The Ithaca Journal from Ithaca, New York • 4

4A OBITUARIES FHQf.1 THE COVER Tuesday, September 1,2009 THE ITHACA JOURNAL NANTAMBU BOMANI TREE Obituaries DONALD F. JUNE and those are the same who "came to grieve the mess," as Thompson said. SoonafterThompsonhad found the lime, these children and neighbors gathered outside Thompson's house asking her to tell them what had happened to the tree. She replied, Td be interested to know, but I don't know." One neighbor told her that a barrel he had put on his lawn as part ofhis free yard sale had been picked up and he was worried it had been used to carry the lime to the tree. Other than this unconfirmed suspicion, however, no discoveries were made about where the lime had come from or who had put it there.

Besides the treasures placed inside the stump, Thompson hopes that the tree teaches people about the "principle of give and take" in a broader sense. For example, she noted how she provides the maintenance of the tree and in return takes fun oftalking with people about the tree and the funofwatching children come and visit it." She also gets to watch children learn about morals through use of the tree. "I never made the rules," Thompson said. After all, it had been her daughter, then a high school student, who had left the sign. However, someone whether an adult supervisor, another child or a guilty conscience always makes sure that the children maintain discipline in following the rule.

"There have been tears out by that tree," Thompson said, when children have been told they must choose between two items to take home because they only brought one. In addition to learning a sense of right and wrong, she said that she wanted others to take away "a sense of wonder for there to be a natural, 4-foot-diameter, cylinder house to be put there by nature, with a few interfering forces." WILLIAM WICKHAM IV HECTOR William Wickham IV, age 80, of Hector, NY, passed away Sunday, August 30, 2009. The family will receive friends and relatives at the Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home, 212 E. 4th Watkins Glen, on Thursday, September 3, from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.; a memorial service will be held Friday at 2:00 p.m.

at the Hector Presbyterian Church. Bill was born February 6, 1929, the son of Don J. and Florence Wickham. He was a graduate of the Watkins Glen High School Class of 1946 and Cornell CALS Class of 1951 where he was an Acacia Fraternity member. He was a lifelong farmer.

Bill was a member and elder of the Hector Presbyterian Church, member and past Fire Chief of the V-L-H Volunteer Fire Company; member of the Myrtle-Jefferson Masonic Lodge, Watkins-Montour Lions Club, Watkins Glen Elks, Montour Falls Moose, was a Watkins Glen School Board Member, served on the NYS Wine Grape Growers Board of Directors and Welch's Board of Directors, and was Committee Chairman of BSA Troop and Pack 52 of Burdett, and Corps Director of the Squires Drum and Bugle Corps. Bill is survived by his wife, Donna; daughter, Judy (Roger) Butterfield and their children, Mi-chele and Brian; son, Will (Bernice) Wickham and their children, Ka-thryn and Margaret; son, Fred Wickham (Kristin Hazlitt) and their children, Phebe and Grace; daughter, Lydia Wickham and their children, Ryan, Connor, and Ezra; son, Lindsay (Denise) Wickham and their children, Nathaniel and Jonathan; son, Chris (Brittany) Wickham and their children, Lucas and Annika; step daughter, Patricia (Todd) Rafferty and their children, Joe, Paige, Zack, Caroline, George, Sam, Nicholas; step son, Nathan Wooley and his children, Scott MacLean and Averyanna Wooley; sister, Mary Jane (John) Hoare; brother, David Wickham; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; wife, Jean-nette; and sister-in-law, Pat Wickham. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial donation in Bill's memory, may consider me Valoi-Logan Hector Volunteer Fire Company, PO Box 46, Hector, NY 14841 or the Hector Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 96, Hector, NY 14841. You may "Light a Candle" in his memory at ROYCE fCH EDZOY FUNERAL HOME.

INC. Watkins Glen. NY (607) 535-4331 (Victor Phillips III) Nantambu Bomani (Victor Phillips III), 61, Ithaca native passed away unexpectedly August 22, 2009 in West Ghana, Africa. He was born in Ithaca, graduated from Ithaca H.S. in 1966 and was on the swim team in 1964.

He received a degree in black studies from the University of Buffalo in 1972. From 1977-1981 he worked at the Ithaca High School as Senior High School Black Counseling Director and High School Afro-American Club Advisor. He was the director of Southside Community Center in 1977. He owned a karate school in Ithaca back in the early '70'sand more recently in Seattle, WA and Africa. He is survived by his wife, Fathia; son, Jamal; daughters, Jamillah and Aichah of Seattle, WA.

