was worked in the maintenance department. He had been previously employed by Brewer Tichener. Jim was a member, for more than...

Samuel C. Merihew, Sr., 75, of Homer, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 26, 2018. A lifelong area resident, he was born March 18, 1943, a son of the late Charles Merihew, Sr. and Erma Stafford Merihew. Sam retired in 2006 from Pall Trinity, where he was employed for more than 30 years. He had a lifetime love of farming, and enjoyed his hobby farm on Cold Brook Road. Surviving are his children, Sarah A. Merihew and Samuel C. Merihew, Jr., both of Marathon; three grandchildren,...

Cynthia A. Thoman, 76, of Cortland, passed away on Sunday, October 21, 2018, while under the care of Hospice and her loving family. Cynthia was born June 23, 1942, raised in Cortland and was a graduate of Cortland High School. She continued her education at the University of Pennsylvania, earning her degree and Dental Hygiene. She was nationally recognized as a transcriber of braille for the blind. Cynthia is survived by her husband of 55 years, William A. Thoman; her son, Scott Thoman...

Jean T. Caughey, 84, of Albany St., Homer, passed away on Friday, October 12, 2018 following a lengthy illness. A lifelong area resident, Jean was born January 4, 1934, the eldest daughter of the late D. Walter and Minnie Sergeant Thompson. Jean retired after 20 years of service with Cortland County as a Stenographic Secretary. She was a longtime and faithful communicant of St. Margaret’s Church, Homer. Jean’s greatest accomplishment was being a loving wife, mother and...

Lawrence E. Perry, of Cortland, passed away on Monday, October 8, 2018, just one week shy of his 100th birthday. A lifelong area resident, he was born October 15, 1918, a son of the late J. Edward and Edith Sellen Perry.   Lawrence married the love of his life, Helen Cook on July 22, 1938, at the Homer Baptist Church, by the Rev. Egbert Fountain. He was a dairy and poultry farmer, then employed, and retired from DHI (Dairy Herd Improvement) where he was a milk...

Victoria "Sue" Whiteman, 75, of Corl Dr., Preble, passed away following a long battle with cancer on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 in the Cortland Regional Medical Center. A lifelong area resident, Sue was born August 4, 1943, a daughter of the late Morris and Meta Fox Baldwin. Sue was an avid quilter, knitter and reader. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and was a longtime member of the Preble Congregational Church. She loved living in and taking part in the...

Erma E. Moore of Homer N.Y. passed away peacefully at the age 97 on September 4, 2018. She was born on July 28, 1921, in Harpursville NY, the daughter of the late Dr. Fredrick and Lula (Bancroft) Johnson. She graduated from Homer Academy in 1939. Erma was a resident of Homer most of her life and was employed by several companies in the area. She was a member of St. Margaret’s Church. Erma is survived by her daughter, Lana Wilson (Richard) Riley and her son, Daniel (Donna)...