Press and Sun-Bulletin from Binghamton, New York • 12

Press Sun-Bulletin Tuesday, January 22, 2008 Obituaries Obituaries are posted daily at pressconnects.com and archived into a searchable database. James G. Balkas of Binghamton James G. Balkas, 82, suddenly and peacefully passed away on Saturday, January 19, 2008. He was predeceased by his parents, Gaspar and Anastasia Balkas; and his sisters, Molly Balkas and Dorothy Merite.

He is survived by his brother, Alfonse Balkas, Johnson City; three nieces, Dorothy Merite, New Jersey, Denise Balkas, Aurora, and Yvonne Kourliouros, Johnson City, and their families. Jim was a lifelong resident of Binghamton and a helpful and caring neighbor who will be sorely missed. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was a member of St.

Joseph's Lithuanian Church, now the Church of the Holy Trinity, where he served as an usher. Jim was a retired employee of Eagle Bottling Works. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. at the Bednarsky Funeral Home, 96 Glenwood Binghamton and at 9:30 a.m. at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 346 Prospect Binghamton where a Funeral Mass will be offered.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Tuesday from p.m. at the funeral home. Please sign the guest book at pressconnects.com/obituaries Lt. Joshua Walter Gross, USN of Corpus Christie, Tex.

Lt. Joshua Walter Gross, USN, 30, died in the service of his country on Wednesday night, January 16th, 2008, when his helicopter crashed outside Corpus Christie, Texas. He leaves behind his mother, Karen Gross; his father, Walter Gross; his two brothers, Nathaniel and Benjamin Gross; his two sisters, Rebecca and Elizabeth Gross; his grandmothers, Phyllis Graff and Gretchen Schnurbusch; and grandfather, Richard Schnurbusch. He was predeceased by his grandfathers, Robert H. Graff and Joseph L.

Gross. Josh was a 1994 graduate of Johnson City High School and a 1998 graduate of Amherst College, where he was captain of the ski team. Upon graduation, he moved to Colorado where he became a ski instructor for five years. He entered the Navy in 2003 where he trained to be a helicopter pilot. He was assigned to Helmineron 15 "Blackhawks" out of Corpus Christi, Texas.

He was a wonderful cook with a great sense of humor, a beloved eldest son, brother and protector, and he will be greatly missed. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Barber Memorial Home, 428 Main Johnson City. The Rev. Robert Chin will officiate.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at the Barber Memorial Home. Donations in his memory may be made to the USO. Please sign the guest book at pressconnects.com/obituaries Gladys Ruth Mudge of Binghamton Gladys Ruth Mudge, 94, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 20, 2008. She was predeceased by her husband, Emerson in 1998; and a sister, Janet Grummons in 1998.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Daryl and Rodney Whitacre, Baldwinsville; three grandchildren, Greg Whitacre and his wife, Jeannine, Greene, Suzanne Ritter and her husband, David, Baldwinsville, Shelly Massaro and her husband, Chris, Clay; seven great-grandchildren, Christopher, Nicholas, Anthony, Maxwell, Emily, Sophia, and Ella; two nieces and many dear friends. She was a member of North Fenton Methodist Church. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 22, 2008, at The Thomas J. Shea Funeral Home, 137 Robinson Street, Binghamton, New York. Pastor Patricia Olmstead will officiate.

Burial will be in Chenango Valley Cemetery. Friends are invited to call Tuesday from 10 a.m. till the time of service at the Shea Funeral Home. Friends wishing may make memorial contributions to the North Fenton Methodist Church, Brookside Lane, Chenango Forks, 13746; or Lourdes Hospice, 4102 Vestal Vestal, New York 13850. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Elizabeth Church manor and St.

Louise Manor, for the years of wonderful care given to our mother, Ruth. Please sign the guest book at pressconnects.com/obituaries Elizabeth "Libby" Munson of Whitney Point Elizabeth "Libby" Munson, on January 17th, went home to be with her Savior. Libby was predeceased by her husband, Paul Munson and both of her parents. One sister, Lillian; two nephews; and her beloved cat, Sam, who was her companion for 14 years, survive Libby; along with many friends. Libby had a gift for music, being able to play multiple instruments, and loved singing.

The trumpet was her first love and during her early years, she played with a jazz band which traveled around New York State and Washington D.C. One highlight she spoke of was the time she played before Cole Porter. When she no longer could play her trumpet, she made every piano resonate beautiful music that she could place her fingers on for the rest of her life. In Fulton, NY, her hometown, she played with the "Swingers" and was a member of the Fulton Alliance Church. While living in Whitney Point, Libby continued to use the talents her Savior gave her as the head pianist at the Lisle Christian Fellowship Church until the day she went to be with Him in heaven.

Libby could also be heard throughout her community as she volunteered her gift of music to many others, like playing the piano for the Carl E. Adams after school program, the Northern Broome Senior Center, the Golden Agers Club, the Whitney Point Rotary, and numerous others. Libby is greatly missed by all. Services in celebration of her life will be held Sunday, January 27th, at 2:30 p.m. at the Christian Fellowship Church of Lisle, New York.