He is also survived by siblings, Virginia and Joan Phillips of Ithaca, Louis and Mary of Rochester and David Phillips of Owego. He is also survived by 3 nephews, 3 nieces and many great-nephews and nieces. Memorial donations for his children can be sent to David Phillips, PO Box 625, Owego, NY 13827. Please sign the guest book at theithacajournal.comobituaries CHARLES RODNEY BROWN Charles' Rodney Brown, age 63, of 624 Ithaca Road in Spencer, died on Tuesday, August 28, 2009, as the result of a tragic farming accident. Charlie, also known as Rodney by his family, was born on October 31, 1945 in Ithaca, the only son of Gordon C.

and Georgia (Merrill) Brown. He graduated from Trumansburg High School in 1963. In 2007, he retired from EIT in Endicott, NY (formerly known as IBM) after many years of service to the company. He was very proud of having recently received his 18 gallon pin from the American Red Cross, having been a faithful blood donor for many years. He truly enjoyed his family, projects around the house, and working with his farming family.

He is survived by his wife, Donna of Spencer; and a son, Thomas (Susan) Brown and their children, Mikaela and Katelin, all of Richford, NY; and a daughter, Colleen Alton and her children, Taylor, Marisa and Ryan, all of Montour Falls; his mother, Georgia Brown of Trumansburg; a sister, Sharon (Ford) Drake of Johnson City, NY; and a large extended family. Charlie was preceded in death by his father, Gordon. Private services were held at Covert Funeral Home, and prayers of committal were held at Ovid Union Cemetery. Please keep Charlie and his family in your thoughts and prayers, remembrances may be directed to Donna or to www.covertfuneralhome. com.

Please sign the guest book at theithacajournal.comobituaries Deaths Nantambu Bomani, age 61, formerly of Ithaca Charles Rodney Brown, age 63, of Spencer Gertrude C. Rinchack, age 68, of Ithaca William Wickham IV, age 80, of Hector 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: 800-640-1722 Fax: 607-798-0261 obitspressconnects.com HOURS Weekday Sunday Holidays GERTRUDE C. RINCHACK i i ITHACA Gertrude C.

Rinchack, age 68, of 1125 Ellis Hollow Road, Ithaca, NY, passed away Saturday, August 29, 2009, at the Hospicare Residence, Ithaca, NY after a lengthy illness. Gertrude was born October 23, 1940 in Ithaca, a daughter of the late Donald and Pauline Martin Cornelius. She was graduated from Ithaca High School in 1959 and was married to Joseph D. Rinchack on December 28, 1968. Gertrude was employed at The Statler and Babcock Poultry prior to operating the Home Away From Home Day Care Center until 2008.

She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother that will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Survivors include her loving husband, Joe at home; her children, Jay (Cassandra) Rinchack of Vero Beach, FL, Michael (Vanessa) Rinchack of Ithaca and Jennifer (Stephen) Nash, Jr. of Freeville; her sister, Sharon Hixon of Melbourne, FL; her step mother, Beverly Cornelius of Ithaca; grandchildren, Brandon, Taylor, Collin, Caleb, Alyssa, Hunter, Chase and Riley; nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, September 3, 2009, at the Brooktondale Baptist Church, NYS Rt. 79, Brooktondale, with Rev.

Richard Lloyd officiating. Burial will follow in Snyder Hill Cemetery. Friends are invited to call from 12 to 2 p.m., Thursday at the church. Memorials may be sent to her family at 1125 Ellis Hollow Ithaca, NY 14850. Perkins Funeral Home is assisting the family.

ww.perkinsfuneralhome.com Please sign the guest book at theithacajournal.comobituaries CONTINUED FROM PAGE1A announced, "We've come to work," helping to dig out the roots left from the stump. This neighborly act was no surprise to Thompson. After the silver maple had been chopped down 12 years ago, when it was approximately 100 years old, Thompson's daughter spent three months hollowing the stump in order to make a house big enough for a child to stand in. She then left a sign, which has been replaced several times over the years, that said 'TakeaTrea-sure, Leave a Treasure." Every day, children come to exchange a treasure of their own for something new. Thompson visits the tree twice a day.

It's a very "brisk business," she said. "There's an after-breakfast stroller crowd and kids who come in ones and twos and threes. There are the grandchildren around the corner and the lucky children across the street who helped dig up the roots," said Thompson. A hodge-podge assortment of objects canbe found inside the tree at all times. Thompson said visitors can always expect to see objects found on the street and in nature, children's tools and homemade artwork "What makes me smile," she added, are things that kids have made or "things that farm kids or forest kids would treasure." Among the more unusual things she has found in the tree over the years are electronic gadgets and, on one occasion, several pairs of unwashed, blue, size 54 men's pants.

