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Brett Elsess Obituary
Brett W. Elsess, 29, of Evans City, formerly of Lockport, N.Y., entered into rest Sunday.
Born in Buffalo, N.Y., Nov. 29, 1974, he was a 1993 graduate of Lockport High School and an Air Force veteran. He moved to Evans City from Lockport this year.
He was a honor graduate of Niagara County Community College and received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Grove City College, where he was a brother of Pan Sophic Club at Grove City College and sweetheart of Gamma Sigma Phi for 2002-03.
Mr. Elsess was a volunteer at Charlotte Cross Elementary School, Lockport, in Loretta Riscile's second- and third- grade class. He also was a volunteer for the Salvation Army Food Pantry and the Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center. He was a Boy Scout in the Lockport Troop during his teenage years. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Lockport.
Surviving are his wife, Abby Lane Schoeffel Elsess, whom he married June 21, 2003; his parents, Roberts H. and Pamela Mayne Elsess of Lockport, N.Y.; son-in-law of Sherri (Robert) Buzzard of Zelienople and Dr. Thomas (Debbie) Schoeffel of Evans City; grandson of Robert I. (Marcie) Mayne of Dallas, Texas, and the late Harriet K. Mayne and William and Catharine Elsess; great-grandson of Beatrice Keogh of Gasport, N.Y. Also surviving are several aunts, uncles, cousins and special friends.
ELSESS - Friends of Brett W. Elsess, who died Sunday, April 25, 2004, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at RUTLAND-CORWIN FUNERAL HOME, 2670 Main St., Newfane, N.Y. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church, 140 Genesee St., Lockport, N.Y. Burial will be at Acacia Park Cemetery, Pendleton, N.Y.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Brett Elsess Scholarship, c/o Grove City College, 100 Campus Drive, Grove City, PA 16127.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Brett Elsess
Amanda Nelson
May 6, 2004
Where do I even begin? Brett was such a huge blessing in my life and he showed me how incredible friendship is. Brett and Abby and I worked at camp together, and somehow, in almost every picture we have, Brett and I are together and Abby is nowhere to be found. Brett always joked about our little "escapades" together without Abby. Those are times that I will truly cherish for the rest of my life. Brett was such an amazing person and showed each of us how to live life to the fullest, no matter what the situation was. He was so deeply loved and will be sadly missed by many.
Abby, I love you more than I could ever tell you. Please remember that I'm here for you, no matter what. Keep your chin up and keep smiling because Brett's shining down on you and he's smiling and overflowing with love for you. I love you!!
Erin Renner
May 4, 2004
Brett was loved so much by everyone. He touched all of our lives in so many ways. If I was having a bad day, it would become so much better the moment that I saw Brett's loving smile. He also knew that his hugs were needed by all. I will always remember Brett and the amazing impact he had on my life. I know that he will always be watching us, and we will feel the love that he is sending from above.
Jodi (Shepherd) Magee
May 2, 2004
Abby,
Justin and I are praying for you constantly, through what must be an incredibly hard time in your life. Brett was an amazing, supportive and upbeat person. We will all miss him very much. Abby, know that we love you and have about 100 people between here and Alaska praying for you.
Michelle (Adriance) Muretisch
May 1, 2004
Abby,
You are so incredibly strong - may God continue to bless you in this difficult time. We are always here for you, and you are constantly in our thoughts and prayers.
Lesley Millimaci (Miller)
April 30, 2004
Abby,
I know it has been a long time since we have seen eachother or even talked but I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I did not know your husband but he must have been a great person. My family is praying for you in your time of great sorrow.
Laura Oldin
April 30, 2004
Dear Abby,
I am so sorry to hear about your husband. It's been a long time since we have talked but you are always in my thoughts. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Love,
Laura (Schoeffel) Oldin
Kelly Cole
April 29, 2004
Brett was the most incredible Sweetheart that our sorority could have asked for, and he was more of a friend to me than I could have ever deserved. The last time I saw him we were at a restaurant. I sat next to Brett, and every time I got up from the table and then returned, he made sure that he stood up and pulled out my chair for me. I could tell it was difficult for him, but it was more important to Brett to be a gentleman than to make himself comfortable. Whenever I was around him, he made me feel like I was the most important person in the world, and I know he did the same for everyone else. In the few short years that I had the privilege of calling Brett my friend, he was able to make a profound impact on my life. I think I can speak for many when I say he will not be forgotten.
