Nancy L. Nenna – (65) – formerly of Canisteo, died Monday morning (April 4 2018) at Elderwood of Hornell, where she had resided for the past 14 years.

Born in North Hornell on January 28, 1953, she was the daughter of Jesse & Rose (Wing) Reese.

Nancy grew up in Jasper and was a graduate of Jasper Central School (Class of 1972).  She had been employed at the former Marion Rohr Corporation, Hornell Red Barn, and the cafeteria at Alfred State College.  She also picked grapes for the wineries in Hammondsport.  She was a member of the Jehovah Witness Church of Canisteo.

A very sociable person, Nancy loved to simply spend time talking to her friends.  In her younger years, she enjoyed riding horses and actually owned her own horse named Smokey.

She preceded in death by two husbands, Robert Haight and Joseph Nenna.

Surviving are 4 sons, Heath Weitzel of Idaho, Doug Weitzel of Hornell, Jim Weitzel of Hornell and John Weitzel of Canisteo; her brother, Mike (Irene) Reese of Fremont; half-brothers, Matthew (Janie) Willis of Florida, Tim Willis and Nathan (Darcy) Willis, both of Jasper; several grandchildren, nieces & nephews.

At Nancy’s request there will be no calling hours.  Friends are invited to attend a memorial service at the Jehovah Witnesses Kingdom Hall of Canisteo at a date and time to be announced.

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

Nancy’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall, 2699 Dunning Rd., Canisteo, NY 14823.

John J. “Jack” Emo – (71) – of 5798 County Rt. 68 (Crosby Creek Road), Hornell, died early Sunday morning (April 1, 2018) at his home following a courageous battle with cancer.

A native & life resident of the Hornell area, he was born October 7, 1946 and was the son of Bertram & Catherine (Clancy) Emo.  His father having died before he was born and his mother having died when he was only 7 months old, Jack was raised by his aunt & uncle, Francis & Marguerite Clancy.

Jack was a graduate of Alfred-Almond Central School (class of 1965).  He later earned his Associate’s Degree in Heavy Equipment and Diesel Mechanics from Williamsport Community College.  He went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Elmira College.

For 30 years, Jack was employed as a teacher at Wildwood BOCES in Hornell, teaching Heavy Equipment & Diesel Mechanics.  He retired in 2001.  For over 35 years, he, along with his wife & family owned and operated JMAK Farm, a 300 acre dairy farm located on the Crosby Creek Road in Hornell.  Jack also drove school bus for the Alfred-Almond Central School for 24 years and served on the AACS Agriculture Advisory Board.  He also volunteered for several years as a bus driver for BOCES Special Education events.

Jack was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and for many years had been a communicant of St. Ignatius Loyola Church.  Since 2007, he and his wife, Mary Ann spent the winter months in Cocoa, FL where they attended Blessed Sacrament Church.

He was a member of the Hornell Association and a former member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Hornell Moose Lodge and the Hornell Knights of Columbus.  He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter.  He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren riding 4-wheelers and taking care of his 50 acre lawn.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Clancy and his sisters, Beverly (Clancy) Blumenfeld and Patricia (Clancy) Thorn.

Jack was married on April 20, 1968 to Mary Ann Walsh who survives.  Surviving are his children, John (Michele) Emo of Hornell, Jason (Jodie) Emo of Hornell and Kasi (Aaron) Washburn of Hornell; 2 brothers, Francis (Lucille) Clancy of Hornell and Alan (Mary Jane) Clancy of Rochester; 8 amazing grandchildren, JR, Ashley, Kali, Morgan, Nick, Owen, Jack & Ryan; many nieces & nephews.

The family of John J. “Jack” Emo will receive friends on Wednesday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 9:30 AM at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.  Casual dress is requested and encouraged by the family.

Jack’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to the Wildwood BOCES Skills Club, 1126 Bald Hill Road, Hornell, NY 14843.  Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home or click here to print a memorial form.

Richard A. “Rich” Argentieri – 79 – of 54 Erie Ave., Hornell, died Thursday afternoon (March 29, 2018) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, following a brief illness.

Born in Hornell on August 15, 1938, he was the son of Nicholas & Emma (Severo) Argentieri.

