GREECE: Merlau, Richard A., “Dick” or “Fluff,” died February 18, 2026, at age 92. He was predeceased by his first wife, Grace Merlau; son, Thomas Merlau; granddaughter, Kirsten Merlau; parents, Frederick and Ina Merlau; and brothers, Maurice Merlau, Donald Merlau, Charles Merlau, and Robert Merlau. He is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years, JoAnn Kehrli-Merlau; children, Richard F. (Lauraline) Merlau, Tracy Merlau, Joann Merlau-Delano, Patty (Steven) Flagg, Bethany (Andy) Suppo, and Ryan (Bethann) Esch; grandchildren, Rick Merlau, David (Kelly) Merlau, Dominic (Christy) DeFelice, Emilie (Joe) Grieco, Rachael Merlau, Amanda Merlau, Monica Merlau, Austin DeLano, Nicholas Merlau, Corbin Esch, Jack Suppo, Parker Esch, Josie Suppo, Drew Suppo, and Finley Esch; and three great-grandchildren. Dick was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was employed by the Hilton Central School District for 22 years in the buildings and grounds department. Dick loved to golf and was especially proud of achieving a hole-in-one. Travel planning was one of his great joys. He had an uncanny ability to remember routes and turns years later without ever writing them down. A builder at heart, Dick worked constructing homes for a local business. Known for his signature laugh — a big, bold Tarzan-like call delivered while beating his chest — Dick shared his humor freely, delighting family, friends, and coworkers with his jokes and playful spirit.
Richard’s Memorial Service was held on February 24 at Lakeview Community Church, 30 Long Pond Road, Rochester. Interment in Parma Union Cemetery. Donations can be made to a charity of one’s choice in his memory.
HAMLIN: LaDue, Ronald Avery, died suddenly on February 5, 2026, at age 79. He was predeceased by his parents, Ola and Avery, and his brother, Roger. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Tiffany; sister, Ruth Kessler; sons, Jason and Martin LaDue; grandchildren; nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Sarah Jiacobbe; nephew, RJ Jiacobbe; and mother-in-law, Pamela Ainsworth. Ron was a career firefighter, working from Lakeshore FD, Barnard FD, Greece Ridge FD, to Hamlin FD. He was also the Fire Marshal in the Town of Hamlin. He worked many security positions throughout the years, including Brinks, Xerox, the Federal Building in downtown Rochester, St. Ann’s Community, and Rochester General Hospital. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Spencerport. He started the Great Lakes Ship Hobbyists with his son, Jason, taking an interest in the freight “monster” ships.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date through the Hamlin Morton Walker Fire Department. An official Masonic ceremony will take place at that time. Arrangements entrusted to the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Hilton.
HILTON: Greenwell, Ruth G. Hiebler, passed peacefully in her sleep on February 13, 2026. She lived a long and grace-filled life of 100 years. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, whose life was centered on her faith, family, and home. She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Daniel; son, James Greenwell; daughter, Christine Moore; parents, Theodore and Anna Hiebler; and siblings, Ted Hiebler and Rosemary Boesel. She is survived by her children, Peggy (Fred) Easton, Phyllis (Dave) Furman, Mark (Ivana) Greenwell, Bob Moore, and Andy (Mary) Greenwell; her grandchildren, Jamie (Jennifer) Easton, Jennifer (Dave) Marean, Christopher & Emily Greenwell, Robin Moore, Dan (Danielle) Moore, Amy (Pat) Eichas, Tom (Roma) Greenwell, and David (Katie) Greenwell; great-grandchildren, Jake, Emma, Andrew, Megan, Molly, Liam, Callan, Lillian, Clare, Jacob, James. Alexis, Luke, and Audrey; and her nieces & nephews.
Family extends their special thanks to Mom’s helpers, Danielle, Kim, Amy, Deanna, Gail, and Karol.
A graduate of Nazareth Academy, Ruth stayed home to raise her family while working alongside her husband, helping run the family business, Greenwell Farms, where she served as business manager, contributing her organizational skills, strong work ethic, and steady presence to the success of the family farm. She was a devout Catholic whose deep and abiding faith guided her daily actions and sustained her through both joys and challenges. She was a woman of many talents and interests. A gifted watercolor artist, she found beauty in the world around her and expressed it through her art. She also enjoyed playing bridge, reading, tending to her gardens, and creating beautiful flower arrangements. Her century of life was marked by love, kindness, and quiet accomplishment. She will be deeply missed and never forgotten.
Ruth’s Funeral Mass was held on February 26, 2026, at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 3747 Brick Schoolhouse Rd., Hamlin, NY 14464. Interment will be held privately in Parma Union Cemetery.
