Obituaries
from the
Greenville Press
October 2007
Transcribed by Carol Golden
Obituaries provided by Sylvia Hasenkopf
October 4, 2007
LISA FARNHAM
Homemaker
Lisa Farnham, 42, of Preston Hollow, died suddenly at her home on Sunday, September 30.
She was born in Albany on January 28, 1965, the daughter of Thurman and Lois Gile.
A homemaker, she loved doing arts and crafts, and was a loving mother and grandmother.
Surviving are her mother, Lois Gile; companion Frank Mitchell; her children, Toshua Mazal, Brian and Ryan Farnham, and Julie and Tiffany Rivera; her grandchildren, Gavin and Aidan Mazal; and her brothers and sisters; Rose, Tammie, Barbara, Denise, T.J., Bethany, Rosemary, Charlie and Paula.
She was predeceased by a son, Jacob Farnham, and a brother, Vinny Gile.
Funeral services are at 8 p.m. Sunday, October 7 from Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 Route 81, Greenville. Calling precedes services from 4 to 8 p.m.
October 4, 2007
MYRTLE LIEN HURST
Former area resident
Myrtle Lien Hurst, 85, of Indialantic, FL, entered into eternal life on Monday, September 10 after a courageous battle with cancer. Her loving daughter and son-in-law Joanne and John Barbour, granddaughter Stacy Meyers and great-granddaughter Mandy Meyers were at her side.
Myrtle was born on Staten Island, the daughter of the late Mathias and Ella Lie of Norton Hill. After leaving the farm in Norton Hill, she and her family returned to Staten Island before retiring in Florida.
Myrtle was a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a member of the Sons of Norway.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, daughter Dorothy Liga, sister Irene Long and brothers Herbert and Warren Lien.
In addition to her family in Florida, she is survived by three other daughters, Ingrid Mulvey of Colorado, Ruth DeSantis of Mississippi and Linda (George) Thompson of Cairo; 16 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. Myrtle is also survived by two sisters, Ruth Jones of Greenville and Vivian (Fred) Ahern of Florida, and numerous nieces and nephews. Myrtle will be greatly missed by all who knew her for she died as she lived, everyone’s friend.
A celebration of her life takes place at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Oak Hill on Sunday, October 14 at 2 p.m. Interment of her remains will be on Staten Island.
Donations in Myrtle’s memory may be made to VITAS Healthcare Corporation, 4450 West Eau Gallie Boulevard, Suite 280, Melbourne, FL 32934.
October 4, 2007
DIANE “COOKIE” KOWALSKY
Cumberland manager
Diane “Cookie” Kowalsky, 62, of Greenville, died Sunday, September 30 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany.
She was born in Brooklyn February 4, 1945, the daughter of the late John and Josephine (Weiland) Kowalsky.
Cookie was the manager of Cumberland Farms store in Greenville for 10 years until her retirement due to illness.
She was the devoted companion for 40 years, of Pat (Pasquale) Fevola and worked with him at Pat’s Italian Restaurant in Greenville.
Cookie loved her cats, Mutt and Jeff. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Besides her companion Pat, surviving are a sister, Patricia Sleling of Palm Harbor, FL and a brother, John Kowalsky of Maspeth.
Funeral services are today, October 4, at 11 a.m. from Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 Route 81, Greenville.
Interment is in the Greenville Cemetery.
October 4, 2007
VICTORIA J. PALMER
Greenville graduate
Victoria J. Palmer, 45, of Acra, died suddenly at her home on Tuesday, September 25.
She was born in Oradel, NJ, on April 14, 1962, the daughter of Carol (Fisher) Davie of Acra and the late Kenneth Davie.
She was a 1980 graduate of Greenville High School and attended school to become a hairdresser. She also worked at Pine Springs as a waitress, at Story’s Nursery in Freehold and at Bryant’s Super in the gas station booth.
She loved being a mother to her kids and will be missed by her family and friends.
Besides her mother, surviving are; daughter, Nicole Radler (Robert) of Westerlo; a son, Adam R. Palmer of Acra; two brothers, Patrick and Kenneth Davie; and a sister, Pamela Hess.
Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
October 4, 2007
EDWARD WALDRON
Ran family farm
Edward R. Waldron, 85, of Middleburgh, formerly of Medusa, died at the Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital in Schenectady on Tuesday, September 25.
He was born in Freehold February 2, 1922, the son of the late Reuben and and Elsie (Powell) Waldron.
He graduated from Greenville Central School and attended Cornell University.
Ed had operated a farm in Medusa for several years and then moved to Middleburgh in 1968 and ran the family farm until his retirement.
A very active and community-minded person, he was a member and past chief of the Medusa Volunteer Fire Co., a member of the James Austin Lodge F&AM and the Schoharie Holstein Club and an honorary member of the Dairy Shrine.
