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Merritt Bridges
MORRIS — Merritt Lyman (Bud) Bridges, 92, of Morris, died Monday, Sept. 8, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Chase Memorial Nursing Home in New Berlin.
He was born Sept. 17, 1910, in the family home on West Street in Morris, the son of Merritt L. and Anna M. (Shanessy) Bridges. After growing up in Morris, where he was hailed as one of the best baseball pitchers in the village's history. Bud earned a B.A. from Yale University, Class of 1932.
He served his country in the United States Army during World War II from 1942-1945, in the counter-intelligence corp.
Following a short career in the New York City banking industry, Bud returned to his hometown where he joined his brother, Maurice, in business at Gould & Bridges, a highway equipment supply company that served area counties for more than 40 years.
Bud is survived by his wife of 30 years, Kathleen Morley Bridges; stepdaughters, Stephanie and Leslie Morley; a sister, Mary B. Ruhoff; nieces, Anne Rippy Turtle and Mary S. Ruhoff; grandnieces and nephews, Merritt and Travis Losert, Nathan Rippy and Elsie and Tara Harrington.
He was predeceased by his brother, Maurice; and his first wife, Isabel.
Bud was a pillar of the Morris community and a beloved neighbor and friend. He was seen every day briskly walking to the post office or library. He was ready with a friendly word and a helping hand for all he met and showed an avid interest in the lives of his fellow villagers. Bud was a living "historical record" of the village and surrounding areas. He could recall every resident, house and business and could recite who lived where and when.
Bud was an active member of the Zion Episcopal Church and served as its treasurer for 45 years. He played an instrumental role in numerous local organizations including Zion Church, the Morris Village Library, Morris Central School, the Hillington Cemetery Association, the Otsego County Republican Committee, the Morris Advisory Board for Wilber National Bank, Bassett Healthcare, A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, the American Legion, the Catskill Area Hospice, the Gilbertsville Village Improvement Society and the Hartwick's Citizen's Board.
There will be no calling hours.
A funeral service will be held at Zion Episcopal Church, Main Street, Morris, at noon on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003, with the Rev. Robert Witt officiating. The family will greet friends in the Episcopal Church Parish House, next to the church, immediately following the service.
The interment at Hillington Cemetery will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bud's memory to Catskill Area Hospice, Zion Episcopal Church or the Village Library of Morris.
Funeral arrangements are by the Johnston Funeral Home of Morris.
Kurt Arno Hecker
WEST EDMESTON — Kurt Arno Hecker, 81, of West Edmeston, passed away Monday, Sept. 8, 2003, at Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown.
He was born May 22, 1922, in Basal, Switzerland, the son of Curt Arno Hecker and Martha Bruder Hecker.
He married the former Betty Jane Wells on Dec. 7, 1942, in Richmond Hill on Long Island.
Kurt was a cabinetmaker and was co-owner of Mid Valley Millwork in West Edmeston, prior to his retirement.
Kurt was raised in Germany until 8-years-old, when he came to live in the United States in 1930. He has been a resident of West Edmeston for 42 years and prior to that lived in St. Albans, Long Island.
From 1963 to the present, he was very involved in his church, St. John Lutheran Church of West Burlington, where he served as a council member, deacon and president of the church council for 40 years.
Kurt was an avid bird watcher and enjoyed tending to his flower garden. He enjoyed cabinet making and working with wood as well as doing some baking.
Kurt is survived by his wife, Betty Jane Hecker, of West Edmeston; five sons and daughters-in-law, Skip and Pat Hecker of Oriskany Falls, Bruce and Ellen Hecker of Cassville, Paul and Lynne Hecker of West Edmeston, Warren and Jo Ann Hecker of Stockwell, and Mark and Georgia Hecker of Bridgewater; one daughter, Karenlynn Royer of New Berlin; one stepbrother, Carl Hecker of West Edmeston; one stepsister, Helen Fast of Florida; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, 2003, from St. John Lutheran Church, 2546 Route 80, West Burlington, with the Rev. Lynn Ash, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, officiating.
Friends are invited to call at the Houk-Johnston-Terry Funeral Home, 30 South St., Edmeston, on Friday, Sept. 12, 2003, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. when the family will be present at the funeral home.
The family requests in lieu of flowers that expressions of sympathy be given to St. John Lutheran Church, 2546 Route 80, West Burlington, NY 13482 or the American Diabetes Association, 1508 Genesee St., Utica, NY 13502 in memory of Kurt Arno Hecker.
Interment will be in Leonardsville Cemetery, Leonardsville.
Funeral arrangements are by the Houk-Johnston-Terry Funeral Home, 30 South St., Edmeston.
Marjorie Herschleb
QUEENSBURY — Marjorie N. Herschleb, 83, passed away peacefully Thursday morning, Sept. 4, 2003, at her home surrounded by her family.
Born Dec. 13, 1919, in Schenevus, she was the daughter of J. Clarence and Emma (Munson) Nesbitt.
She graduated from New England Conservatory of Music in 1942. In her younger years she enjoyed teaching Sunday School at the First Presbyterian Church in Glens Falls.
Mrs. Herschleb taught piano locally for over 40 years.
All her students inspired her to see the music from a new point of view every day that she taught. She marveled at how a lesson that had been offered to so many in the past would take on a fresh interpretation for her when each new student studied it. Teaching others gave her a sense of useful purpose until the year before she died. Every student was special.
Marjorie was a gentle presence and will be missed daily.
