All Obituaries

Westfield - Michael P. Gonzales, 66, passed away April 13, 2024, in Providence, Rhode Island. He was born in Westfield on February 28, 1958 to the late Arthur and Eleanor (Starzyk) Gonzales. He was a lifelong resident who had attended local schools and was a 1977 graduate of Westfield Vocational High School. He worked at Hamilton Sundstrand as an assembler and later became a Grand Lodge Auditor for the IAMAW. Michael enjoyed nature, hiking, attending concerts, NASCAR and was an avid...

Westfield-Kathleen (Rubba) Schneeloch, 68, died Saturday, April 13, 2024 in Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. She was born in Springfield on October 22, 1955 to the late John and Carol (Coburn) Rubba. She grew up in Enfield, Ct and attended local schools and was a graduate of Enrico Fermi High School. She received her Associates degree from S.T.C.C. She lived in Stafford Springs, Ct before moving to Westfield in 1982. Kathleen was involved in Martial Arts with her family for many years...

Westfield- Ruth Ann Purdy, 70, died Monday, April 8, 2024 in Baystate Medical Center after a long illness. She was born in Springfield on February 26, 1954 to the late Marshall and Madeline (Keenan) Swift. Ruth enjoyed camping, rides through the country and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She leaves her husband of 53 years Craige Purdy Sr. two sons, Craige Jr. (“Tony”) and Jason. Six grandchildren Emma, Sydney, Sophia, Aiden, Liam, Caleb. Two great...

Gail M. (Russell) Ling, 68, passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield. She was born in Springfield on July 9, 1955 to the late Leonard Russell and Geraldine (O’Connor). Gail was raised in Springfield and graduated from Commerce High School in 1973. She worked for New England Telephone and Telegraph and NorthropGrumman before retiring in 1992. Gail had a passion for hand drawing by pen and ink, loved to travel and also loved camping in California. She...

On April 7, 2024, June Beattie passed away in her home, surrounded by her husband, children, their spouses, and her grandchildren.  June was born on June 6, 1940, in Belfast, Northern Ireland to Mary and Samuel Gibson.   She married William M. Beattie on May 31, 1958, in Oxford, England.  June immigrated to Westfield in 1973 with her husband and three daughters.  June is survived by her husband William and 3 daughters, Louise Saloio (& husband John) of Chester,...

Barry Hughson Plumley (91) 1932-2024, passed away at home on Saturday, April 6th. He was born in Springfield to the late Wilford F. and Gladys E. (Hughson) Plumley. Barry served in the United States Navy from 1952-1956 during The Korean War aboard the USS Cascade as an Electrician's Mate Third Class. He was awarded both the National Defense Service Award & the Navy Occupation Service Medal (European Clasp). Honorably Discharged in 1956, Barry served in the US Naval Reserve until...

Jason J. Andras “Goldy,”43, was born August 22nd, 1980, and passed away from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Baystate Medical Center. He was born in Springfield to John Andras and Susan (Beshaw) Lecrenski and was a 1998 graduate of Agawam High School. Jason worked as a landscaper for Four Seasons Landscaping for many years. He loved going fishing and hunting, playing softball, attending concerts, especially Taylor Swift. He was a friend...

Cecile R. (Klekotka) Swikalus, 95, passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Day Brook Village in Holyoke. She was born in South Hadley, one of nine children to the late Julian and Anna (Hodak) Klekotka. Cecile enjoyed traveling with her husband Joseph, spending time at their camp on Lake Congamond in Southwick, playing cards, and working in her tomato garden. Overall, Cecile’s family was most important to her and she loved spending time with them. She was a lifelong communicant of St....

Barbara Lou Chiampa passed away on Wednesday, April 3 at Westfield Gardens at the age of 83. Born August 8, 1940 in Boston, MA to the late Joseph and Gertrude (Preston) Chiampa. Barbara graduated from Massachusetts College of Art with a BFA degree in Art Education. She taught art for several years in the West Springfield School system before moving to the Westfield Public School system. After 34 years of inspiring young artists Barbara retired from Westfield High. One of Barbara’s...

Gerald H. Cheever, 79, died peacefully on Monday, April 1, 2024, after a brief illness. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, to the late Herbert and Mary (Derry) Cheever, he spent much of his childhood in the nearby town of Boylston. After graduating from West Boylston High School, he moved to Westfield to attend Westfield State College, where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education, as well as a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS). While at Westfield...