All Obituaries

Jody L. Lawrence, 49, of Moravia, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 12, 2020. She was born May 21, 1970 in Cortland, a daughter of the late Judith A. Welch and had attended Ithaca Central School. Jody had an extensive career in the transportation industry, most recently at Bur-Trans Trucking Co. in Moravia and formerly at George Banks Trucking. Jody was passionate about her work and for the safety of her drivers. She was instrumental in the growth of the Moravia Youth Football and...

Scott A. Randolph, 55, of Hoy Rd., Cortland, passed away following a brief illness on Monday, May 11, 2020 in SUNY Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse. A lifelong area resident, Scott was born December 12, 1964, a son of Earl and Janet Lewis Randolph. Scott had a lifelong love of farming, growing up on the family farm, working for various farms and was currently employed at New Hope View Farm in Homer. In addition to his parents, Earl and Janet Randolph of Cortland; he is survived by a...

  Nancy Louise (Thiel) Hopkins, a devoted mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, passed away early on the morning of April 5 after a long illness with her family by her side. She was 64. Nancy was born to Marjorie (Robinson) and Carleton Thiel on October 8, 1955. She graduated from Homer High School in 1973 and spent a short time living in California with her son before returning to Cortland County, where she lived for the rest of her life. She spent more than three decades helping...

Richard J. Ottenschot, Homer, NY, passed away unexpectedly on May 7, 2020 at the age of 73.  A lifelong area resident, Dick was born October 18, 1946, a son of the late Leonard and Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Quinn Ottenschot. Since 1963, Dick was involved with the operation of Ottenschot Construction Co. in Homer, where he was currently the owner and President. Dick devoted his life to the success of his business and was happiest operating one of his Caterpillar excavators or...

Dale P. Halstead, of River St., Homer, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2020 at Loretto Health and Rehabilitation Center, Syracuse, at the age of 85. A lifelong area resident, Dale was born February 26, 1935, a son of Perry and Dora Moore Halstead. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1953 and was honorably discharged in 1957. Dale had been employed at Wilson Sporting Goods but was better known as a well-respected auto mechanic, owning and operating Dale’s Repair Shop for several...

Phyllis A. Bay, 77, of Highland Rd., Cortland, passed away peacefully, while under the care of Hospice and her loving family on April 21, 2020. Phyllis was born November 5, 1942 in Queens, NY, a daughter of the late Harold and Evelyn Alversa Green. She was a longtime communicant of St. Margaret’s Church, Homer. Phyllis was the founder of Dee’s Shawl Ministry; in memory of her late sister, Dolores Lyons, at St. Margaret’s, providing shawls and blankets for those in...

Charlotte A. Morgan, 84, of Steger Rd., Preble, passed away peacefully, while under the care of her loving family on April 10, 2020. A lifelong area resident, she was born August 18, 1935 in Groton, a daughter of the late Alton and Geraldine Holmes Metcalf. For 32 years, Charlotte was employed in the restaurant business, both at Denny’s Mountain View and at Song Mountain. She was a member of the Preble Congregational Church and was a life member of the Preble Fire Department...

Gregory L. Ruddick, 71, of Bowling Green Road, Cortland, passed away on April 3, 2020 following a brief illness. Born October 14, 1948 in Johnson City, NY; a son of the late Clifford and Florence Stone Ruddick. Greg faithfully served his country in the United States Marine from 1968-1971, where he attained the rank of Sergeant. After serving in the United States Marines Greg attended and graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in science. Greg worked for...

Jane B. Schuehler, passed away on April 1, 2020 at the age of 91, in the Cortland Regional Nursing Facility where she had been a resident since 2016. She born November 26, 1928, a daughter of the late William and Naida Coon Weddle and had been a resident of the Cortland area all of her life. Jane was a lifelong member of the Homer United Methodist Church, longtime volunteer at the Cortland Regional Medical Center, a 4-H leader and homemaker. Surviving are her children, Diane M....

Donald E. Wright, formerly of Preble Road, Preble, passed away on March 31, 2020 following a lengthy illness at the age of 81. A lifelong area resident, Don was born February 8, 1939, the son of the late Wellington and Hilda Edinger Wright. Over the years, Don was employed with Roger Craver Construction, Wright’s Grocery and Barber & DeLine. He also served as the Preble Highway Superintendent and was caretaker for Elmwood Cemetery in Preble. He was a lifetime member of the...