In good weather, 20 kids usually visit the tree in a day. There are drive-bys and there are people who make special trips just to see the tree, sometimes from down the street, sometimes from as far away as Syracuse. About 15 kids come on a basis of three times per week, FLU CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A The state Health Department is recommending that all New Yorkers receive vaccinations for seasonal flu. About 2,000 state residents die each year from seasonal flu. Basic measures like washing hands frequently, avoiding people who are sick, and staying home from work or school when sick can help prevent the spread of the swine-flu virus, officials said.

Some of the other measures the state Health Department is taking include meeting with professional FEES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A taken effect, such as a higher surcharge on car insurance and greater fees for residential and commercial property transfers. Several new increases take effect Oct including higher costs to obtain lifetime, resident and non-resident fishing licenses. A new marine fishing license goes into effect Oct. Republican Assembly members have been teaming up with county clerks and other officials around the state to protest the increases. Last Friday, Assemblyman Greg Ball, R-Patter-son, Putnam County, held a news conference Friday with Sea Vincent LeibelL R-Pat-terson, and Putnam County Clerk Dennis Sant.

Assemblyman Jim Tedis-co, R-Schenectady, held a news conference Monday, and there is one scheduled for Tuesday by Assembly members Nancy Calhoun, R-Blooming Grove, Orange County, Mark Molinaro, R-Red Hook, Dutchess County, and Assemblyman Pete Lopez, R-Schoharie. The Legislature and Pa-terson should not be increasing taxes and fees, particularly in such tough economic times, Tedisco said. If enough people speak loudly enough about the new charges, "I think there's a chance we can repeaj some mm 1 'C ITHACA Donald F. June "Donnie or 79, died peacefully on Saturday, August 29, 2009, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle against Leukemia. Donnie was a proud rhiner born in Ithaca, NY, son of the late Fred D.

and Margaret (Boom) June. He was predeceased by his infant son, Tommy Michael June; his five brothers, Rob June, Vic June, Jack June, Gordie June, and Richard June; and his three sisters, infant, Lucille, Lorraine Supek, and Vera Churey. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Lucille Kenjerska June of Ithaca, NY; two daughters, Kathy Woodams of Chandler, AZ, and Lori (Doug Carman) June of Trumansburg, NY; his three favorite grandchildren, Brian Woodams, Sarah Woodams, and Michael Woodams of Chandler, AZ; two brothers, Al June and Ronnie June; two sisters, Sandy Maxwell and Lucy Hubble; and several nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces. Reese Olivia adored her Uncle Donnie. Donnie played first base for the Red Wings alongside the June and Kenjerska brothers.

He served in the United States Army and was a veteran of the Korean War. After working for NYSEG for 37 years, he retired and drove for Gadabout for several years. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, Ithaca High School and Ithaca College football games, Cornell lacrosse, listening to old-time country music, and word puzzles. He loved his dogs, Katie May and Cindy, and cats, Hannah Banana and Cody. Donnie's favorite past-time was going gambling at the casinos which didn't stop even after he became a felon at Finger Lakes.

Quick with a joke, homemade or otherwise, Donnie always had a positive attitude with a great sense of humor. He is loved by his family and will be missed by all. A Graveside Military Service will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. in Frear Memorial Park for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice, or tell someone a joke in Donnie's honor.

Bangs Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements. Please sign the guest book at theithacafournal.comobituaries wam medical associations about making the vaccine available to health providers, meeting with pharmacy groups to enlist their help in the state's vaccination efforts and distributing educational materials to the public. Daines urged people who think they might have swine flu not to go to emergency rooms unless they have to. Many people went to emergency rooms last spring to be "checked out," and some hospitals had trouble handling the surge in demand, he said. Decisions on school closures and other measures in response to swine flu ultimately rest with school districts and local governments, state officials said.

of these," he said. The governor said it's understandable that people are upset about the DMV fee hikes. If lawmakers decided to repeal them, and they came up with a way to replace those revenues, he would go along with that "but they're not going to just be able to get up at a press conference and act shrill," he said. "In the event that we were able to do that, I would just warn everyone there are going to be other choices that are going to create this same reaction, and the reaction is one that's perfectly understandable, but we are in a recession," he said. The increases in taxes and fees "are disproportionately going to kill middle-class families who are already strapped in abad economy," Ball said in a statement.

The governor plans to call lawmakers backintosession this month to deal with the state's current $2.1 billion deficit. Tedisco also criticized the license plate replacement program, which takes effect April 1, 2010. All registered vehicles will be required to get new plates as of that date, and drivers will have to pay $25 for that. It won't be necessary for everyone to get new plates at that time. Car owners will have to pay the fee and get them when their registration comes up for renewal, he said.

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