John married HERING, Fredericka Luise Wilhelmine on 21 Apr 1872 in Wolcottsville, Town of Royalton, Niagara County, NY. Fredericka was born on 30 Apr 1852 in Prenzlau, Brandenburg, Germany; died on 22 Jul 1930 in Wolcottsville, Town of Royalton, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: COAKLEY, Richard A. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 4/9/1942

LOCKPORT-Mrs. August W.
Claude, 82. widow of Frederick W.
Claude, died last evening at her
home in the Creek roed. Town of
Lockport. after an Illness of several
months. Last rites will be Saturday
at 2:30 p. m. at the home and at 3
o'clock at St Paul's Lutheran church
at Wolcottsburg. Burial will be in
St. Paul's cemetery at Wolcottsburg.
Born October 7,1879, at Wolcotts-
burg. Mrs. Claude spent her youth
there. For 36 years she had resided
at The Rapids. Her husband was
fatally injured last year when
struck by an auto while riding
bicycle in the Rapids road.
Surviving are two sons, Waller, of
Buffalo, and Martin, of Lockport;
three daughters, Mrs. David Hoeman,
of Clarence Center, Christine
Claude and Mrs. Linus Ball, of this
city; two brothers, Henry and Herman
Landow, of Buffalo, and five
sisters, Mrs. John Pless and Mrs.
Arthur Wendler, of Wolcottsburg,
Mrs. William Sprung and Mrs.
Richard Coakley, of Lockport, and
Mrs. Alvln Harder, of North Tonawanda

Family/Spouse: CLAUDE, Frederick William. Frederick (son of KLADE, Christian and MAASS, Christina) was born on 27 Nov 1877 in Town of Royalton, Niagara County, NY; died on 14 Feb 1941 in Lockport, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette

LOCKPORT, Nov. 5—Mrs. Emilie
J. Sprung. 61, wife of William A.
Sprung. 408 North Transit street.
died suddenly Saturday night at her
home of a heart attack. She was a
native of Wolcottsburg, N.Y., but
had lived here 45 years.
Besides her husband, she leaves
two daughters and three sons, Mrs.
Clay Beccue, Viola, William, Harold
and Karl Sprung of Lockport; two
brothers and four sisters, Mrs. John
Pless and Mrs. Arthur Wendler,
Clarence Center, N.Y., Mrs. Alvin
Harder, North Tonawanda, Mrs.
Richard E. Coakley, Lockport, Henry
and Herman Landow, Buffalo.
Services will be held tomorrow af-
ternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Prud-
den Funeral Home, 242 Genesee
street.

Emilie married SPRUNG, William A about 1906. William (son of SPRUNG, Charles W and LUEDTKE, Wilhelmine A) was born on 25 May 1883 in Wolcottsville, Town of Royalton, Niagara County, NY; died on 5 Apr 1962 in Lockport, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: PLESS, John. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 7/20/1967

GASPORT-Mrs. Fredericka Wendler, 77, of 12
Remick Parkway, died Wednesday (July 19, 1967) at
Mesler's Sunshine Nursing Home, Gasport.
She was a member of Trinity
Lutheran Church, Lockport, the
Ladies Aid Society of the church,
the Lutheran Women's Missionary
League, and the Niagara
Chapter, of Valparaiso University
Guild.
She is survived by her husband,
Arthur H. Wendler; -two
daughter, Mrs. Earl (Adeline)
Schubel of Akron, N.Y., and
Mrs. Barbara Rigerman of Akron,
Ohio; and a son, Arthur of
Gasport; three sisters, Mrs
Anna Pfess, Clarence Center,
Mrs. Rose Harder, North Tonawanda,
and Mrs. Minnie Coakley
of Lockport; also nine
grandchildren and several nieces
and nephews.
Beginning today friends may
call from 2 to 4 and from 7 to
9 p.m. at the Prudden and Kandt
Funeral . Home, where funeral
services will be- held Saturday
at 3 p.m. Burial will be in Cold
Springs Cemetery, Lockport.

