✞ROGER W. MILLER | Latest Headlines | buffalonews.com - Services for Roger W. Miller, who worked for the Harrison Division of General Motors Corp. for 42 years, were held today in the Gaul Funeral Home. Burial was in Cold Spring Cemetery. Miller, 78, of Locust Street, died Tuesday (Oct. 15, 1991) in Genesee Hospital, Rochester.

He retired as a tester in the research and development department of Harrison. He served in the Navy during World War II and was a member of the Samsong Retirement Navy Association and the National Rifle Association.

Survivors include his wife, Jean E.; two sons, Gary of Sonoita, Ariz., and Craig of Atlanta; three daughters, Janis Navarra of Rochester, Yvonne Peters of Medina and Betty Otero; three brothers, Elmer of Middleport, Lester of Oklahoma City and Warren; a sister, Doris DeYoung of Florida; several grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren.

✞Roger Miller, Worked At HD - Roger W. Miller, 78, of Lockport, a retired industrial worker, died Tuesday, Oct. 15, 1991, at Genesse Hospital in Rochester. Born Aug. 1, 1913 in Royalton, he was the son of Fred and Sophia Harpst Miller. He worked 42 years at Harrison in research and development as a tester. Miller was a member of the National Rifle Assn. and Samsong Retirement Navy Assn. -He was a World War II Navy veteran. Surviving are his wife, Jean E.; two sons, Gary (Elizabeth) of Sonoita, Ariz., and Craig of Atlanta, Ga.; three daughters, Janis (Vincent) Navarra of Rochester, Betty Otero of Lockport, and Yvonne (Daniel) Peters of Medina; three brothers, Elmer (Vianna) of Middleport, Lester (Bettye) of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Warren (Doris); one sister, Doris DeYoung of Florida; and several nieces and nephews and grandchildren. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Gaul Funeral Home, Inc., 263 East Ave. Services will be held Friday at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Stephen Hall of- ficiating. Burial will be in Cold Spring Cemetery.

✞THE JOURNAL-REGISTER Medina, N.Y. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2000 MIDDLEPORT - Elmer H. Miller, 84, of Middleport, died Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2000 at his home under the care of Niagara Hospice. Elmer H. Miller Born Dec. 15, 1915 in the town of Royalton, he was the son of the late Fred W. and Sophia (Harpst) Miller. Mr. Miller was employed as a receiving clerk for Ward Brothers in Lockport and later worked at Bernzomatic in Medina, until his retirement. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Mr. Miller was a member of St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Wolcottsville. He also was a life member of American Legion Post #410 in Lockport. Survivors include his wife, Viana R. (Reabolt) Miller, whom he married Oct. 14, 1939 at St. Michael's Lutheran Church; a sister, Doris De Young of Florida; two brothers, Warren A. (Doris) Miller of Florida and Lester L. (Bette) Miller of Oklahoma; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Roger R. Miller. Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Bates, Wallace & Heath Funeral Home, 38 State St., Middleport. Calling hours also will be 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Wolcottsville. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday at St. Michael's Lutheran Church with the Rev. Otto Struckman officiating. Burial will be in Royalton Mount Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Michael's Lutheran Church roof fund and would be appreciated by the family.

✞Lester Laverne “Bumpas” Miller December 30, 1918 – April 26, 2011 Lester Laverne Miller, known to all as Bumpas, died on April 26, 2011 in Oklahoma City. He was born to Fred Willard Miller and Sophia Lucinda Harpst Miller in Royalton, New York on December 30, 1918.

Bumpas earned a BS degree from Rider College in New Jersey and served as a Navigator in the Pacific Theater for the Army Air Corps from 1943 – 1945, when he left the service as a First Lieutenant. His decorations included the distinguished Flying Cross, the Asiatic Theater, Campaign Ribbon, and the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters. He had a successful career as a professional sales representative for several companies until his retirement in 1983. 

