Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 5/3/1954

Funeral services will be held
Wednesday for Sarah Bichler. 79,
of 2927 North Ave., who died at
Memorial Hospital Saturday.
Mrs. Bichler, who suffered a
heart attack two days previous to
her death, would have celebrated
her 51st wedding anniversary on
May 11. She was born in Paradise,
Pa.
She is survived by her husband,
George Bichler; four sons, Halvin
Alcorn, Clyde Alcorn and Chris
Bichler of this city and Morris
Bichler of North Tonawanda; four
daughters, Mrs. Charles Bechtel,
Mrs. Francis Mills of this city; Mrs.
Lewis MacKenzie, Sinclairville,
and Mrs. Frank Ashcroft, Sebastien,
Fla.; 19 grandchildren and 12 great-
grandchildren.
Services will be held at the
Rhoney Funeral Home on Wednes-
day at 1 p.m. by the Rev. Vernon
Squire, assistant pastor of Zion
Evangelical Church, of which she
was a member. Interment will be
in Witmer Cemetery.

Sarah married ALCORN, Albert on 11 May 1893. Albert (son of ALCORN, James and Caroline) was born in Aug 1862 in PA; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah married BICHLER, George Clement about 1902. George (son of BICHLER, Christ C and Mary) was born in Aug 1878 in PA; died on 13 Dec 1960 in Buffalo, Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 3/17/1966

Halvin R. Alcorn, 72, of 3721
Military Road, Town of Niagara,
died Wednesday (March 16,
1966) in Mount St. Mary's Hospital
after a short illness.
He was a native of Salina,
Pa., and came to this city when
he was 16. He lived most of his
life in theTownof Niagara,
life in the Town of Niagara.
COurter Printing, and later at
the Wahl Printing and Binding
Co. for 10 years before joining
Moore Business Forms Inc. He
worked there for 25 years and
retired in 1958 as a compositor.
Mr. Alcorn worked at the
Highland Avenue plant and then
at the Lockport plant when it
opened.
Served as Justice
He was a justice of the peace
in the Town of Niagara from
1930 to 1942, and he was known
around the town as "the judge."
Mr. Alcorn was a member of
the Town of Niagara Board of
Education. He served on the
school board for 12 years, and
during that time the Military
Road Elementary School was
built.
He also served as a Republican
committeeman in the 1920s
and 1930s.
Mr. Alcorn was an instructor
of printing at Trott Vocational
High School from. 1945 to 1949.
He was a member of Niagara
Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 and a
member of the Niagara Falls
Typographical Union 233.
The Survivors
Survivors include his wife,
Gertrude M.; three daughetrs.
Miss Verna E. Alcorn, Town of
Niagara; Mrs. William G. (Betty)
Dugan, San Diego, Calif.,
and Mrs. William H. (Shirley)
Strasburg, Town of Wheatfield;
three brothers, Clyde M. Alcorn,
this city; MauriceBichler,
this city, and Chris Bichler,
North Tonawanda; three sisters,
Mrs. Laura Ashcroft, Albuquerue,
N.M.; Mrs. Francis (Mary)
Mills, this city, and Mrs. Melvin
(Genevieve) Smith, Randolph;
and six grandchildren.
Service Saturday
Funeral services will be conducted
at the Rhoney Funeral
Home Inc., at 2 p.m. Saturday
by the Rev. Paul R. Swank,
pastor of Zion Lutheran Church.
Burial will be in Memorial Park
Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral
home today from 7 to 9 p.m.
and from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Friday.

Family/Spouse: BECHTEL, Gertrude M. Gertrude (daughter of BECHTEL, Philip F and Helena) was born in Oct 1893 in Town of Niagara, Niagara County, NY; died on 9 Sep 1970 in Town of Niagara, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: ASHCROFT, Frank Richard. Frank (son of ASHCROFT, James and Mary) was born in Dec 1887 in PA; died on 8 Jan 1955 in Sebastian, FL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Clyde married KLOPPER, Loretta M about 1926. Loretta (daughter of KLOPPER, F J) was born on 20 Jul 1903 in New York; died on 11 Feb 1990. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette

