Obituaries

Local Obituaries for Ithaca, NY

Helen Ehrsam Swank

Helen Ehrsam Swank

Sep 6, 2025

Helen Ehrsam Swank, July 17, 1929 to September 6, 2025, born to Ernest and Bertha (Fischer) Ehrsam.

Helen loved to travel and lived in Japan and Germany. While living in Tokyo, she developed a fondness for Asian culture and her home was filled with Japanese art and memorabilia.

Helen was employed by Cornell University for 33 years as the Administrative Manager of...

Robert Lewis Klee

Robert Lewis Klee

Jun 22, 2026

Robert (Bob) Lewis Klee passed away on June 22, 2026 at the age of 73. 

Bob was born on June 30, 1952 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit Michigan to parents Marie and Howard Klee. He received his B.A. from Oakland University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. Bob taught philosophy at several universities before arriving at...

William R. Slade

William R. Slade

May 10, 2025

William R. Slade, 77 of Romulus, passed away at Strong Memorial Hospital on May 10, 2025. He was born on May 14, 1947 in Ithaca.

Janet S. Purdy

Janet S. Purdy

Jul 12, 2026

Janet S. Purdy, 97, of Ithaca, New York, was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior on July 12, 2026. She passed peacefully sitting in her favorite chair. She was born August 7, 1928 to Louis H. Strasser and Bessie B. Strasser.

After graduating High School in Norwich, New York, Janet attended SUNY Morrisville to study horticulture. Her career...

Nancy Jane Munro

Nancy Jane Munro

Jul 10, 2026

Nancy Jane Munro, born Nancy Jane Johanson in Ithaca, NY on February 22, 1941 to Hilma and Willard Johanson, succumbed to various health issues on Friday, July 10, 2026. Nancy is survived by her siblings, Harold and Jeannie, and her children, Judith and Stan.

Nancy spent the majority of her later years in evangelism and ministry to those less fortunate, usually...

Joseph Iacovelli

Joseph Iacovelli

Jul 3, 2026

Joseph W. Iacovelli, born on December 2, 1948, in Ithaca, NY, passed away peacefully at home in Cortland NY on July 3, 2026, following a brief illness. He was 77 years old. 

Above all, Joe cherished his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Jutta Iacovelli, whose love and partnership were the foundation of their life together....

Helen Porter

Helen Porter

Jun 28, 2026

Helen Porter, age 91, passed away in Bristol, Tennessee, near her family, where she had made her home for the past several years. Born and raised in Ithaca, New York, Helen spent 89 years in the community she loved. She spent much of her life on the Porter Family Farm on Snyder Hill Road and was a dedicated manager at...

Ernetta Skipper

Ernetta Skipper

Jun 27, 2026

“Her life was a blessing, her memory a treasure. She was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.”

With profound sorrow and heartfelt love, we celebrate the life of Ernetta Skipper, who peacefully entered eternal rest in her sleep at the age of 40.

Ernetta was a beautiful soul whose life reflected strength, resilience, love, and unwavering faith. Although she...

David Benson

David Benson

Jun 25, 2026

David C. Benson, 77 of Ithaca passed away on June 25th, 2026. David was born in Ithaca on July 10, 1948, the son of the late Charles and Mary Benson. 

David is survived by his son Jeffrey, daughter Michelle Benson (Brian Kreowski) and grand-children Lilly, and Kenzie Benson and Anna, and Jocob Kreowski.

There will be no services for David at this...

Kimberlee Drumheller

Kimberlee Drumheller

Jun 24, 2026

Kimberlee Michelle Drumheller, born on January 6, 1977, in Ithaca, passed away on June 24, 2026, in her hometown. Kimberlee’s life was marked by her enduring love for her family and a quiet strength that touched those around her.

She was the daughter of David Drumheller, Sr. and Jeannie Swayze, and the cherished sister of David Drumheller, II . Kimberlee’s legacy...

Doug Fain

Doug Fain

Jun 24, 2026

Stephen Douglas Fain, 79, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2026. He was the beloved husband of Patricia Fain, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage.

