Edward J. Tobey, 88, of Auburn, N.Y., died June 24, 2008 after a short illness. Born Aug. 21, 1919 in Pike, N.Y., he was the son of the late Marjorie Overholt and James Tobey. Mr. Tobey had resided at Auburn Nursing Home two months. Prior to that, he had lived in Athens and Niagara Falls, N.Y.
    Mr. Tobey was a devoted family man, fisherman, hunter, camper, outdoorsman and loved all animals. He served as a Staff Sgt. and flight engineer in the U. S. Army Air Corp in WW2. He “flew the hump” from India to China. He worked for the Lehigh Valley Railroad as a conductor/brakeman for 24 years, drove truck for Walter Johnson Construction Co. and worked at Bell Aerosystems in Niagara Falls. After he retired in 1982 he drove truck for Hutchins Automotive of Niagara Falls.
    Ed is predeceased by: his wife, Dorothy Beeman Greene; first wife, Mary B. Sirgey; brothers, Granville and Floyd; and his sister-in-law, Luella.
    He is survived by: daughters, Sandra (Ron) Vogt, Sheryl (Robert) Julias of Niagara Falls; step-daughter, Dorothy (Al) Cook of Auburn; grandchildren, Donna and Michael Vogt, Jennifer Pettit, Edward and Randy Julias all of Niagara Falls; step-grandsons, Francis Cook and Matt (Kelly) Cook of Auburn; great-grandchildren, Christopher, Camron, Maria and Anthony of Niagara Falls; step-grandchildren, Kaleb, Alyssa and Caitlin Cook of Auburn; brothers, Ellis (Shirley) and (Bud) Erwin Close; sisters, Wilma Elliot, Dorris Gibbs and Mary Warner; sister-in-law, Millicent; and many nieces and nephews.
    Family and friends are invited to calling hours from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 28 at White Chapel, 197 South St., Auburn, N.Y., with funeral services at 7 p.m. with Bishop Dan Larson presiding or Saturday for calling hours from 1 to 2 p.m. at Jay E. Lowery Funeral Home, Inc., 225 South Main St., Athens, with funeral services, full military honors and committal services at 2 p.m. with 2nd Counselor Albert Cook of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints conducting  the service. Mr. Tobey’s wish to be cremated will be carried out after the services. He was a proud, honorable, humble and hardworking man and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. We know he will enjoy seeing Jesus and other loved ones who have passed away.      
    Expressions of sympathy may be made to your local SPCA.