Local Obituaries from
the
Greenville Local
December 2008
Transcribed by Sylvia Hasenkopf
December 4, 2009
Grace C. Filkins
Grace C. Filkins, 91 years of Rensselaerville, New York, passed away on December 1, 2008, in the St. Peter’s Hospice Inn in Albany, New York. She was born in New York City on July 23, 1917, daughter of the late Mentone and Sarah Kuhn.
Grace was a graduate of Bethlehem Central High School. She was a former sales clerk at the Woolworth’s in Elsmere, New York. Grace loved life and lived it well. She was an active bowler, enjoyed snowmobiling, and her moped and paddle boating on Crystal Lake. She liked to do jigsaw puzzles, was a fan of the NY Jets and loved Snoopy.
She attended the Trinity Episcopal Church since she was 13 years old. Grace was proud of the fact that she has a grandson and great-grandson serving in Iraq.
Besides her parents, Grace was predeceased by her husband, Lloyd J. Filkins on October 19, 1988.
Surviving are her three sons, Ralph Filkins (Rosemary), Judson Filkins (Sandra) and Richard Filkins (Bettyann); her two daughters, Marian Duffy (Richard) and Barbara Joslin (Robert); 12 grandchildren, Paula Brush (Robert), Kimberly Stemple (Patrick), Andrew Joslin (Lisa), Donald Filkins (Debra), Terri Buchardt (Brian), Robert Tanner (Christina), Stacy Woodworth (Lance), Monica Castilli (Scott), David Filkins, Laurin Sgroi (Ray), Karin and Sharin Duffy; and 19 great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be Friday, December 5, at 11am in the trinity Episcopal Church in Rensselaerville, New York. Friends may call at the Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 SR81, Greenville, New York, on Thursday, from 4 to 8pm. Interment will be in the Rensselaerville Cemetery.
December 4, 2008
Lorraine R. Seage
Lorraine R. Seage, 76 years of East Durham, New York, (formerly of Massapequa, New York), passed away on November 30, 2008, in the Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson, New York. She was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 22, 1932, daughter of the late Kames and Margaret (Schmidt) Angelikas.
Lorraine and her husband George relocated to East Durham in 1987. She was a cook for the Massapequa School District until her retirement. Lorraine was a member of the Durham Valley American Legion Post No. 1416 Ladies Auxiliary and a former of the Red Hatters in Florida.
Surviving are her husband, George R. Seage, of Durham, New York; her son, George R. Seage, III and his wife Ann Aschengrau; her daughter, Janet Seage and her fiancé Jeffrey Shriver; a grandson, Gregory Seage; a sister, May Becker, and several nieces and nephews.
Committal service will be Thursday, December 4, at 11am in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Oak Hill, New York. Friends may call at the Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 SR81, Greenville, New York, on Wednesday, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm.
December 11, 2008
Stephen J. Batza
At the age of 86 Stephen J. Batza, of Hannacroix, has left us to hold God’s hand in eternal rest on Thursday, December 4, 2008. Born July 1, 1922 to his late parents John and Anastasia (Guzy) Batza in Watervliet.
Stephen was destined to lead a very fulfilling and ambitious life. After losing his father at the age of eight, Stephen grew into a glorious young man. He raised chickens to butcher for the citizens of Watervliet that grew into his own grocery store when he was fresh out of high school. After that Stephen decided to join the Army during WWII. Stephen was honorably discharged due to illness after serving less than a year. Upon his return home he found work at NBC (National Bread Co.) delivering bread in Greene County.
During this time is when he almost ran into his loving wife Elsie Grace Albright, literally with the bread truck. Stephen and Elsie were married May 5, 1946, and together they embarked on their own journey. They owned a restaurant and cabins on Route 9W in Hannacroix. They built the Hannacroix Hardware Store and the post Office. After all of that work they took some time off to tour the country. When they returned home they opened the locksmith shop behind Albright’s Garage and Stephen has worked there until just recently.
Stephen was well known for his hard work, beautiful handcrafeted cabinetry, his smile and laugh and his stories of the good old days. Stephen has touched so many and will never be forgotten.
