Obituaries
from the
Greenville Press
December 2004
Transcribed by Melanie Fisher Citty
Obituaries provided by April Saccoccio
December 1, 2005
JANET B. ELDERD
Janet B. Elderd, 68, of Westerlo, died at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital on Thursday, November 17.
She was born in Bridgeport, CT on January 22, 1937, the daughter of the late Burton and Mildred (Walkley) Lundberg.
Elderd was a former claims adjuster for Blue Cross Blue Shield.
She was the proprietor of the Idle Hour Kennel and Grooming Shop in Westerlo and co-owner of the Gin and Jan Boutique.
Elderd was a member and past president of the Hudson Valley Poodle Club and a member of the American Sewing Guild, the first Baptist Church of Westerlo and the Rebecca Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
She loved traveling with her sister Ginny and her poodles.
Surviving are a daughter, Suzanne Ives and husband Philip; two sons, George Elderd Jr. and wife Marcia and Stuart Elder and wife Crickett, all of Westerlo; a brother, Richard Lundberg; three sister, Virginia Potter, Linda Stein and Nancy LeClerc; her grandchildren, David, Jay and Bradley Ives, Amanda, Ashley, Andrew, Joshua and Kaylynn Elderd; and several nieces and nephews.
Her husband, George Elderd Sr., predeceased her.
Interment was in the Westerlo Rural Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Westerlo, P.O. Box 130, Westerlo 12193.
Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
December 1, 2005
SELMA BIRGIT LINDEN
Selma Birgit Linden, 94, of Brooklyn, died Thursday, November 24 at the Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn.
She was born in Northern Sweden on July 11, 1911, the daughter of the late Per August and Selma O. (Neilsen) Linden.
Linden arrived in the United States of America at the age of eight years. She attended Columbia College, was a member of Vasa Barnan., a Swedish cultural group, and earned prizes and scholarships to return to Sweden as a member and teacher of their singing groups.
She was a member of the Metropolitan Opera chorus, once known as the “Jenny Lind” of Brooklyn.
Linden worked as an executive secretary/administrative assistant in a Wall Street brokerage firm.
She was a member of a Vermont Ski club and the Salem Lutheran Church in Brooklyn.
Surviving are her five nieces, Anita (Lunden) Swann, Marcy (Bostrom) Hynes, Sharon (Linden) Tremain, Patti (Linden) Cooper-smith and Priscilla (Linden) D’Agostino; a nephew, Donald A. Bostrom; several grandnieces and grandnephews in the USA; several cousins in Sweden; and her friends and pastor in Norwegian Christian Home and Health Center, where she spent the last two years of her life.
She was predeceased by two sisters, Charlotte Alice (Linden) Bostrom and Gertrude (Linden) Lunden; a brother, Holgar Linden; and a nephew, Carl Roger Lunden.
A funeral service takes place Sunday, December 4 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Oak Hill. Interment follows in the Oak Hill Cemetery. Calling precedes the service from 1 to 2 p.m. at Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 Route 81, Greenville.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.
December 1, 2005
DANIEL MAHONEY
Daniel Joseph Mahoney, 82, of Greenville, died Friday, November 18 at St. Peter’s Hospice Inn, Albany.
He was born May 29, 1923 in Rushy Park, Ballylongford, County Kerry, Ireland, the son of the late Daniel and Catherine (Bunyan) Mahoney.
Mahoney was a former Irish Footballer who played for County Kerry during the early 1950’s.
He was employed by the NYNEX Telephone Co. for 35 years, retiring in June 1985.
He and his wife Marylyn were foster parents for 35 years. He had a terrific sense of humor, keen wit and a love of family and life.
Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Marylyn (Gray) Mahoney; a daughter Mary Mahoney of Greenville; a son, Thomas Mahoney and wife Patricia of Athens; a sister Brenda Mahoney; a brother Timothy Mahoney and wife Mary in Ireland and Richard Mahoney; sister-in-law Lore (Michael) Mahoney and Patricia (Raymond) Gray; brother-in-law John Gray and wife Judy, (Robert) Gray and Raymond Young; grandchildren Elizabeth, Daniel and Patrick Mahoney; foster son Stanley Waldron; friends Patrick and Kay Culhane, the O’Connor family and James Layman; and many nieces and nephews.
Burial was in the Greenville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Greenville Food Pantry, St. Peter’s Hospice or the Greenville Rescue Squad.
Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
December 1, 2005
FRANK STAUDER
Frank R. “ Butch” Stauder, 73, of South Cairo, died suddenly Sunday, November 27 in the emergency room of the Samuel S. Stratton VA medical Center in Albany.
He was born in Queens September 17, 1932, the son of the late Rudolph and Mary Stauder.
Stauder served in the Army as a private first class during the Korean War. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Korean Service Medal and also the United Nations Service Medal.
He was employed in the security division of IBM of Kingston for 35 years. He was a member of Catskill Elks Lodge # 1341 and the Cairo Hose Co.
Stauder was a Boston Red Sox fan and loved hunting and fishing.
Surviving are his wife, Helen Priputen of South Cairo; two sons, Frank P. Stauder of Clifton Park and Rudy A. Stauder of Rome, NY; a sister, Beatrice Gomez of Mexico; and three grandchildren, Andrew, Jesse and Rudi.
Private cremation services took place at the Albany Rural Crematorium in Menands. Burial will be in the spring in the Round Top Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Richard Funeral Home, Cairo.
December 8, 2005
EDWARD MURPHY
Edward D. Murphy Sr., 72, of Greenville, died Friday, November 11 in Daytona Beach, FL.
Born in Pearl River, he was the son of the late Walter A. Murphy and Margaret (Lenihan) Murphy.
Murphy was a graduate of Pearl River High School and served in the Army during the Korean War. He was a master electrician in Rockland County and owned his own business, Murphy Electric.
He served as president of the Electrical Association of Rockland County (EARC), an organization in which he was an active member.
In 1975, he moved to Greenville with his family and began working for the New York State Thruway Authority and later started another business, Edwards Electric Motor Repair. In 1976 he was elected supervisor of the Town of Greenville, acting also as the town’s chief of police. He also was a member of the Greenville Rotary and the American Legion. He was an active member of both organizations.
Murphy retired in 1994 and in 1999 he was diagnosed with carcinoid cancer, diagnosed that devasted his family. He fought valiantly for six years, always keeping a smile on his face and enjoying his family whom he loved more than anything else, until the cancer spread to his bones in 2004.
Surviving are his wife of 51 years, Lorraine (Handschuh); his children, Edward Jr. (Mariangela) of Albany, Jillmarie (John Shrader) of Guilderland and Jeffrey Scott (Denise) of Port Orange, FL; his granddaughters Sarah Lorraine (Robert Wadsworth) and Nicole Joanne; his grandson, Sean Michael; his great-granddaughters, Taylor, Jillmarie Crowley and Tristin Gabrielle Wadsworth; and his siblings, Walter (Henrietta) of Orangeburg, Joan (William) Singleton of Birmingham, AL, Dennis (Joan) of Warwick and Mary (Curt) Haines of New City.
His parents-in-law, Frederick and Marie Handschuh, son Thomas Jeffrey and grandson Patrick Sean predeceased him.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 17 at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church, Route 81, Greenville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Volusia County; 3800 Woodbriar Trail; Port Orange, Fl 32129, or the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation Inc., 333 Mamaroneck Avenue # 492, White Plains 10605.
December 8, 2005
BETTY DEYO
Betty (Davenport) Deyo, 86 of Coxsackie, died Wednesday, November 30 at Kaaterskill Care in Catskill.
She was born in Hudson August 31, 1919, the daughter of the late Thomas Davenport, stepfather John Burger and mother Cora Burger.
