Daily Sentinel

Joseph A. Bednarczyk, 89, passed away on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at the Abraham House. Joseph was born on February 11, 1933, in Utica, the son of Valentine and Mary (Pedzimaz) Bednarczyk. He attended Holy Trinity and John F. Hughes School, where he attended sight-saving class through the Lion's Club and was a 1952 graduate of Utica Free Academy. Joe B, as he was so delightfully called, attended the College of Hard Knocks where he graduated with honors. On April 18, 1959, Joseph married D. Maureen Hyde in Utica's St. Joseph's Church. They enjoyed a blessed union of over 45 years prior to her untimely passing on November 1, 2004. Joseph held the distinction of working 42 years at...

Mary Eileen DeRuby, 81, of Stanley, NC passed away peacefully at home on August 9, 2022. She was born to the late Joseph and Marie Agnes O'Rourke in Baltimore, MD. She married her husband, Richard, on August 22, 1964 in Baltimore, MD. Mary is preceded in death by her son, Eric Christopher DeRuby; and sister, Regina M. Gordon. Mary is survived by her husband of 57 years, Richard Joseph DeRuby; daughter, Karen DeRuby Walden (Troy); daughter, Renee DeRuby Tanis (Mike); son, Ryan DeRuby (Beverly); special friend, Pam Alexander; and grandchildren, Carly Brynne Walden and Grayson Noah DeRuby. She was a member of TWIGS while in Rome, NY and Diggers and Duffers Garden Club. Mary enjoyed her...

Samantha N. Shini, age 30, of the Town of Camden, passed away peacefully at home on August 9, 2022, after a brief battle with cancer. Sam was born in Oneida, NY on October 20, 1991 to Allen Knowles and Mary Beth Millington, and graduated from Camden High School in 2010. On June 2, 2018, she was united in marriage to Indrit Shini. Sam formerly worked at Rome Health and was currently employed at the Family Dollar Distribution Center. Sam was a generous and kind-hearted person, always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed it. She loved to rescue cats. It brought her joy to bring help to homeless cats; finding, fixing, and rehoming them. She was a gift giver and it didn't matter the...

David W. Bulak, 48, of Clinton, passed away on Monday, August 8, 2022. Born in New Hartford, NY, on July 22, 1974, he was a son of Gene and Monika (Hohn) Bulak. He was a graduate of Camden High School and Mohawk Valley Community College. David is survived by his mother, Monika Cox; his companion, Thomas A. Netzband; a sister, Tracy Cox; and several cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Gene, and brother, Michael. Graveside services will be held on Friday, August 19th at 2:00 p.m. at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Taberg. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in David's memory to the Anita's Stevens Swan Humane Society, 5664 Horatio St., Utica, NY...

Paul W. Clark, Jr., 61, of Rome, passed away on Monday, August 8, 2022 at Glens Falls Hospital. Born in Rome on January 17, 1961, he was a son of the late Paul W. and Eleanora (Valencourt) Clark. He was a graduate of Rome Free Academy and served in the United States Navy. Paul worked for many years at Bonide Products in Oriskany. He is survived by his girlfriend, Mary Ann Chargo; a sister, Joette Criscio; a brother, Brian Clark; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Margaret Clark. Family and friends are invited to call at Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc. 418 N. George St., Rome, on Tuesday, August 16th from 4-6:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held on...

Bernice M. Daniels 98, of Camden, NY passed away Monday August 8, 2022 at the home of her son. She was born Nov 13, 1923 in Camden, NY a daughter of William & Lena Hall McDaniels and was a graduate of Camden High School. On June 26, 1948, she married Reginald E. Daniels in Camden, NY. He passed away September 23, 1983. Bernice worked for William's Stationery and Curry's Drug Store before she began her 20 year career driving school bus for the Camden Central Schools. Bernice was a former member United Methodist Church, Camden, NY, the Camden Order Eastern Stars and the Camden and Annsville Senior groups. She also enjoyed playing cards, gardening and her camp at Panther Lake. Surviving...