Stephen is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Elsie Grace Batza; sister, Marjorie Poulin; children, John (Donna) Batza, Joseph (Denise) Batza and Joyce (Richard) Recor; his grandchildren who he loved dearly, Jennifer, David, Stephen, Michael and Amy; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Monday, December 8, at the Congregational Christian Church, Ravena. Burial was in Chestnut Lawn Cemetery, New Baltimore.
Please make contributions in Stephen’s name to the Congregational Christian Church, 175 Main Street, Ravena, NY 12143 or to Community Hospice of Columbia/Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill, NY 12414.
Arrangements by Babcock Funeral Home, Ravena.
December 11, 2008
Winfred N. Davis
Winfred “Win” N. Davis, 94 of South Westerlo, New York, passed away at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Delmar, New York, on November 30, 2008. He was born in Westerlo, New York on April 29, 1914, son of the late Carey and Rosetta Davis.
Well known as a fantastic baseball pitcher and hitter, he played baseball in the Greenville area and also played semi-pro baseball for the Gloversville Glovers, a farm team for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the early 40’s. In the late 60’s he purchased his first race horse and spent the next several years at Saratoga finding himself in the winners circle many times. An avid hunter and fisherman he shot many deer and even a black bear.
He worked for the Albany County Highway Dept. and also operated a small farm.
Surviving are his wife, Margaret (Kinns) Davis; a daughter, Sandra E. Day (Richard); a son, Dain W. Davis; his grandchildren, David O’Keefe, Stacey O’Keefe and Daniella Day; and his great-grandchildren, Kasey, Molly and Matthew O’Keefe. He was predeceased by a sister, Pearl Snider; and a brother, Albert Davis.
As to his wishes he was cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements were by the Cunningham Funeral Home in Greenville, New York.
December 11, 2008
Michael J. Downey
Michael J. Downey, 78 years, of Oak Hill, New York, passed away at his home on November 30, 2008. He was born in Denville, New Jersey on August 3, 1930, son of the late Morton and Barbara (Bennett) Downey. Michael was a retired postal worker having worked at the Hudson Postal Office.
Surviving are his dear friend and companion, Darby Downey; his children, Diana, Michael, Suzanne, Christopher and Jennifer Downey.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, December 4, at St, John the Baptist Church in Greenville, New York. Interment followed in the Rensselaerville Cemetery, Rensselaerville, New York. As to his wishes cremation was at the Albany Rural Cemetery.
Arrangements by the Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville, New York.
December 11, 2008
Donald K. Mabee
Donald K. Mabee, 98, of Gastonia, North Carolina, formerly South Westerlo, New York, passed away at his home on December 4, 2008. He was born in Goshen, New York, on January 23, 1910, son of the late William and Nettie (Kimball) Mabee.
Don was a graduate of Cortland State College in Cortland, New York, and was a former coach, athletic director and administrator of Greenville Central School in Greenville, New York. He was a former president of Eastern Co-Operative Insurance Company, and formerly served as board member of numerous insurance companies of the State of New York.
He was a member of the Westerlo Vol. Fire Co. for over 50 years and a member of the James M. Austin Masonic Lodge No. 557 F.&A.M. being a past Master and a member for 72 years. He was also a member of the South Westerlo C.C. Church where he served as a Deacon and Elder. An active sportsman Don enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, a good game of poker and being a member of the Out-A-Fit Hunting Club and the Monday Night Bowling League. He will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather.
Surviving is a son Bentley Mabee (Carol) of Gastonia, North Carolina; grandson, Eric Mabee (Anne) of Pittsboro, North Carolina; granddaughter, Michele Mabee Allred (Mark) of Greensboro, North Carolina; two great-grandchildren, Madison Carol Allred and Logan Bentley Allred of Greensboro, North Carolina.
He was predeceased by his wife Genevieve (Bliss) Mabee; brother, Harry Mabee; sister, Hattie Quackenbush; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in South Westerlo, New York, with interment in the Greenville Cemetery. Those who desire may contribute in his memory to the South Westerlo C.C. Church, South Westerlo, NY 12083.
Local arrangements are by the Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville, New York.
December 11, 2008
Alan D. Soderblom
Alan D. Soderblom, 46 years, of Medusa, New York, passed away suddenly on December 4, 2008. He was born in Catskill, New York, on July 30, 1962, son of Charles Soderblom and Joan (Dring) Anspacher.
