Obituaries
from the
Greenville Local
March 2004
Newspapers courtesy of the Cairo Public Library. Retyped by Arlene Goodwin
March 11, 2004
Irene Worth Ingalls
Lifetime Native, Teacher, at 96
Irene Worth Ingalls, well-known resident of South Westerlo and longtime teacher, passed away on March 8, 2004, at the Barnwell Nursing Home in Valatie, New York. Irene was born in Schenectady, New York on October 14, 1907, daughter of the late Frederich and Bertie (Delamater) Worth. She moved in her infancy with her family to a farm in South Westerlo and spent her entire life in the area.
Irene attended Oneonta State Normal School (now Oneonta State College) and graduated in 1936 from the Plattsburgh State Normal school. Upon graduation, she taught at Neury and South Westerlo schools. In 1930, she accepted a teaching position at Rockland Academy, a private school (founded by the Morse sisters of South Westerlo) in Nyack, New York. She later taught at the Episcopal Church Academy in Saratoga before returning to the public school system, teaching at the one-room Thayes Corner Rural School from 1936 to 1940. Irene was on the staff of Greenville Central School from 1940 to 1948.
A talented organist, Irene played throughout her adult life at church services; for many years at the South Westerlo Community Church and later at churches throughout the Albany and hilltowns areas. She was a dedicated church-woman.
Irene also served her community as a member of the South Westerlo Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary.
Her legacies are the learning she instilled in the many young men and women from the area whom she sent on their way from her classrooms, the pleasure she gave with her music, and the many friends she made over her lifetime.
With her husband, Clarence, she was an inveterate traveler, and in the winter months would travel south and west, including Hawaii. After her husband’s death in 1977, Irene traveled extensively with the “golden girl,” whose annual travel “adventures” were reported in the Greenville Local.
Irene was a woman of old-fashioned virtue and good cheer and will be missed by her family and friends, an in particular by her granddaughter, Gail Hotaling and her family, with whom she spent many happy times.
She is survived by her stepdaughter, Phyllis Crawford, and her husband Alden, of Sugar Hill, New Hampshire; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and by a niece and nephew.
She was predeceased by her husband, Clarence Ingalls; stepdaughters Janice Dietz, wife of Robert Dietz of Westerlo, New York and Tucson, Arizona, and Ellen Applebee and her husband Curtis Applebee; a stepson, Kenneth Ingalls, and his wife Marge; and by her brother Harold and his wife Lillian, of Florida.
Funeral services, under the direction of Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 SR 81, Greenville, New York, will be Saturday, March 13, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. at the South Westerlo Congregational Church, where she attended for many years. Spring interment will be in the Greenville Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
Those who wish to contribute in Irene’s memory may do so to the Westerlo Volunteer Fire Company or the South Westerlo Congregational Christian Church.
March 11, 2004
Timothy M. Oravsky
Timothy Mark Oravsky, 44, formerly of Westerlo, died suddenly, February 29, 2004 in Blont Memorial Hospital, in Tennessee. He was the son of Benjamin Oravsky and the late Dorothy Fisher Oravsky. He had attended Greenville High School.
Survivors include his wife, Cathy Hosler Oravsky of Tennessee; son, Jonathan Oravsky of Tennessee; stepson, Peter Colliton of Catskill; siblings, Ralph Oravsky of Hannacroix, Shirley Lewis of Cohoes, Shane Adams of West Coxsackie, Thomas Oravsky of Voorheesville, Linda Millious of Saranac Lake, Sandra Van Hoesen of Feura Bush, and Diane Millious of Ravena; also many nieces and nephews. Timothy was predeceased by his brother, James Orvasky.
Relative and friends are invited to attend a memorial service 7:00 Friday evening, March 19, at the Babcock Funeral Home, Ravena. Friends may call at the funeral home prior to the service starting at 6 p.m. Burial took place in Marble Hill Cemetery in Tennessee.
In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Timothy may be made to Trust Fund, Jonathon Michael Oravsky, c/o National Bank of Coxsackie, Faith Platt, Route 9W, PO box 297, Ravena, NY 12143-0297.
March 11, 2004
Beatrice H. Fisher
Beatrice H. Fisher, of Ravena, entered into eternal rest on March 4, 2004, to be with her Lord, from Good Samaritan Lutheran Health Care Center in Delmar. Beatrice was the beloved wife of Charles M. Fisher, who predeceased her.
Beatrice was born June 12, 1922, in Beals, Maine. She was raised in Albany, where she graduated from Albany High and Mildred Elly Business School. She was employed by Normanskill Dairy and Fisher’s Dairy as a bookkeeper. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She loved her family above al. Bea was a member of the Congregational Christian Church, Ravena, where she had been treasurer for several of the church organizations for 25 years. She liked bowling, reading and walking, but most of all, giving joy to other people.