He met Bettye Kathryn Nichols in Albuquerque in April 1945 and they were married on September 16th of that year in Oklahoma City. They were married for 65 years and had five children, Gayle Patricia Miller, who died shortly after birth, Fred Luther Miller, Dick Warren Miller, Anne Marie Miller Cook and Paul Roy Miller. He was a member of Grace Methodist Church in Oklahoma City, where he and Bettye treasured the congregation and its music ministry. He was a long time Oklahoma City resident, an active youth baseball and basketball coach, an enthusiastic golfer who found more balls than he lost, and a lifelong avid fisherman who did not consider an empty stringer to be the sign of a bad day. He shared his love of the outdoors with thirty year fishing buddy, Brian Hall, for whom a weekend of fishing all day, eating peanut crackers and sleeping in a boat was a grand adventure. Bumpas was a dusk-to-dawn fisherman, a schedule we thought he would be unable to maintain on his summer trips to Alaska. We were wrong. 

Bumpas was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Elmer and Roger as well as daughter Gayle Patricia. He is survived by his wife Bettye, brother Warren (Pete), sister Doris, sons Fred, Dick and Paul, daughter Anne, grandchildren Joshua Gillespie Miller, Lester Carr Miller, Jessica Jordan Miller, (children of Fred and wife Linda Gillespie Miller), Kevin Roy Miller and Alexis Joyce Leighanne Miller Henderson (children of Dick and wife Lindsey Nellie Paula Shuster Miller), Jason Lee Cook and Jacquelynn Anne Cook French (children of Anne and husband Vern Lee Cook) and Gary Simer (son of Paul and wife Donna Simer) and great grandchildren Luther Miller, Julian Miller, Alexander Miller, Ava Cook, Aidan French, Jenna French and Avery Simer. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 30, at 5:00 at Guardian Funeral Home’s West Chapel, 5820 N.W. 41st Street in Oklahoma City.

Warren Miller was born in 1923 in Gasport, NY to Fred and Sophia (Harpst) Miller. He graduated from Gasport High School in 1940. He was accepted to the NY State Technical College at Alfred now Alfred State College. He graduated college in 1944 and married Rosemarie Betz from Lockport, NY. In 1949 Warren and Rosemarie had their first daughter Donna and by 1950 they were living in Lockport on Walnut St where Warren was working for Harrison Radiator as a junior accountant. Later on Warren with his wife and three children moved to Lake Park, Florida in 1958 possibly because his sister Doris (Miller) DeYoung lived near Lake Park. By 1960, his mother Sophia moved there after her husband Fred had died. Warren likely continued his accounting career although nothing indicates he did. In 1990, Rosemarie died at 62/63 presumably in Lake Park. Warren remarried Doris G., and eventually moved to Melbourne, FL roughly 85 miles north of Lake City. Doris died in 2012 and Warren died in 2014 after living in Florida for 56 years and was interred in West Palm Beach with Rosemarie.

✞MILLER, Warren A., 91, of Melbourne, died Friday, August 1, 2014. Arrangements by National Cremation and Burial Society, Oviedo. Published by FloridaToday on Aug. 13, 2014.

✞MILLER Doris G., 95, of Melbourne, died Saturday, September 29, 2012. Arrangements by Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care, Rockledge. Published by FloridaToday on Oct. 2, 2012.

✞LOCKPORT, N. Y., UNION-SUN AND JOURNAL, Tuesday, December 19, 1972 - PETERS — Roy J. Peters of 14 Bewley Pkwy. died unexpectedly Dec. 17, 1972 at his late residence. He is survived by his wife, Eva Lampman Peters; two sons, Glenn W. Peters and Loren R. Peters, both of Lockport; also four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; one sister and one brother. Mrs. Florence Dietz of Clarence and Leon Peters of Lockport. Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Gaul Funeral Home Inc., 263 East Ave., where the funeral will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. Interment in Cold Sprin g Cemetery. Flowers gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to the Lockport Senior Citizens Building Fund.

✞Lockport Union Sun-Journal, September 27, 1999, p. A-2. 'Pete' Peters, decorated veteran. Loren "Pete" Peters, 80, died Friday, Sept. 24, 1999, at Lockport Memorial Hospital. Born Nov. 28, 1918, in Royalton, he was the son of Roy and Mildred (Harpst) Peters. He graduated from Gasport High School and Alfred Technological Institute. A World War 2 veteran, he received a Purple Heart for his military service. He married the former Susan Dunkelberger on Aug. 9, 1941. They recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. Mr. Peters was a retired auto mechanic. Fishing and hunting were his hobbies. He also found special joy in his family and church. He was a devoted and dedicated member of the First Baptist Church of Lockport. He was also active in the VFW and DAV. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Rebecca Peters; a son, Jay Peters; three grandchildren, Melissa, Gerard and Abigail; and two great grandchildren, Jake and Max. A private funeral service will be conducted today at Cold Springs Cemetery. Memorials to the church or to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14095, would be appreciated by the family.

