All Obituaries

Gregory Chapman, 42, of Tully, NY entered into Eternal Glory in the early morning hours of November 25, 2022, at his parent’s home in Tully, while under the care of CNY Finger Lakes Hospice, following a brief illness. He was born November 30, 1979 in Cortland, NY, the son of Richard J. and Barbara E. James Chapman. Greg was a graduate of Tully High School, class of 1997. He graduated from Alfred State University in 1999 and Oswego State University in 2002 majoring in business. Greg...

Betty Lou Crandall Knobel, 85, of Homer, New York, passed away on Sunday, November 20, 2022, at Guthrie Cedar Run Nursing facility.  Betty is predeceased by her husband of 49 years, James Henry Knobel. Betty was born December 10, 1936, in Cortland, daughter of the late Doris (Biel) and Francis Crandall. She is survived by her brother Gerry Crandall (Joyce) and her stepchildren, Thomas Knobel (Catherine Bertini), Rona Knobel, Stephen Knobel (Dina), and Kimberly Welch (Thomas), and...

Carla Chrzan Sweeney, 76, of 21 Brentwood Drive, Homer, transitioned in the loving embrace of her family on November 7, 2022, following a series of health issues over the past 22 months. She was born April 23, 1946, in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Walter George Chrzan and Charlotte Houck Chrzan. Carla graduated from Dickinson High School in Jersey City at the top of her class in 1964. She graduated from Cornell University in 1968. She went on to teach mathematics at Homer Junior High School...

Jane Margaret Darou, 86, of Alexandria Dr., Cortland, passed away on October 25, 2022 following a period of declining health. Jane was born January 23, 1936 in Norfolk, NY; a daughter of the late Floyd and Margaret Garner Gonyea. Jane was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She took great pride in her home and was always concerned for the well-being of others before herself. She and her late husband, Ronald B. Darou, loved to travel, having made several cross-country trips...

Shirley Marie Olson, 96, of Cortland, NY passed away on October 11, 2022. Shirley was born on December 6, 1925 to Frank and Otilda Maxson in Minneapolis, MN. Shirley studied as a post-graduate at Columbia Heights High School where she graduated as a salutatorian. In 1944, Shirley married Milo Warren of DeRuyter, NY. They raised 6 children together on their dairy farm. She is survived by 5 of her children: Cindy Warren (Jeff Neumann), Sally Isbell, Scott Warren (Grace), Roxy Hibson...

John G. Helms, 76, formerly of 42 Church St., Cortland, passed away following lengthy illness on October 9, 2022 in the Groton Nursing Facility. John was born August 29, 1946, a son of the late Jack and Mary “Betty” McAuliff Helms. Following his graduation from Homer High School, he served in the National Guard. For many years, he worked as a custodian at Patino Murphy’s and the Red Jug Pub. He is survived by his son, John (Sarah) Helms of Pompey; two grandchildren, Kara...

Jerome E. ‘Jerry’ Kleisath, 87, of Little York, NY, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 8, 2022.  He was born on April 4, 1935 in Smethport, PA, the son of Alfred and Eva Mattison Kleisath. Jerry worked on the family farm in Smethport all of his childhood. After graduating from Smethport High School class of 1953, he went on to received his BS in Agricultural Economics in 1957 from Penn State University. He worked for Agricultural Extension as 4-H club leader...

Thomas R. Place, Sr., 73, of O'Shea Rd., Homer, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2022, surrounded by his family. Tom was born January 26, 1949, a son of the late Gerald and Inda Mills Place.  He attended Homer Schools and enlisted in the US Marine Corp, serving in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969, where he was honorably discharged as a Lance Corporal. A lifelong area resident, he owned and operated TP’s Construction and Drywall and had worked at E.F. Hayward Construction in...

Sally Augusta (Bliss) O’Shea, 95, Cortland, New York passed away on October 6, 2022, following an extended illness.                   She was born on March 23, 1927, in the town of Smithfield, NY, the daughter of the late Fenton and Vera (Ingalls) Bliss. Sally spent her early years in Peterboro, graduating from Morrisville Eaton High School and Morrisville College.  She lived in Cortland...

Rhonda J. Evans, 70, of Cayuga St., Homer, passed away following a brief illness on Friday September 30, 2022 at Crouse Hospital, Syracuse. A lifelong area resident, Rhonda was born October 14, 1951 the eldest child of John and Frieda Streiff Evans and was a graduate of Tully High School. Rhonda had most recently been employed at the Preble Hotel. She had also worked as a bartender in the area at several veteran’s clubs, mostly the Cortland VFW and American Legion. She had previously...