Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 2/26/1930

WOLCOTTSVILLE. Feb 26-
The funeral of Henry D. Bruning, 89,
was held on Saturday afternoon at 1:30
from the home and at 2 o'clock from
Trinity Lutheran church of which he
was a member.
He left to mourn his loss three
daughters, Mrs. David Hellart, of Me-
dina, Mrs. Fred Zieman, of Middleport,
and Mrs. Edward Benthene, of West
Barry, N.Y., 17 grandchildren and 16
great grandchildren. Mr. Bruning was
the father of Henry Bruning, Jr., who
died last May and of the late Mrs. John
Urtle.
He came from Germany when a boy
eight years old, and he also served
throughout the civil war.
The bearers were John C. Fink, Gus-
tave Williams, John Sy, Fred Yayo,
Hermany Klienhans and John Rhodes.
Interment was in Wolcottsvillel ceme-
tery.

Henry married STAAEK, Mary Sophia Friedericke in 1866 in Niagara County, NY. Mary was born on 17 Nov 1845 in Mecklenburg, Germany; died in 1906 in Town of Royalton, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Rosalie married URTEL, John W on 7 Jul 1910 in Niagara County, NY. John was born in 1881 in Town of Royalton, Niagara County, NY; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: HELLERT, David Karl Frederich. David (son of HELLERT, Frederick Johann and BEUTEL, Wilhelmine Louise) was born on 7 Sep 1865 in Town of Royalton, Niagara County, NY; died on 9 Feb 1927 in Batavia, Genesee County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Albion NY Orleans Republican - 5/22/1935

Among the survivors of Mrs. Fred
M. Zieman who died last week In
her home near Mlddleport' are two
sisters, Mrs. Louise Benthin of Albion
and Mrs. Ida Hellert of Medina

ALSO

Lockport NY Union Sun Journal - 5/14/1935

Ella A., wife of Fred M. Zieman.
passed away Monday evening, April
13, 1935, at her residence, Carmen
road, town of Hartland. aged 62
years. She leaves to mourn besides
her husband, one daughter, Mrs
Beatrice Rychner, Rochester, N. Y.,
two sisters, Mrs. Louise Bentine, Albion,
N. Y., and Mrs. Ida Hellert
Medina. N. Y., several nieces and
nephews. Funeral will be held Thurs
day afternoon at 1:30 (Standard
Time) from her late residence with
burial In Hartland Central cemetery,
Rev. Herman Ewald officiating.

Family/Spouse: ZIEMAN, Fred M. Fred was born about 1873 in New York; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lockport NY Union Sun Journal - 6/4/1929

Henry J. Bruning passed away
Tuesday morning at the residence of
his, daughter. Mrs. Fred Schilling
Mlddleport. He leaves to mourn six
daughters and three sons, Mrs. Fred
Schilling of Mlddleport, Mrs. Charles
Laatsch. Mrs. Clarence Riebold, Mrs.
John Kroening and Siefrled Bruning.
al of Wolcottsvtlle. Mrs. William
Frederick and Mrs. Howard Stern of
Lockport, firwlng and Ferdinand of
Albion, N. Y., one brother, John
Bruning of Gasport, fourteen grandchildren.
Funeral services will be
held Thursday afternoon at 2 q'clock
and 3 o'clock (Standard time) from
the Trinity Lutheran church of
Wolcottsvtlle with burial at Wolcottsvtlle
cemetery, Rev. Herman
Ewald officiating

Heinrich married WILLIAMS, Mathilda Henrietta on 11 Apr 1898 in Town of Wheatfield, Niagara County, NY. Mathilda (daughter of WILLIAM, Johann Wilhelm and WOLF, Auguste Maria Wilhelmine) was born on 28 Jun 1874 in Town of Wheatfield, Niagara County, NY; died on 11 Jun 1957 in Wolcottsville, Town of Royalton, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Louise married BENTHIN, Edward Ernest about 1895. Edward (son of BENTHIN, William and BRUNING, Wilhelmina) was born about 1873 in New York; died on 18 Feb 1927 in Batavia, Genesee County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Medina NY Daily Register Journal - 9/30/1988