✞The Buffalo News By Staff Aug 22, 1998 - Helen E. Middaugh, 91, of Keck Road, who was a homemaker, died Wednesday (Aug. 19, 1998) in Lockport Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. The former Helen Covell was born in Lockport. Her first husband, Harold Ranney, died in 1982, and her second husband, Carleton Middaugh, died in 1992 [sic]. Survivors include a step-son, Ray Middaugh of Royalton; a step-daughter, Carol Humphreys ; several step-grandchildren; and several step-great grandchildren. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at the Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St. Burial will be in Huskey Cemetery, Royalton. 

✞Harold J. Ranney LOCKPORT Funeral services were held today for Harold J. Ranney, 71, of 7899 Akron Road, retired manager of Ridgewood Lumber Co., who had worked with the Huskey Cemetery Association. He died Tuesday (May 4, 1982) in Lockport Memorial Hospital. A member of the Royalton Community Church, he had formerly worked 17 years at the old Bert & Ben Store in Lockport. Surviving besides his wife, Helen, are three brothers, Wayne, Frank and Ray; and four sisters, Elma Ranney, Eva Stemper, Betty Siedhoff and Erma Ayers of Florida.

There are 3 oral history audio recordings of William Tolhurst at the New York Heritage- Nioga Library System website. You can read the accompanying transcripts instead of listening. The first recording is mainly about his youth while living with his parents on Pine Street in Lockport. At the time in the 1930s when he was about 10-19, they had horses behind their home that he rode and cared for, which perhaps explains his extraordinary relationship with animals. He mentions that he would ride a horse from his Pine St home to Keck Rd, his mother's childhood home, where his Uncle Clifford still lived to help on the farm (see Homestead above). William said that by the time he was done with his military service in 1946, the farm had been sold. However, his Aunt Edna (Frantz) Covel and her daughter Helen (Covel) Middaugh appeared to continue living in the house until 1998. He also said he trapped animals for their fur in the area from Keck Rd to E. High St to Ernest Rd to Akron Rd, some 1,000 acres. William likely did not know his great-great-great-granduncle David Deissinger had once owned a farm on the corner of Keck and E High St, and his first-cousin twice removed, George Disinger, and granduncle Jacob Disinger had once owned farms on Akron Rd.  No one bothered him about trapping because he said no one lived there, and all the roads were mud. He said the area was kind of a lover's lane where cars would drive out, get stuck in the mud, and they would come to the farm for help since there was nowhere else to go. His Uncle Cliff would let him use a team of horses to help the stuck drivers, which he said helped him pay for his first car. 

✞EXPERT IN TRAINING POLICE DOGS APRIL 25, 1922 -- FEB. 7, 2005  By Staff  Feb 12, 2005 buffalonews.com - Special Deputy William D. Tolhurst, chief of the Niagara County Sheriff's Department's Special Forces Unit and a world authority on training dogs for law enforcement, died Monday in his Lockport home after a short illness. He was 82. "His death is going to be felt throughout the entire law enforcement community," said Sheriff Thomas A. Beilein. "You couldn't help but be inspired by his dedication and drive. His legacy will be an inspiration to many officers." Special Deputy Tolhurst, known as Bill, joined the Sheriff's Department in 1956 and worked until he was hospitalized with cancer earlier this month.

"Bill was the foremost authority on bloodhounds and his contribution to law enforcement is immeasurable," said Special Deputy Don Burrows of the Sheriff's Department. He invented the Scent Transfer Unit, a "scent machine" the size of a small vacuum cleaner that transfers hidden smells at a crime scene onto steel gauze pads, which are then conveyed to a dog used to sniff out suspects or their weapons. The gauze pads can be frozen and used in future cases. The machine, which is used by law enforcement agencies worldwide, also has proven successful in tracking down lost children and Alzheimer's patients, Burrows said.

