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East Bethany - James (Jim) Richard Smith, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, 87, of East Bethany, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, September 24, 2015 surrounded by his loving family after a long illness.    

He is survived by so many who love him: his beloved wife Agnes Ann Dillon Smith, his “Sweet Love” of 62 years, daughter Sharon (Larry) Smith of East Bethany and The Villages, Florida, and their children; Kristie (Chris) Toomath of Los Angeles, California (Kayla Ferreira, Braxton and Brodie Toomath), Katie (Glenn) Taylor of Pavilion (Jacob and Ayden), Ryan (Kristie Noelle) Smith of Victor (Riley and Gabriella), daughter Cynthia (Thomas) Schubmehl of East Pembroke, and their children; Erin (Steven) Jacobson of Princeton, New Jersey, Brian (Katelyn) Schubmehl of Boston, Massachusetts (Eleanor), and daughter Peggy (Douglas) Fuller of Delevan, and their children; Cassidy (fiance, Justin Schwab) of Chaffee, Dillon and Megan of Delevan, and Julienne Rice (Nick Benton) of Rochester.  

 Mr. Smith is also survived by a sister, Nancy (Charles) Rieks of Greeneville, Tennessee; two sisters-in-law, Elma Smith of LeRoy, and Mary Jane (Ronald) Heywood of East Bethany, two special sisters; Judy (Nicholas) Cecci of Corning, and Patti (Robert) Nephew of Warsaw, his extended family Amy Jo and Marty Griffith of Clarence Center and their children Taylor Leigh (Jacob Amankwaah) of Buffalo, Sammi Jo (Luke) Gill of Eden (Marleigh Jo and Henry),  a special daughter, Jane (Rick) Scott of Stafford, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  Mr. Smith was known to many outside of his “biological” family as “Grampa Jim.”

 Mr. Smith was born August 6, 1928 in Hornell, New York, a son of the late Daniel Patrick and Mary Jane Reese Smith. He attended school in Batavia, and later attending and graduating from Alexander Central.

 Mr. Smith had a long career at Niagara Mohawk Electric Company as a lineman, a rural representative, and a district operator, and lastly as a service man. He also took great pride in his very long tenure serving as Secretary Treasurer of the Rural Cemetery Association. He volunteered his time as an electrician generously to the East Bethany Presbyterian Church, the Bethany Firemen’s Carnival, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and many family friends. He was extremely hardworking, whether the work was volunteer or paid.

 James was predeceased by his parents, Daniel and Mary Jane Smith, his twin brother John R. Smith, and his sister Diane J. Smith Wheatley.

 Mr. Smith’s family would like to thank the many people and agencies who have made these last years of his life so much easier to manage; The Rev. Walter Wenhold for pastoral care, his Visiting Nurse Association nurse, Sue Nevinger, RN, Homecare & Hospice for their support, Connie and her staff at the Lake Plains Dialysis Center here in Batavia, Sue Riner, NP for her wonderful care throughout the years, and his nephrologist Dr. Rebecca Monk who became a friend. Additionally, the family would like to thank our family and friends who have been there for Jim and for them during this difficult time.

Friends may call on Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. at H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street, Batavia.  A Funeral Service officiated by The Rev. Walter Wenhold will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 27th at East Bethany Presbyterian Church, 5735 Ellicott Street Road, East Bethany, New York. Burial will immediately follow the funeral service in the East Bethany Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations or memorials can be made to the East Bethany Presbyterian Church, the Bethany Fire Department, or Lake Plains Dialysis Center (Batavia Location).  Please leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

 

John Rembas, 99, of Attica NY passed away on September 5^th, 2015 at the Genesee County Nursing Home, Batavia NY surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 22, 1916 in Buffalo NY, the son of the late Ignatius and Josephine (Bialas) Rembas. He is preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Clara (Klein) Rembas.

John retired from Westinghouse Corporation where he worked for 30 years. A part time farmer, he enjoyed farming the land in East Bethany NY, hunting and fishing. After retiring he and Clara moved to Attica where they continued to lead busy lives spent traveling, playing cards and sharing their love of life with family and friends. One of the greatest joys of both their lives were their many grandchildren and great grandchildren.  John was known to be small in stature but big of heart. He was a loving husband and wonderful father. John enjoyed good health most of his life and continued to hunt and fish well into his later years. He was also known to have a “sweet tooth” and a competitive spirit.

He is survived by his four children, Robert Rembas of East Aurora NY, Shirley Nichols of Attica NY, Mary Ann (Bruce) Kirchoff of Rochester NY, Annette (Rick) Morrison of Alexander NY; eleven grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren; a loving sister Helene Zaremski of Alexander NY. He was the father of late twin sons, James and John Rembas and the brother of the late Joseph and Chester Rembas, Jennie Spring and Jean Reiter.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday September 8, 2015 from 4-8 p.m. at Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main Street Attica, New York 14011. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday September 9^th at 10:00AM at Sts. Joachim and Anne Parish 50 East Ave. Attica.  He will be laid to rest in St. Vincent’s Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to Saints Joachim and Anne Church, 50 East Avenue, Attica NY 14011 and to Genesee County Park and Forest (ACORNS society), 11095 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany, NY 14054. For more information please call (585) 591-1212 or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main St. Attica, New York 14011. 

Ethyl I. Sojda, age 84, of Creek Rd, Batavia, NY, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on April 8th, 2022. Ethyl was born in Batavia as the only daughter of the late Vincent N. and Ruth M. Kirch. She was a life-long resident of Alexander, NY.

After graduating from Alexander Central School, she held various jobs until she married her late husband, John F. Sojda, Jr. in 1961 and raised three children. As a dedicated mother she could be seen braving any weather to watch her children’s sporting events. She returned to work in 1977 and held a number of positions with local companies over the following thirty years. In her last role she was a Loose Ends hostess managing the GCC cafeteria where many folks came to enjoy her kind and pleasant personality and her dedicated work ethic.

Though a long-time crocheter, later in life she became a serious quilter and active in the Batavia Museum Quilt Guild. She produced a number of quilts for family and friends that are still enjoyed daily.

For a number of years, she was also a volunteer with All Babies Cherished. It was not uncommon to see her with her knitting material creating baby hats for the regional hospital system. For many years she was an assistant to John Sojda, Jr. in his role as Alexander Town Justice. Part of her charm and grace was how resiliently and quietly she met life’s challenges—both her own and those of others who knew her.

Ethyl is survived by her sons John and Steve (Barb), her daughter Ann, five grandchildren; Lily Whisman, Jacob (Paige), Stephanie (Patrick) Guarino, Michelle (Andrew) James , and Angela (Martin) Pohl, great-grandchildren; Ezekiel Guarino, Emily and Eli James, Alex, and Maria Pohl. She was preceded by her brother Merlin Kirch and has 4 surviving brothers (Ralph, Arnold, Harold, and Myron), and many nieces and nephews.

Mass at St. Mary's in Batavia at 9:30am Saturday June 25th followed by a graveside service at West Bethany Cemetery. Lunch to follow at her home at

9926 Creek Rd.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alexander Rescue Squad PO Box 336 Alexander, NY 14005 or Homecare & Hospice 29 Liberty St. Suite 6 Batavia, NY 14020. For more information please call (585) 591-1212 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC, 135 Main Street, Attica, NY 14011