Category: Obituaries

It is with broken hearts that the family of Eleanor Janet VerSchneider, 89, announces her passing on August 26th, hours after her beloved husband’s heavenly birthday and with family by her side.

Eleanor was predeceased by her parents, Gerald and Nina Vary, her beloved husband of 58 years, William (Bill) VerSchneider, brothers and sister in-law Father Neil VerSchneider, Claire and Jim Hayes and Eugene VerSchneider. Eleanor is survived by brother in-law John (Jack) VerSchneider, children Jeannette (Mike) Dohner, Nancy (Alan) Brown, Linda (Tom) Cup, Jerry (Kelley) VerSchneider, Jane (Steve) Malachowski and Tammey Pulitano, nine grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, longtime friend Barb Byer and her daughter, Ann Byer Fullerton, who Mom lovingly regarded as her “seventh child.”

Growing up in Lowville, NY she met and married her high school sweetheart. They both worked at the local family owned Ver’s Restaurant (now Jebs) before moving to Fairport in 1968. Being an only child, Mom cherished family and community. She made our clothes as well as for our dolls, made homemade cookies, pies, jams, and soups, teaching us to do the same. Mom was known as “The Pie Lady” at the Fairport Farmers’ Market, our home was “The Popcorn Ball House” at Halloween and the place where “stray” cats found a loving home.

Mom loved and cared for countless children through her “word of mouth” homebased daycare and therefore, our family expanded tenfold. Eleanor will be remembered for her kind heart, unconditional love for God and all whose lives she touched, her beautiful blue eyes and singing voice and her deep and everlasting love for Dad.

The VerSchneider family would like to extend deep and heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Cottage 3, Home 1 of the Jewish Home of Rochester as well as her Care Team who cared for Eleanor for the past two years. Their genuine love for, attention to, and personal connection with Eleanor fostered the joy and love she felt right up to the last days of her earthly life.

A Celebration of Eleanor’s life will take place on Sunday, October 20, 2024, from 1-6PM at Hopkins Point Lodge at Mendon Ponds Park 95 Douglas Road Honeoye Falls, NY 14472.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eleanor’s memory to Dementia Society of America, GESU School (Philadelphia, PA), Lollypop Farm, or other agencies of choice supporting animals or those in need.

Jimmie “Jim” Diaz, 83, of Scio, NY, passed away on August 18, 2024, at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY, after a brief illness. He was born on December 20, 1940, in Manhattan, NY to Louis Velasquez and Ansevia Diaz. He was the youngest of three children, his siblings being Luz and Angelo Diaz. Together with his wife of 61 years, Mae Diaz, Jimmie will be greatly missed by his many close friends.

After 4 years in the Marine Corps, Jim and Mae were married on November 11, 1962. They began to study the Bible and were baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1969. A year later, they sold their home in New Jersey, relocated to Scio, NY, and have enjoyed life in that small community ever since. Jim was well known to his neighbors and community as a person who truly loved people and would stop and take time to talk, admire their flowers, or tell of some unique aspect of creation he had seen. He had a keen sense of humor and desire to make others happy by giving them custom cards or little gifts, to show he cared.

Jim will forever be remembered as a loving husband, a loyal friend to people of all ages, a hard-working owner of ‘Jay Dee Cleaning’, of which he ran for more than 40 years. Jim was a man who enjoyed sharing his love of the Bible and his conviction of the Bible's promise of a better future. Locals will also remember him for his frequent walks throughout Scio and the surrounding towns.

Those who will miss him and hope to learn from his example will gather together for a memorial service on August 31, 2024, at 2:00PM at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 115 Chamberlain St, Wellsville, NY 14895.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, PO Box 467, Wellsville, NY 14895.

Gerald “Jerry” L. Fosco passed away on July 14, 2024, at 82.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Fosco; children Rita (Jeff) Griffo, Kathleen Cordes, and Gregory (Cher) Fosco; 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
His Memorial Service will be held Sunday, September 1^st at 10AM in the chapel at Oakwood Cemetery (1975 Baird Rd. Penfield) with coffee and donuts to follow.

Karen Lynn Young (Kreiser), a humble servant of the Lord and a beacon of His love, was called to her eternal home on August 17, 2024, at the age of 65. Born to this earthly realm on August 20, 1958, in Rochester, NY.   Karen’s life was a testimony to the grace and mercy bestowed upon her by her Creator.

Educated at East Ridge High School and the Rochester Business Institute, Karen embodied the virtues of diligence and charity throughout her career at Rochester Regional Health. In the Emergency Department, Surgical Center, and Lipson Cancer Center, her gentle spirit and nurturing presence brought solace to those in pain and their families.

At Calvary Chapel Greece and Calvery Chapel Westside, Karen found her spiritual haven, dedicating her life to the service of her Savior and those around her. Her selfless nature was the embodiment of Christ’s teachings, as she extended her hand and heart to the recovery community, demonstrating profound gratitude for her own journey and respect for all of creation.

