Obituaries published the week of April 13, 2006

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In Memoriam

Joan Andersen

Springwater/Dansville - Joan Andersen, 64, of 9994 Greenmount Ave., Dansville, passed away from the effects of Alzheimers Disease April 8, 2006 at the Livingston County Health Care Facility in Mt. Morris where she has been a resident for the past two years. Joan was born in Quincy, Mass. Feb. 16, 1942 the daughter of Horace and Charlotte (Balfour) Call. Joan grew up in Newport, R.I. and was a graduate of Rogers High School. Subsequent to high school, Joan and Chris Andersen entered into a loving marriage on June 2, 1961 at the Trinity Chapel in Newport R.I. Together they celebrated over 44 years of marriage. Joan and Chris lived in Jamestown, N.Y. for a few years, moved to the Springwater area in January 1976 and since 1997 they have resided in Dansville. They raised four children together, Kris, Laurie, Eva and Jason. While her children were young, Joan enjoyed time as a youth cheerleader coach and a den mother. She enjoyed reading and loved to paint as evidenced by her paintings of outdoor scenery. Joan also enjoyed gardening and she attended the Wayland United Methodist Church regularly until she became a resident of the health care facility. She was the treasurer of the church for several years. Her employment career included several years at Moore Cottrell in Atlanta and over 17 years at the Wayland Bank. Joan was predeceased by both her parents. She is survived by her loving and dedicated husband, Chris Andersen of Dansville; her children, Kris (Dawn) Andersen of South Lima, Laurie (Jack) Haley of Avon, Eva (Fred) Beach of Georgetown, Texas and Jason (Sarah) Andersen of Tenino, Wash.; her grandchildren, Kirsten and Claire Andersen, Roxy and Zach Haley and Lauren and Emily Beach; her brother, David (Margie) Call of Newport, R.I.; brothers and sisters-in-law, James (Marie) Johnson, Gerould (Ann) Moran, Karen (Sam) Papaserge, Sherry (Jim Hanson), all of Jamestown, N.Y. and Shawn Moran of Randolph, N.Y.; along with several nieces and nephews. Joan's family and friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 Friday at the St. George-Stanton Funeral Home, 109 W. Naples St., Wayland. Joan's Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Wayland United Methodist Church with Rev. Osceola Wharton officiating. Interment, Greenmount Cemetery in Dansville immediately following. Contributions in Joan Andersen's memory may be made to the Wayland United Methodist Church, 1 East Ave., Wayland NY 14572.

Helen B. Collins

Kodak retiree

Helen B. Collins, 80, of 54 Genesee View Trail in Rochester, formerly of Mt. Morris, died April 4, 2006 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. She was born the daughter of Elmer and Rebecca (Evans) Collins on July 8, 1925 in Rochester. Prior to her retirement in 1983 she was employed at Eastman Kodak in Rochester for 41 years as a Cost Accountant. She was a member of St. Pius Church in Chili. She volunteered at St. Mary's Hospital and Strong Memorial Hospital and at the Monroe County Probation Department. She is survived by her nephew James Collins of Hilton; many dear and loving friends including Lorraine and John McMahon of Fairport. No prior calling. Prayers were said Saturday at the John W. Martin Funeral Home, 37 Chapel St. (Route 408), Mt. Morris followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Patrick's Church, Mt. Morris. Burial St. Patrick's Cemetery, Mt. Morris. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be emailed to JohnWMartinFH@aol.com.

Sherwood D. Gayhart Sr.

Sherwood D. Gayhart Sr., 69, died April 6, 2006 at Buffalo General Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y. Mr. Gayhart lived in Hume, N.Y. and was previously from Canandaigua. He is survived by two sons, William (Holly) Gayhart of Clifton Springs, Sherwood Gayhart Jr. of Canandaigua; five grandchildren; one sister Kathy Gayhart of Silver Springs; four brothers, William Gayhart of Warsaw, Raymond Gayhart of Stanley, Keith Gayhart of Fillmore, Richard Gayhart of Pike; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Genevieve Nuciola. He was born March 4, 1937 in Warsaw, N.Y. the son of Raymond and Helen Dieter Gayhart. He was employed at Meyers Farm in Gainesville, N.Y. Visitation was held at the Rector-Hicks Funeral Home, 111 Main St. in Geneseo on Monday. Graveside Services were held April 11 at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in York with family friend Mabel Treadwell officiating.