Survivors include her sisters, Agnes Spence and Mary DiStefano; children Robert Davenport and Bonnie Kiernan; Grandchildren Tina Davenport, Teri Osborn, Barbara Conrad, Hannah Davenport, Robert Davenport, Shane Kiernan and Kristi Kiernan; great-grandchildren Joshua Huff, Amanda Huff, Todd Osborn, Lucas Osborn, Tonya Osterhout and William Conrad; and her nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, William P. Deyo; brothers Charles, William and Thomas Davenport Jr.; Sisters Nona Votta and Dot Pfeffer; and daughter-in-law Carol (Maitland) Davenport.
Interment was in Riverside Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Coxsackie Rescue Squad.
Arrangement were with W.C. Brady’s Sons Inc. Funeral Home, Coxsackie.
December 8, 2005
FRANCES DIETZ
Frances K. Dietz, 88, died Wednesday, November 30 at the Pavilion in Catskill.
Born in New Baltimore in 1917, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Edna (Griffin) Kniffen.
Dietz was a 1937 graduate of the State College of Albany. She was the editor of publications for the research arm of the state Department of Health.
She was an active member of the New Baltimore Reformed Church and the Greene County Historical Society. Dietz was a former New Baltimore town historian and served on the town’s bicentennial committee.
Survivors include her daughters, Margaret D. Meyer, Ph.D., and husband Robert, MD, of Fort Pierce, Fl, and Ellen R Dietz and husband Walter Bourguignon of Glenmont; brother-in-law, Robert Parsons of Middleburgh; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Her husband, Walter P. Dietz, predeceased her on December 6, 2003. Her sister, Doris Kniffen Parsons, also predeceased her.
Memorial donations may be made to the New Baltimore Reformed Church or the Greene County Historical Society at the Bronck Museum.
Arrangements were with Sopris-Murray
funeral Home, Ravena.
December 8, 2005
CATHERINE “KIT” DURNIN
Catherine “Kit” Durnin of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, passed away on Friday, November 25. She was 79 years old.
She loved music, singing, dancing, angels, Teddy bears, gingerbread and children.
Surviving are her husband, James P. Durnin; children James Durnin of North Carolina, Diane Doyle of East Durham, Patricia Durnin, Matthew Durnin and Denise Durnin, all of Brooklyn, Deborah Landau of Locust Valley and Thomas Durnin of Hazlet, NJ; daughters-in-law Helaine Durnin and Gina Durnin; and grandchildren Jason Durnin, James, Thomas and Joseph Reynolds, Ryan and Tyler Durnin, Julia and Alexandra Durnin, Matthew Horan Jr., Nicole Eckander and Julian and Eleanor Eckandar.
She was predeceased by her brother, John “Jay” Garlan, and sons-in-law Hugh Doyle and Bernard Landau.
A mass was celebrated at our
lady of Angels Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Burial was in The Resurrection in
Tottenville, Staten Island.
December 8, 2005
JOHN MCALOON
John McAloon, 50, of South Westerlo, passed away on Friday, November 25 after a 17 month battle with cancer.
He was born January 2, 1955 in Taunton, MA, to John and Mary McAloon.
As a young boy McAloon attended St. Mary’s School, Taunton High School and was an altar boy at St. Mary’s Church. He received a veterinarian Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts.
Throughout his college years he worked teaching handicapped children to ride horses. His love for children brought him into the field of education, where he taught at Woodsville High School and Alvirne High School, both in New Hampshire. He was award Teacher of the Year in his first year teaching.
He also was a logger in British Columbia, a real estate agent and owned his own landscaping business and construction company, K.C. Development.
In 1991 he moved to New York to work for Trans World Systems. He was the only person in the history of the company to become regional manager of the year two years in a row, ending his career as a dedicated field adviser for Tremco Company out of Cleveland, OH.
