Julie Ann Kettle Jessepe

KILL BUCK — Julie Ann Kettle Jessepe, 65, of Kill Buck, died Wednesday afternoon, April 8, 2026, at Buffalo General Hospital following a long illness.

Born March 10, 1961, in Salamanca, she was the daughter of Greta M. Crouse Kettle of Salamanca and the late Lawrence I. Kettle.

She was an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians and of the Hawk Clan.

Julie attended Salamanca High School, Class of 1979, and earned her Associate’s Degree from Louisville College.

She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She also enjoyed beading, listening to music, watching movies and TV shows, doing crosswords and was an avid reader. She was a Buffalo Bills and UB women’s basketball fan. She will be remembered for her strong Christian faith and her sense of humor.

Surviving besides her mother are a daughter, Girlie Contreraz of Salamanca; three sons, Beto (Oulu) Contreraz of Oregon and Angelo Contreraz and Noverto “Antonio” Contreraz, both of Salamanca; four granddaughters, Juliana Bigkettle-Smith and Ariana Kettle, both of Salamanca, Dayana Contreraz of Tonawanda Reservation and Jenashka Contreraz of Florida; two grandsons, Irvin Bigkettle-Dowdy and Jason Smith, both of Salamanca; seven step-grandchildren; four sisters, Johnna “Jonie” Crouse, Tina Kettle, Jackie Kettle and Tawny Kettle, all of Salamanca; two brothers, Everett Adams of Marietta, Ohio, and Scott Kettle of Salamanca; and several nieces and nephews.

Aside from her father, she was predeceased by a brother, Lawrence A. Kettle, and a granddaughter, Joayla Kettle.

Friends called at the family home Tuesday afternoon (April 14, 2026) and all day Wednesday (April 15, 2026).

Funeral services will be held in the family home, 3624 N Authority Road, Kill Buck, at 10 a.m. Thursday (April 16, 2026). Burial will be in Memorial Heights Cemetery, Jimersontown.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc Funeral Home, 25 River St., Salamanca. E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.