The dogs Special Deputy Tolhurst trained also were used in search and rescue, sniffing out both narcotics and people. He also trained Labrador retrievers to find old remains, a valuable asset in many cold cases, Burrows added. Beilein, who worked with Tolhurst since 1969, recalled Tolhurst and his bloodhound, Cleo, once followed disappearing footprints in the snow after an arson fire in a Boy Scout camp in the Town of Lockport. They led investigators right to the door of the suspects, who immediately confessed. In addition to starting the county's Special Forces Unit, Tolhurst founded the North American Search Dog Network and co-founded the National Police Bloodhound Association. He was a three-time past president of the association and wrote its first training manual. He also wrote the "Police Textbook for Dog Handlers" and "Cadaver Recovery for Law Enforcement."

The Lockport native was a graduate of Lockport High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1942 and two years later went to sea in the Pacific. He was honorably discharged in 1946. After joining the Niagara County Sheriff's Department, he became a renowned author, lecturer and dog trainer for law enforcement agencies in many countries. He received numerous awards from police agencies in North America and Australia and appeared on several television shows over the years, including "60 Minutes" and "20/20."

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, the former Natalie Calver of Lockport; two sons, Dean and Keith, both of Lockport; and a granddaughter. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. today in First Presbyterian Church, 21 Church St. Burial was in Cold Spring Cemetery.

-- Bill Michelmore

✞Harold E. Wisterman, 79, Dies ROYALTON - Harold E. Wisterman, 79, of 8250 Akron Road, a farmer, died Tuesday (May 11, 1982) at Medina Memorial Hospital after a short illness. Born in the Town of Royalton on Jan. 31, 1903, he was the son of Roy and Jessie Brewer Wisterman. He operated a farm off Akron Road near Dysinger Road and had worked as a foreman at the Upson Co., Lockport, until his retirement 14 years ago. He was the husband of Bernice Cummings and the late Ethel Riddle. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Lloyd (Berniece) Bedford; two stepsons, Kenward and Elwyn Cummings of Akron; a stepdaughter, Mrs. John (Audrey) Tuchlos of Corfu; a brother, Floyd Wisterman of Burt; nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday with the Rev. John Mair of the First Baptist Church of Clarence officiating. Interment will be in Cold Spring Cemetery.

✞Lockport Union Sun & Journal, October 8, 1998, p.A2. NewFane—Floyd Wisterman, 90, owner of the Burt Marina and an avid fisherman and gardener, died Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1998, at his home. Born June 24, 1908, in Royalton, he was the son of the late Roy and Jesse Brewer Wisterman. Mr. Wisterman had been a resident of Newfane for 57 years after moving from Lockport in 1941. He married Gladys (Johnson) Wisterman on March 28, 1934. She died Sept. 30, 1970. He married Florence (Depoty) Wisterman on Dec. 7, 1983. She died Nov. 22, 1994.

He retired as a machinist for Aluminum Brass of Lockport after 33 years of service and was owner and operator of the Burt Marina. Survivors include a daughter, Marilyn K. Nevin of Lyndonville; a son, Malcolm (Jane) Parker of Vancouver, Wash.; three grandchildren, Yvette Nevin of Lyndonville, Nareda LeVan of Middleport and Deanne (Donald) Herring of Lyndonville; seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late Harold Wisterman. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Kenneth H. Sherrie Funeral Home, 6139 East Ave., Newfane, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday. Burial will be in Cold Spring Cemetery.

✞Niagara Falls Gazette, September 30, 1970: Mrs. Gladys Wisterman, 62 of 2310 Lockport-Olcott Road died today (Sept. 30 1970) at Buffalo General Hospital following a five-week illness. Born Oct. 9, 1909, in Akron, the daughter of James and Katherine Tucker Johnson, she was a member of the West Somerset Baptist Church and the Ladies Aid Group of that church. A resident of this hamlet for the last 29 years, she and her husband, Floyd Wisterman, who survives her, were married March 28, 1934. A daughter, the late Sharon Ann Wisterman, died some time ago. Besides her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Marilyn Nevin of Medina; a foster son, Malcolm Parker of Portland, Ore.; two sisters, Mrs. Leon (Bernice) Cummings of Akron and Mrs. Wilma Beechel of Sacramento, Calif., and three grandchildren. Friends may call Thursday at their convenience at the Kenneth H. Sherrie Funeral Home, where funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Donald Wilson, pastor of the West Somerset Baptist Church, officiating.