Fredericke married WENDLER, Arthur H about 1922. Arthur (son of WENDLER, August and STROH, Louisa) was born on 11 Apr 1892 in Wolcottsburg, Town of Clarence, Erie County, NY; died on 7 Jun 1971 in Gasport, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

HARDER - Rose E. Harder, 79, formerly of 7309 Ward Road, Town of Wheatfield, Tuesday (Feb. 8, 1972) in the Restwell Nursing Home, Niagara Falls, N.Y. Mrs. Harder was a member of St. John Lutheran Church. She was the wife of the late Alvin W. Harder. She is survived by a son, LaVerne A. Harder of North Tonawanda; two grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. John (Anna) Pless of Clarence Center, N.Y., and Mrs. Richard (Minnie) Coakley of Lockport, N.Y. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., at the Fretthold Funeral Home, Inc., 1241 Oliver St., at Ward Road, North Tonawanda, where services will be held Thursday at 1:30 p.m. The Rev. Albert W. Bahr will officiate. Interment in St. John Lutheran Cemetery. If so desired, memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church Building Fund.

Rose married HARDER, Alvin W about 1927 in Niagara County, NY. Alvin (son of HARDER, Heinrich Martin and WERTH, Rosine Augusta Friderike) was born in 1897 in Tonawanda, Erie County, NY; died on 27 Jan 1962 in Town of Wheatfield, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Hermine married COAKLEY, Richard E on 4 Feb 1922 in Lockport, Niagara County, NY. Richard (son of COAKLEY, William and KENNY, Alice) was born on 3 May 1889 in Lockport, Niagara County, NY; died in May 1986 in Lockport, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: HOEHMAN, David. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Martin married HILLMAN, Melvina Rose on 16 May 1943 in Lockport, Niagara County, NY. Melvina (daughter of HILLMAN, Rudolph Albert Herman and KNEEPPEL, Ella Anna Florena) was born on 20 May 1915 in Town of Cambria, Niagara County, NY; died on 21 Jun 1988. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lockport NY Union Sun Journal - 12/15/1958

The James J Landen farm.
scene of Saturday's fire played an
important part in a tragic fire
that took the lives of five persons
two years ago in November 1956,
just one-quarter of a mile east of
the Landen farm.
It was to the Whitehaven Nur-
ing home that a woman ran to
telephone for aid in the fire that
took the lives of Mr. and Mrs.
Linus Ball and their three sons.
Two other children, sisters, es-
caped the tragic fire.
The Ball fire happened Nov. 19,
1956. Mrs. Ball was a part-time
employe at the Whitehaven Nurs-
ing Home. it was to the home that
Mrs. Ben Licata, next-door neigh-
for to the Balls, raced for help.
The Ball's frame farmhouse was
located on the north side of the
road.
There had been four major fires
in 46 years on the Ball farm.
The Landen barn fire was the
first fire in the area since the
Ball fire.
Three volunteer companies an-
swered both alarms. They were
Wright's Corners, Terrys Corners
and South Lockport.

ALSO

North Tonawanda NY Evening News - 11/19/1956

Five members of one
family perished in a fire today
which swept their two story
frame home in the
High St. extension, one-half
mile east of Lockport city
line.
Two other members of the family
were treated at Lockport Memorial
Hospital for injuries suffered
when they escaped from their
burning home.
Dead are Linus Ball, his wife,
Hilda, and three of their five children:
Dennis, 9; Frank, 4, and Arthur,
9 months.
Suffering from shock are Elaine,
15, and Karen, 6. Elaine also suffered
leg injuries when she jumped
from a second floor porch. Karen
suffered-burns about her head.
She was dropped to the ground
from the porch by her older sister.
.A wakened by Father
Elaine told Sheriff's Deputy Rudolph
Ziehm that her father awakened
her about 6 a.m. and told
her the house was on fire. She
said her father rushed down stairs,
where the *est of the family was
sleeping.
Elaine said she ran to the home
started to follow her father, but
that she grabbed her and pulled
her to the second floor porch,
dropped her to the ground, and
then jumped.
Elaine said she ran to the tome
of Benjamin Licata, a next-door
neighbor, and told him to summon
firemen. Mrs. Licata, found her
telephone was out of order and
had to run to another neighbor's
house to call help.
Heat Intense
Mr. Ziehm said that by the time
firemen and sheriff's deputies arrived,
the fire was so intense that
they couldn't get withm 50 feet of
the burning home.
Firefighters from Lockport,
South Lockport, Rapids, Wright's
Corners and Terry's Corners were
unable to save the structure. Two
badly charred bodies were taken
from the rubble by the volunteer
firemen. They were not immediately
identified.
The bodies of the other three
victims were recovered from the
ruins shortly before 10 a.m.
Firemen and neighbors said
Elaine was a real heroine. They
said she saved her sister and herself
by smashing an upstairs window,
severely cutting her right
arm. Both leaped to the ground
where she beat out flames which
were picking at both her clothing
and that of her sister. Then Elaine
sprinted to a neighbor's house to
sound the alarm.
When she had recovered sufficiently,
Elaine told authorities
that the last time she saw her
father he was at the foot of the
stairs shouting that he was "going
back to get the other children."