He also was a member of the Eastern Mutual Insurance Co. board of directors for 52 years and was chairman of the board for 17 years.
Surviving are his daughter, Carole Bates (Albert) of Medusa; a son, John Waldron (Dianna) of Middleburgh; his grandchildren, Kevin Bates, Glenn Waldron (Marguerite), Neil Waldron and Joy Waldron; great-grandchildren Ciara and Brenden O'Brien, and Matthew and Alaura Lischek; and great-great-grandchild Zaina Lischek.
He was predeceased by his wives, Marion (Snyder) Waldron and Gladys (Poole) Waldron; and two brothers, James and Howard Waldron.
Interment was in the Medusa Cemetery.
Those who desire may contribute in his memory to the American Cancer Society or to Bleeding Disorders of Northeastern New York.
Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
October 4, 2007
JAMES CIPOLLA
World War II
James S. Cipolla, 84, of Coxsackie, formerly of Yonkers, died Friday, September 28 at his home.
He was born in Yonkers November 15, 1922, the son of the late Salvatore and Marie (Gillert) Cipolla.
James was a World War II Army veteran.
He had been employed by the City of Yonkers for 20 years and moved to Coxsackie two years ago. He loved fishing.
Survivors include his sons, Salvatore of Texas and James of California; three daughters, Geraldine Cipolla and Donna Freeman of Connecticut and Annette DeLuccy of Coxsackie; a brother, Joseph of Greenville; a sister, Catherine Maresca of New Jersey; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Jennie, on July 28, 2002, and grandchildren Michael Anthony and Donna Marie.
A Mass of Christian Burial is celebrated today, October 4, at 1pm at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Park Hill Avenue, Yonkers.
Interment takes place in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hastings on Hudson.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Community Hospice of Columbia-Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill, 12414.
October 11, 2007
ELDON J. STANGER
Giants football fan
Eldon “Jeff” Stanger, 77, died at home on Thursday, October 4 with his family by his side.
He was born November 6, 1929 in American Falls, Idaho, the 10th of 12 children born to the late John and Alta (Hunt) Stanger.
Jeff grew up on the family farm in Neeley. He later moved to Boise and then graduated from high school in Salt Lake City before enlisting in the Air Force. While stationed at Mitchell Field on Long Island he met and later married Pauline Wrobbel.
After moving his family upstate to Greenville he joined the Carpenters Local 370 and Boilermakers Union until his retirement in 1992.
Jeff was known far and wide for his unique sense of humor. He enjoyed reading, watching movies and Giants football. Before his illness, he walked the fields behind their home in all four seasons. He loved to dance and always kept everyone laughing.
Besides his wife of 53 years, survivors include his seven children, Linda Kulle, Theresa (Bud) Bear, Barbara (Mark) Lamb and Dr. Craig (Charlene) Stanger, all of Greenville, Michael Stanger of Lancaster, PA, Paula (Bud) Malone of Delmar and Eileen (Paul) Clifton of Glendale, AZ; his brother, Conover (Donna) Stanger, sisters MaeVonnie Beyrooty and Pearl Larrison, all of California; 13 grandchildren; a great-grandson; a special niece, Gwen (Gordy) Wallace of Salt Lake City; many other nieces, nephews and cousins; and a dear family friend and “daughter,” Diane Leonard of Whitney Point.
Arrangements were with A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
October 11, 2007
KATE MITCHELL
Gardening aficionado
Kate Margaret “Peggy” Walsh Mitchell died Saturday, October 6.
The only child of Clyde Lawrence and Norah Friez Walsh, she was born in Atlanta, GA, on December 5, 1921.
Peggy grew up in Florida on an orange grove in Davie and later in Hollywood. She graduated from the Principia Upper School (St. Louis, MO) and Principia College (Elsah, IL). Peggy was the first woman to graduate form Principia College with a degree in mathematics.
She married Robert Buck Mitchell in 1942 and lived in several regions of the country before settling in St. Louis in 1965, where she worked at The Principia until her retirement in 1987.
Peggy was an accomplished pianist, appointed at the age of 10 to be the regular organist of the Christian Science Society in Hollywood, FL.
She was a lifelong member of the First Church of Christ Scientist in Boston, MA. She loved music and was an avid gardener. She volunteered at both the Missouri Botanical (Shaw’s) Gardens and the Bok Sanctuary Gardens in Lake Wales, FL. The Bok Sanctuary Gardens gave her the Golden Weed award in recognition of her dedication to the Gardens and her love of weeding.
Peggy is survived by her daughters, Gail Mitchell Markway of St. Louis and Anne Walsh Mitchell (Phillip Hershberger) of Climax and grandchildren Graham Markway of Atlanta and Amelia Hershberger of Albany.
Her son, Robert Lawrence (Larry) Mitchell, predeceased her.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Historic Bok Sanctuary, 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales, FL 33853.