BICKLER - In D e G r a f f Memorial
Hospital Dec. 23, 1971, Chris L. (Duke)
Bickler of 51 A. Central Lane, North
Tonawanda, N.Y. Husband of Gertrude;
father of Bradley Bickler of Panama,
N.Y. and Robert Wall of this city;
brother of Clyde Alcorn of this city, Mrs.
Francis (Mary) Mills of Ransornvlite,
N.Y., Mrs. Melvin (Genevieve) Smith of
Randolph. N.Y. and Mrs. Laura Ashcroft
of Youngstown, N.Y. Also survived
by 3 grandchildren. Funeral services at
the Rhoney Funeral Home inc.. 1174
Ontario Ave., Monday at 11a.m. with the
Rav. William J. Devine officiating.
Interment in Witmer Cemetery. Friends
may call at the funeral home after 2 p.m.
Sunday.

Family/Spouse: GETZ, Gertrude. Gertrude (daughter of GETZ, Sherman and EVANS, Jennie) was born on 21 Dec 1896; died on 18 Sep 1991. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Susan married BECHTEL, Charles on 11 Nov 1925 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. Charles (son of BECHTEL, Philip F and Helena) was born on 1 Feb 1898 in Town of Cambria, Niagara County, NY; died on 27 Dec 1968 in Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 2/2/1968

Funeral services will be held
Monday for Maurice J. Bickler,
56, of 9414 Cayuga Drive, who
was pronounced dead Thursday
(Feb, 1, 1968) at Memorial "Hospital
after being stricken with
an apparent heart attack at
home.
He was a native of this city
and had been employed by the
DuPont Co. as a mechanic for
20 years-until he retired in 1960
after a motorcycle accident.
Mr. Bickler was an Army veteran
of World War II and served
with the engineers in the
South Pacific. He was a member
of the Loyal'Order of Moose
and the American Legion.
Mr. Bickler is survived by his
widow, Patricia; a daughter,
Pamela, at home; two brothers,
Chris Bickler, North Tonawanda,
and Clyde Alcorn, this city,
and three sisters, Mrs. Francis
Mills, Sanborn; "Mrs. Melvin
Smith, Randolph, and Laura
Ashcroft, Anchorage, Alaska.
Funeral services will be conducted
at 11 a.m. Monday at
the.Rhoney Funeral Home by
the Rev. John E. Wickenden,
minister of Epiphany Episcopal
Church. Burial will be in Wit-
mer Cemetery, Town of Niagara.
Friends may call from; 2 to 5
and 7 to 9 p.m Saturday and
Sunday at the funeral home.

Family/Spouse: STINE, Patricia A. Patricia (daughter of STINE, William Joseph and Olive) was born on 30 Aug 1939 in New York; died on 8 Jun 2008 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Maurice married Dorothy on 21 Apr 1956. Dorothy was born about 1917 in New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Maurice married Edna before 1940. Edna was born about 1912 in Canada; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Randolph NY Register

Genevieve L. Smith, 83, of
2594 Shadagee Road, Eden,
formerly of Falconer and Randolph,
died at 11:30 p.m. Monday,
Sept. 1, 1997, in Mercy
Hospital, Buffalo.
She was born June 25,1914, in
Niagara Falls, the daughter of
George C. and Sarah Bilby
Bichler.
Mrs. Smith was a 1932
graduate of Niagara Falls High
School.
Surviving are a daughter,
Barbara "Cliff Sifordof Eden;
a stepson, Melvin Smith Jr. of
Busti; four stepdaughters:
Bernice Howard of Gerry,
Norma Eddy of Celoron,
Barbara Thorpe of Kentucky and
Mary Lou Best of Denver;
two grandchildren and 12
stepgrandchildren.
She was preceded in death by
her first husband, Lewis
MacKenzie, who died in 1961;
her second husband, Melvin E.
Smith, in 1988; five brothers:
Clem, Maurice and Christ
Bichler, Clyde and Halvin
Alcorn; and three sisters: Susan
Bechtel, Mary Mills and Laura
Ashcroft.
The funeral was held Friday,
Sept. 5, in the Van Rensselaer
and Son Funeral Home. The
Rev. Karen Anderson, pastor
of the Randolph United
Presbyterian Church, officiated.
Burial was in East Randolph
Cemetery.