Doug was born on September 1, 1946, in Syracuse, New York, to Coy and Virginia (Ludwikowski) Fain. He graduated from Liverpool High School in 1964 and later worked at the Carrier plant.

Doug and Patricia...

June Nafis

June Nafis

Jun 23, 2026

June C. Nafis, 98, resident of Kendal at Ithaca, formerly of Greenlawn, NY, died June 23, 2026. She was born in Huntington, NY, daughter of Charles William Christiansen and Irene Langermann and sister of Robert Christiansen, all deceased. She graduated from South Huntington High School on Long Island in 1945 and SUNY Oneonta Teachers College in 1949. She taught first...

Carol Babcock

Carol Babcock

Jun 22, 2026

ITHACA – Carol Wilson Babcock, 87, of Ithaca, passed away on Monday, June 22, 2026. Born on September 5, 1938, she was the daughter of the late William and Glenola (Bower) Wilson. 

On June 29, 1957, she married the love of her life, Harold Babcock at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Ithaca.

She worked as an office manager at Cornell University...

Anna Grace Nedrow

Anna Grace Nedrow

Jun 22, 2026

Anna G. Nedrow, 93 of Lansing, NY, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2026 surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Anna was the daughter of the late Camillo Bordoni, who immigrated from Carpineto, Italy and Nancy (Feocco) Bordoni of Ithaca, NY.

Anna loved her family, puzzles, IBC root beer and caring for her husband, home, children and grandchildren. In her earlier years...

Vincent Mazzarella

Vincent Mazzarella

Jun 21, 2026

Vincent Anthony Mazzarella, 78, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2026. He was the beloved husband of Cathleen Mazzarella, with whom he shared 43 years of marriage.

Vince was born on September 12, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York and raised in the Arthur Ave area of the Bronx. After graduating high school he served in the Navy, where he received honorable...

Stanley Oliver

Stanley Oliver

Jun 21, 2026

In Loving Memory of Stanley Earl Oliver

Stanley Earl Oliver (aka “Stan the Mobil Man”) a man of remarkable steadfastness, loyalty, and quiet affection, has passed away, leaving a lasting mark on his family and his community.

As the youngest of nine children, Stanley learned early on how to navigate the world without ever needing to be the loudest voice in the...

Kenneth Charles Beardslee

Kenneth Charles Beardslee

Jun 20, 2026

Kenneth “Kenny” Beardslee, 67, of Lansing, New York, passed away unexpectedly at home, from natural causes related to heart complications, on June 20, 2026. Born on December 5, 1958, in Ithaca, New York, Kenny was raised in Newfield, where he spent much of his early life and built many lifelong friendships. He lived a life full of laughter, generosity, and...

Liselotte Brady

Liselotte Brady

Jun 15, 2026

Liselotte Helene Brady, a beloved mother, grandmother, and sister passed away peacefully at age 84 on June 15, 2026 in Ithaca, New York, surrounded by her loving family. Known to most simply as Lilo, she was happiest at home with her loved ones and socializing with friends. She possessed a deep curiosity about people and a remarkable talent for extracting...

Neil A. Sherwood

Neil A. Sherwood

Jun 15, 2026

Neil A. Sherwood, 81, of Danby, NY, passed away on June 15, 2026 at home with family at his side after a long struggle with diabetes, chronic liver and kidney disease. 

Born on March 27, 1945, in Ithaca, New York, he is the son of Virginia Marcoux and Edmund Leroy (Roy) Sherwood. He remained in the Ithaca area. After graduating Dryden...

Janet Kaye Ward

Janet Kaye Ward

Jun 15, 2026

Janet Kaye (Harner) Ward 83 of Ithaca, NY, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2026.

Born on December 21, 1942 in Gowanda, NY, She was the daughter of Gerald and Louise (Robinson) English. She worked as a secretary at Hi-Speed Check Weigher for 23 years. Outside of work, Janet enjoyed gardening, reading, puzzles, and spending time with her family. She married...