While residing in New York he was an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Patchogue. He served as a deacon, vice president of the Couples Club, Sunday school teacher, member of the promise keepers, Habitat for Humanity and Vacation Bile School ministry, and spent numerous hours putting together Thanksgiving baskets for the needy.
He leaves his wife of 22 years Cynthia; three children, Rebecca 16, Patrick, 15 and Nola, 11; three sisters, Elizabeth Whelden, Johan Meyers and Marianne Dyke; and his dear friend Christopher Marston.
His strongest dedication in life was to his family. To remember him and his family, contributions may be made to the children’s college fund at The Bank of Greene County, c/o Rebecca, Patrick and Nola McAloon, Att: Mail Dept., P.O. Box 688, Greenville 12083-0688.
A church service will be held as a celebration of his life at the South
December 8, 2005
CORNELIUS “NEIL” KRAFT
Cornelius P. “Neil” Kraft, 88, of Greenville, died Friday, December 2 at the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany.
He was born in Hoboken, NJ on December 6, 1916, the son of the late Herman and Dora (Gronemann) Kraft.
Kraft served in the Army Air Force during World War II in the European Theater. His military career spanned 20 years, until his retirement in 1963.
He went on to Lockheed Aircraft, working there for 10 years. He also was a custodian at Greenville Central School for 10 more years.
Kraft was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and sang in the church choir. He also was a member of the Coxsackie Senior Citizens and loved to travel.
Surviving are his sister, Lillian (Mickey) Hauge of Greenville; three nieces, Linda Defrancisco, Arlene Valentine and Karen Haley; two nephews, Glenn Hauge and Robert Kraft; and several grandnieces and grandnephews.
Besides his parents, a brother, Fredrick Kraft, predeceased him.
Interment will be in the Greenville Cemetery.
Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
December 16, 2005
JOYCE HULL
Joyce Hull, 82, Oak Hill, died peacefully on Friday, December 9 following a short illness.
He was born at home on January 31, 1923 in Bates Hollow, the daughter of the late Howard and Mary (Engle) Poultney, and stepdaughter of Marie (Mackey) Poultney.
On May 1, 1940 she married Ralph Hull. They began farming in Pucker Street near Potter Hollow and moved to a farm between Oak Hill and Durham in 1944.
Hull was devoted to her family, especially to son Dwight, who had cerebral palsy and required a great deal of love, patience and care. She did her best to ensure that he received a good education despite his disability. Physical therapy requiring daily, bi-weekly or weekly trips to Albany for many years enabled him to gain independence to live a good live.
Next to her family, she loved the farm, especially the cows. She systematically named the cows and knew every one of them by name. She loved going to the barn, helping her husband with the milking and feeding the calves. She did so until age 75.
Hull was a member of the Oak Hill-Durham United Methodist Church and a past member of the Bates Hollow Church. She was a 62 year member and past treasurer of Potter Hollow Grange # 1555. She was an honorary member of the Greenville FFA.
She was a certified foster parent and also had a number of foster children and foreign exchange students live with her family. She was the honorary “American mother/grandmother of Alain Bouillon and family of Greenville.
Hull had a knack for knowing names and dates. She could readily tell you when you ere born, married, how many children you had their names and birth dates. She loved to chat on the phone with her many friends. She also kept a descriptive diary since age 14, which was referred to often. These were her hobbies.
Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Ralph Hull; son John Hull and wife Charlene (Lutes) of Oak Hill; daughter Jane Nelson and husband Erik Nelson Jr. of Rensselaerville; seven grandchildren, Brain Hull and partner Alex Taylor of Albany, Darcy Hull and partner Audrey Buisson of France, Gloria (Hull) and husband Justin Hilgendorff of Round Top, Christine and Carly Hull of Oak Hill, Stephan Nelson and wife Patti (DiSalvo) of Cairo and Holly (Nelson) and husband R. Chris Ullstrom of Preston Hollow; three great-grandchildren, Ericka and Krista Ullstrom and Elliott Hull-Buisson; three step great-grandchildren, Susan Gardiner, Karen Gardiner and Kathleen Gardiner; three step great-great-grandchildren, Dante and Dean DeRosa and Ian Gardiner; and several nieces and Nephews.
