Donelda Mae Sova

Donelda Mae Sova, age 80, of Ithaca, died Wednesday, September 7, 2011 as a result of a car accident.

She was born on May 9, 1931 in Alma and graduated from Ithaca High School in 1949. She married Hugh Sova on November 25, 1950 in Alma. She worked at Redmond’s and Wolverine. She wintered in Arizona for over 20 years. She loved golfing and playing Bingo. She was also an avid reader. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren.

Donelda is survived by her husband, Hugh; one son, Richard (Theresa) Sova of Ithaca; a grandson, Jeremy of Lakeview; and a granddaughter, Kaitlynn of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. 

She was preceded in death by her mother Ivah Thomas; a daughter-in-law, Julie Sova, and two granddaughters, Kara Lynn Sova and Leighanne Sova.

Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, September 12, 2011, at 12:00 pm at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Ithaca, with Father Jules Spleet officiating. Burial will be in the Ithaca Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with a prayer service at 7:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Thompson Home Library or to the Cancer Society.

Donald Irving Barnes

Donald Irving Barnes, age 75, of Ithaca, died Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at Carson City Hospital in Carson City.

He was born on October 30, 1935 in North Star Township, the son of Irving and Alice (Moon) Barnes. He married the love of his life, Bonnie E. MacLaren on June 24, 1955. They enjoyed 56 years of happy marriage.

Don retired from Alma Plastics (United Technology) and Carson City-Crystal Public Schools. He loved farming, painting, spending time in his cabin in the woods and being with his family. The highlight of each year was the annual family campout. He always said, “I have everything I ever wanted--someone to love me, a home, and a loving family.”

He is survived by his loving wife Bonnie; 6 children: Scott (Valry) Barnes of Sumner, Tamara (Steven) Puffpaff of Ithaca, Beth (John) Berkimer of Wayland, Carrie (James) Hull of Ithaca, Crystal (Curt) McCracken of Carson City, and Mike Barnes of Ithaca; 18 grandchildren: Brandy (Wes) Calvert, Scott Benjamin (Kate) Barnes, Bryant (Jessica) Barnes, Trenton (Emilee) Barnes, Larry (Shelley) Puffpaff, Cliff (Eirka) Puffpaff, Jay (Jamie) Puffpaff, Andrea Berkimer, Chet (Jessica) Berkimer, Garett Berkimer, Blake Berkimer, Jessica (Robert) Arnold, Jason Hull, Thomas Hull, Emily McCracken, Katy (Joe) Gust, Maryann McCracken, and Molly McCracken; 10 great grandchildren: Gideon, Josiah and Lucy Calvert, Reese Puffpaff, Gracie Selleck, Christian and Haylee Puffpaff, Claire Arnold, and Hannah and Lauren Gust.

Donald is also survived by his brothers and sisters: Leon Richard (Doris) Barnes, Levina (Arley) Wright, Robert (Janine) Barnes, Mary Ann (Neil) Strong, Mack (Tau) MacLaren, Margaret (Jim) Kemp, and Brick (Jane) MacLaren.

He is preceded in death by his parents Irving and Alice Barnes, step mother Opal Barnes, parents-in-law Lawrence and Helen MacLaren, and daughter-in-law Betty (Mayes) Barnes.

Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 11 AM at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Pastor George Showers officiating. Burial will be in the New Haven Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, July 22, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ithaca Woodland Park.

Diana Marie Riley

Diana Marie Riley, age 64, of Ithaca, died Monday, July 18, 2011, at her home in Ithaca.

Diana was born October 22, 1946, in St. Johns, the daughter of William Earl and Dorothy Helen (Olhansk) Johnson, Sr. She married Larry Riley on May 15, 1969.

She received a degree from Davenport College and worked in food service at Alma College. She enjoyed making quilts and finding her lineage doing genealogy. She studied her scriptures, attended the Church of Christ in St. Louis, and found comfort walking with the Lord.

Diana is survived by her husband, Larry; her children, Larry Jr. (Vickie) Riley of Wisconsin, Anita Mills of Alma, Kenneth Riley of Wisconsin, and Deanna Riley of Ithaca; many grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; her step-father, Edward M. (Matt) Kennedy of Minnesota; her brothers and sisters, Cynthia (Randy) Smith of Ithaca, William Johnson, Jr. of Barryton, Lori (John) Schultz of Minnesota, Timothy (Roberta) Kennedy of Alma, Dorothy (Gene) Peterson of Minnesota, and Ted (Donna) Kennedy of Tennessee; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Dorothy; infant daughter Laura Marie Riley; and brother Richard Johnson.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 22, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Pastor Keith Wise officiating. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 Thursday, July 21.

David John Earnest

David John Earnest, age 44, of New Port Richey, FL. passed away October 13, 2011. David was born in Greenville to Helen and Forest Earnest and lived in the Sidney area for many years and attended Central Montcalm Schools. David’s greatest talents were his creativity in designing interiors, and the humor he brought wherever he went. His greatest pleasures were found in the company of his loving family and friends.

He is survived by his domestic partner, Zachary King; his Grandmother, LaVerle McGill; his Mother and Stepfather, Helen and Mike Christensen; three Sisters, Debra Kalnins, Laura Earnest and Teresa Hooker, Brother-in-law Terry Hooker; his Brother, Donald Earnest; two Nieces, Melissa Demoray, Mandy LeBeouf, many Uncles and Cousins; and his extended family, Lauri King. He was preceded in death by his Father, Forest Orville Earnest.

Memorial Services Celebrating David’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m , Saturday, November 12, 2011 at the Barden Funeral Home, Stanton. Pastor Jamey Nichols of the First Congregational Church of Stanton will officiate and a luncheon at the Sidney Twp. Hall will follow the service. For those desiring to do so, Memorial Contributions may be made to the Family's Choice, envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Darrel Louis Palmer

Darrel Louis Palmer, age 67, of Wheeler died Tuesday, October 25, 2011 unexpectedly at home. 

Darrel was born on September 16, 1944 in Midland to Louis and Vivian (Wagoner) Palmer. Darrel worked at Dow Chemical for 29 years. After retiring from Dow, he joined the Local 85 for 14 years upon retiring in 2009. He served in the National Guard and was a graduate of Midland High School. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, shooting pool, and spending time with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Gaile (DeLong) of 45 years from Wheeler; two sons, Louis (Jennifer) Palmer of Beavorton and Bret (Andrea) Palmer of Wheeler; four grandchildren, Caitlin and Darrel Palmer of Wheeler, Jasmine and Shanti of Beavorton; his mother Vivian Palmer of Midland; a sister Barbara (Robert) Fauver of Sandford; and a brother-in-law Hugh Nightlinger of Midland. 

Darrel was preceded in death by his father Louis Palmer and a sister Joyce NIghtlinger.

A memorial service will be held 2pm, Friday, October 28, 2011 at the Lafayette Presbyterian Church.