Siegfried W. Werners

Siegfried W. "Siggi" Werners of 2290 Mecklenburg Rd., Ithaca passed away unexpectedly at home on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at the age of 76.

Born in Finsterwalde, Germany on April 10, 1931, Siggi was the son of Walter and Margaret Knittel Werners. In 1956 he emigrated from Europe to Ithaca, New York where he accepted a position in the furniture shop at Cornell University. At Cornell, and in his workshop at home, Siggi honed his craftsman skills while building cabinets and other furniture. These mastered skills were not limited to woodworking as Siggi, expanding upon the exhilaration he discovered while flying gliders in Europe, became proficient in building and flying ultra-lights and other experimental aircraft.

Following retirement from Cornell in the early 1980's, Siggi fostered his appreciation for the outdoors by hiking and nurturing his gardens. An avid reader, with a special interest in philosophy, Siggi welcomed the opportunity to discuss any book he was reading with members of his book club, family and friends.

Siggi is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ceil; two daughters, Margitta (Tony) Cudlin of Ithaca and Marianne (Rolf) Kupplich of Germany; two grandsons, Christopher Cudlin (Amanda Bush) of Ithaca and Lars Kupplich of Germany; two granddaughters, Kimberly Cudlin (Eric Church) of Ithaca and Kai (Stephan) Thiel of Germany; two great-grandchildren; one sister, Hannelore (Kenneth) Lewan of Germany; several nieces and nephews in Germany, and many friends in the Ithaca area whom Siggi always greeted with a strong handshake and welcoming smile.

The family will be present to receive friends from 3-5 pm on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St.,Trumansburg.

Services will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2008 at the Enfield Baptist Church with Elder Matthew Steel officiating.

Honoring his love of flight, the family asks those who wish to make a contribution in Siggi's memory to kindly consider the EAA Chapter 811, Ithaca, NY c/o David Flinn, 866 Ridge Rd., Lansing, NY 14882.