Beth Marraccini (Ranker)
April 29, 2004
Abby,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Aaron Leitch
April 29, 2004
It's hard to find the words to say when you lose someone you called a brother, a friend, and someone you greatly admired for their strength and courage. Brett will truly be missed by all that knew him and everyone who saw his will to succeed, overcome, and conquer. One of Brett's greatest attributes was his positive outlook on life, and how he not only overcame a lot, but attained many of his goals in a time of obvious struggle. This was a true testament to me on how to look at life, and be thankful for what God has given you. God Bless Brett and Abby's families, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Deana Gyergyo
April 28, 2004
My deepest sympathies. Brett was a good friend to me at Grove City College. I am so sorry for your loss.
Kelly Schoeffel
April 28, 2004
Being the third of four daughters I loved the fact that I finally had a brother. I could not have asked for a better one either. Brett, I know God handpicked you for not only Abby, but the whole family. Rest in peace and we will meet again.
Shirley Kline
April 28, 2004
Dr. Thomas Schoeffel, Sorry to learn of the passing of your son-in-law, at such a young age. We know that he will be missed by the entire family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Shirley & Vincent Kline
Kristin Kozusko
April 28, 2004
I was friends with Brett many years ago, during our freshman year at Grove City. I will always remember him for his fun-loving personality. My sympathies and prayers to his wife and family.
James Graham
April 28, 2004
I knew Brett,back in high school,and we worked together at Burger King, he was a very nice guy back then, I was stunned Tuesday night when I saw in the Lockport paper that he had passed,my heart sunked and I started to cry,I just wished that I would have kept in better contact with him,I remember talking to him on the phone about 4 years ago,I was hoping to do something with him and talk about old times, but our schedule just didnt work out, I have always thought about him, and will never forget this great guy,I am so sorry for his parents and for everyone Brett has touched in his 29 years of life.
Steve Short
April 27, 2004
Brett was an excellent man and a great brother. The thing that sticks out most in my mind is how he never complained about his misfortunes and continually gave of himself where and when he could. He always had a smile on his face and an upbeat attitude. Our efforts as a fraternity in this years Relay for Life where in honor of him. Bret W. Elsess will never be forgotten. My prayers are with all of you.
God Bless,
Steven M. Short
Joe Shields
April 27, 2004
I knew Bert during our time spent at Grove City where he was a man among boys. His strength, great sense of humor, and love for life will continue to positively influence all of us forever. Bert was a tremendous role model in a time when that's what a lot of us needed. He will be dearly missed.
Tara Gerber
April 27, 2004
Brett truly is an angel, both now and during his time with us. He was such an inspiration to everyone, always positive, kind, sharing and willing to do anything for you. He impacted my life in so many ways as I know he did others as well. And who can ever forget his amazing hugs. Your family will truly be in my thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if there's anything I can do.
Mandie McCreadie
April 27, 2004
God gave us Brett to teach us many things. He taught us humility, strength, courage, and love. He will be remembered by many and forgotten by few. Abby, you could not have gotten a better guardian angel. His love will always be with you as will the love of your Gamma Sig Sisters.
Joel Settecase
April 26, 2004
To Brett's family,
Brett stood out as a great man, and it was a great honor to know him and be able to call him brother. His loss is a loss to all of us and his absense will be felt greatly. We will keep you guys in our prayers.
God bless you,
Joel M. Settecase
Robbie Long
April 26, 2004
The most vivid memory I have of Brett is his smile and his hugs. I only knew him for a short time, but even in those few months I knew that every person his life touched became better because of it. Mine definitely did. We will all miss his positive attitude, his amazing hugs, and his ever-ready smile. I'm sure that those are only a few of the reasons that God chose to bring him home early. I am just glad that God let us be blessed with Brett's company as long as he did.
Courtney Youngbauer
April 26, 2004
Brett was more special to us than he could have ever imagined. He was such an amazing person and I am honored and blessed to have known him and had him as a part of my life. Abby and Mr. and Mrs. Elsess, please know that if there is anything you ever need, we are here and will do anything and everything for you. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Dave Drew
April 26, 2004
My deepest sympathies. Brett will be remembered as a wonderful man, a role model for me, and a brother.
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