October 11, 2007
ETHEL I. VAN WORMER
Devoted wife, mother
Ethel I. Williams Van Wormer, 91, died Monday, October 8 at her residence.
Ethel was born and lived all her life in New Baltimore. She was the daughter of the late Luke and Grace (Houghton) Williams.
Ethel enjoyed reading, watching birds and watching the boats on the Hudson River. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
Survivors include her sons, Ronald (Donna) Van Wormer, Dennis Van Wormer, Gary (Elaina) Van Wormer and Raymond Van Wormer Jr.; a brother, Francis (Daryl) Williams; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Ethel was predeceased by her sister, Marian Seeberger, and brothers, David and Herb Williams.
Funeral services are today, October 11, at 11 a.m. from Babcock Funeral Home, Ravena. Burial follows in Chestnut Lawn Cemetery, New Baltimore.
Contributions in memory of Ethel may be made to the New Baltimore First Responders, Ravena Rescue Squad, Community Hospice of Albany or Community Hospice of Columbia-Greene.
October 18, 2007
GAIL MC FARLAND-BENEDICT
Assembly, CSEA retiree
Gail E. McFarland-Benedict, 65, of Rensselaerville, formerly of East Hampton, Long Island, died Friday, October 12 at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany.
She was born in Queens April 4, 1942, the daughter of the late Allen and Florence (Cohn) Frankel.
Gail graduated from Great Neck High School in June 1959 and from Hofstra University in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in social sciences. She received a master’s degree in public policy from SUNY Albany.
Gail was involved in the political arena of East Hampton in the early 1970s. She subsequently moved to Albany and worked for the State Assembly for 17 years as a researcher on environmental issues and wrote manly bills that became laws in New York State. She then worked for CSEA writing curriculum and manuals for workplace safety. Prior to retirement, she worked as a real estate agent.
Gail enjoyed being politically active, but her main source of joy was her family. She also loved boating, music and wildlife.
Surviving are her husband, Michael Benedict; two daughters, Kerry McFarland and Darby Benedict; two brothers, Noel Frankel (Sharon) and Perry Frankel; two grandchildren, Aretha and Taku Okuyama; a special sister-in-law, Deborah Donnelly; a niece, Nicole Frankel.
Besides her parents, Gail was predeceased by her first husband, Gary McFarland, and a son, Milo McFarland.
Interment was in the Rensselaerville Cemetery.
Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
October 18, 2007
ALBERT DE FLUMER
WW II Army veteran
Albert “Brother George” A. DeFlumer died Friday, October 12 at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany.
He was born and lived all his life in Coeymans. He was the son of the late Joseph and Antoinette DeFlumer.
Brother George was a World War II Army veteran. In 1981 he retired after many years of service with the Powell and Minnock Brick Yard.
He was an avid bowler and golfer, and enjoyed the outdoors. He especially enjoyed all types of dancing.
Survivors include his daughters, Anne (George) McHugh of Coeymans and Rose (George) Carman of Coxsackie; sisters Hattie (Wallace) Bean and Betty (Angus) Doyle, both of Coeymans; grandchildren George, Joseph (Amy) and Albert (Candy) McHugh; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Brother George was predeceased by his wife Mary Mastriano; brothers John, Paul and Joseph; twin brother Nicholas; and sisters Mary DeFlumer, Carie Macarilla and Elsie Morrell.
Contributions in memory Brother George may be made to St. Patrick’s Church, Ravena, or to the Ravena Rescue Squad.
Arrangements were with Babcock Funeral Home, Ravena.
October 18, 2007
ANNA KARAS
Devoted mother
Anna Zigabarra Karas, 92, of Greenville, died Saturday, October 13, in Albany.
Born March 10, 1915 in Yonkers, Anna was the oldest girl of nine children.
She was a devoted mother and a homemaker. Anna in her senior years was baptized and became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Anna was cheery, patient and uncomplaining until the end.
She resided with her daughter, Helena Kosorek, and son-in-law, Raymond Kosorek, also of Greenville.
She has two grandsons, Patrick and Jonathan Kosorek. She also is survived by her brothers, Stephen Troy and Walter Zigabarra, and sister Theresa Cholowsky.
She was predeceased by her siblings, Michael and Paul Zigabarra, Pauline Wendell, Mary Landry and Martha Domonico.
Burial with grave dedication only (no service) was in the Greenville Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with a note indicating for the Humanitarian Fund, which is for disaster and medical relief for earthquakes, floods, etc., all over the world.
Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
October 18, 2007
JOHN F KROPP
Draftsman
John F. Kropp, 66, a resident of DePaul House in Albany, died in his sleep on Monday, October 8.
He was born in Wilkes Barre, PA, on September 1, 1941, the son of the late Edward J. and Mary (O’Neill) Kropp.