Pastor Russell Ward will be conducting the service. Please sign the guest book at pressconnects.com/obituaries FREE Health Information UnitedHealth Services NurseDirect FREE Physician Referral 1.800.295.8088 or 607.763.5555 305863 Jean E. Button of Binghamton Jean E. Button, 86, passed away peacefully January 18, 2008 at The Francis House in Syracuse, New York. She was predeceased by her husband, Jack; her parents, Clarence and Elizabeth; a brother, John Kelley; and a sister, Kathleen Grogan.

She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Barbara Button, Oxford, N.Y., Terry Michael and Christine Button, L.I., John Patrick and Traci Button, Henderson, two daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara and Bruce Leonard, Port Crane, N.Y., Sally and Joseph Contento, Liverpool, N.Y.; 12 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; also a sister-in-law and friend, Marjorie Button; and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Grogan. She was a member of St. Paul's Church and worked for the Binghamton Psychiatric Center for many years. She was a graduate of Binghamton North High School. A Funeral Mass will be offered at 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008, at St. Paul's Church. Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Thomas J.

Shea Funeral Home, 137 Robinson Street, Binghamton. Friends wishing may make memorial donations to St. Paul's Church, 15 Doubleday Binghamton, New York 13904. Please sign the guest book at pressconnects.com/obituaries Rose (Soltis) Blazey of Endicott Rose Blazey, 86, of Endicott, passed away Sunday morning, January 20, 2008, at the Vestal Nursing Center. She was predeceased by her husband, Albert Blazey, her parents and several sisters and brothers.

She is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Donna and David Sedor, Charlotte, N.C., Margaret Blazey, Endicott, Marie and Robert Walters, Vancouver, two sons and daughters-inlaw, Albert Jr. and Mary Blazey, Syracuse, Michael and Denise Blazey, Vancouver, nine grandchildren, 11 greatgrandchildren; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Johanna and Joseph Conte, Endicott, Monica and Daniel Winarski, Allentown, Margaret Bock, Endicott; alSO several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was a lifelong member of St. Joseph's Church, Endicott, and its Altar Rosary Society. The family wishes to thank the angels at Vestal Nursing Home's Whispering Pines Unit for the loving care and compassion that was shown to Rose during her stay with them.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, 9:30 a.m. from the Leon Pucedo Funeral Home, 1905 Watson Endicott, and at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church, where a Funeral Mass will be offered. Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Pucedo Funeral home Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. St. Joseph's Altar Rosary Society will meet Wednesday, 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in memory, of Mrs.

Blazey may be made to St. Joseph's Church Building Fund, 207 Hayes Endicott, N.Y. 13760. Please sign the guest book at pressconnects.com/obituaries Clyde R. Harvey Deaths James G.

Balkas, age 82, of Binghamton Wayne E. "Mike" Bidwell, age 80, formerly of Johnson City Rose (Soltis) Blazey, age 86, of Endicott John J. Bugonian, age 63, of Kirkwood Clyde R. Harvey, age 87, of Susquehanna, Pa. Warren T.

Jones, age 80, formerly of West Scranton Elizabeth "Libby" Munson, of Whitney Point Kyle Thomas Petkash, 'of Coventry, N.Y. Burr L. Phelps, age 83, of Triangle Francis C. VanDeventer, sage 100, of Newark Valley The list of area deaths that appears above is provided free of charge. The obituaries, in memoriams and cards of thanks elsewhere on this page are paid announcements.

Obituary Department: 798-1104 Fax: 607-798-0261 HOURS Sunday Holidays Obits Funeral Notices 001 Wayne E. "Mike" Bidwell formerly of Johnson City Wayne E. "Mike" Bidwell 80, of Yorktown Heights, NY, formerly of Johnson City passed away Jan. 12, 2008. He was the son of Boyd and Hilda (Ross) Bidwell.

He was predeceased by a brother, Wendell A. "Jerry" Bidwell in 1974. Wayne is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Wilma "Babe" Lake Bidwell, sister and brotherin-law, Barbara and Robert Beers, 5 sons, 6 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 14 nieces and nephews. Burial was held in Rose Hills Memorial Park, Putnam Valley, NY. Please sign the guest book at pressconnects.com/obituaries John J.

Bugonian, Sr. of Kirkwood John J. Bugonian, 63, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 21, 2008. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Phyllis Bugonian; and his brother, Charles "Bugsy" Bugonian. He is survived by two sons and a daughter-inlaw, John J.

Bugonian, Waterloo, N.Y., and Jeff and Sanna Bugonian, Eugene, one granddaughter, Anika Bugonian; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Marie Crawford and Joanne and Fred Ondrako; a brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Vicki Bugonian; several nieces, a nephew; and a special friend, Misty Douglas. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam Era and was a member of the American Legion Post 89. John was a retired truck driver for Adam Wholesalers. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 10:00 a.m.

at Bednarsky Funeral Home, 96 Glenwood Binghamton. Burial will be in Holy Spirit Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to thank the staff at Lourdes by requesting memorial donations be made to Lourdes Hospice, 169 Riverside Binghamton, N.Y.