Family/Spouse: SMITH, Melvin E. Melvin was born about 1910; died on 20 Apr 1988 in Lackawanna, Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: MACKENZIE, Lewis Hugh. Lewis (son of MACKENZIE, Charles and LAROSE, Milla) was born about 1910 in Port Dover, Ontario, Canada; died on 13 Jun 1961 in Jamestown, Chautauqua County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married MILLS, Francis on 15 Jun 1935 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. Francis was born on 27 Oct 1911; died in May 1974 in Ransomville, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

July 11, 2010
Verna E. Alcorn

Niagara Gazette

LEWISTON — (Lewiston) - Verna E. Alcorn, age 89, long time resident of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on Saturday, July 10, 2010 at Fairchild Manor Nursing Home, in Lewiston, following a long illness. Verna was born March 19, 1921, in Niagara Falls, NY, the beloved daughter of the late Halvin and Gertrude (Bechtel) Alcorn, also of Niagara Falls, NY.

During the war, Verna worked as a Nurse’s Aide at Memorial Hospital. Soon after, Verna traveled to New York City to work for American Airlines and then later Levitt and Sons. When she returned to Niagara Falls in the 1950s, she worked as an Executive Secretary at Pittsburgh Metallurgical (later called Airco Alloys). She ended her career at Lindy.

She enjoyed her membership in the Quota Club for many years and contributed her time working at the Attic Shop run by the Ladies Auxiliary of Zion Lutheran Church.

Verna, a loving sister, cousin and aunt, is survived by her sister, Betty Dugan (Texas); cousin, Vera Caldwell (Niagara Falls); nieces, Kathy Strasburg Gresh (Maryland), Karen Strasburg McNeal (Georgia); and nephews, Kent Dugan (Texas), Kirk Dugan (Texas), William Strasburg (South Carolina), Charles Strasburg (Alabama). She was predeceased by her brother, Phillip (as a child); and then her sister, Shirley Alcorn Strasburg, who died Friday, July 9, 2010 in Mobile, AL.

Verna was an extremely generous and loving person. She gave selflessly to family and friends all of her life. She was an adventurous spirit who loved to try new things. She loved gardening and her pets.

Funeral services will be held at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Sts., Lewiston on Wednesday, July 14th at 11:00 AM, with the Rev. Thomas Mason officiating. There will be no prior visitation. Burial will be in Niagara Falls Memorial Park, Lewiston. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Humane Society or the American Parkinson Disease Association.

Please visit www.hardisonfuneralhomes.com for online registry.

Betty married DUGAN, William G on 7 Jun 1944 in Town of Niagara, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

July 11, 2010
Shirley J. Alcorn Strasburg

Niagara Gazette

MOBILE, AL — Shirley Jean Alcorn Strasburg, 78, of Mobile AL, formerly of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on Friday, July 9, 2010, following a long illness. Shirley was the daughter of the late Halvin and Gertrude Alcorn, also of Niagara Falls, NY, and was the beloved wife of the late William Harold Strasburg. Bill died in 2008 in Mobile AL. They had been happily married 55 years. After leaving Niagara Falls in 1971, they lived in Mobile, AL, Charleston, SC and then returned to live near family in Mobile, AL.

Shirley was a laboratory chemist by trade and worked at Oldbury, Hooker Chemical and Union Carbide. She was also an expert seamstress and worked at Piece Goods in Charleston, SC.

Shirley, a loving mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, is survived by her four children (Kathy Gresh, Maryland; Karen McNeal, Georgia; William Strasburg, South Carolina; and Charles Strasburg, Alabama); 12 grandchildren; one sister, (Betty Dugan, Texas). Her oldest sister, Verna Alcorn, died the day after her death on July 10, 2010 in Lewiston. She was predeceased by her brother, Phillip.

Shirley was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She was always there to listen to stories, dry your tears and take pride in your achievements. She was an excellent cook and you could count on your “favorite” dish being served when you visited. Her love for her children and her grandchildren was unconditional.

A private Memorial Service was held on July 11, 2010 in Mobile, AL. In lieu of flowers, family members ask that donations be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association.

