John H. “Jack” Cregan – (69) – of 75 Elm St., Hornell, died Wednesday afternoon (February 1, 2012) at McAuley Manor, following a long illness.

A native and life resident of Hornell, he was born November 26, 1942, and was the son of Paul & Mary (Horton) Cregan.

Jack grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1960).  He was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church.  Jack was also a member of the Hornell Knights of Columbus, Hornell Elks Lodge and the Hornell Alumni Association.

For about 20 years he was employed at the former Erie Lackawanna Railroad and Conrail, retiring as a conductor.  For 13 years he worked as a forklift operator at Crowley’s Dairy in Arkport.

Doris B. Ross – (85) – of 1489 Beech St., Hornell died unexpectedly Monday morning (January 30, 2012) at Rochester General Hospital.

Born in Wellsville on July 18, 1926, she was the daughter of Michael & Pansy (Cleveland) Ross.

Doris was a lifelong resident of Hornell and was a graduate of Hornell High School (Class of 1944).  She had been employed at the New York State Health Department in Hornell for 35 years as an administrative secretary.  She also worked as a sales clerk at the former Chapman’s One Stop Liquor Store in Hornell for 35 years, “retiring” in 2000.  Since 2001, Doris has served as a “greeter” at Wal-Mart in Hornell. 

She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church.  She was a member of the Woman’s Auxiliary of the VFW; a member of the Women of the Moose; and a member of the AM Vets.

Brian W. Flaitz – 50 – of Inverness Florida, formerly of Hornell, passed on Sunday, January 15, 2012, at his home after a four-year valiant fight with leukemia. Brian was blessed with many helpful and special doctors, family, neighbors and friends.

Born in Hornell on October 24, 1961, he was the son of the late George and Veronica Dorothy Flaitz. He graduated from Hornell Senior High School in 1980 and later graduated from CCFL in Canandaigua, NY.

Brian’s amazing love for life led him down a diverse path.  He was a Parts Manager for Dansville Chrysler Plymouth in Dansville, NY, for 16 years. Brian was a member of the New York Army National Guard and the Merchant Marines and a licensed charter boat captain on Lake Ontario. He and his wife spent two years as professional fishing guides at Yes Bay Lodge in Ketchikan Alaska. Brian earned his commercial driver’s license and traveled the United States with his team driver wife, Mary Christine, for seven years before his illness.  He moved to Florida in 2000 from Hornell and resided in Inverness where he was the President of The Moorings Homeowners Association and a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church.  He enjoyed taxidermy work and was an avid fisherman. Brian was a member of the Maritime Consortium, Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever.  He continued to follow the Buffalo Bills.  He loved people, especially his family with whom he kept in constant contact and spent time with often.

Brian was a loving and devoted husband, son, brother, uncle and brother-in-law. Mr. Flaitz is survived by his beloved wife of 23 years, Mary Christine; siblings GeorgeAnn (James) Carter of Warsaw, William Flaitz  of Almond,  Marylou (Dennis) Kasa of Cranberry Township, PA, Thomas (Monica) Flaitz of Hornell, and Linda Sue (Gary) Recktenwald of Arkport; Mother-in-law JoAnne Hawkins of Hornell; in-laws Kathy (Greg) Rollins of Hornell, David (Mercedes) Stiles of Dallas Texas, Michael (Teasha) Stiles of Hornell, Karen (Daniel) Schu of Arkport, and Richard (Brenda) Hawkins of Mesquite Texas.  Brian is also survived by uncles Jacob (Mary) Flaitz and Robert (Donna) Flaitz , aunts Shirley Flaitz and Delores Flaitz, all of Hornell, along with 29 nieces and nephews and 22 grandnieces and nephews, many cousins, friends and neighbors.

In Inverness, FL,  calling hours were held and a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church on January 19, 2012.

Here in Hornell, the family of Brian W. Flaitz will receive friends on Saturday from 3:00 PM –  6:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY where funeral services will be held at the conclusion of calling hours at 6:00 PM with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating.  A celebration of Brian’s life will follow at the Arkport American Legion.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Shands Hospital BMT Unit Fund Shands Hospital PO Box 100306 Gainesville Florida 32610-0306 Dept. of Patient & Family Resource or to his wife.

In honor of Brian’s service to his country while serving in US Military, the American Flag will be flown at half-staff at the Dagon Funeral Home.

Myer Spitulnik – 88 – of 425 Cleveland Ave., North Hornell, died Sunday evening (January 22, 2012) at the Seager-Bates Home in Hornell, where he had resided for the past year.

Born in Hornell on April 25, 1923, he was the son of Frank & Rose (Kaminsky) Spitulnik.

Myer grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1942) where he played football, baseball and was manager of the basketball team.  He later attended Alfred University where he was a member of the Alfred Saxton Football Team.

He was a member of the US Navy during WWII, serving as an Armed Guard on various ships throughout the war.

Steven E. “Nellie” McKibben – 60 – of 71 Church St., Hornell, died Monday afternoon (January 16, 2012) at his home, following a long illness.

Born in Hornell on April 14, 1951, he was the son of Raymond & Kathleen “Kay” (Stiles) McKibben.