Beatrice leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Charlene (Robert) Mueller of Alcove, and Arlene Fisher of Albany; tow sons, Neal (Diane) Fisher of Schenectady, and Paul (Robyn) Fisher of Earlton; eight grandchildren, Jody (Bill) Fleming of Schenectady, Michael (Daniella) Fisher of Groton, Massachusetts, Kenneth (Billie Jo) Mueller of Alcove, Maureen (Darryl) Houghtaling of Alcove, Claudine (Christopher) Hagen of Glenmont, Kayl, Devon and Sarah Fisher of Earlton; seven great-grandchildren, Daniel and Jessica Houghtaling, Kenneth and Amanda Mueller, Colin and Nathan Fisher and Kendall Fleming; along with a beloved niece Linda Prosser of Port Orange, Florida; a brother Merton (Ruth) Norton of Schenectady; nieces Diana (Gerald) Gordenier of Voorheesville, Nancy (Don) Furman of Malta, Sandra Moore of Greenville; cousin Addie Alley of Maine; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Dear friend and neighbor, Pauline Mullen, and a multitude of other family and friends. Beatrice was predeceased by not only her beloved husband, “Charlie” Fisher, but also a sister Theresa Hardie, and parent Captain and Lovina Norton.
Many thanks to our loving home caregivers, Sue, Lorna and Anne, and all the staff at Good Samaritan, especially D Wing. The kindness of all will never be forgotten. There will be a special place in our hearts for Sue Collins, Valerie Strokes, Sue Mularky, Tammy Ryan, Linda, Marilyn, Ramesh, Kathy, Dawn and countless others whose names we never knew. Deepest gratitude to Sharon D’Ambrosio for her gentle guidance in our time of sorrow. There is also a heartfelt tanks to Community Hospice for all their devoted care and comfort to Beatrice and her family.
A private service will be held at the convenience of the family under the direction of the Babcock Funeral Home, Ravena. Contributions may be made in Bea’s memory to Arlene’s home. ARC-Van Rensselaer House, 129 Van Rensselaer Boulevard, Albany, New York 12204, or Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, New York 12205.
March 11, 2004
Richard Gary Tanner
Richard Gary Tanner, 54, of Middleburgh, New York entered into the arms of the Lord on March 2, at St. Peter’s Hospital with his family by his side. Rich was born in Catskill, New York on November 25, 1949, son of Irene (Scoville) Tanner and the late Niles C. Tanner. He grew up in the Village of Rensselaerville, graduated from Greenville Central School and the Albany Business College.
For 30 years he was employed by the U.S. Postal Service in Delmar and he had recently retired on January 30, 2004. He was a devoted member of the Rensselaerville Vol. Fire Co. holding many positions over the years. As a young man he was active in the Boy Scouts. Of the Episcopal faith he attended the Trinity Episcopal Church (and was still a member at the time of his death) while living in Rensselaerville and later St. Stephen’s Church when he moved to Delmar. He most recently attended the Lawyersville Reformed Church for the past 10 years, when he moved to Middleburgh and married Christine Rich.
Surviving are his wife Christina A. (Rich) Tanner; his mother Irene Tanner; his mother and father-in-law, Shirley and Paul Rich; his sister, Candace Ruland and her husband Ralph; sisters-in-law, Cheryl Rich and Paulette VanGiesen and her husband James; a niece, Heather Ruland; two nephews, Travis Ruland and Scott VanGiesen; also several aunts, uncle and cousins.
Funeral service was Friday from the Trinity Episcopal Church in Rensselaerville, New York. Friends called at the Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville on Thursday. The Rensselaerville Vol. Fire Co. conducted services at the funeral home on Thursday evening. Spring interment will be in the Rensselaerville Cemetery.
The family request that those who desire may send a remembrance in Richard’s name to the Rensselaerville Vol. Fire Co., the Schoharie Co. Animal Shelter, the Habitat for Humanity of Schoharie County or a church of their choice.
March 11, 2004
Grant Mickelsen
Grant Mickelsen, 82, years, of Greenville Center, New York, passed away at his home on March 5, 2004. He was born in North Plainfield, New Jersey, on January 31, 1922, son of the late Anton and Inga (Carlsen) Mickelsen.
