Obituaries

A celebration of life was held last week for Kai Messmer who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and moved to Akron, New York at a young age. It is here that he first discovered his love for soccer. His passion for sports only grew stronger when he moved to Starpoint, where he continued competing and added singing, ukelele, and percussion to the list of his many talents. When Kai started at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute (St. Joe’s), he quickly became a proud “Joe’s Jumper,” excelling in track and field and also finding joy performing with the Swing Choir. Whether on

Kenneth L. Peebles of Alden, New York passed away April 13, 2025.  He was born February 29, 1952.

Sharon A. (nee Voit) Wuest of Bennington, New York entered into rest on April 8, 2025 surrounded by her friends and family.  She was born on July 10, 1946.

Joyce I. Green, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on April 6, 2025 at the grand age of 98. Born on November 10, 1926 in Buffalo, New York. Her presence brought warmth and joy to all who knew her. She was incredibly kind hearted, loving, patient and had a great sense of humor, her laughter was contagious. Joyce dedicated her life to her family whom she loved with her whole heart and always offered a listening ear, comforting hug and a guiding hand. She found joy in birds, flowers, puzzles, going

Helen R. Merle,  was born on May 7, 1924, in Holland, New York.  A longtime resident of Alden, New York, she passed away March 27, 2025, at the age of 100. Beloved wife of the late Harry Merle; daughter of the late Earl Rogers Sr. and Blanche Day Rogers; step-mother of Karyl (Walter) Meyer and Bruce (Karen) Merle; also survived by 5 step-grandchildren and 7 step-great-grandchildren; sister of the late Mildred Richards, Norma Rogers, Earl Rogers Jr., and foster sister of Charles Logan; aunt of Amy (Richard) Crane, Stewart (Kay Amore) Anderson, Christine (Timothy) Deragon and the late David Anderson;

Edward G. Mosman of Alden, New York passed away April 5, 2025.  He was born September 17, 1931.

Wilma L.  Beyer, 92 of Akron, New York, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 24, 2025 at Wells Hospice Buffalo, Beechwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Amherst, NY. Wilma was born on February 15, 1933, in Flint, Michigan, as the first-born daughter of the late Arthur W. and Wilhelmina Ruth Thomas Blake. Shortly after her birth, the Blake family moved to Buffalo, where her father worked for General Motors. Wilma’s mother passed away in 1940, leaving behind Wilma and two younger sisters, Jackie and Ruth Ann. The two eldest girls lived with relatives on the Blake family farm in Honesdale, Pennsylvania,

Robert Francis Botham “Bob”, 90 of Warsaw and formerly of Akron, New York passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at his home with his daughter Laura by his side. He was born in Buffalo, NY on July 27, 1934, a son of the late Lee F. Botham and Dorothy Hartmetz Botham. While serving in the United States Navy during the Korean War, Bob met a woman, Rena Pearl Sedden, who would become his wife for the next 60 years. After serving our great country honorably, Bob spent the majority of his career over several decades as a truck

Edward Earle, lovingly known to many as Ed or Eddie, passed away on April 1, 2025 at the age of 90 and will be deeply missed by friends, family, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was born on October 27, 1934 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The son of the late Hedley and late Elizabeth (Cook) Earle. After a six year tour in the Canadian Army, he married Beverly and started his family. Edward was a man who had a deep love for his family, and he prioritized them above all else. He was a dedicated father,