Hilda married BALL, Linus on 12 Oct 1940 in Wolcottsburg, Town of Clarence, Erie County, NY. Linus was born about 1913 in New York; died on 19 Nov 1956 in Lockport, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married ADAMS, Theresa on 25 Jul 1941 in Lockport, Niagara County, NY. Theresa (daughter of ADAMS and Rose) was born in 1916; died in 1973. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Buffalo News - April 27, 1989
Services for Alice E. Beccue, 70, of Sunset Drive will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday in the Prudden & Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St. Burial will be in Cold Spring Cemetery.
The former Alice Sprung died Tuesday (April 25, 1989) in her home after a long illness.
The widow of Clay Beccue, she was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Survivors include two sons, Clay of Barrington, R.I., and David of Rochester; two daughters, Janine Crum and Bonita; a brother, Karl Sprung; a sister, Viola Sprung, and five grandchildren.

Alice married BECCUE, Clay Gartner on 28 Jun 1940 in Lockport, Niagara County, NY. Clay (son of BECCUE, Abraham Otto Robert and GARTNER, Marie Wilhelmine) was born on 23 Aug 1915 in Lockport, Niagara County, NY; died on 22 Nov 1969 in Lockport, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary of Catherine F. Chapman

Catherine F. Chapman passed away July 17, 2022 at Northgate Health Care Facility.  Born November 16, 1927 in Clarence Center, NY, the daughter of John and Anna (Landow) Pless.  Catherine worked in production at Harrison Radiator and was very active at the Dale Association, the “Bag Ladies”, Red-Hat Ladies, enjoyed traveling, and spending time with her family.
 
Catherine is survived by her children, Carol (Paul) Rooney, Patricia Parker, and Mark (Marsha) Chapman; eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, Warren Chapman, five siblings, grandson, Kyle Chapman, and great-grandson, William Parker.
 
Relatives and friends may call at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 6965 Chestnut Ridge Road, Lockport on Wednesday, July 20, from 11 am-1 pm, service 1-2 pm, interment will follow at Cold Springs Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers donations to Niagara Hospice would be appreciated.  Visit pruddenandkandt.com

Family/Spouse: CHAPMAN, Wayne. Wayne and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

SCHUBEL - Adeline L. (nee Wendler) Of Akron, NY, age 91, entered into rest April 5, 2016, wife of the late Earl L. Schubel; loving mother of David Schubel of Medina, NY, and Timothy (Carolyn) Schubel of Tuscon, AZ; cherished grandmother of Jessica (William) and Jon (Amanda); dearest great-grandmother of Luke; sister of the late Arthur Wendler and Barbara (Donald) Rigerman; sister-in-law of Lorna Wendler of Lockport, NY and Carol (late Carl) Schubel of Wolcottsville, NY; also survived by several nieces and nephews. The family will be present Friday, April 8th, 2016

Family/Spouse: SCHUBEL, Earl Laverne. Earl (son of SCHUBEL, John C and BRUENING, Louise Wilhelmina Augusta) was born in Oct 1921; died on 2 Sep 2004 in Akron, Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

August 30, 2012
Arthur Frederick Wendler

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

LOCKPORT — Arthur Frederick Wendler entered into eternal rest on August 29, 2012 at Niagara Hospice. He was born on June 3, 1927 in Wolcottsburg, NY, the son of Arthur and Fredericka Landow Wendler. He is survived by his wife, Lorna Bruning Wendler. They were married on July 29, 1950 at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Wolcottsville, NY, and were 53-year residents of their Gasport home before moving to Lockport.

Mr. Wendler served in the Army after graduating from Parker High School in Clarence, NY, in 1945. His service included the mustering out of returning World War II veterans at Fort Dix, New Jersey. After five years of working at Pratt & Lambert Paint Co in Buffalo, he began his employment at the GM Harrison plant in Lockport, retiring in 1989 after 37 years service.

