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Batavia ~ Dawn Marie (Palmer) Piasta, age 67, passed away at home on Thursday, February 23, 2023.

   

  She was born October 8, 1955, in Cuba NY to the late Francis Palmer and Barbara Harter, and later, Don Bradford, her step-father. Dawn was the oldest of six children; Joel, Kit, Carrie, Marge, and Joyce. Dawn is predeceased by her brother, Joel and survived by the rest of the siblings. Dawn had four children whom she is survived by; Bethany Palmer, Michael Piasta, April Palmer and Ceciely Palmer along with two grandchildren; Bianca Gregory and Ava Freeman.

     Dawn enjoyed reading and was an avid gardener, as well as a phenomenal quilter, spending a lot her free time sewing . She loved the outdoors and had a special place in her heart for animals, once saving 4 baby squirrels in her front yard. Dawn also enjoyed cooking and baking, a wonderful talent of hers. She was a resilient woman and cared deeply in her own way for those around her.

     Information regarding services will be shared at the discretion of the family. 

     Your memories and condolences may be shared with Dawn’s family at www.falconefuneralhome.com.

Batavia - Clarence Lathan, 86 of Batavia passed away on Monday, March 20, 2023 at United Memorial Medical Center. Surrounded by his loving family.

Clarence was born Saturday, February 20th, 1937 in Batavia, a son of the late Fred and Mildred (Hirsch) Lathan.

He enjoyed fishing, golf, gun shows, auctions, and spending time with friends and family. 

Clarence graduated from Alexander High school in 1955 and later married the love of his life, Judy Bortle, on May 28, 1971. He worked for many local farms and as a diesel mechanic for many years, finally retiring from Jones mechanical in Caledonia.

Clarence is survived by his wife, Judy Lathan; children, Calvin Lathan, Ron (Tammy) Lathan of Silver Lake, Kathy Lathan of Virginia, Stan (Lisa) Mosher of LeRoy, Colleen (Tim) Miller of Fillmore, and Karen (Jim) Perry of Corfu; 10 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

In death Clarence is reunited with his parents, Fred and Mildred Lathan; siblings, Lloyd Lathan, Norman Lathan, and Dorothy Staba.

Family and friends are invited to call on Saturday, March 25, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at H.E. Turner & Co., Inc. Funeral Home, Batavia. Clarence's funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at H.E. Turner & Co., Inc., Batavia.  Burial will be in West Bethany Cemetery immediately following the funeral service.

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

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