Karen’s legacy of love continues to ripple through the lives of her beloved husband and soulmate, Earl Young Sr.; her children, Earl Young Jr. and Krista Lattuca (RJ Lattuca III); her stepchildren, Andrea Young, Melanie Young, and Sam Zhen; her cherished grandchildren, Hailey, Joshua, Zayne, Kylie, Esperanza, Liam, and Molly; her devoted brother, Keith Kreiser (Susan); and her adoring nieces, Kelly and Kristin Kreiser. She was greeted in Heaven by her parents, Marilyn and Dale Kreiser, who undoubtedly prepared the way before her.

A remembrance of Karen’s life will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024. The family will welcome friends from 9-11 AM at Dierna Funeral Home, 2309 Culver Rd, Rochester, NY 14609. A sacred Celebration of Life will commence immediately to follow, at 12 PM at 85 Kuhn Rd, Rochester, NY  14612, where loved ones can unite in fellowship, sharing stories of how Karen’s light touched each of their lives and have a meal.

In lieu of traditional remembrances, the family requests that charitable offerings be made to Renew Ministries through Calvary Chapel Greece at www.ccgreece.com   selecting the GIVE tab, enter amount and choose RENEW option. Through these gifts, Karen’s mission to shepherd those afflicted by the trials of addiction to the path of recovery. CONTRIBUTIONS will assist getting someone help into treatment and any cost associated.

Dierna Funeral Home is honored to assist the Young family in their time of loss and invites the community to join in celebrating a life that beautifully reflected God’s work on earth.

Calling hours will be Sunday August 18th, from 4-8pm. His Funeral Service will be held on Monday at 11am at Spanish Seventh Day Adventist Church, 47 Oakman St. Followed by interment at White Haven Memorial Park.

Anastasia Rekkerth passed away on Tuesday, August 13th, 2024.

She is predeceased by her husband, Max. Anastasia is survived by her son Richard (Donna) Rekkerth, daughter Lydia (Dan) VanValkenburg; grandchildren Max (Kelly) Rekkerth, and Laura (Shamus) Nugent; and great-grandchildren McKinley, Gabe, and Gavin Rekkerth.

She was born in Bucovina, Rumaina on May 5, 1929, and fled to Salzburg, Austria during WWII and immigrated to the US with her husband, Max E. Rekkerth and their daughter, Lydia in 1956. Her hobbies were gardening and sewing, she loved to dance, and she absolutely loved animals.

A private burial will be held at Irondequoit Cemetery on Friday, August 16th at 1:30.

Robin L. Nolan went home to be with the lord on August 10th, 2024 in the comfort of her home after battling cancer for two months. She was surrounded by her family during her final moments.

Robin was born May 15, 1978 in Clifton Springs, NY. She is the daughter of Gary Anderson (Mary Murphy) and Theresa Scott. She married William Nolan on June 1st, 2024 in Seneca Falls, NY.

Robin was so warm hearted and wanted everyone to know they were loved. She loved baking in her down time and singing and dancing to her playlist and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her 3 children Olivia, Hunter, and Kaydence. She had 3 stepchildren William, Kylee, and Riley. Her siblings Kimberly(Mike), Veronica (Richard), Larry (Angie), Barbara, Gary Jr and Wayne Jr. Robin had many nieces and nephews, and many great nieces and nephews that she loved very much.

She was predeceased by her stepfather Wayne Scott Sr. and her 2 brothers Kyle Anderson and Gordon Murphy.

Robin will be deeply remembered by her contagious laugh and loving soul and beautiful blue eyes.

Robin will be cremated and brought back home where a celebration of life will take place at an undetermined date and time.

Ralph E. Schoepfel

November 3, 1931 – August 7, 2024

Ralph E. Schoepfel died at home with his wife by his side after a battle with colon cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Ann. Predeceased by his sons Craig and Ronald Schoepfel. He is survived by his son, Daniel (Carol) Schoepfel and his daughter, Teri (Ted) Fox, 9 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Ralph was a U.S. Army Korean War Veteran in charge of building an orphange in Okinawa, Japan. He was a catcher that was drafted by the Boston Braves, a baseball coach for the Babe Ruth league, an umpire and Buffalo Bills Fan. He was a Cub Scout Cubmaster for Pack 70 at St. Andrew’s on Portland Avenue. Ralph and his wife also ran the snow cone booth at the yearly St. Andrew’s Festivals, and he was an usher at the 12:15PM mass prior to their closing. Ralph was a Kodak Retiree and he and his wife collected and was a member of the Department 56 Club.

Calling hours will be Friday August 16th, from 3-7pm at Dierna Funeral Home 2309 Culver Rd. (near Norton St.) His Funeral service will be celebrated on Saturday 10am at the Funeral Home followed by interment at Irondequoit Cemetery.

Jeffrey “Scotty” Scott Evans

It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Scotty on July 3, 2024, at age 34.
He is predeceased by his father Jeffrey Evans, loving grandparents Guner and Kemal Ture.
Survived by his mother Candice Ture, sister Amanda Evans (Josh Rosado), and Uncle Bulent Ture (Sara); Foster parents Julie Natale and Kevin Natale and foster siblings Jonathan Moody, Kassandra Moody, and Anthony Natale (Madeline).

There are no calling hours. A private remembrance gathering will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Scott’s honor to DePaul Upper Falls Square, 1931 Buffalo Rd. Rochester, NY 14601.