Steve grew up in Canisteo and was a graduate of Canisteo Central School (class of 1969).  He later attended Corning Community College. 

For about 20 years he was employed at the Hornell Evening Tribune, primarily working in the composing room.  He was also co-owner & operator of Maple City Games in Hornell.  In recent years, Steve was employed in various capacities at the Hornell Elks Lodge and Hornell Association.

Nellie was a member and one of the original founders of the Hornell Association where, for several years he served on the Board of Directors.  He had also been a member of the Hornell Elks Lodge and was a former member of the Hornell Moose Club.

David R. “Dave” Housen – 59 – of 7519 Knoll Crest Dr., Almond, died Monday (January 9, 2012) at his home, following a long illness.

Born in Binghamton on April 6, 1952, he was the son of George & Clare (Gilgallon) Housen.

Dave grew up in Appalachian, moving to Alfred at the age of 16.   He has resided in the Alfred/Almond area for his entire adult life and has resided in Knoll Crest Drive for nearly 37 years.

He was a graduate of Alfred-Almond Central School (class of 1970) and later earned his Associate’s Degree in Accounting from SUNY Alfred. 

Mary Lou McHale – 79 – of 270 Main St., Hornell, died unexpectedly on Monday (January 9, 2012) at her home.

Born in Hornell on June 16, 1932, she was the daughter of Charles & Lillian (Kelly) Howe.

Mary Lou grew up in Arkport and was a graduate of Arkport Central School.  She had been employed for several years at the former Marion Rohr Corporation and for nearly 40 years was employed as a School Crossing Guard for the City of Hornell.  For many years, she owned & operated Mary Lou’s Chocolate Shop in Hornell featuring a variety of “goodies” during the Easter Season.  Mary Lou thoroughly enjoyed all of the holidays and loved decorating her home for each holiday season.

James R. McEvoy – 77 – of Hornell, formerly of Almond, died peacefully Monday evening (January 2, 2012) at McAuley Manor following a long illness.

Born in Oswego, NY on January 5th, 1934, he was the son of James & Bernice (Guile) McEvoy.  He had resided in the Almond – Hornell area for most of his adult life.

Jim was a graduate of Williamson High School and later graduated from Ithaca College where he majored in Physical Education.  For 33 years, he served as a Physical Education Teacher at Alfred-Almond Central School.  During that time, Jim also served as soccer coach, basketball coach and track & field coach.  His track & field teams earned seven Section V titles.  He retired in 1992.  In 1997, he was inducted into the Alfred-Almond Sports Hall of Fame and recently was inducted to the Section V Track & Field Hall of Fame.

Emily M. VanSkiver, two year old daughter of David & Tammy (Butler) VanSkiver of 6 Aber St., Canaseraga, received her wings Friday morning (December 30, 2011) after passing at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester following a long illness.

Emily, who was born on December 29, 2009, touched many lives during her two short years on this earth.  She was a “fighter” who struggled, yet fought every medical hardship that was thrown her way.  Emily had an infectious smile that could light up a room.  To know Emily was to love her.  Although she was only here for a short time, she was loved by everyone that was blessed to have known her and will never be forgotten.  She was surely an angel sent from heaven!!

Emily was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Ernest & Catherine VanSkiver.

Surviving are her parents, David & Tammy VanSkiver of Canaseraga; her biological mother, Aaron Hutchinson & family of Hornell; her siblings, Brandon VanSkiver, Tyler VanSkiver, Natasha VanSkiver, Samuel Strickland and twin sister, Tegan VanSkiver; maternal grandparents, Harold & Lillian Kernan of Canaseraga; her aunts & uncles, Naomi Kernan, Jason (Karolyn) Kernan, Donald (Mary Kay) VanSkiver, Dean (Jane) VanSkiver, Darlene (Charles) Johnson, Duane (Mary Jo) VanSkiver, Darrell (Sandra) VanSkiver, Daniel VanSkiver & Dale VanSkiver; several cousins. 

Emily’s bright smile will also be remembered and sadly missed by all of the wonderful doctors, nurses and many special professionals & staff members from various agencies.  Her family will be eternally grateful all those who enriched Emily’s life.

At the family’s request, there will be no calling hours.  A Memorial Service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions in Emily’s name may be made to either the Tegan VanSkiver Trust Fund, C/O Naomi Kernan, 10264 Coombs Hill Rd., Canaseraga, NY 14822  or to the Ronald McDonald House Within the Hospital, Golisano Children’s Hospitals, 601 Elmwood Ave., Box Ronald McDonald, Rochester, NY 14642 (585-276-5437).

Arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Anna M. Perry — AKA “The Avon Lady” — mother, grandmother, friend, Avon lady, bargain hunter and card player, of 39 Scott St., was called to walk with her Lord on Friday (December 30, 2011), while a resident at Hornell Gardens.

She was born in Mileses, NY on August 24, 1934, the youngest of three children, to the late William and Johanna (Winkler) Brown.

On June 8, 1957, she was married to Carl M Perry of Susquehanna, PA, who died in 1982, after 24 years of devoted marriage. Besides her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by her brother James Brown.