Grant was employed in the food industry, having been a Food Director at Columbia University in New York City, at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York, and also at the Cornwall Hospital in Cornwall, New York. He was also a former Postmaster of the Greenville Center Post Office. A former member of the Greenville Volunteer Fire Company, he was one of the founders of the Wednesday Night Golf League at the Pleasant View Golf Course. When he was younger, he enjoyed hunting and played baseball on the Greenville Town Baseball Team. He was an excellent golfer, and a stickler for golf etiquette and played by the rules. Grant was also known to enjoy a friendly game of poker. He will be missed by his family, golfing friends and his poker club.
He was predeceased by his wife, the former Eunice (Exstrom) Mickelsen, two brothers, Lawrence and Wesley Mickelsen, and a sister, Doris Mickelsen.
Surviving are a son, Grant (Mike) Mickelsen; three daughters, Christina Mickelsen of Medusa, New York, Denise Mickelsen-Jones of Greenville, New York, and Edna Mickelsen of Greenville Center, New York; five grand children, Rene Celmente, Meaghan and Courtney Jones, Sarah and Laura Mickelsen; and a great-granddaughter, Kayla Roberts.
Funeral services were on Tuesday, March 9, 2004, at the Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 SR 81, Greenville, New York. Spring interment will be in the Greenville Cemetery.
Those who wish may contribute to the Columbia Greene Hospice, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill, New York 12414.
March 11, 2004
Gerald H. Boomhower
Gerald H. Boomhower, 80 years, of Greenville, New York, passed away at his home on March 2, 2004. He was born in South Westerlo, New York on September 23, 1923, son of the late Ernest and Leona (Lockwood) Boomhower.
Gerald was a life long resident of the Town of Westerlo and retired dairy farmer. He was predeceased by his wife, Genevieve (Becker) Boomhower; a daughter, Janet Eileen Boomhower; a brother, Edward Boomhower, Sr.; two sisters, Margaret Bogardus, Thelma Baumann and a nephew, Curtis Boomhower.
He leaves to cherish his memory, two daughters, Eileen Joseph of Pismo Beach, California and Kathleen Peck of Greenville, New York; four grandsons, Michael Peck and his wife Deanna, Brian Peck and his wife Josephine, Robert and Seth Peck; two great-granddaughters, Kaleigh and Ashlynn Peck. Also surviving are four nephews, Dennis Boomhower, Edward Boomhower Jr., Ronald and Thomas Baumann.
Funeral service was Saturday at the South Westerlo C. C. Church, South Westerlo, New York. Friends called at the Cunningham funeral Home, Greenville, on Friday. Spring interment will be at the Greenville Cemetery. Those who desire may contribute in his memory to he Hospice of Columbia Greene, 47 Liberty St., Catskill, NY 12414 or to the Westerlo Rescue Squad, Westerlo, NY 12193.
March 18, 2004
Doris C. Gransbury
Doris C. Gransbury, 87 years, of Catskill, New York, passed away at the Eden Park Nursing Home on March 12, 2004. She was born in East Durham, New York, on September 27, 1916, daughter of the late Jacob and Marilla (Allen) Coventry. She was a life-long homemaker and had worked as a sewing machine operator for Helene Mfg. & Pensco.
Her husband, George Gransbury, predeceased her in 1982.
Surviving are a sister-in-law, Mary Gransbury, of Catskill, New York, and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service was held on Tuesday, March 16, at the Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 SR 81, Greenville, New York. As to her wishes, cremation will be at the Albany Rural Cemetery, with interment next to her husband in the Medusa Cemetery.
March 25, 2004
Dorothy A. Grippen
Dorothy A. Grippen, 91 years, a resident of the Teresian House and formerly of Albany, New York, passed away on March 20, 2004. She was born in Albany, New York, on June 1, 1912, daughter of the late Edward and Catherine (Roth) Wenz. She was a retired clerk, having worked at the New York State Motor Vehicle Department. She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother. “Mothers are the best friends.” The family thanks the Teresian House for the loving care and concern shown to their loved one.
Her husband, Charles Edward Grippen, and a daughter, Joan Sherman, predeceased Dorothy.
Surviving are a son, Ronald F. Grippen and his wife Sharon of Albany, New York; a daughter, Dorothy A. Moggio and her husband Gian Moggio of Italy; her grandchildren, Sandra M. Bishop, Deborah Staubach, Robert Sherman, Jr., William Sherman, Rhonda Grippen and Michelle Dunkerley; also 11 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren, and a sister-in-law, Ann L. Malone.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at the Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 SR 81, Greenville, New York. Interment will be in St. Matthews Cemetery, Glenmont, New York.
March 25, 2004
Lambert C. Nethaway
Lambert C. Nethaway, age 75, of West Coxsackie, died at the Community Hospice at St. Peter’s Hospital, Albany, on Sunday morning, March 21, 2004. He was born June 19, 1928, in Potter Hollow, New York, the son of the late Leo and Helen (Van Tassell) Nethaway. He was married to Dorothy (Kniffen) Nethaway, who survives at home.