A son Dwight Hull, and three sisters, Norma Armstrong, Violet Lorett and Viola Hazelton, predeceased her.
Interment was in the Potter Hollow Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Oak Hill-Durham United Methodist Church.
Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
December 16, 2005
SYLVIA ROE
Sylvia D. Roe, 63 of Catskill, formerly of Cairo, died suddenly Saturday, December 3 at her residence.
Born in Hobart October 6, 1942, was the daughter of the late Elmer and Nina Hoisier.
Roe had been an area resident for 20 years. She loved shopping, cooking and sewing.
Survivors include her sons, Michael Conine, Raymond Roe and Donald Roe, all of Catskill, and Mark Roe, Dale Roe, Kevin Roe and Daniel Roe all of Oneonta; a stepdaughter, Dorothy Haring; a sister, Audrey Lane of Cairo; and many grandchildren.
Burial was in the Cairo Cemetery.
Arrangements were with Richards Funeral Home, Cairo.
December 16, 2005
MARY SEAMAN
Mary V. Seaman, 79 of Blounstown, Fl, formerly of Coxsackie, died Thursday, November 17 at the Bay Medical Center in Panama City, Fl.
Born in Coxsackie August 11, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Carl and Flora Furyk.
Seaman had lived in Blountstown, Fl, for the last 23 years and was a retired seamstress.
Survivors include her husband, Donald C. Seaman; three sons, Paul Mattice of Blountstown, Fl , Robert Mattice of Casa Grande, AZ, and Arthur Kennedy of New Baltimore; five daughters, Margaret Quenneville, Virginia Osborn and Carole Kennedy, all of Coxsackie, Sandra Scalia of Earlton and Mary McNamara of Pensacola, Fl; four stepsons, Albert Seaman of White Plains, Ralph Seaman of Blountstown, Fl, Ronnie Seaman of Altha, Fl, and Don Seaman of Clarksville, Fl; a stepdaughter, Eileen Cataldo of Blountstown, Fl; 23 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren .
She was predeceased by her brother, Brazil Pacieznik.
Interment was in Pine Memorial Cemetery, Blountstown, Fl.
Arrangements were with Peavy Funeral Home Chapel, Blountstown, Fl.
December 16, 2005
CATHERINE “KIT” DURNIN
Catherine “Kit” Durnin of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, passed away on Friday, November 25. She was 79 years old and was with her daughters Deborah, Patricia and Denise as she passed.
She loved music, singing, dancing, angels, Teddy bears, gingerbread and children.
Surviving are her husband, James P. Durnin; children James Durnin of North Carolina, Diana Doyle of East Durham, Patricia Durnin, Matthew Durnin and Denise Durnin, all of Brooklyn, Deborah Landau of Locust Valley and Thomas Durnin of Hazlet, NJ; daughters-in-law Helaine Durnin and Gina Durnin; son-in-law Hugh Doyle; and grandchildren Jason Durnin, James, Thomas and Joseph Reynolds, Ryan and Tyler Durnin, Julia and Alexandra Durnin, Matthew Horan Jr., Nicole Eckander and Julian and Eleanor Eckandar.
She was predeceased by her brother, John “Jay” Garlan, and son-in-law Hugh Doyle.
A mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Angels Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
Burial was in the Resurrection in Tottenville, Staten Island.
December 22, 2005
MARIE CLARK
Marie D. Clark, 75, of Catskill, died suddenly Monday, December 12, at her home.
Born in New York City June 28, 1930, she was the daughter of the late John and Adele Musa.
Clark had been an area resident since 1972 and was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church, Catskill.
She attended nursing school in New York City and was previously employed by Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson and Greene County Memorial Hospital as an LPN and CNA.