Rich grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of St. Ann’s School and Hornell High School (class of 1958). He later earned his Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Alfred State College.

For most of his adult life, Rich was involved in the restaurant business. From 1958 – 1973 he served as manager of the Blue Angel Restaurant, a family business owned by his parents. In 1974 he opened the Italian Villa restaurant in the K-Mart Plaza and operated the business for about six years. In 1980, Rich moved to Daytona Beach, FL and opened Angelo’s Italian Restaurant which he operated for about seven years.

Rich move back to Hornell in 1987 and established the Pink Cadillac Restaurant which he owned & operated until 1997. In recent years, he helped out his son, Dickie, by working in the kitchen of the Italian Villa Restaurant. He was usually spotted in the kitchen rolling meatballs & rolling pizza dough.

He was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church. He was also a member of the Hornell Knights of Columbus and the Hornell Elks Lodge. In his younger years, Rich enjoyed hunting, fishing & playing golf. Throughout the years, he was enjoyed rooting for the Buffalo Bills and the New York Yankees. He was also a NASCAR fan with his favorite driver being Dale Earnhardt.

Rich is survived by 2 daughters, Deborah (Christopher) Alger of Hornell and Karen Argentieri of Washington, DC; 2 sons, Richard “Dickie” Argentieri of Hornell and Nicholas Arno of Hornell; his loving companion, Bonnie Arno with whom he resided; 2 sisters, Mary Theresa Walsh of Fairport and Diane Argentieri of Hornell; 1 brother, Joseph (Pamela) Argentieri of West Palm Beach, FL; 4 grandchildren, Erica Alger, Samantha Alger, Zachary Alger and Alexandria Argentieri; several nieces, nephews & cousins.

At Rich’s request there will be no prior calling hours. A Memorial Service held on Tuesday at 2:00 PM at St. Ann’s Church with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

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

Rich’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to either the Hornell Alumni Association, PO Box 135, Hornell, NY 14843 or to the Hornell Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Road, Hornell, NY 14843.

Patrick D. “Pat” VanGorden – 58 – of 449 Canisteo St., Hornell died unexpectedly Thursday morning (March 29, 2018) at his home.

Born in Corning, NY on August 8, 1959, he was the son of James & Diane (Coon) VanGorden.

Pat grew up in the Corning – Addison area and was a graduate of Addison High School (class of 1977). He later graduated from Corning Hospital School of Radiology and became a licensed x-ray technician. For several years he was employed as an x-ray technician at the Corning Hospital

When he moved to Hornell over 30 years ago, Pat enjoyed attending self help groups. He liked watching sporting events on TV — especially football & baseball. In his younger years he enjoyed hunting & fishing. He also shared a very special bond with his maternal grandmother, Ruth Coon.

Pat was preceded in death by his sister, Vicki McKenzie.

Surviving are 2 brothers, James (Christine) VanGorden of Painted Post and Mike VanGorden of Charlotte, NC; his dear friend Barbara Caparulo; several nieces & nephews. He will also be sadly missed by his dear friends, Eric Iannone and Keith Mitchell.

At Pat’s request there will be no calling hours. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family with final interment in Rural Cemetery.

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

Pat’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to the Hornell YMCA, 18 Center St., Hornell, NY 14843.

Lorraine C. Klann – (92) – of 1190 County Route 66, Hornell, passed peacefully late Friday evening (March 23, 2018) at Noyes Memorial Hospital in Dansville, NY.

Lorraine was born on August 12, 1925 and grew up in New Orleans, LA. She was the daughter of Norbert & Octavia (LaSalle) Bourgeois. She was a graduate of John McDonough High School (Class of 1941) and later attended a business school in Louisiana.

On September 16, 1945, Lorraine married the love of her life, Jack Klann. In 1946, she moved to Detroit, Michigan, raising her family in Oak Park, MI and in later years lived in Somerset, MI before moving to Hornell in 1988.

Throughout the years Lorraine’s greatest joy was the quality time she spent with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. While living in Hornell, she was an active and dedicated member of the First Baptist Church of Hornell, a local women’s quilting group and Hornell Women’s Republican Committee. Lorraine also volunteered for many community organizations including assisting with Hornell area blood drives for the Red Cross, helping in Bryant Elementary School as a “Grandma” and driving the elderly to various appointments for Faith in Action. Additionally, she enjoyed sewing, quilting, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and country line dancing.

