A monument company from Batavia has donated a headstone as part of an ongoing effort to help bury the cremains of a young woman from Genesee County who was murdered 30 years ago.
Brenda Chartraw of Oakfield has been trying to raise money to properly bury and recognize the life of her cousin, Wanda Deann Kirkum.
Kirkum, who lived in Pavilion and was 16 when she ran away in 1989.
Chartraw is in possession of Brenda’s cremains and the story was featured in The Daily News in January. Chartraw is hoping to raise $6,500 through a *** account to give her cousin a proper burial.
Since the story was published, the *** has raised more than half of its goal.
Chartraw said Spectrum News interviewed her for a story and on Valentine’s Day, the 30th anniversary of Kirkum’s death, a YouTuber from Florida featured the story on her popular YouTube channel.
Gabbey Valente, known as gabulosis on YouTube, broadcasts true crime and mystery stories.
Valente asked for donations for Kirkum and more than $2,000 was raised since the show aired.
And recently, Oakley Monument of Batavia reached out to Chartraw and offered to donate a headstone.
“I’m very thankful for everyone who has been helping,” Chartraw said.
Chartraw now is in the process of organizing a basket raffle that will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 3 at Caryville Inn in Oakfield.
“I didn’t realize how much work it is to have a basket raffle,” she said. “It’s really made me want to help others more so I guess something good is coming from this.”
Chartraw said she hopes to have a church and burial service for Kirkum in the spring or early summer at St. Cecilia Cemetery.
Donations pour in for proper burial for Wanda Deanna Kirkum