She liked to go to casinos and read. She also loved animals.
Surviving are her sons, Kevin Clark of Catskill and Robert Clark and wife Marge of Athens; a daughter, Denise Bush-Brink of Catskill; and three grandchildren, Robert Jr., Casey and Danielle.
Her grandson Michael predeceased her in 2001.
Burial was in the New Athens Rural Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society, 125 Humane Society Road, Hudson, 12534.
Arrangements were with Richards Funeral Home, Athens.
December 22, 2005
ALEXANDRA EMMICH
Alexandra Emmich, 84, died Monday, December 12 at Eden Park Health Care Center, Catskill.
Born in Russia March 22, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Frederick and Natasha Drosdova.
Emmich had been an area resident since 1985. She loved to cook and sew.
Surviving are her son Valentine Emmich of New Jersey; daughters Vera D'Ambrosio of Cairo and Tasha Wade of Catskill; eight grandchildren, Denise and Frank Cogliando, Erica Baker, Marie Caterina, Michael Emmich, Val Matthew Emmich and Melissa and Justine D'Ambrosio; and six greatgrandchildren, Ayla, Daniel, Samantha, Lauren, Max and Gavin.
Private cremation took place at the Albany Rural Crematorium.
Arrangements were with Richards Funeral Home, Cairo.
December 22, 2005
MICHAEL BODI
MIchael Bodi, 93, died Tuesday, December 6 at his daughter's home.
Born and trained as a blacksmith in Hungary, Bodi came to the United States in 1939. Through hard work and patriotism, he lived the American dream and was always willing to share his good fortune with others.
He was a member of the Hungarian Hall and an active member of his church. He had a great passion and talent for singing.
A generous man in life, so was Bodi in death. He donated his body to the Anatomical Gift Program at Albany College to help further medical science and education.
Surviving are his wife of nearly 63 years, Irene (Molnar-Farkas) Bodi; three children, Michael (Patricia) Bodi of East Greenbush, Karen (Robert) Bolte of Rensselaerville and John (Barbara) Bodi of Springville; and five grandchildren.
A memorial service will be scheduled later.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Road, Albany 12205.
December 22, 2005
LYNETTE MARIE PANTORI
Lynnette Marie Pantori, 42, of Winnsboro, SC, died suddenly at her home on Tuesday, December 13.
She was born in Bayshore, August 17, 1963, the daughter of Lawrence Pantori Jr., of East Islip and Lynda (Constantine) Proctor of East Durham.
Besides her parents, surviving are her stepfather, William Proctor of East Durham; her grandfather, Anthony Pantori Sr.; sisters, Annette McCrimmon, Christine Palumbo, Denise Pantori and Paula Gardner; brother Lawrence Pantori Jr.; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Interment was in the Potter Hollow Cemetery.
Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
December 22, 2005
DORIS CLICKMAN
Doris M. Clickman, 83, of Norton Hill, died Wednesday, December 14 at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany.
She was born in Westerlo October 11, 1922, the daughter of the late Herman and Dora (Peck) Palmer.
Clickman was a file clerk for the Pioneer Insurance Co. in Greenville until her retirement. She was a member of the Medusa Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary and the Greenville - Norton Hill United Methodist Church.
She loved bowling and her flowers.
Surviving are her husband, John Clickman; two daughters, Janice Chase and Husband Clifford III, and Karen Bell-Winans and husband David, all of Medusa; 10 grandchildren, Sally Lounsbury, Clifford Chase IV, Robin Welsch, David Chase, Brian, Ryan and Randy Tryon, Kimberly Anderson, Kenneth Bell Jr. and Kandice Sutton; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
A daughter, Lorraine Vancura, a great-grandson, Clifford Chase V, and a brother, Earl Palmer, predeceased her.
Burial was in the Westerlo Rural Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Greenville-Norton Hill United Methodist Church Building Fund, Route 81, Norton Hill 12083.
Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
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