Lydia M. Knuth, 86, of 1108
West Ave., died early this morning
at the Medina Memorial Hosptial
after a short illness.
She was born Sept. 21, 1902 in
Wolcottsville, daughter'of the late
David and Ida Bruning Hellert. She
had lived in the Medina area most of
her life and she was a member of die
Trinity Lutheran Church of Medina
and the Golden Agers of the church.
She was a former member of the
Altar and Service Guilds and sang in
the choir for many years. She was a
member of Twig Association of
Medina Memorial Hospital, having
worked at die reception desk for 20
years. She had been employed at one
time for Newell Shirt Factory in
Medina and had also worked for
several years for J.C. Penney Co. in
Medina.
Her husband, William C. Knudi,
ed June 14, 1972. .,-.., -
Survivors include one son, Donald
F. (Nancy) Knudi of Fairfax, Va.; a
daughter, Mrs. Charles (Janet) Meier
of Medina; six grandchildren,
Donald Knuth and Susan Knudi,
bodi of Rockville, Md., Ellen F.
Meier of Geneseo, Charles J., Sharon
A. and Andrew W. Meier, all of
Medina; one great-grandson, Justin
Calhoun of Geneseo; a sister-in-law,
Mrs. Anna Weeks of Owego; a close
friend, Robert Brunkhurst of Medina;
and several nieces, nephews and
cousins.
Friends may call Saturday (7-9)
and Sunday (7-9) at Bames-Tuttle
Inc. Funeral Home, 226 Pearl St. A
funeral service will be held Monday
'at 2 p.m. at Trinity Ludieran Church,
West Avenue. The Rev. Eugene Ott
will officiate and burial will be in
West Shelby Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be made to
Trinity Lutheran Church or me Heart
Association.

Family/Spouse: KNUTH, William C. William died on 14 Jun 1972. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: POLK, Frank. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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

Notes:

Lockport NY Union Sun Journal - 5/30/1988

MIDDLEPORT-Mable Szmak,
88, of 4242 Griswold St, died unexpectedly
Sunday at her home.
- She was* born May 25, 1900,
daughter of the late Henry and
Matilda (Williams^Jlruning and had
lived in Middleport most of her life.
Her husband, James Szmak, died in-
1976.
.She was mother of Mable Gilbert
of Lockport, Jean Cain of Gasport,
Mrs. Douglas (Betty) Ortman of
Middleport, and the. late Ronald
Szmak and Ernest Szmak. Also surviving
are 17 grandchildren; 13
great-grandchildren, one sister,
Mildred Leffler of Medina; one
brother, Edgar Bruning of Medina;
and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements, incomplete
at the "rime, are being made through
Bates, Wallace and Heath Funeral
Home Inc., 38 State St.
Memorial gifu may be made to
Holy Cross Lutheran Church,
Middleport,

Family/Spouse: SZMAK, James. James died in 1976. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lockport NY Union Sun Journal - 8/7/1959

WOLCOTTSVILLE - Miss Ed
na A. Bruning, 56, a lifelong res
ident of the Wolcottsville area
died Thursday (Aug. 6, 1959) in
Genesee Memorial Hospital, Ba
itavia. She was a patient for two
weeks
A member of Trinity Lutheran
Church, Wolcottsville, she was
born here Aug. 7, 1903, the daughter
of the late Henry J. and Ma
tilda Williams Bruning.
She is survived by a brother,
Edgar Bruning, Wolcottsville;
three sisters, Mrs. James Szmak,
Town of Royalton; Mrs. Charles
Gillmeister and Mrs. Elmer Leffler,
both of West Shelby, and several
nieces and nephews. Friends
may call at the family home in
Wolcottsville.
The Rev. Herman Ewald of
Trinity Lutheran Church will officiate
at services in the church
at 2 Sunday afternoon. Burial will
be in Royalton Mountain Ridge
Cemetery

Family/Spouse: SCHLEEF, Fred S. Fred (son of SCHLEEF, Rev Frederick S and GEHRKE, Emma) was born on 7 Apr 1910 in Lamont, Alberta, Canada; died on 14 Aug 1959 in Rochester, Monroe County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lillian married GILLMEISTER, Charles W on 8 Mar 1934 in Medina, Orleans County, NY. Charles (son of GILLMEISTER, William and ORTMAN, Marie) was born on 11 May 1910 in Medina, Orleans County, NY; died on 7 Nov 1981 in Medina, Orleans County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mildred I. Leffler
Born: July 1, 1918
Died: December 27, 2012
Location: Medina, New York

Tribute & Message From The Family

Mildred was born on July 1, 1918 and passed away on Thursday, December 27, 2012.

Mildred was a resident of Medina, New York at the time of her passing.

She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer.

Friends may call Sunday from 1PM to 2PM at the Bates, Wallace & Heath Funeral Home, 38 State St., Middleport where funeral services will be held at 2:00PM with the Rev. Josh McGuffie officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.

Memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church, Wolcottsville, NY would be appreciated by the Leffler family.