He was employed as an auto tech at Sawyer Chevrolet in Catskill, New York. Alan loved cars and car racing, a fan of NASCAR, hot rod racing and drag rtacing. He attended the local car shows with his purple 1933 Willys.
Alan was predeceased by a brother, James Soderblom; and a stepbrother, Robert Anspacher.
Surviving are his wife, Judy (Schreiweis) Soderblom of Medusa, New York; his father and stepmother, Charles and Roberta Soderblom; his mother and stepfather, Joan and Robert Anspacher; a sister, Joann Acker (Robert); and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service was Sunday, December 7, 2008, at the Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 SR 81, Greenville, New York. Friends called at the funeral home prior to the service. Those who desire may contribute in his memory to the Medusa Vol. Fire Co. or to the mental health organization of your choice.
December 18, 2008
Joyce M. Lewis
Joyce M. Lewis, 65, of Greenville, New York, passed away on December 6, 2008 at the home of her son with her living family at her side. She was born in Hannacroix, New York on November 19, 1943, daughter of the late J. Donald and bertha (Palmer) Palmer.
A graduate of GCS, she was employed as a cook at Baumann’s Brookside Resort in Greenville, New York. Active in the local community she was a former den mother and 4H leader, she was also a member of the Greenville Vol. Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary, the Greenville Vol. Fire Co. Fire Police, the Greenville Golden Years Group and the Greenville-Norton Hill U.M. Church.
Surviving are two sons, Kevin Lewis (Rosemary), Kyle Lewis; two daughters, Kimberli Lewis (Dan), and Kristina Lewis; nine grandchildren; a brother, Ronnie Palmer; and four sisters, Jesse Palmer, Jean Ridner, Joan Bougourd and June Bender; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held Tuesday, December 9, at the Greenville-Norton Hill United Methodist Church in Norton Hill, New York. Those who desire may contribute in her memory to the Greenville Vol. Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary or to the Columbia-Greene Community Hospice, 47 Liberty St., Catskill, NY 12414.
Arrangements by the Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 SR81, Greenville, NY 12083.
December 25, 2008
Santa P. Orsino
Santa Palmer Orsino, 81, entered eternal life Sunday, December 21, 2008. Santa was born and lived all her life in Coeymans. After many years of service Santa retired from NYS Department of Taxation and Finance. She was very active and a former officer of CSEA.
Santa was predeceased by her husband Joseph G. Orsino. Survivors include her children, James J. (Anita) Orsino of Greenville and Virginia Orsino (Carl Senter) of Coeymans; grandson, James J. (Nicole) Orsino, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Emma and Ethan Orsino’ siblings, Michael Palmer, Mary Ann Strout and Rosemary O’Brien; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends called at Babcock Funeral Home, Ravena on Tuesday, December 23. A service of remembrance was celebrated. Contributions in memory of Santa may be made to Grapeville Christian School, 246CR 26, Climax, NY 12042.
December 25, 2008
Thelma D. Sherman
Thelma D. Sherman, 92, passed away Tuesday December 16, 2008 at the Resurrection Nursing Home, Castleton. Thelma was born in Durham, New York and raised in Athens. In 1935 she married Frank B. Sherman of Coeymans.
In 1977 Thelma retired from the Coeymans Post Office after 21 years of service, six years as Postmistress. She was a life member of the Coeymans and Grace United Methodist Church of Ravena and a member of the Eastern Star.
Survivors include her son Frank (Penny) Sherman Jr. of Boise, Idaho, and daughter-in-law Linda Sherman of Ravena. Grandchildren: Jack Sherman Jr., SueAnn (Scott) Giroux, James (Peggisue) Sherman, Sandra (Thomas) Frese, Sarah (AJ) Morrow, Jedediah (Kathleen) Sherman; 18 great-grandchildren; and one great-great granddaughter. Thelma was predeceased by her husband Frank, her son Jack, and brothers Walter, Lewis, Jack, and Raymond.
All services will be private at the convenience of the family. Contributions in memory of Thelma may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, 16 Hillcrest Drive, Ravena, NY 12143.