He grew up in Brooklyn and worked as a draftsman for the City of New York.
John moved to the Albany area in 1976 and has resided at DePaul House for the past 15 years. John was a devoted brother and uncle, and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Surviving are his sister, Eileen Volmar (Eberhard) of Greenville; a nephew, Keith Volmar of Chapel Hill, NC; three nieces, Karen (Kirby) Volmar of State College, PA,
Kerry Houlihan (Michael) of Tarrytown, and Kirsten (Kevin) Dougherty of Washington, DC; and a grand-niece, Isabel Kirby of State College, PA.
A memorial service takes place at a future date at the convenience of the family, all under the direction of Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 Route 81, Greenville.
Those who wish may contribute in John’s memory to Catholic Charities, 40 North Main Avenue, Albany 12203.
October 25, 2007
EVERETT CLOW
Service station owner
Everett Virgil Clow, 87, of Greenville, died peacefully on Monday, October 15, at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson.
He was born in Grapeville April 30, 1920, the son of the later Raymond and Julia (Van Tassell) Clow.
For many years he owned and operated Clow’s Service Station in Greenville, located where the Post Office stands today.
Virgil was known for his love of antique cars.
He was an Air Raid Warden during World War II, was a member of the Grapeville Baptist Church and a former member of the Climax Grange for many years.
He will be remembered for his easy going manner and probably giving away more gas than he got paid for. He would always say to customers short on cash, “Pay me next time.”
Surviving are his daughter, Rose Kiefer (John) of Virginia; his sister, Irene Blenis-Butler (Cliff) of Greenville; a son-in-law, James Lomanto; a daughter-in-law, Jane Clow; six grandchildren, Tracy Mistler (Steven), Cristy Clow (Jimmy) and Anthony Lomanto, all of Greenville, Michael Kiefer of San Antonio, TX; and David and Jessica Kiefer of Williamsburg, VA; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife, Mildred (Marshall) Clow in 1989; his son, Everett Clow Jr. in 2005, his daughter, Judy Lomanto in 2006; and his great-grandson, Daniel Mistler, in 2000.
Funeral services took place at the South Westerlo Congregational Christian Church and burial was in the Grapeville Cemetery.
Those who desire ma contribute in his memory to Community Hospice of Columbia-Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414.
Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
October 25, 2007
JANET O’BRIEN
Former C-A worker
Janet L. O’Brien, 62, of the Whittier Nursing Home, Ghent, died Wednesday, October 17 at Community Hospice of Columbia Memorial Hospital, Hudson.
She was born in Catskill June 15, 1945, the daughter of the late Harold and Mary E. (Mead) Miller.
Janet was a lifetime resident of Greene County and at one time was employed by the Coxsackie-Athens School District.
She was a member of the Catskill United Methodist Church and loved the outdoors.
Surviving are her daughter, Mrs. Wendell (Sherry) Sharp of Round Top; three brothers, Richard, William and Wayne Miller; two sisters, Joan Graham and Faith Miller; two grandchildren, Kyle and Katherine; and many nieces and nephews.
Her husband, Patrick, predeceased her on February 8, 1984.
Burial was in the Catskill Rural Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church, 40 Woodland Avenue, Catskill 12414.
Arrangements were with Richards Funeral Home, Cairo.
October 25, 2007
ELSIE SLOCUM
Loved gardening
Elsie Slocum, 90, known as Nanny, died Friday, October 19 with her family by her side.
Elsie was born August 19, 1917 in Kent Cliffs. She married Claude Slocum and lived in Carmel. Together they operated Clay’s Gas Station for many years.
Claude predeceased her in June 1970 and she later married Perry Slocum. They moved to South Cairo in 1979 in 1979. Perry died in 1986.
Elsie enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, going out for lunch on Tuesdays with her friends, going to the Golden Age Club meetings and day trips were some of her favorite pastimes. She also enjoyed flowers, gardening and music.
She loved living with her daughter Sandra and son-in-law Jack in her little house in South Cairo.
Surviving are her children, Sandra Lawton and son-in-law Jack, Coleman Slocum and daughter-in-law Nancy and Claude Slocum and daughter-in-law Carol; sister-in-law Louis Williams; grandchildren Trish Lamb and husband Bruce, Jack Lawton and wife Beverly, Lindsay Hendrickson and husband Keith, Bret Lawton and girlfriend Suzette and her son Pedro, Coleman Slocum Jr. and wife Kelly, Cheryl Ann Justvig and husband Jim, Dennis Melamed and wife Lillian, and Jennifer Lewis and husband Jason; great-grandchildren Christopher, Emily, Mackenzie, Riley, Travis, Lauren Julia and Brianna; her very dear family members Ed and Mary Lawton; and many nieces and nephews.
Burial was in Raymond Hill Cemetery, Carmel.
Arrangements were with Richards Funeral Home, Cairo.