Family/Spouse: LEFFLER, Elmer John. Elmer (son of LEFFLER, John William Otto and POGEL, Elizabeth Wilhelmine) was born on 15 Jun 1910 in West Shelby, Orleans County, NY; died on 10 Jun 2008 in Medina, Orleans County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Medina NY Daily Register Journal - 5/24/1982

Henry W. Benthin, 84, of
Venice, Fla., died around
midnight Saturday in a nursing
home.
He was a retired building
contractor and was formerly of
the Medina-Albion area. Born
Nov. 21,1897 in Bane, he was
the son of Edward and Louise
(Bruning) Benthin. He was a
member of Lakeside Lutheran
Mr. Benthin is survived by
bis wife, the former Olive
Harding Seely; one son, Lynn
E. of Appalachian, N.Y.; one
daughter, Lois of Batavia; one
sister, Mrs. Esther Hyde of
Barker; and three grandchildren.
Friends may call Tuesday
(2-4, 7-9) at the Turner Mortuary,
403 East Main St.,
Batavia, where services will
be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Burial will be in Mount Albion
Cemetery

Family/Spouse: KRAATZ, Nina. Nina (daughter of KRAATZ and Emma) was born about 1896 in New York; died on 18 Jul 1935 in Batavia, Genesee County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Henry married HARDING, Olive after 1935. Olive was born on 19 Apr 1904; died on 18 Sep 1997 in Port Charlotte, Charlotte County, FL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Henry married SANFORD, Carmen M between 1935 and 1940. Carmen was born about 1910 in New York; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Esther married HYDE, Ronald D on 27 Nov 1935 in Barre, Orleans County, NY. Ronald (son of HYDE, Myron) was born on 19 Jun 1909; died on 7 Jan 2002 in Barker, Town of Somerset, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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

Notes:

Janet K. Meier
October 28, 1938 — December 28, 2022

Obituary Janet K. Meier


Janet K. Meier, 
of Medina, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. 
Born October 28, 1938 in Medina, she was the daughter of the late William and Lydia (Hellert) Knuth. Janet graduated from Medina High School in 1957, and married the late P. Charles Meier on June 22, 1963.  Together, they made their home in Medina and raised a family of four children.  
Janet was a lifelong and faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Medina, where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and served on the altar and ladies guilds. A homemaker most of her life, Janet also worked in the Oak Orchard Elementary School cafeteria.  
Janet’s main focus in life was her loving family. In her later years, she was assisted by a team of dedicated personal care aides, especially Rosemary Eden, for whom her family will be eternally grateful.  Janet will be fondly remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend.   
Janet was preceded in death by her husband, P. Charles, on December 24, 2007; and her brother, Donald Knuth in 2000. 
Left to cherish her memory are her four children, Ellen (Roger Calhoun) Meier, Charles J. (Elizabeth) Meier, Sharon (Bryan) Kleinhans and Andrew (Richard Sarrero) Meier; five grandchildren, Justin Calhoun, Madison (Michael Moody) Calhoun, Dayna Kleinhans, Katie Meier and Michael Kleinhans; sister in-law, Helen (Paul) Petit; and several nieces and nephews. 
Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 6 from 11:00am-1:00pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1212 West Avenue, Medina, where her funeral service will immediately follow at 1:00pm. Interment will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of Cooper Funeral Home, 215 W. Center St., Medina.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, 620 West Ave., Medina, MAAC Food Pantry, or a charity of one’s choice. 

Janet married MEIER, P Charles on 22 Jun 1963. P died on 24 Dec 2007. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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

Family/Spouse: CAIN, James. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Betty married ORTMAN, Douglas William on 2 Mar 1963 in Middleport, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lockport NY Union Sun Journal - 7/13/1972

SZMAK - Ronald J. of 8777
Fisk Rd., Akron, passed away
suddenly Wednesday, July 12,
1972, at the Lockport Memorial
Hospital. He is survived by his
wife, Marion (nee Wolter), two
sons, Kevin and Brian both at
home, his parents, Mr. and Mrs.
James Szmak of Middleport,
one brother, Ernest of Middleport,
three sisters, Mrs.
Mab'e Gilbert of Lockoort, Mrs.
Tames (Jean) Cain of Gasport,
Mrs. Douglas (Bettv) Ortman
of Lockport and several nieces
and nephews. Friends may call
Thursday evening from 7-9,
Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 at the
Wallace and Heath Funeral
Home Inc., Middleport. where
funeral services will be held
Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock
with the Rev. Hilbert Huth
officiating. Burial Royalton
Mountain Ridge Cemetery.
Memorials to St. Michael's
Lutheran Church, Wolcottsville,
would be appreciated by the'
family.