Besides his wife, Mr. Wendler is survived by four children, Paul (Judith Maher) Wendler of Raleigh, NC, Curtis (Paula Class) Wendler of Lockport, NY, Heather (Dale) Borget of Pleasant Garden, NC, and Robert (Ruth Crutts) Wendler of Barker, NY. He also leaves ten beloved grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; sister, Adeline (Earl Schubel) of Medina, NY; and seven nieces and seven nephews. Mr. Wendler was predeceased by his sister, Barbara Rigerman; and four brothers-in-law, Francis (Lucille Bruning) Cervoni, Earl (Adeline Wendler) Schubel, Arnold and Dorothy Sahm Bruning, Donald Rigerman; and an infant sister, Margaret Wendler.

Friends may call at the RUTLAND-CORWIN FUNERAL HOME, INC., 2670 Main St., Newfane, NY 14108 on FRIDAY from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM. An hour of calling hours will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 7147 Ridge Road Lockport, NY, on Saturday from 10-11 AM, funeral service will be held at 11 AM. Burial at Hartland Central Cemetery following. Memorials are requested to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Dr., Lockport, NY 14094.

Please visit www.rutland-corwin.com to send the family a condolence.

Arthur married BRUENING, Lorna A on 29 Jul 1950 in Wolcottsville, Town of Royalton, Niagara County, NY. Lorna (daughter of BRUENING, Albert Wilhelm Heinrich and RUDNICK, Malvina) was born on 12 Nov 1930 in Wolcottsville, Town of Royalton, Niagara County, NY; died on 29 Aug 2012 in Medina, Orleans County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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

Notes:

LaVerne A. Harder, age 89 of North Tonawanda, July 3, 2018 in Beechwood Homes. LaVerne worked as a machinist for the Carborundum Co. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Wheatfield. He enjoyed gardening and spending time with his family.
He was the husband of the late Roberta (Klail) Harder. Beloved father of William (Marilyn) Harder of Palatine, IL, and Lawrence (Lisa) Harder of Ridgefield, CT. Grandfather of Alicia and Michael Harder.
Friends may call at the Fretthold Funeral Home Inc. 1241 Oliver St., at Ward Rd., in North Tonawanda on Friday from 2-4 & 7-9 P.M. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 10 A.M. from St. John Lutheran Church, 6950 Ward Rd, in the Town of Wheatfield. The Rev. Michael Borgstedt will officiate, interment will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery. If so desired memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church. Guest register available at frettholdfuneralhome.com.

LaVerne married KLAIL, Roberta Ann on 15 Aug 1953 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. Roberta (daughter of KLAIL, Joseph and WALSH, Geraldine) was born on 3 Sep 1931 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY; died on 16 Dec 1988 in Buffalo, Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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

Audrey married BLACKLEY, Rowland Frederick [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Raymond B. Coakley entered into rest at home after a brief illness surrounded by his loving family on June 19, 2023. He married the love of his life, Jane E. (Shanley) on August 1, 1959. They spent close to 64 years sharing a wonderful life together.  Son of the late Richard E. and Hermina F. Coakley, he was born May 19, 1936 in Lockport.  He graduated from Lockport High School in 1953 and worked in the skilled trades at Harrison Radiator for 44 1/2 years.
Ray grew up on Allen St. and loved playing at Murphy's Lot. He later played semi-pro baseball for 17 years and had tryouts with the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates. He later used his talents to coach his sons' baseball teams.  Ray valued making memories with his ever increasing family at Lindy's cabin and Allegany State Park. He also greatly enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren participate in their activities.
 
Ray is survived by his six children: Kathleen (Miles) Patterson, Daniel (Cindy) Coakley, Karen (Timothy) Tolli, Matthew (Suzanne) Coakley, Michael (Donna) Coakley, and Kristine (Kirk) Kingsbury; sixteen grandchildren: Vanessa, Anthony, Bethany, Molly, Megan, Karissa, Lyle, Caroline, Madison, Samantha, Hayley, Hayden, Hunter, Hudson, Jordan, and Ben and fourteen great grandchildren.  He is predeceased by his brother Richard and his sisters Lois Herl and Audrey Blackley.
 