Mr. Nethaway had been a member of the Teamsters Union and was a foreman for ATI in Selkirk and Buffalo. He was elected to the position of Superintendent of Highways in the Town of New Baltimore.
Mr. Nethaway was a member and former Deacon of the Second Reformed Church of Coxsackie. He was a member of the Greene County Highway Superintendent’s Association and served as President. He was also a member of the New York State Highway Superintendent’s Association and served as Vice President. He was a member of the New Baltimore Democratic Club and the New Baltimore Conservancy. He formerly was a member of the New Baltimore Fire Company.
In addition to his wife, two daughters, Donna and her husband Dennis Rhodes of Slingerlands, New York, and Deborah Shoemaker of Albany, New York, survive him. He was the step-grandfather of Michael and Kimberly Rhodes and step-great grandfather of Cameron, Kiernan and Imogene. His brother, Raymond and his wife Mildred Nethaway of Freehold, also survive him. Many nieces and nephews also survive.
Reverend Richard Pruiksma will conduct funeral services on Thursday, March 25, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. at the Sopris Funeral Home, Inc., 11877 Route 9W, Coxsackie, New York. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend and may also call on Wednesday, March 24, 2:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Interment will take place in the spring at Chestnut Lawn Cemetery, New Baltimore.
The family suggest donations in Lambert’s memory be made to either the Second Reformed Church of Coxsackie or the Community Hospice. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
March 25, 2004
Larry R. Weidman, SR.
Larry R. Weidman, Sr., 71 years, of Westerlo, New York, passed away at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, New York, on March 20, 2004. He was born in Preston Hollow, New York, on February 11, 1933, son of Abram and Madge (Lounsbury) Weidman. Larry served in the U. S. Army, being stationed in Germany, and discharged as a CPL. He worked in several places, including the Foundry in Voorheesville, New York; Duffy Motts in Voorheesville, New York; the Meadowbrook Dairy in Clarksville, New York; the City of Albany; Klersy Builders in Delmar, New York; the Westerlo Builders and last with the Town of Westerlo Highway Department, from which he retired in 1995. He always enjoyed his hunting and fishing and was a member of the Reidsville Rod & Gun Club, the Westerlo Rod & Gun Club, and a former member of the Westerlo Volunteer Fire Company.
Surviving are two sons, Larry Weidman, Jr., and his wife Atha of Duanesburg, New York; Edward Weidman and his wife Robin of Westerlo, New York; two daughters, Brenda Dillon of Clifton Park, New York, and Sandra Douglas and her husband Ronald of Fort Plain, New York; also 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; a brother, Latelle Weidman of Selkirk, New York; a sister, Hildred Ryder of Albany, New York; and several nieces and nephews. A sister, Coleen Wright, and a brother, Millard Weidman, predeceased him.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at 8:00 p.m. at the Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 SR 81, Greenville, New York. Friends may call at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, prior to the service. Interment with full military honors will be Thursday, 11:00 a.m., at the Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, New York.
Those who desire may contribute in his memory to the Town of Westerlo Ambulance Fund, P.O. 12, Westerlo, New York 12193.
March 25, 2004
Lee William Ormsbee
Lee William Ormsbee died on March 8, 2004 of emphysema in Thomasville, North Caroline. He was born on September 22, 1944 to the late Rachel and D. K. Ormsbee and raised on their farm in Medusa.
Lee was a self-made man. He attended Greenville Schools and was very proud of his ribbon for wagon backing at the county fair. He attended auctioneer school in Mason City, Iowa and drove tractor-trailers down south for furniture loads. He was an accomplished auctioneer, car salesman and machinery operator. He traveled the world and lived in many states including Hawaii, Arizona, Michigan, Nevada and North Carolina.
Lee is survived by a special loved one, Linda Combs; his daughters, Lori Conners, Sherri Ormsbee, Cara Caldwell; his grandchildren, Emily Conners, Rachel Conners, Blake Caldwell, Kyle Caldwell, and Ashley Combs; his siblings, Ray Ormsbee and Dr. Roy Ormsbee. Lee also raised as his own daughter and grandson, Christine Edwards and he son, Valen Edwards.
We heard stories all our lives about life and times with his “family,” the Dudleys, Lester, Bob, Charles, Gracie, Frank, Harry and Kenny and we thank them for their dedication and support throughout Lee’s life and especially at his time of need.
A time of fellowship is planned for April 17, 1 p.m. at Cunningham’s Funeral Home in Greenville, New York and interment in Oak Hill Cemetery will follow.