Ronald married WOLTER, Marion Mabel on 22 Mar 1958 in Wolcottsville, Town of Royalton, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: GIBBONS, Wanda Lucy. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ruth married FREEMAN, Keith E on 3 Nov 1951 in Wolcottsville, Town of Royalton, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: WITTKOPF, Calvin. Calvin (son of WITKOP, Elmer Frank William and FINK, Katherine Wilhelmine) was born in Apr 1930 in Town of Royalton, Niagara County, NY; died on 29 May 1995 in Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Phyllis married MIETZ, Lynn D on 24 Jul 1982 in Wolcottsville, Town of Royalton, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary
PRINT
 
(WOLCOTTSVILLE)

Linda C. Mietz, age 81, died peacefully March 3, 2022 in Kenmore Mercy Hospital following a brief illness. 

She was born December 6, 1940 in Medina to Elmer and Mildred (Bruning) Leffler and was a life-long resident of this area.  Linda was a long-time member of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church where she also taught Sunday school for many years.  She was a very devoted wife and old-school homemaker who took great pride in spending time with her family and friends, especially her children and grandchildren.  Linda was a great cook and baker and loved the simple joys of life such as going on her daily trips to Tim Hortons or Candy Apple to socialize with her husband and all the ‘regulars’ while sharing coffee and perhaps a meal.  Mrs. Mietz was predeceased by her sister: Virginia Messore. 

She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years Donald, her daughters: Molly (Stephen) McIntyre of Wolcottsville, Jane (Christopher) Harding of MI, her brothers: Stephen (Bette) Leffler of W. Shelby, Timothy (Tina) Leffler of NC, 4 grandchildren: Rachel, Justin, Bryan, Brooke as well as several nieces and nephews. 

The family will receive friends at the Bates, Wallace & Heath Funeral Home, 38 State St.-Middleport, TUESDAY from 1-3 where her Funeral Service will be held immediately following visitation at 3 pm. 

Interment will be held in St. Michael’s Cemetery at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wolcottsville Fire Co., 6337 Wolcottsville Rd., Akron, NY, 14001. 

To share a special memory of Linda, please visit: www.mitchellfamilyfuneralhomes.com

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

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

Notes:

Stephen Arthur Leffler, passed away on Thursday, May 12, 2022 due to complications of emergency surgery. He was 83 years old.
 
Born to the late Elmer and Mildred (Bruning) Leffler on June 21, 1938, Stephen lived his entire life in the West Shelby area where he grew up with and later married Bette (nee Caleb) 63 years ago.  
 
Stephen is survived by his wife, Bette; five children, Michael Leffler, Michelle Leffler, Amy (Arthur) Washak, Darcy (Ed) Kaminski and Heidi Kuhmann; grandchildren, Stephanie Prawel, Andrew Washak, Kari (Joseph) Root, Katie, Madison and Zoe Kaminski, Jacob and Melanie Kuhmann; and great-grandsons, Barrett and Owen Root. Steve was predeceased by his two sisters, Virginia Messore and Linda Mietz. He is survived by his brother, Timothy (Tina) Leffler of North Carolina; brothers-in-law, Frank Messore and Donald Mietz; sister-in-law, Karen Larson; and many nieces and nephews.
 
Steve worked for many years at GM Harrison Radiator in Lockport, retiring as a maintenance foreman. He was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Middleport. Steve was a talented remodeler and woodworker.  In addition to his own home, he lent a hand to each of his children to build, repair or remodel their homes. He also created elaborate birdhouses and he was very proud of his over the top Christmas light displays. His favorite saying was no sweat, no big deal.
 
Steve took his family on camping trips for a number of years and then traveled throughout the US with Bette, Shelley and Stephanie logging many miles and adventures. He was always ready for a trip, especially to St. Pete’s Beach and the Outer Banks where we would meet up with family. Steve was blessed to have all his family nearby and considered eight at the dinner table a normal day, not a special occasion. He had a special relationship with granddaughter, Stephanie and with his caretaker cat, Pippi. 
 
A highlight every year for Steve was his birthday and Father’s Day clambake hosted by Amy and Art. At one of these parties it was famously stated “Steve Leffler, the greatest man I’ve ever known”. We think so. 
 
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, May 17th from 1:30-4:00pm immediately followed by a memorial service at 4:00pm at Cooper Funeral Home, 215 W. Center St., Medina. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shelby Volunteer Fire Co., PO Box 1, Medina, NY 14103 or Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 133 Telegraph Rd., Middleport, NY 14105. 

Family/Spouse: CALEB, Bette. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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

Carol married STOKES, Earl W [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Stewart married TALLMAN, Helen Mary [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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