Relatives and friends are invited to a funeral service Wednesday, June 28th at 11 AM in Trinity Lutheran Church, 67 Saxton St., Lockport.  In lieu of flowers donations to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset DR., Lockport, NY 14094 or www.niagarahospice.org would be appreciated.  Visit pruddenandkandt.com.
 

Raymond married SHANLEY, Jane E on 1 Aug 1959. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lockport NY Union Sun Journal - 12/15/1958

The James J Landen farm.
scene of Saturday's fire played an
important part in a tragic fire
that took the lives of five persons
two years ago in November 1956,
just one-quarter of a mile east of
the Landen farm.
It was to the Whitehaven Nur-
ing home that a woman ran to
telephone for aid in the fire that
took the lives of Mr. and Mrs.
Linus Ball and their three sons.
Two other children, sisters, es-
caped the tragic fire.
The Ball fire happened Nov. 19,
1956. Mrs. Ball was a part-time
employe at the Whitehaven Nurs-
ing Home. it was to the home that
Mrs. Ben Licata, next-door neigh-
for to the Balls, raced for help.
The Ball's frame farmhouse was
located on the north side of the
road.
There had been four major fires
in 46 years on the Ball farm.
The Landen barn fire was the
first fire in the area since the
Ball fire.
Three volunteer companies an-
swered both alarms. They were
Wright's Corners, Terrys Corners
and South Lockport.

ALSO

North Tonawanda NY Evening News - 11/19/1956

Five members of one
family perished in a fire today
which swept their two story
frame home in the
High St. extension, one-half
mile east of Lockport city
line.
Two other members of the family
were treated at Lockport Memorial
Hospital for injuries suffered
when they escaped from their
burning home.
Dead are Linus Ball, his wife,
Hilda, and three of their five children:
Dennis, 9; Frank, 4, and Arthur,
9 months.
Suffering from shock are Elaine,
15, and Karen, 6. Elaine also suffered
leg injuries when she jumped
from a second floor porch. Karen
suffered-burns about her head.
She was dropped to the ground
from the porch by her older sister.
.A wakened by Father
Elaine told Sheriff's Deputy Rudolph
Ziehm that her father awakened
her about 6 a.m. and told
her the house was on fire. She
said her father rushed down stairs,
where the *est of the family was
sleeping.
Elaine said she ran to the home
started to follow her father, but
that she grabbed her and pulled
her to the second floor porch,
dropped her to the ground, and
then jumped.
Elaine said she ran to the tome
of Benjamin Licata, a next-door
neighbor, and told him to summon
firemen. Mrs. Licata, found her
telephone was out of order and
had to run to another neighbor's
house to call help.
Heat Intense
Mr. Ziehm said that by the time
firemen and sheriff's deputies arrived,
the fire was so intense that
they couldn't get withm 50 feet of
the burning home.
Firefighters from Lockport,
South Lockport, Rapids, Wright's
Corners and Terry's Corners were
unable to save the structure. Two
badly charred bodies were taken
from the rubble by the volunteer
firemen. They were not immediately
identified.
The bodies of the other three
victims were recovered from the
ruins shortly before 10 a.m.
Firemen and neighbors said
Elaine was a real heroine. They
said she saved her sister and herself
by smashing an upstairs window,
severely cutting her right
arm. Both leaped to the ground
where she beat out flames which
were picking at both her clothing
and that of her sister. Then Elaine
sprinted to a neighbor's house to
sound the alarm.
When she had recovered sufficiently,
Elaine told authorities
that the last time she saw her
father he was at the foot of the
stairs shouting that he was "going
back to get the other children."

Notes:

Lockport NY Union Sun Journal - 12/15/1958

The James J Landen farm.
scene of Saturday's fire played an
important part in a tragic fire
that took the lives of five persons
two years ago in November 1956,
just one-quarter of a mile east of
the Landen farm.
It was to the Whitehaven Nur-
ing home that a woman ran to
telephone for aid in the fire that
took the lives of Mr. and Mrs.
Linus Ball and their three sons.
Two other children, sisters, es-
caped the tragic fire.
The Ball fire happened Nov. 19,
1956. Mrs. Ball was a part-time
employe at the Whitehaven Nurs-
ing Home. it was to the home that
Mrs. Ben Licata, next-door neigh-
for to the Balls, raced for help.
The Ball's frame farmhouse was
located on the north side of the
road.
There had been four major fires
in 46 years on the Ball farm.
The Landen barn fire was the
first fire in the area since the
Ball fire.
Three volunteer companies an-
swered both alarms. They were
Wright's Corners, Terrys Corners
and South Lockport.

