Lani J. Burkman of Grand Island, a pioneering scientist in the study of male infertility, died peacefully of cancer at home on March 4 at the age of 67.

Born in Santa Barbara, California, Burkman completed her doctoral work in physiology at the University of California at Davis. As a researcher at the Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine in Norfolk, VA from 1982, she developed the hemizona assay, a highly reputed sperm function test. Her studies led to the discovery of sperm hyperactivation, a critical stage in the fertilization of an egg. Continuing her research as a member of the Gynecology and Obstetrics faculty at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine from 1996 to 2009, Dr. Burkman revealed the effects of tobacco and marijuana use on male fertility. After retiring from UB she formed LifeCellDx, a company using computer analysis to predict a male’s probability of fertility. Dr. Burkman patented a process to assess male fertility over the internet, facilitating testing in remote domestic and international areas. Her career ultimately aided countless couples wanting to have children.

Dr. Burkman is survived by her father, J. Archie Johnson; husband Thomas W. Burkman, a Japan historian and retired professor at the University at Buffalo; a sister Rena Sperling; brothers Rod Johnson and Steve Johnson; a daughter Heather Burkman and a son Wesley Burkman; stepson J. Bradford Burkman and stepdaughter Mary Gworek; four grandchildren and a large extended family.

Dr. Burkman enjoyed gardening, sewing, singing and playing piano. Her scientific work took her frequently to Asia and Europe, reinforcing her keen interest in other cultures and languages. At Trinity United Methodist Church in Grand Island she taught children and adults and sang in the choir. Despite her intense drive and crowded professional agenda, Dr. Burkman always found time to enjoy her family and respond to the needs of others, particularly refugee families acclimating to Buffalo.

A video interview of Lani and her family (Nov 2015, ~3 mos before her death), photos from the Memorial Service and her burial can be found here:
https://goo.gl/photos/wLMHACjn5mSQsnw4A

Photos from Lani's life, from childhood to the end, can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B9oDwyq3cej-UDJ0MDR3N0JYM3M

Thomas Arnett Johnson, 61, of Oro Valley, AZ passed away after an extended illness at University Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family on March 2, 2016.

Tom is survived by his wife Deb of 35 years, son Tommy (Holly Maples) Johnson, son Christopher (Freddie He) Johnson, granddaughter Hayden Elaine Johnson, brother Jim Johnson, brother Mike Johnson, sister Kathy (Roy) Mills and many loving , nieces, nephews and extended family. Tom was a loving father, husband, grandfather and friend to all.

Tom, loved playing softball, fishing

Emanuelle Laghi was born on July 16, 1982, in Forlimpopoli, Italy, and passed away on March 4, 2016, in Bertinolo, Italy.

After just a short battle with Cancer, Lynn Caroline (Denton) Little passed away peacefully with her family surrounding her in Orlando, Florida at ORMC on Monday, February 29, 2016.

She was born October 14, 1950 in Mount Clemens, Michigan to the late Charles and Arlene (Muckenhern) Denton. She is also preceded in death by her stepfather, Lloyd Mcallister.

She is survived by her longtime partner, Richard Beauchene, of 27 years. She was a loving and dedicated mother to their daughter, Katherine Beauchene. Lynn devoted her life to the care of Katie. She will be missed by her dearly.

Lynn was filled with passion for her family. She loved telling stories of her grandchildren and how very proud she was of them. When she wasn't boasting about her family she had a great love for books and music.

She is survived by her loving brothers Paul Denton and Gary Denton. She took amazing pride in her job as a mother to, Darrell Talada Jr., Stacy (Little) Bowerman, Blake Beauchene, Casey (Beauchene) Lipscomb, Lance Beauchene and Katherine Beauchene. Her love grew with the births of her grandchildren, Christopher, Xavier, Courtney, James, Lana, Aubrey, Jasey, Aryana, Liam, and she was blessed with a great-grandchild, Aiden

Lynn will be greatly missed by all people she touched.

Barbara Anne Lewis was the only child of Anne and Robert Lewis of Rochester, NY, the mother of Kaitlin (Lewis) Abbitt, and loving grandmother to Corbin and Fletcher. She spent many years as a NICU and Labor and Delivery nurse, including several during which she was a "travel" nurse at different hospitals throughout the country. She was a natural caretaker, and always took care of the smallest among us.

Her favorite color was pink, and she loved crafts (and craft supplies). She started projects but didn't always finish them. She drank more coffee in a day than most people do in a week. She was unapologetically loud, and she loved to laugh, and make other people laugh. She cared deeply for those around her, though many times didn't know how to express that.

Like any of us, she wasn't perfect. She sometimes drove those closest to her to madness. She was loved.

Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to your local Humane Society or the March of Dimes.

James H. Corbin
James (Jim) H. Corbin, age 85, of Tacoma, Washington, passed away on February 27, 2016.
Jim was born on June 25, 1930 in Sterling, Colorado. He lived most of his life between Yakima and Tacoma, Washington.
Jim’s vocation was Residential Construction. He enjoyed building houses, being outside, playing chess, spending time with his family and talking about the Lord Jesus Christ. Jim lived his life on three principles 1. His belief and trust in God, 2. Being fair and honest and 3. To always be kind.
Jim is survived by his wife Irene, and his children: Tony Corbin, Mark Corbin, Jeff Corbin, Rhonda Conatser, Cuan Kassuhn, Corrine Arehart, Dorean Jarvis, Keith Brown, Hannah Jones, Kimberly Sue Lake, Lolly Huggins. He was one of 13 children born to Cecil James Corbin and LaVeral Lockard Corbin. His living siblings are: Hershel Corbin, Stanley Corbin, and Galen Corbin and sisters Bonnie Goerz, Fern Hathaway, Carol LaBrant, Judy Summers and several grand children, nieces, nephews, as well as other family and friends.
Jim was proceeded in death by his mother and father, brothers Clifford Corbin, Clinton Corbin, and Cecil Corbin, sisters, Leta Reynolds and Twila Hammon, son Marvin Brown and daughter Deborah Corbin.
A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 AM on March 5, 2016 at Sunset Bible Church 7909 40th Street West, University Place, WA 98466.