Ralph N. Schmidt Jr. passed quietly and peacefully in his "room with a view" on Sunday, August 7, 2022, in Charlottesville, VA. He was 87 years old. Ralph is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nancy; his son, Ralph III (Aimee); grandsons, Tyler and Connor; his son, Eric; and his daughter, Ingrid Horn (Larry); granddaughters, Paige and Courtney; and many nieces and nephews. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph N. Schmidt Sr. and Wilda Delay Schmidt; and his brother, Carl. Born November 6, 1934, in Fond du Lac, WI, Ralph spent his formative years in Utica, NY. He attended Utica Free Academy High School, where his activities included football, track, student council, politics,...

Dorothy E. Larsen, 91, of Rome, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, August 6, 2022. Born in Rome on December 23, 1930, she was a daughter of the late C. Stewart and Marion (Reynolds) Myers. On June 25, 1955, she was united in marriage to Donald F. Larsen, Sr. He passed away May 6, 2004. Dorothy was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Rome and New London Historical Society. She was a lifetime member of the New London Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She is survived by three daughters, Donna Worlock (William), Michele Hawver and Kimberly Larsen; three sons, Kevin Larsen (Kimberly), William Larsen (Jillian) and Jeffrey Larsen; a daughter-in-law, Michelle Larsen; a...

Marlene V. (Bachmann) Wightman, age 85 of Seneca, South Carolina was called to heaven to be with the Lord on August 5, 2022 after a brief illness. She was born at Murphy Memorial Hospital, Rome, New York on November 16, 1936 the daughter of Jacob and Helen Bachmann and educated in Westmoreland Central School. On May 18, 1957 she was united in marriage to David Harris in St. John's Lutheran Church. On August 22, 1991 she was united in marriage to Neil Wightman. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church until moving to Texas in 2019 and then Seneca, South Carolina to live with her daughter and son-in-law. Marlene was employed at Rome Cable for many years and then at the Board of...

Ronald H. Plumley, Sr., 85, of Rome, passed away peacefully at the VA Hospital in Syracuse on Monday, August 1, 2022, with his loving family by his side. Born in the Town of Vienna on September 12, 1936, he was a son of the late William and Florence (Russell) Plumley. He served his country in the United States Air Force from 1955-1963. On August 4, 1963, he was united in marriage to Alice E. Lashway, a blessed union of nearly 60 years. Ron worked for FW Woolworth's in Rochester before settling in at Revere Copper Products in Rome where he did many different jobs there during his long career. He was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses of Rome South. Surviving besides his...

Donna Lee Hayes went to be with the Lord on August 1, 2022. She passed away peacefully at Baylor Medical Center in Fort Worth Texas at the age of 60. Donna was born on May 17, 1962, and was predeceased by her father, Joseph "Buddy" Urbanski, her mother, Beverly Jane Anderson, and her brother Thomas Urbanski. Donna is survived by her loving husband of 34 years, David Ray Hayes; her children, Mark Wilson and his fiance Bethany Kimberlin of Newnan Ga, David and Rose Hayes of Stittville NY, Kelly and Nathan Perreault of Huntington Beach Ca, and Katherine/Kayte Hayes and fiance Levi Hargis of Abilene, Texas. She is lovingly remembered by sisters Shira and Pesach Sherbow and Debra and Harry...

Thomas P. Phelps Marcy, NY Thomas P. Phelps, 54, passed away on Monday, August 1, 2022, after a short battle with neuroendocrine carcinoma. Tom was born August 15, 1967, the youngest child of John and Rita Phelps. He graduated from Notre Dame High School and attended Morrisville College and LeMoyne College. On October 26, 1996, Tom married the love of his life, Michelle A Manner at St Thomas Episcopal Church, Hamilton. Tom worked at Ricoh for nearly 20 years before making a career move to Peraton and most recently, joining North Point Defense as a Sr Business Development Manager, a job he truly loved. Tom was a devoted family man, always putting his family first. He loved to...

Cora E. Crowley Ballston Lake, NY/ Rome, NY Cora E. Crowley 94, of Ballston Lake, NY passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 31, 2022 at the home of her youngest son and daughter-in-law in Ballston Lake, NY. She was born on February 18, 1928 in Utica a daughter of the late Andreas and Elbez (Dirtadian) Eghigian. She graduated from Whitesboro Central Schools in 1946. On June 12, 1954 at St. Peters Church in Rome, NY she was united in marriage to Harold J. Crowley, a blessed union of over 52 years filled with much love and devotion. Mr. Crowley passed away on February 6, 2007. After raising her four children, through elementary school, she rejoined civil service as a Library Technician at...