Obituaries
from the
Greenville Local
December 2003
Newspapers courtesy of the Cairo Public Library. Retyped by Arlene Goodwin
December 18, 2003
Jennie Irving
Jennie Irving, 96 years, of Greenville, New York, passed away at home with her loving family by her side on December 12, 2003. She was born in Ogden, Utah on October 26, 1907, daughter of the late Seldon and Lena (Anderson) Myers, both of whom were in show business. Her father Seldon performed in early radio shows including “One Man’s Family.”
She worked in San Francisco as a telephone operator for six years, during WWII she worked in National Defense for the Oakland, California Army Supply Base and 17 years as a pharmacy clerk for the Payless Drug Store, also in Oakland. In 1966, Jennie and her husband, William and son Richard established “The Westerner,” the only remaining clothing store in Greenville, New York.
She was a homemaker who loved to garden all her life. Jennie was married for 65 years to William Irving, who predeceased her in 1991. She was a devoted wife and mother of two sons, Richard L. and William D. Irving. She also raised her grandson Donald.
Jennie is survived by her two sons, Richard and William Irving; a daughter-in-law, Jeannette Irving; a grandson, Donald Irving; a granddaughter, Kathy Hudson; and two great-grandchildren, Shari and Lisa.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, December 21 at 7 p.m. at the Cunningham Funeral Home, 4894 SR 81, Greenville, New York.
December 25, 2003
Walter P. Dietz
Walter P. Dietz, 92, of Greene County died December 6, 2003 at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson. He was born in New Baltimore at Meadow Falls Farm, established by the Wolfe-Dietz Family in 1782. He was the only son of Paul O. and Hattie (Wolfe) Dietz.
He was married for 61 years to the former France Kniffen; Mrs. Dietz survives at The Pavilion in Catskill. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Margaret D. Meyer, Ph.D. and her husband Robert Meyer, M.D. of Fort Pierce, Florida, and Ellen Dietz and her husband Walter Bourguignon of West Coxsackie.
Mr. Dietz was a veteran of WW II, US Army. He held a Master’s Degree in Education from the State University of New York at Albany and chaired the History Department at Coxsackie-Athens Central School until his retirement in 1955. His specialty was New York State History, which he taught for many years. He was a former historian of the Town of New Baltimore and an active member of the Greene County Historical Society.
Dedicated to serving his country, community, and friends, Mr. Dietz was also a past master of the Echo Grange, a Freemason, president of the Coxsackie-Athens Teachers’ Association/PTA, and agent for Eastern Mutual Insurance Company, and president of the Dutch Arms (Men’s Society) of the New Baltimore Reformed Church.
Services were conducted by Pastor Kenneth Walsh on December 10 at the New Baltimore Reformed Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the New Baltimore Reformed Church, PO Box 239, New Baltimore, NY 12124.
Arrangements were made by Sopris Funeral Home in Coxsackie.
December 25, 2003
Ernest (Paul) Lounsbury
Ernest (Paul) Lounsbury, 78 years, of Westerlo, New York, passed away at the Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson, New York on December 16, 2003. He was born in Oak Hill New York on September 20, 1925, son of the late Willett and Florence (Baitsholts) Lounsbury.
Paul served in the US Navy during World War II receiving the Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal, The Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Star, the World War II Victory Medal and the American Theater Medal. He worked on the family farm for 25 years and then worked for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for 25 years. Paul was a member of Clark White Post No. 1460 American Legion.
Surviving are his wife Lois (Weidman) Lounsbury; a daughter, June Sherman of Westerlo, New York; two sons, Joel Lounsbury and his wife Valerie of Preston Hollow, New York, F. Paul Lounsbury, Jr. and his wife Bernadette of Berne, New York; his grandchildren, Jody Lounsbury and his wife Meredith, Joel (Jay) Lounsbury and his wife Sally, Justin Lounsbury and E. Paul Lounsbury III; also his great-grandchildren Gabrielle and Alexa Lounsbury; a sister, Betty Cernik of Tyringham, Massachusetts; two brothers, Donald and Peter Lounsbury, both of East Durham, New York; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Earl Lounsbury.
Funeral service was Friday from the Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville. Interment was in Westerlo Rural Cemetery. Those who desire may contribute in his memory to the Town of Westerlo Ambulance Squad.
December 25, 2003
Linda Marie Ochs
On December 18, 2003, the world lost an angel so that Heaven could be a better place. Linda Marie Ochs “Lin” passed away at Fairview Commons in Great Barrington after a long illness. All who knew her well miss her spirit, curiosity and unconditional love.
Lin was born on September 29, 1955 on Long Island, New York and traveled throughout the United States with her family during her childhood before eventually returning to the area. Later in life, she returned to school where she excelled. Linda became a licensed practical nurse, graduating with near perfect marks at the top of her class. She was a rare combination of beauty, intelligence and compassion; traits she used to calm the sorrow of others.
Linda’s intense imagination spilled over into her life. She was the founder of an area B. B. W. club and active in Irish Heritage and Renaissance fairs. As her health failed, the Internet became a gateway for her to impart wisdom and comfort to those in need. Lin loved her family and God, both of which were instilled in her children. The number of people touched by AngelBear is countless.
Lin is survived by her children, Joel Levy and Christelle Barker; their spouses, Monica and Kevin; parents Evelyn and Herbert Ochs; her brother, Walter Ochs and his wife Angelique; and brother, Herbert Charles Ochs; grandchildren, Megan and Jacob; her nephew, Christopher; and her niece, Nichole; friends Maggie, Marianne, Nancy, Len and Noreen. Lin is also survived by her fiancé, Joe Ruege, Jr., who gave unconditional love and support. She will always be remembered and deeply missed.
Funeral services were held at Cunningham’s Funeral Home on Route 32 Greenville where viewing and prayer service took place Sunday, December 21 at 1 p.m.
Contributions in she name should be made to the American Diabetic Association.
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