ALSO

North Tonawanda NY Evening News - 11/19/1956

Five members of one
family perished in a fire today
which swept their two story
frame home in the
High St. extension, one-half
mile east of Lockport city
line.
Two other members of the family
were treated at Lockport Memorial
Hospital for injuries suffered
when they escaped from their
burning home.
Dead are Linus Ball, his wife,
Hilda, and three of their five children:
Dennis, 9; Frank, 4, and Arthur,
9 months.
Suffering from shock are Elaine,
15, and Karen, 6. Elaine also suffered
leg injuries when she jumped
from a second floor porch. Karen
suffered-burns about her head.
She was dropped to the ground
from the porch by her older sister.
.A wakened by Father
Elaine told Sheriff's Deputy Rudolph
Ziehm that her father awakened
her about 6 a.m. and told
her the house was on fire. She
said her father rushed down stairs,
where the *est of the family was
sleeping.
Elaine said she ran to the home
started to follow her father, but
that she grabbed her and pulled
her to the second floor porch,
dropped her to the ground, and
then jumped.
Elaine said she ran to the tome
of Benjamin Licata, a next-door
neighbor, and told him to summon
firemen. Mrs. Licata, found her
telephone was out of order and
had to run to another neighbor's
house to call help.
Heat Intense
Mr. Ziehm said that by the time
firemen and sheriff's deputies arrived,
the fire was so intense that
they couldn't get withm 50 feet of
the burning home.
Firefighters from Lockport,
South Lockport, Rapids, Wright's
Corners and Terry's Corners were
unable to save the structure. Two
badly charred bodies were taken
from the rubble by the volunteer
firemen. They were not immediately
identified.
The bodies of the other three
victims were recovered from the
ruins shortly before 10 a.m.
Firemen and neighbors said
Elaine was a real heroine. They
said she saved her sister and herself
by smashing an upstairs window,
severely cutting her right
arm. Both leaped to the ground
where she beat out flames which
were picking at both her clothing
and that of her sister. Then Elaine
sprinted to a neighbor's house to
sound the alarm.
When she had recovered sufficiently,
Elaine told authorities
that the last time she saw her
father he was at the foot of the
stairs shouting that he was "going
back to get the other children."

Notes:

Lockport NY Union Sun Journal - 12/15/1958

The James J Landen farm.
scene of Saturday's fire played an
important part in a tragic fire
that took the lives of five persons
two years ago in November 1956,
just one-quarter of a mile east of
the Landen farm.
It was to the Whitehaven Nur-
ing home that a woman ran to
telephone for aid in the fire that
took the lives of Mr. and Mrs.
Linus Ball and their three sons.
Two other children, sisters, es-
caped the tragic fire.
The Ball fire happened Nov. 19,
1956. Mrs. Ball was a part-time
employe at the Whitehaven Nurs-
ing Home. it was to the home that
Mrs. Ben Licata, next-door neigh-
for to the Balls, raced for help.
The Ball's frame farmhouse was
located on the north side of the
road.
There had been four major fires
in 46 years on the Ball farm.
The Landen barn fire was the
first fire in the area since the
Ball fire.
Three volunteer companies an-
swered both alarms. They were
Wright's Corners, Terrys Corners
and South Lockport.