Shirley married STRASBURG, William Harold on 7 Jun 1952 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. William (son of STRASBURG, Albert Franklin and SCHULTZ, Clara Amanda) was born on 18 Oct 1927 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY; died on 19 Mar 2008 in Mobile, Mobile County, AL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Richard married PHILLIPS, Jerrelene on 14 Nov 1942 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: DITZEL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Helen married POOLE, William O on 10 Jan 1942 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. William (son of POOLE, William E and Louise) was born on 2 Nov 1921 in New York; died on 6 Mar 1998 in Buffalo, Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Patricia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: KELLY, Cheryl A. Cheryl (daughter of KELLY, Earl and COONEY, Evelyn) was born about 1948 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY; died on 20 Nov 2017 in Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Melvin married ELLERINGTON, Pauline in Nov 1949 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Melvin married FLEMING, Carole Anne on 9 Nov 1957 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: SMITH, Bernice L. Bernice (daughter of SMITH, Lorne Edward and JOHANNSEN, Caroline) was born on 1 Jan 1931 in Niagara Falls, Niagara, Ontario, Canada; died on 24 May 2019 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ronald married DUGAS, Shirley E in Feb 1955 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. Shirley (daughter of DUGAS, Theodore and CARL, Loretta) was born on 9 Nov 1935 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY; died on 23 Mar 2023 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Donald married DOUCET, Helena J [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Marjorie Ellen (Bechtel) Aube, a long time resident of this area, passed away Tuesday, July 19, 2016 while receiving care from Niagara Hospice. She was 85. She was born in the Town of Niagara at home, the daughter of the late Charles and Susan (Bichler) Bechtel. She attended local schools including the former LaSalle Jr/Sr High School.

As a teen, she worked for the former Loblaws. She then worked as a bank teller for M&T Bank at the former Portage and East Falls Street branch.

She was deeply devoted to her family. She enjoyed camping, watching her family race at Lancaster Speedway, always cooking for them and the pit crew. In her spare time she loved to garden and enjoyed couponing/refunding.

She is survived by her three children, Susan M. Aube of Niagara Falls; Charles M. Aube (Rene) of Ransomville and Sharon L. Schaal (Wade) of Niagara Falls; seven grandchildren, Charles Corwin IV; Jason Corwin; Michael Aube; Joel Aube; Ryan Schaal; Kristy Schaal and Kevin Aube-Marchant; six great grandchildren, Charles Corwin V; Laura Aube; Ian Aube: Leah Aube; Declan Aube and Carter Joseph Schaaal; also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband, Melvin Aube and a sister Mildred Wielgus.

Friends may call Thursday after 4 PM in the LANE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 8622 Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls, where Funeral services will follow the visitation at 7 PM. The interment will be private Friday in Memorial Park Cemetery, Lewiston.

If desired, memorials, may be to Niagara Hospice, Inc., 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14094.

Family/Spouse: TOOKER, Sheldon Ernest. Sheldon (son of TOOKER, Morris B and Julia) was born on 5 Jun 1928 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY; died on 17 Nov 2009 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: AUBE, Melvin H. Melvin was born on 18 Jul 1927; died on 24 Nov 2008 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: WIELGUS, Edward J. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: CHEST. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Barbara married SIFORD, Clifford R on 21 Apr 1962 in Town of Niagara, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: GRESH, Gary A. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: MCNEAL, Raymond A. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

August 29, 2013
Debra L. Van Patten

Niagara Gazette

WHITE HAVEN, PA —
Debra L. (Alcorn) Van Patten, 59, of White Haven, PA, died on Sunday, August 18, 2013 from injuries she sustained in a motorcycle accident in Jim Thorpe, PA. Born in Niagara Falls, NY, she was the daughter of Bernice (Smith) Alcorn, Niagara Falls, NY and the late Lloyd Alcorn.
Debbie was a graduate of Trott Vocational High School, Class of 1972. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed collecting owl figurines. She had a heart of gold and was always there for a friend, family member or complete stranger.
Preceding her in death in addition to her father; were her son, Christopher Van Patten; and her brother, Robert Alcorn.
Surviving are her husband, Cris Van Patten; daughters, Julia Watkins of White Haven, PA and Lacy Jackson of Florida; sisters, Marjorie Rager of Lewiston, NY and Sheri (Darold) Bates of Semora, NC; brothers, Randall (Carol) Alcorn of Grand Island, NY and James Alcorn of Niagara Falls, NY; and grandchildren, Velicity, Jaquiline and Allyson, all of White Haven, PA. Also surviving are her great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and many loved ones.
Visit www.niagara-gazette.com/obituaries for online guest register.