In addition to her beloved husband Jack who passed in 1984, Lorraine was predeceased by her brother Norbert “N.J.” Bourgeois, JR, brother-in-law, Robert Klann and 2 sons-in-law Larry Waight and David Broderick.

Surviving are 4 daughters, Darlene Waight of Hornell, Karen (Robert) Daring of Hornell, Peggy Broderick of Hornell and Janet Kraft of Concord, NC; her grandchildren, Tina Page, Renay (Tom) Shull, Tom Holland, Jeffrey Daring, Dustin (Brittany) Broderick, Sarah Broderick, Kalyn (Kaleb) VonBerg, Brendan Kraft, Tyler (Sidney) Kraft; her great-grandchildren, Gregory Page, Natalie Shull, Riley Shull, Quin Broderick, and Ezra VonBerg. Additionally Lorraine is survived by her sisters-in-law Doris Klann and Shirley Bourgeois; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law James and Barbara Klann; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lorraine was loved beyond measure, by not only her family, but also her friends, of which she had many. She was an amazing woman who will be missed greatly by all who had the privilege of having her in their life.

Family and Friends are invited to extend their condolences on Saturday, (March 31, 2018) from 3:00 PM until 4:30 PM at the First Baptist Church in Hornell. A Celebration of Life will follow at 5:00 PM with Pastor Cedric Cooper officiating. Final interment will be in the Bath National Cemetery alongside her husband, Jack.

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

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the First Baptist Church, 28 Church St., Hornell, NY 14843 or to the Narramore Christian Foundation, P.O. Box 661900, Arcadia, CA 91066-1900.

Norman F. Pike – 77 – of 71 Church Street Court, Hornell, died Friday afternoon (March 23, 2018) at Elderwood of Hornell Nursing Facility, following a brief illness.

He was born in Gouverneur, NY on December 17, 1940 and had resided in Rochester, NY for several years before moving to Hornell about 10 years ago.

While living in Rochester, Norman had been employed by the City of Rochester and also worked as a groundskeeper for several cemeteries.

He had a deep affection for dogs & cats and also enjoyed simply spending the days watching his favorite television shows.

Norman was married on August 1, 1997 to the former Mary Hurne Conklin who survives.  Also surviving are several step-children, step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren along with several brothers.

At Norman’s request there will be no calling hours.  Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.

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

Clarence Van Coombs – 86 – of 21 Armory Place, Hornell, died early Thursday morning (March 22, 2018) at Elderwood of Hornell Nursing Facility, following a brief illness.

Born in Dansville, NY on August 1, 1931 and was the son of Shelley & Marinda (Kemp) Coombs.

Clarence grew up in the Dansville area and attended Alfred-Almond Central School.  He resided in Canisteo for about 47 years and has lived in Hornell since 2002.

For several years, Clarence worked at Ingersoll Rand Corporation in Painted Post, NY and also at A&P Food Processing in Horseheads, NY.  He had been employed at the former Erie-Lackawanna Railroad and Conrail for over 20 years, retiring in 1993 as a trackman and truck driver.  He had been a member of the Adrian Baptist Church for many years.

In addition to his parents, Clarence was preceded in death by his daughter, Judy Coombs Leach (died in 2016); his grandson, Jeremy Coombs (died in 2004); three brothers, Bill Coombs, Dick Coombs and Frank Coombs.

He was married on December 12, 1953 to the former Joan Freeland who survives.  Also surviving are three daughters, Indy (Dave) King of Savona, Janine (Tim) Doane of Elmira Heights and Kelly (Karl) Thompson of Canisteo; two sons, Dan (Deb) Coombs of Canisteo and Robin (Denise) Coombs of Perkinsville; 1 sister, Louella (Richard) Brown of Dansville; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; several nieces & nephews.

The family of Clarence Van Coombs will receive friends on Saturday from 2:00 PM  –  4:00 PM at the Canisteo Wesleyan Church located on Greenwood St., Canisteo where a Memorial Service will be held at the conclusion of calling hours at 4:00 PM  with Rev. Tony Ross officiating.  Final interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Canisteo, NY.