ALSO

North Tonawanda NY Evening News - 11/19/1956

Five members of one
family perished in a fire today
which swept their two story
frame home in the
High St. extension, one-half
mile east of Lockport city
line.
Two other members of the family
were treated at Lockport Memorial
Hospital for injuries suffered
when they escaped from their
burning home.
Dead are Linus Ball, his wife,
Hilda, and three of their five children:
Dennis, 9; Frank, 4, and Arthur,
9 months.
Suffering from shock are Elaine,
15, and Karen, 6. Elaine also suffered
leg injuries when she jumped
from a second floor porch. Karen
suffered-burns about her head.
She was dropped to the ground
from the porch by her older sister.
.A wakened by Father
Elaine told Sheriff's Deputy Rudolph
Ziehm that her father awakened
her about 6 a.m. and told
her the house was on fire. She
said her father rushed down stairs,
where the *est of the family was
sleeping.
Elaine said she ran to the home
started to follow her father, but
that she grabbed her and pulled
her to the second floor porch,
dropped her to the ground, and
then jumped.
Elaine said she ran to the tome
of Benjamin Licata, a next-door
neighbor, and told him to summon
firemen. Mrs. Licata, found her
telephone was out of order and
had to run to another neighbor's
house to call help.
Heat Intense
Mr. Ziehm said that by the time
firemen and sheriff's deputies arrived,
the fire was so intense that
they couldn't get withm 50 feet of
the burning home.
Firefighters from Lockport,
South Lockport, Rapids, Wright's
Corners and Terry's Corners were
unable to save the structure. Two
badly charred bodies were taken
from the rubble by the volunteer
firemen. They were not immediately
identified.
The bodies of the other three
victims were recovered from the
ruins shortly before 10 a.m.
Firemen and neighbors said
Elaine was a real heroine. They
said she saved her sister and herself
by smashing an upstairs window,
severely cutting her right
arm. Both leaped to the ground
where she beat out flames which
were picking at both her clothing
and that of her sister. Then Elaine
sprinted to a neighbor's house to
sound the alarm.
When she had recovered sufficiently,
Elaine told authorities
that the last time she saw her
father he was at the foot of the
stairs shouting that he was "going
back to get the other children."

Family/Spouse: HILLMAN, Carol Ann. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lockport Union Sun Journal
Bobby Sprung passed away May 20, 2016 in Absolut of Gasport. Born in Lockport on July 14, 1947 he was the son of William H. and Theresa (Adams) Sprung. Bobby earned his bachelor's degree from Niagara University and worked for the Niagara County Treasurers Office where he was the Payroll Clerk. He was a member of the Kawanis Club and manager of the NU Basketball team of which he was an avid fan of as well as the NY Yankee and Buffalo Bills.
Bobby was the step father of Francis Gritzmacher and the late Albert Gritzmacher; former husband of the late Browin "Browny" Sprung; brother of the William R. Sprung and brother-in-law of Carol Sprung; also survived by several cousins and close friends. Relatives and friends may call Thursday, May 26th from 3-4 PM in Prudden & Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St., Lockport where services will follow at 4 PM. Visit pruddenandkandt.com.

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

Bonita married FLANAGAN, Dennis M [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: CRUM, Huston. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Janine married GRIFFITH, Richard D [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Clay married LAZZARI, Ann Marie [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: ROONEY, Paul. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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

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

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

Family/Spouse: CRUTTS, Ruth. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: MAHER, Judiith. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Curtis Aaron Wendler 64, of Lockport, husband of Paula Wendler (Nee Class) entered into rest on Saturday September 11, 2021 at home surrounded by his loving family. Curtis was born in Lockport, NY on November 22, 1956 to the late Arthur Wendler and Lorna Bruning Wendler. He attended Royhart High School going on to attend several colleges and obtain his Associates Degree. Curtis retired in 2020 after 20 years as a computer programmer with Independent Health Insurance Co. He had a great love for photography, the outdoors and nature, and was a longtime Buffalo Bills fan. He was a kind, patient, gentle and quiet soul, the family fix-it with great mechanical abilities, but most of all he loved his family.
Surviving is his wife, Paula; their children, Lindsay Wendler, Rachel (Logan) Ballew Sr., Shawn Wendler and Annabeth Wendler; his grandchildren, Evelyn, Analene and Lianna Alexander and Logan Ballew Jr.; his mother Lorna Wendler; his siblings, Paul (Judy) Wendler, Heather (Dale) Borget and Robert (Ruth) Wendler; also many nieces, nephews and friends.
Calling hours will be held on THURSDAY from 4-8 PM. at the Rutland-Corwin Funeral Home Inc 2670 Main St. Newfane, NY 14108. Funeral services will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church 7147 Ridge Rd. Lockport, NY 14094 on FRIDAY at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in Hartland Central Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Niagara Hospice or Roswell Park Cancer Inst. Please visit www.rutland-corwin.com for online condolences.

Family/Spouse: CLASS, Paula. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Heather married BORGET, Dale Elwood [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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

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

Family/Spouse: MAHL, Lisa B. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: PATTERSON, Miles. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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

Family/Spouse: TOLLI, Timothy. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: FEW, Suzanne. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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

Family/Spouse: KINGSBURY, Kirk. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: HIAM, Ronald. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: BALLEW, Logan Sr. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]