Family/Spouse: VAN PATTEN, Cris. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: RAGER. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Son Pun. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Carol. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: BATES, Donald. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: HANNA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: SALERNO, Robert. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Lianne. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Sharon Lynn (Aube) Schaal, 55, of Niagara Falls, was called home to be with the Lord on Friday, May 12, 2017 at Hospice House. Sharon was born on November 20, 1961 to the late Mel and Marge (Bechtel) Aube.
For the past 37 years, Sharon has worked at Calato Manufacturing in both Sales and Purchasing. This is where Sharon met her husband of 34 years, Wade. Sharon's greatest accomplishment was providing love and support to her family. She also enjoyed her many family vacations and gatherings.
Sharon is survived by her loving husband, Wade Schaal; her children, Ryan (Amanda) Schaal and Kristy Schaal; her grandson, Carter Joe Schaal; and her siblings, Sue Aube and Chuck (Rene) Aube. She was predeceased by her parents-in-law, Walter and Gladys (Tuten) Schaal.
Family and friends may call at the LANE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 8622 Buffalo Avenue on Monday, May 15th from 4-8 PM. A Service of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday at 10 AM at Grace Lutheran Church, 736 Cayuga Drive. Burial will be in Niagara Falls Memorial Park Cemetery in Lewiston. Donations may be made in Sharon's name to Niagara Hospice House, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14094 or Grace Lutheran Church.

Family/Spouse: SCHAAL, Wade. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Rene. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Michele. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary of John Wielgus John Wielgus, 60, of Niagara Falls, passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2015 at his home, following a courageous yearlong battle with cancer. John was born December 6, 1954 to Edward and Mildred (Bechtel) Wielgus. He attended local schools and was a graduate of Niagara Wheatfield High School, Class of 1974. John made his living as a house painter who worked side by side with his father but his true love and passion was music, Blues Music. Known to most as "Harmonica John," John was a member of a number of formidable Blues Bands, including The Buffalo King Snake Band, The Excellos and The Electras. John was one of the regular house musicians at the Imperial Garage in the 1980's that hosted several famed old time blues bands. Within this time his true success was with Stevie B and the Rhythm Rockers, they recorded an album "The Real Thing" and played live at Attica State Prison. In the 1990's John went on tour with James Peterson. John was honored by Buffalo Music Award for top blues Harmonica player in 1994 and again in 1995. In 2004 Blues Beat Magazine presented him with the Muddy Waters Award for excellence in the field of blues "Class Act Award." Last November, John played his harmonica for the last time at a tribute for him. Family and friends gathered to watch and listen to the talent of this amazing man. A very gentle and humble man, John played his harmonica every night referring to it as his prayer to the Lord for giving him the talent to share with others. John loved to read and was an animal lover. He was also an avid Yankees and true Buffalo Bills Fan. Family and friends found it entertaining watching John watch the games, rather than the games themselves. John is survived by his wife Heather, stepson Richard Kraft of Florida, two brothers, Edward Wielgus (fiancée Terri) of Middletown Ohio. Richard (Michele) Wielgus, of Lewiston, NY, two grandchildren Allison and Cooper Kraft.John and Heather shared a major role in raising his niece, Chelsey Wielgus, and he lovingly assumed the role "judgie" to Chelsey's' two children, Carly and Scotty. John also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his youngest brother Scott Wielgus and his stepson Patrick Kraft. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4-7pm and Friday from 11am -1pm, with funeral service following, at the ZAJAC FUNERAL HOME INC. 319 24th street, cor. of Welch Ave., Niagara Falls, New York. Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made in John's memory to: The Jonah Cancer Care Center, ECMC, 462 Grider Street, Buffalo, New York 14215 Attn: Charlene Cherry.

Family/Spouse: Heather J. Heather was born on 10 Oct 1946 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada; died on 24 Oct 2018 in Buffalo, Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: WATKINS. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: JACKSON. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Amanda. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]