Obituaries for the Tonawandas for the week of Sunday, July 1

KANIA, Vernon “Pete,” 85, of Tonawanda, passed awayWednesday, June 20, at the V.A. Medical Center in Buffalo, after a brief illness.

Born in Tonawanda, he was the son of the late Conrad and Irene (nee Stoeckel) Kania and was a lifelong resident of Tonawanda. A Marine Corps Veteran of WWII, he was a self-employed heating contractor before retiring. Kania was a life member of the Marine Corps League, Conrad F. Kania Detachment, the VFW Post No. 7545 in Tonawanda, and the American Legion, Tonawandas Post No. 264, and was an honorary member of Seabees, Island X-8. He was the husband of the late Margaret “Peggy” (nee Place) Kania, who died October 11, 2000.

He is survived by his three daughters, Barbara (Cesar) Benarroche of Boca Raton, Florida, Kathryn (Roger) Bush of North Tonawanda, and Gretchen (Brian) Sheppard of Lancaster; and seven grandchildren. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

TABONE, Michael A., 84, of Kenmore, passed away June 21; beloved husband of Carmela T. (nee Gambino) Tabone; loving father of Margaret E. Tabone, Joyce Anne Madonia, Krishnama Caitanya and Camille Lynn Tabone; cherished grandfather of Jill, Jennifer Madonia and Danielle Ippolito; caring brother of JoAnn McNeill and the late Mary Brafford.

KARNUTH, Robert C., Sr., of Tonawanda, passed away June 24; beloved husband of Judy (nee Schloerb) Karnuth; dearest father of Robert (Karen) Karnuth, Jr., Donald (Tamara) Karnuth, Robin (Jeffrey) Heeb, Harvey (Marybeth) Karnuth, Gary Karnuth and Judy (Shawn) Rupe; stepfather of Jeffrey (Dawn) Waggoner, Wendy Jones, Cindy (Kevin) Brown, Scott (Laura) Waggoner, Kristin (Robert) Poeller and Karin (Clancy) Seymour; survived by 36 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; dear brother of Donald (Darlene) Karnuth.

If so desired, donations in Robert’s memory may be made to St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church.

SCHWEGLER, Robert C., 83, of North Tonawanda, passed away June 25.

Schwegler was born in North Tonawanda on February 7, 1929 to Edward and Veronica (Roehm) Schwegler. He was a graduate of North Tonawanda High School, where he played Football, later graduating from Columbia University, also playing football, member of North Tonawanda’s Football Hall of Fame, United States Navy Veteran, where he served as a Frogman, what is now called Navy Seals, member of Sutherland Lodge, Elks Lodge 860, the American Legion, Renaissance club, he was an avid card player, loved to work, he was employed by Grayline Tours, he also coached Football at St. Joes and Nichols Schools. He enjoyed spending his free time with family at the beach.

Schwegler is survived by his wife Patricia (Mccoy) Schwegler, father of Robert P., Joan C. (Ronald) Winter, William F. (Dawn), Carl E. (Gina), and George P. (Cathy), brother of the late Edward (Betty) Schwegler, grandfather of Robert C., Rachel and Lydia Winter, Sarah S, Michelle C., Derek W., and Julia M., also survived by nieces and nephews.