HOLLEY: Fredendall, Eric M., died on February 17, 2026, at age 46. He was born on October 1, 1979, in Brockport, the son of Patricia Grabowski Fredendall and Doug (Karyn) Fredendall, and had lived in this area all of his life. He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Barbara Bates and Earl (Mary) Fredendall; and maternal grandparents, Judy and Harold Grabowski. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife of 18 years, Lindsay; son, Cole; daughter, Lauren; brother, Dan (Megan) Fredendall; sister-in-law, Katie (Dan) Tucker; nieces and nephews, Mason, Morgan, Zach, and Jacob; mother and father-in-law, Wayne and Kathleen Griffin; as well as many great friends, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Eric graduated from Holley High School in 1997. He was a combat veteran who served in the U.S. Marines during the Iraq War. Eric loved his job at Stockham Lumber Co. in Holley, where he drove a truck for many years. He enjoyed motorsports, powersports, hunting, cooking, and riding his bike along the Erie Canal, doing 100 miles in a day. He also loved running with his daughter, running two 5Ks last June while in stage 4 cancer. Eric was known as the “Wood Guy” because he could be found in his wood lot cutting wood. But most importantly, Eric loved spending time with his family, especially his children.
Services, including Military Honors, were held on February 22 in Holley. Memorials may be made to Lindsay Fredendall for a trust to be established for Cole and Lauren. To share a memory of Eric, visit www.mitchellfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
NORTH GREECE: Hough, Janice E., died on February 22, 2026, at the age of 87. She was predeceased by her husband, Jim; her parents, Robert and Dorothy Smith; and her sisters, Joyce and Joanellen. She is survived by her children, Debbie (Joe) Spring and Scott (Joan) Hough; her grandchildren, Jennifer (Matt) Gasper, Joe Spring, Kaitlyn Hough, Jacob (Lisa) Hough, James Hough, and Amanda Hough; and her great-grandchildren, Ryan and Adalynne. Janice worked for Eastman Kodak Co. and IBM in her younger years. She was a talented baker, and her kitchen was often filled with the sweet aroma of her famous banana bread and other delicious treats that she lovingly shared with family and friends. In her golden years, she developed a gentle love for the simple joys in life — especially watching the birds and reading books. Above all, she cherished spending time with her family. She will be deeply missed, and her memory will live on in the hearts of her loved ones.
Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Inc., 735 East Avenue, Hilton, where Janice’s Memorial Service will be held at 7 p.m.
SPENCERPORT: Gaffney, George, died tragically on February 19, 2026, at age 18. George lost his longtime battle with mental health. He is survived by his mother, Sandra Snyder-Gaffney; sisters, Samantha Snyder (Brian Danson), Tara Ritter (nee Gaffney) (Aaron), and Kate Gaffney (Michael Steves); grandmother, Donna Snyder; aunts and uncles, Yvonne (Steve) Gramlich (nee Snyder), Jean Snyder, Linda (Joe) McManus (nee Gaffney); and many cousins. George was predeceased by his father, Patrick Gaffney, and his grandparents, George Snyder and Roger and Shirley Gaffney. George was a lover of animals, all things nature, and enjoyed playing video games. He graduated from Westside Academy in 2025. He cared very much for the teachers and staff as they did for him. He loved his family deeply and will be missed tremendously.
A Remembrance of George’s Life was held on February 26 at Walker Brothers Funeral Home, 15 West Avenue, Spencerport. Donations in George’s memory can be made to NAMI Rochester (National Alliance on Mental Illness), NAMIROC.ORG. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please call 988 (US/Canada) Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
SPENCERPORT: Hartfiel, Bonita Kaye (Heidorn), age 82, died February 16, 2026. Bonita was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Katherine Heidorn (Boneshefski); stepfather, Albert Boneshefski; in-laws, William and Genevieve Hartfiel; brother, Patrick Heidorn; sister, Doris Felix; daughter-in-law, Elaine Hartfiel; and dear niece, Heather Montante (Chaplain). She is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, James Hartfiel; children, Ronald Hartfiel, Vicki (David) Cobb, and Beth Ann Hartfiel-Balestiere; sister, Marilee (Ed) Chaplain; brother, John (Melissa) Boneshefski; and in-laws, Dean (Norma Jean) Hartfiel, Savilla Hartfiel, and Nansi Heidorn; grandchildren, Ronald Hartfiel Jr., Kari Atwood, James Cobb, Christopher Cobb, Denise Hill, Katie Brongo, Nicole Edwards, Jessica Rapach, Michael Cobb, Joshua Balestiere, and Benjamin Balestiere; seventeen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Bonnie was a talented seamstress and cook. She was an avid reader, but her love and care of flowers brought her true joy.
Her Celebration of Life was held February 23 at Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 2415 Chili Avenue, Rochester, NY 14624. Arrangements entrusted to Walker Brothers Funeral Home, Spencerport.nd music-infused storytelling, the play presents layered characters navigating systems that are both personal and political.
Ruth Childs, Chair of the Department of Theatre and Music Studies, notes that the production speaks directly to ongoing discussions about the American Dream, union labor, and the economic realities facing urban communities. “These issues are multi-layered and complex,” Childs says. “Theatre is an important and vital tool for examining social issues.”
This student-driven production demands exceptional depth from its cast, who portray characters navigating life-altering stakes. The creative team brings additional dimension through dynamic set and projection design, led by Projection Designer Dan Roach, creating a visually immersive environment within the intimacy of the Black Box space.
Performances are March 5–8, 2026: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., with matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., in the Tower Black Box Theatre on the SUNY Brockport campus.
Tickets are $20 for the general public; $15 for seniors, Brockport alumni, faculty, and staff; and $9 for students. For tickets and more information, visit FineArtsTix.brockport.edu or contact the Tower Fine Arts Center Box Office at 585-395-2787.
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