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Batavia - Edwin W. Schoenthal, 89 of Batavia passed away on Friday, (December 25, 2020) at Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Batavia.

Mr. Schoenthal was born June 4, 1931 in Alabama, a son of the late Walter and Mabel (Scharlau) Schoenthal.

Edwin graduated from Medina High School in 1949 and worked for many years at the former Genesee County Farm in Bethany. Upon the farm's closure, he began working as a Drill Press Operator at Batavia Metal Products.  A fireman for nearly 70 years, Mr. Schoenthal joined the Bethany Fire Department in 1951 where he was a life member and past chief; he was a life member and past president of the Stafford Fire Department; and a life member, former board member, and past vice president of the Alabama Fire Department where he worked bingo weekly. He received numerous awards over 7 decades in fire service including the Genesee County Fireman of the Year Award in 1968.  He was a member and past president of the Genesee County Chiefs Association; a past member of both the NYS and WNY Volunteer Firemans Associations.

Surviving along with his wife, Sally (Meisner) Schoenthal whom he married March 3, 1955 are his daughter, Judy Sanders of Batavia; grandchildren, Jeremy, Todd, Andy, Jason, and Jessie; brothers, Alan (Leticia) Schoenthal of Texas, and Lester (Janet) Schoenthal of Ontario; a sister, Gloria Lewis of Maryland. Numerous great-grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews also survive.

Ed is preceded in death by a daughter, Deborah Ann Long; and a grandson, Eric Fairbanks.

Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street in Batavia. Edwin's Funeral Service will be held privately for his family, however will be live-streamed via the funeral home's website beginning at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Reed Cemetery in Oakfield.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alabama Fire Department, PO Box 798, Basom, NY 14013.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, the funeral home will be limited to 25 people throughout the course of visitation. Please be prepared to wait outside. Face coverings and social distancing are required. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Massena: James C. Murphy, age 99 passed away peacefully on June 4, 2020 at the Massena Rehabilitation & Nursing Center. The family has entrusted funeral arrangements to the care and direction of the Phillips Memorial Home in Massena. Funeral services for James will be held at the convenience of the family with a graveside service held in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, in Batavia, NY at a later date.

James was born on June 6, 1920, in Buffalo, NY. He is the first of two children born to the late James E. and Anna (Scheur) Murphy. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Viola (Neth, Wahls) Murphy formerly of Batavia, NY. James is also survived by his children: Sheilah Murphy of Seattle, WA; Kevin and Deborah Murphy, of Gloversville, NY; Arline Murphy, of Massena, NY; Nora and Bruce Murphy-Kotteman, of Princess Anne, MD; Deborah and Brian White-Sallee of Reno, NV; Arthur and Carla Wahls of Batavia, NY; and David and Robin Wahls, of Doswells, VA. James is also survived by seven grandchildren: Seana Murphy, of Salem, OR; Christopher and Noelle Murphy of Bennington, VT; Cassandra Murphy of Cromwell, CT; Kelly Conners of Massena, NY; Andrea and Robert Falkowski of East Bethany, NY; James and Tessali Wahls of Owego, NY; and Hillary Wahls, of Doswell, VA. He has 11 great-grandchildren: Dylan Murphy, Meghan Mills, William Murphy, James Murphy, Olivia Murray, Owynn Conners, Logan Wahls, Calayla Sacdalan, Wesley Falkowski, Emmaline Falkowski, and James J.A. Wahls. He was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Edward; and a grandson, Drew Wahls.

As a teenager he attended Fosdick-Masten Park High School in Buffalo until starting work for Western Union in 1936. Beginning in 1938 he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps, stationed in Nevada and Idaho, in part as a forest fire fighter. He often remarked that the years spent with the C.C.C. were among his most formative and even 80 years later was moved by the memory of those who were lost. Following his time with the C.C.C. he entered the United States Army in February 7, 1942 to serve his country proudly during World War II.

During the war, he served with the 88th Infantry Division in North Africa and Italy. In Italy he was transferred to 5th Army City Command Section, under the 5th Army Headquarters, where he served establishing provisional governments in liberated cities. He was honorably discharged from the service on December 12, 1945. 

In 1948 he began his career with General Motors at the gear and axle plant in Buffalo. He transferred to the engine plant in Tonawanda four years later. Then in 1959 he and his then-wife Joan, and their four children moved to Massena where he began work at the Chevrolet aluminum foundry. He worked continuously until his retirement in 1987. The following year he was brought on as a consultant in the creation of the Saturn Corporation in Detroit, MI. James later returned to consult for GM from 1993-1996, and 1998-2004.

James loved all sports, but had a particular affinity for horse racing, basketball, and football. He was an avid bowler, serving as Secretary and Treasurer of the Sunday night mixed doubles league at the Seaway Bowl for 15 years. He enjoyed bicycle racing and table tennis, and went on to compete in the New York State Senior Games in 1990 and 1991, where he won gold medals in the 5,000 and 10,000 meter races, and a bronze medal in table tennis. In 1992 he competed in the National Senior Games in Syracuse. Throughout his life James loved singing, story-telling, and jokes and he loved sharing these with his family and friends. Whether in the barracks, at the bowling alley, at the GM Retirees’ luncheons, on several cruises with his wife Viola, during Friday nights at the Village Inn, as a member of the Sacred Heart Choir, or when he was surrounded by family, James could always be relied on for laughter and song. It’s hard to imagine a finer bequest than that.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be acknowledged with St. Vincent de Paul; 128 Main St, Massena, NY 13662 or Hospice & Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley; 6805 US-11, Potsdam, NY 13676. Memories and online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.PhillipsMemorial.com