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

Clarence’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to the Ann & Carl Meyers Cancer Center, 111 Clara Barton St., Dansville, NY 14437.

Ellen L. Criss – (82) – formerly of 110 Elizabeth St., Hornell, passed away Sunday, March 18, 2018 at Hornell Gardens, where she had resided for the past three months.

Born in Bradford, NY on April 29, 1935, she was the daughter of John and Lottie (Moss) Axtell.

Growing up in Bradford, Ellen graduated from Bradford Central School. She and her husband moved to Almond and opened an ice cream shop and deli in Alfred. She enjoyed operating the business and serving local college students until 1972. She then moved to Hornell, where she has resided since that time. Ellen worked as a bookkeeper for Allen Monaghan, CPA and was later employed as the bookkeeper for Updyke’s Rest Home and the Italian Villa Restaurant in Hornell. She loved arts & crafts, crocheting, and was an avid New York Yankees fan.

Ellen was married on September 3, 1959 to Ronald “Ronnie” Criss who died January 1, 2003. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Richard “Dick” Axtell and her sister, Vi Axtell.

Surviving are 3 sisters, Mary (Francis) Dellamano of Oswego, NY, Sara Criss of Bath, NY, and Dee Eldred of Corning, NY; her great-niece Kellie (Ryan) Harrison and their daughters of Hornell; many other nieces & nephews, great- and great-great- nieces & nephews.

At Ellen’s request, there will be no calling hours. A private graveside service and burial at the Howard Cemetery will take place at the convenience of the family.

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

Ellen’s family requests that Memorial Contributions in here name be made to Hornell Area Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Road, Hornell, NY 14843.

Richard J. “Rick” Detter – 67 – of 480 Maple City Drive, Hornell, NY died unexpectedly on Tuesday (March 20, 2018) at his home.

Born in York, PA on August 23, 1950, he was the son of Richard & Pauline (Bair) Detter.

Rick grew up in Dover, PA and was a graduate of Dover High School. He was a veteran of the US Air Force, serving his country from 1970 – 1974.

Through the years, Rick had been employed in the construction industry and had resided in many locations, including Pennsylvania, Florida and New York. He had resided in Hornell for the past several years.

In addition to his parents, Rick was preceded in death by two brothers, Bruce Detter & James Detter.

Surviving are four daughters, Rayna Wilson, Deanna Detter, Wende Kohlinberg and Monica Detter; two brothers Charles Miller & Thomas Detter; three sisters, Roxine Detter, June Black and Sandra Yingling.

There will be no calling hours. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.

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

Michael P. “Mike” Bantel – (51) – of 130 East Main St., Hornell, formerly of 13 West VanScoter St., died Thursday evening (March 15, 2018) at Arnot Ogden Hospital in Elmira, following a brief illness.

Born in Amityville, NY on December 16, 1966, he was the son of William & Margaret “Marge” Bantel.

Mike grew up in Massapequa, Long Island and graduated from Rosemary Kennedy School (Nassau County ARC).  While living on Long Island, he was a member of Maria Regina Parish in Seaford, NY.

Along with his family, Mike moved to Hornell in 1989.  Since living in Hornell he has been a member of the Steuben ARC Program.  He was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of both St. Ann’s Church of Hornell and St. Mary’s Church of Rexville, NY.

Mike enjoyed playing with his alphabet blocks and carried them with him in his knapsack at all times.  He loved bowling with his friends and was a member of the Steuben ARC Bowling League.  He also loved shopping with the Steuben ARC staff and also enjoyed “ringing the bell” for the Salvation Army in front of Wal-Mart at Christmastime.

Surviving are 3 brothers, Bill Bantel of Hornell, Jim Bantel of Massapequa, Long Island and Charles Bantel of West Palm Beach, FL; 1 sister, Janice Ruh of Gilbert, AZ; several nieces & nephews.

The family of Michael P. Bantel will receive friends on Thursday from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church where a Memorial Mass will be celebrated at the conclusion of calling hours at 10:00 AM.  Final interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery alongside his parents.

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

Mike’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to ARC of Steuben, 1 ARC Way, Bath, NY 14810.