13905. Please sign the guest book at pressconnects.com/obituaries Kyle Thomas Petkash Coventry, NY A spirited, fun loving young man with a great sense of humor, Kyle went to be with our Lord and his paternal grandparents, George and Regina Petkash on January 20, 2008. Kyle is survived by his loving parents, Thomas Petkash and Maureen Kurz and sisters, Maegan and Kimberly, his maternal grandparents, Doris Kurz and David Kurz, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. Kyle will be greatly missed by all who knew him. A memorial: service will be held at The Silo restaurant in Greene, Thursday, January 24th from 6-8 pm.

Please sign the guest book at pressconnects.com/obituaries Francis C. VanDeventer of Newark Valley We thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for the life of Francis, our father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His life was lived in such a way that he was an example to all. The recent celebration of his 100th birthday, which he so enjoyed and which was attended by hundreds of his friends, was indeed a testimony of his life's influence. Francis, also known as was born on September 9, 1907 in Sardinia, NY, to Rev.

Edwin and Ruth (Pangborne) VanDeventer. He was predeceased by his wife, Alice; his infant daughter, Ruth; his brother, Eugene; and great-granddaughter, Paige Lewis. Francis was a 50 year devoted member of the Nanticoke Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and head usher. He retired from IBM following 37 years of service. Francis enjoyed visiting, was seldom seen sitting down and for many years was "the one to call" if you needed a garden plowed.

He is survived by his children, Robert (JoAnn) VanDeventer, Marlene VanDeventer and Carol Lamb; his grandchildren, Todd (Tobi) Lamb, Deron VanDeventer, Kristen Lewis, Kevin (Susan) VanDeventer; three greatgrandchildren, several nieces and nephews. The family will receive their friends Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the MacPherson Funeral 5 Whig Newark Valley. A funeral service and celebration of his life will be held at the Nanticoke Baptist Church on Thursday at 6 p.m. with his Pastor, Rev.

Gary Hinman officiating. Interment will be at a later date in Maple Grove Cemetery, Friendship, N.Y. Expressions of sympathy may be directed to the Nanticoke Baptist Church, 21 Church Lisle, N.Y. 13797, in loving memory of Francis VanDeventer. Please sign the guest book at pressconnects.com/obituaries of Susquehanna, Pa.

Clyde R. Harvey, 87, of Turnpike Terrace Apartment, Susquehanna, passed away on Monday, January 21, 2008, at the Barnes Kasson Hospital in Susquehanna after a brief illness. He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Ruth Harvey; and one son, Lee Harvey. He is survived by two daughters, Lorraine Swartwood and Linda Whitmore; one son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Joanne Harvey; one daughter-in-law, Sue Harvey. Clyde has 10 grandchildren and 8 greatgrandchildren.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during WWII. Harvey was retired from the railroad after 39 years of service. He will be greatly missed by his family and cat, Tiger, who was his companion. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 24, 2008, at 8 p.m.

at the Hennessey's Funeral Home, 208 Jackson with Rev. Carl Batzel officiating. Burial will be in the McKune Cemetery, Oakland, Pa. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Susquehanna County Humane Society, Montrose, Pa.

Please sign the guest book at stargazette.com/obituaries 0 Burr L. Phelps of Triangle Burr L. Phelps, 83, passed away on Sunday, January 20, 2008 at home. He was predeceased by his wife, Jeanne Phelps and by his son, Kevin Phelps. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Phelps; son and daug Bill and Tina Phelps, Lansing; stepchildren, Gary and Kim Smith, Triangle, Linda and John Wells, Greene; grandchildren, Corrie and Kevin Phelps, Tim Phelps and Lisa Michaels, Michael Phelps; step-grandchildren, Jason and Melanie Smith, Josh Smith and Laura Frawley, Justine and Kyle Lieb, Emma Smith, Carly and Tim Braman, Jesse Wells, Sarah Wells; and greatgrandchildren; nieces and nephews; brother and sisterin-law, Don and Joan Phelps, Greene; sister, Alice Smith, Apalachin.

Burr served his country during WWII in the United States Army. He was a selfemployed carpenter before retiring from Cornell University: After Cornell, he worked as Code Enforcement Officer in the Towns of Lansing and Triangle. In his retirement Burr enjoyed woodworking. Burr was a member of Eastern Light Masonic Lodge 126 in Greene. In 1979, he was past Grand Commander of New York State.

Services will be held p.m., Thursday, at Root Funeral Home. Rev. Ron Wenzinger will officiate. Friends of the family may call Wednesday from 6 to 7:45 p.m. at Root Funeral Home, 23 N.

Chenango Greene, NY 13778. A Masonic Service will be conducted by the Eastern Light Lodge at 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lourdes Hospice. Please sign the guest book at pressconnects.com/obituaries MORE OBITUARIES ON PAGE 5B.