OBITUARIES
Phillip Smalser
May 9, 2026
Phillip Smalser, age 76, lifetime resident of Ovid, died at his Gilbert Road home on Saturday, May 9, 2026, following years of ups and downs with his cardiac health.
Phil was born in Seneca Falls on September 6, 1949, a son of the late Robert and Lucille (Cline) Smalser. He was a graduate of Ovid High School and obtained his associates...
James A. Zammett
May 8, 2026
James A. Zammett, age 75, of Ovid, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2026, at the Hospeace House in Naples.
Born on August 30, 1950, Jim was a son of the late John and Agnes (Steen) Zammett. Jim graduated from South Seneca High School before starting a career as a cook at Willard Psychiatric Center. Jim went on to work at...
Ethel F. Williams
Apr 18, 2026
Ethel (Nivison) Williams, 91, passed away on April 18, 2026. Ethel was born in Arcadia, CA on October 4, 1934, a daughter of the late Benjamin and Adele (nee Heisel) Nivison. She was a graduate of Ovid High School and Willard State Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1955. She worked for OMH and OPWDD for nearly 40 years. Her...
Brenda Banfield Cooper
Apr 12, 2026
Brenda (Banfield) Cooper, 63, of Ovid, New York passed away on April 12, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born to Lawrence Banfield Sr. and June (Banfield) Voorheis, Brenda lived a life defined by kindness, laughter, and a deep devotion to the people and animals she cared for. She was married to the love of her life Michael Cooper,...
Todd A. Tillinghast
Apr 3, 2026
Hudson Falls, NY - Todd A. Tillinghast, age 59, passed away suddenly on April 3, 2026, in Lake Wales, Florida. Born on August 20, 1966, in Ithaca, Todd lived a life marked by his culinary talents, passion for gambling, and warm-hearted nature that endeared him to many.
Throughout his life, Todd transformed his exceptional cooking skills from a cherished hobby into...
Ines Z. Destriza
Apr 2, 2026
Ines Z. Destriza, age 91, longtime resident of 8190 State Route 96, died suddenly on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
Ines was born on April 6, 1934, in the Philippines, she and her husband were farmers in their local community. They both stemmed from several generations of farmers. She and her husband emigrated to New York in 1988, to join their daughter...
Louis & Agnes (McCheyne) Brinkerhoff
2026
Louis H. Brinkerhoff, 91, Wakarusa, Indiana, died Sunday afternoon, March 29, 2026, at his home. He was born June 20, 1934, in Binghamton, New York, to Harold Louis & Pauline E. (Hart) Brinkerhoff. He married Agnes M. (McCheyne) Brinkerhoff, and she died August 30, 2025, after 68 years of marriage.
Surviving are a son, Jeff (Amy) Brinkerhoff, Goshen, 4 grandchildren, Danielle...
Sharan A. Stoddard
Mar 27, 2026
Sharan A. Stoddard, age 80, longtime resident of Lodi, died at Cayuga Medical Center on Friday, March 27, 2026, as a result of failing health the past few years.
Sharan was born in Ithaca on November 11, 1945, a daughter of the late Orris and Wescena Smith. She was married to James “Jim” Stoddard in 1978, and they followed his Air...
Barbara J. Hicks
Mar 19, 2026
Barbara J. Hicks, age 88, lifetime resident of the area, died on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Geneva General Hospital, surrounded by her family.
Barb was born in Lackawanna, NY on August 18, 1937, a daughter of the late Joseph and Mabel (nee Covert) Haust. She was a 1956 graduate of Romulus High School and began her working career at Shuron...
Martha Jane Ike
Mar 13, 2026
Martha Jane Ike of Lodi passed away at Cayuga Medical Center surrounded by family on Friday, March 13, 2026.
Martha was born in Mecklenburg on July 22, 1935, a daughter of the late Howard and Nellie (Hoose) LaBarr. She is survived by her son, Steven (Jane M.V.) Ike; and several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. In addition to her parents,...
Richard L. Zona
Mar 12, 2026
Richard L. “Rick” Zona, age 69, longtime resident of County Road 138, died unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
Rick was born in Seneca Falls on April 16, 1956, a son of the late Armando “Mud” and Elizabeth “Betty” Zona. He spent some of his early years in Arizona, returned to his roots here in Seneca County and...
Harold E. Wilson
Mar 12, 2026
Harold E. Wilson of Interlaken passed away on March 12, 2026 at Cayuga Medical Center at the age of 75.
Born on November 7, 1949, in Montour Falls, New York, Harold was the son of the late Harold and Helen (Teeter) Wilson. He graduated from Watkins Glen High School before being drafted into the United States Army in 1969. His military...
Carol R. Baginski
Mar 8, 2026
Carol R. Baginski, age 71, of 7436 State Route 414, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Carol was born on August 19, 1954, she lived in New Jersey most of her life and moved to Ovid in 2010. She found joy through her work at Pine Tree Farms in Interlaken and made many friends there. She...
Roger E. Seely
Mar 2, 2026
Roger E. Seely, age 73, longtime resident of Ithaca, passed away on Monday, March 2, 2026 at Rochester General Hospital, where he had been a patient for several weeks.
Roger was born in Trumansburg on April 23, 1952, the son of the late Keith and Viola (nee Saikkonen) Seely. Upon graduation from Ithaca High School in 1970, he married his sweetheart,...
Thomas H. Martz Sr.
Mar 1, 2026
Thomas H. Martz Sr. age 83, died at home in LaGrange, Georgia on March 1, 2026
He was a son of the late Harold and Vivian (nee Lathrop) Martz and was known by his family and friends at Tom, he retired from the US Army as a Staff Sergeant in 1979 after 20 years of service to his country.
He is survived...
Beverly A. Chaffie
Feb 27, 2026
Beverly A. (Welch) Chaffie, formerly of Interlaken, passed away at Geneva General Hospital on Friday, February 27, 2026, at the age of 91.
Beverly was born on Tickle Hill in Hector on June 22, 1934, a daughter of the late Coral and Annabelle (Button) Welch and from there started a journey that would have her witness a life of amazement and...
Stephen R. Westlake
Feb 24, 2026
Steven R. Westlake, longtime resident of Main Street, died on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Cayuga Medical Center.
Steve was born in Montour Falls on December 31, 1946, a son of the late Donald and Marion (nee Denson) Westlake. Following high school, he proudly served his country in the US Navy, having been stationed on both coasts of the United States....
Inez M. Darling
Feb 24, 2026
Inez M. Darling, affectionately known as Iney, passed away peacefully and unexpectedly at her residence on February 24, 2026, at the age of 92. Born on June 12, 1933, in Standing Stone, Pennsylvania, Inez was a beloved figure in her community and a dedicated family member.
A proud graduate of Towanda High School in 1952, Inez had a vibrant spirit and...
Rhea V. Jones
Feb 21, 2026
With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for a life beautifully lived, we announce the passing of Rhea V. Jones, who entered this world on December 21 in Rochester, born to Charles Kelsey and Virginia Goodell. She peacefully departed on February 21, 2026, at Arnot-Ogden Medical Center, surrounded by the love she so freely gave to others throughout her life.
She leaves...
Leslie C. Mazzarella
Feb 6, 2026
Leslie Carol (nee Schorling) Mazzarella, age 78, born December 25, 1947, of Sidney and Lodi, New York, passed away on February 6, 2026. Leslie lived a life grounded in love, nature, and routine, with her memory carried on by those who loved her.
Leslie is survived by her son, John (Mary) Moore II, and her cherished grandchildren, Meghan and John, who...
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