Joan M. Lanphere (Brooks)

Former Lima resident

Lima - Joan M. Lanphere (Brooks), 64, died peacefully on March 30, 2006 at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, N.C. She was a former resident of Lima. Mrs. Lanphere was born on April 19, 1941 in Rochester the daughter of Arthur and Gertrude Brooks. Joan was a devoted wife, Nana, and friend. Joan will be remembered as an inspiration to all that knew her for her shining spirit, quiet strength, and gentle grace with which she accepted each day of her life, and the changes of those days. As Nana, she will forever be remembered for her boundless joy, endless patience, and just plain fun she shared with each grandchild at every opportunity. She is survived by her husband Lawrence “Larry” Lanphere; sons, James (Andrea) Lanphere, John (Susan) Lanphere; daughters, Laurie Spahalski, Susan (John) Dolan; brother John “Jack” (Gayle) Brooks; 14 grandchildren; one great grandchild, several nieces and nephews; beloved aunt Mary Rose Hogan; uncles Rev. Michael Hogan, Daniel Hogan and many dear friends. Calling hours were held April 3 at the O'Connell-Dougherty Funeral Home in Lima. Her Funeral Mass was held April 4 at St. Rose Church in Lima with Rev. Michael Hogan officiating. Interment, St. Rose Cemetery in Lima. Contributions may be made to the Lima Volunteer Ambulance, P.O. Box 335, Lima NY 14485.

Melinda Swarts McDermott

Former Caledonia resident

Melinda Swarts McDermott, of Caledonia N.Y./Lafayette Colo. She was born Aug. 26, 1955, succumbed to thymus cancer on April 2, 2006. Mindi was predeceased by her parents, Sidney Swarts and Virginia Place Swarts of Caledonia. She is survived by her loving husband, Richard McDermott of Lafayette Colo.; her sister, Kathryn Niedzwick of Bradenton, Fla.; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She was a long-time customer service manager at Blue Mountain Arts in Boulder, Colorado. Donations, in Mindi's name, may be made to the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, 2323 55th St., Boulder CO 80301.

Virginia Stickney Phillips

Caledonia resident

Virginia Stickney Phillips, 100, of Caledonia, died April 6, 2006 at the Wyoming County Nursing Home, Warsaw, N.Y. The daughter of Gaius and Kate Permilia (Stickney) Clampitt, Virginia was born April 22, 1905 in Cleveland, Ohio. She is survived by her cousins and many dear friends. In 1946, Virginia and her husband, Kenwyn Phillips bought a farm in Caledonia. Over the next few years, they raised a home there. Mr. Phillips who was an architect died in 1966. Mrs. Phillips was a member of the Daughters of American Revolution and served as a Regent for 14 years. She was also an active member of the Big Springs Historical Society since 1935, and served as curator for the Big Springs Museum. As a member of St. Andrew's Church, she was Director of the Altar Guild for 13 years and also Treasurer of the church. She was a member of the Caledonia Library Association. She became a Deputy Rochester City Court Clerk at the age of 21 and retired at age 55 as Head Clerk of the City's Civil Court Branch. For several years she worked as private secretary to J.W. Jones of the Jones Chemical Company, Caledonia. No prior calling. Friends attended her funeral service Monday, April 10 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, North St., Caledonia. Interment was held at Mumford Rural Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Big Springs Historical Society, 3095 Main St., Caledonia, N.Y. 14423. Arrangements made by Alhart Funeral Home, 3068 W. Main St., Caledonia.

Raymond G. Thompson

Dansville - Raymond G. “Ray” Thompson, 91, of Morgan View Estates and formerly of Dansville, died April 9, 2006 at Noyes Memorial Hospital In Dansville after a short illness. Ray was born Nov. 9, 1914 in Cohocton, N.Y. the son of the late LaVerne R. and Jean (Kenney) Thompson. He was married on June 29, 1940 to Bernadette (Muldoon) Thompson who predeceased him in 1994 after 54 years of marriage. Ray had been employed in the production control department at the former Foster Wheeler Energy Corp. in Dansville, retiring in 1980 after 43 continuous years of service. He was a communicant of St. Mary's Church in Dansville, an honorary life member of the Union Hose Company No. 1 of the Dansville Fire Dept. with 69 years of service and a member of the Foster Wheeler 25 year Club. Besides his parents and his wife Bernadette, Ray was predeceased by a sister Jane LaForce and a brother-in-law John Beckerman. He is survived by a son Raymond James “Tim” Thompson of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; two grandchildren, Garret (Michele) Thompson of Ohio and Tara Thompson of Colorado; a sister Suzanne Beckerman of Dansville and a brother-in-law Robert LaForce Sr. of Dansville; several nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends. As per Ray's request, there will be no prior calling hours. His Funeral Mass was celebrated Wednesday in St. Mary's Church in Dansville. Burial, Oaklawn Cemetery in West Sparta. Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to St. Mary's Church of Holy Family Catholic Community, 206 Fremont St., Wayland NY 14572 or Dansville Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 235, Dansville NY 14437 in his memory. Arrangements by Rector-Hicks Funeral Home, 111 Main St. in Geneseo.