She was a professional accompanist and worked for both the New York City Opera when they performed summers at the Queensbury High School during the 1970s, and Skidmore College. She also taught students from ACC and played for the Boston Symphony.
Mrs. Herschleb was an avid bridge player, enjoyed cooking and reading autobiographies, and loved tennis.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Harriet Nesbitt Lindley, and two brothers, Clarence and James Nesbitt.
She lovingly mothered her three children, Gretchen Mutafyan of Queensbury, Douglas Herschleb and his wife, Jackie of Queensbury, and Jane Reiff and her husband, Bert of Florida. For her, their needs always came first. Her granddaughter, Stefanie Herschleb, was the light of her life.
Memorial services will be held for family and friends at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Save the Children Organization, attention Donor Services, 54 Wilton Road, Westport, CT 06880 or Meals on Wheels Program, 100 Maple St., Glens Falls, NY 12801.
Arrangements are under the direction of Singleton-Healy Funeral Home, 407 Bay Road, Queensbury.
Cleo A. Moore
JEFFERSON — Cleo A. Moore, 86, went home to the Lord Monday, Sept. 8, 2003.
Born in Jefferson, on May 28, 1917, the son of Otis L. and Libbie (Acker) Moore, the "Potato Man" was active in farming the family farm "Echo Hill."
Cleo was an active member of the Jefferson United Methodist Church; the Jefferson Fire Department; the Col. Harper Grange for over 50 years; a founding member of the Jefferson Rescue Squad.
He served as a Cub Scout Master and on the Board of Directors of the Otsego County Patrons Cooperative Fire Relief Association.
Cleo enjoyed children and was a beloved school bus driver for the Jefferson Central School.
One of his many achievements included the restoration of the Fuller District One-Room School House. It was with pride and a great pleasure that he would conduct tours for young and old as he re-lived his years as a student there.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Ruth; his son, Roger A. Moore and Murielann; his stepchildren, Donald Palmer and Sarah, Barbara Palmer and Rod Collins; his granddaughters, Mellisa and her husband, William Craig, Michelle and her husband, Steven MacClintock; his stepgrandchildren, Jerry (Palmer) and Mark Kiburz, David Palmer, Jillian Palmer and Collens; his great-granddaughters, Kimberly A. Craig, and Effia M. MacClintock; special family members the Honorable Anthony and Barbara Moore; three nieces, Laura Mae Freece, Alice Mileski and Margaret Triolo; a nephew, Clayton Moore; and many friends and neighbors.
Cleo was predeceased by his first wife, Avis L. (Smith) Moore; his parents; and two brothers and three sisters.
Contributions may be made in Cleo's memory to the Jefferson Rescue Squad, Jefferson, NY 12093.
Friends may call at the Hall Funeral Home, 40 Main St., Stamford, on Friday, Sept. 12, 2003, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2003, in Jefferson, at 1 p.m. at the Jefferson United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Frank Adams officiating.
Funeral arrangement have been entrusted to the Hall Funeral Home, Stamford, under the direction of William A. Tari.
Diane K. Murphy
HOPKINTON, N.H. — Diane K. Murphy, 57, died Monday, Sept. 8, 2003, at Hospice House in Concord.
She was born in Buffalo, the daughter of Clyde and Eleanor (Boller) Millspough.
She was a 1967 graduate of Ithaca College. Diane was a financial adviser for American Express.
She was a member of the Hopkinton Antiquarian Society, and enjoyed gardening and traveling.
She is survived by her husband, Eric Murphy, of Hopkinton; one son, Daniel E. Murphy of St. Louis, Mo.; one daughter, Elizabeth A. Milligan of Sylva, N.C.; one grandson, Dylan Milligan of Hopkinton; two brothers, Clyde Millspough of North Collins, and Peter Millspough of Lakeview; two sisters, Lynda Jaworek of Angola, and Belle Dole of Hamburg; and nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bennett Funeral Home, 209 No. Main St., Concord, N.H.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in Shavertown Cemetery, Andes.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the CRVNA Hospice House, P.O. Box 1797, Concord, NH 03302-1797.
Lillian Raynor
ONEONTA — Lillian Raynor, 96, of Oneonta, passed away on Monday, Sept. 8, 2003, at the A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital.
She was born April 3, 1907, in Queens, the daughter of John and Anna (Riha) Benisch.
She married Joseph Raynor on April 24, 1926, and he predeceased her on Dec. 26, 1979.
While living in Oneonta, Mrs. Raynor attended St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
She is survived by two daughters and their spouses, Gloria R. and Francis Wildner of Palm Beach Garden, Fla., and June R. and William Schulz of Oneonta; a sister, Anna Mae Brommage of Fredericksburg, Va.; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by a great-granddaughter, Jamie Wildner.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003, at 11 a.m. in the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand St., Oneonta, with the Rev. Edward Ryan, officiating.
Burial will be on Friday, Sept. 12, 2003, at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Coram.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
Nicholas St. John
NEEDHAM, Mass. — The family has changed the memorial service for Nicholas to Saturday, Sept. 20, at 2 p.m. at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 Highland Ave., Needham.
Barbara J. Powers
HAMDEN — Barbara Jeanne Powers, 54, of Hamden, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003, at her home following a courageous three-year battle with cancer.
She was born on Oct. 6, 1948, in Cooperstown, a daughter of William S. and Doris V. (Hughes) Powers.
A 1966, graduate of Cooperstown Central School, she received her bachelor's degree from SUNY Cortland in 1970.
For 30 years she served as a recreation therapist for the State of New York and was employed at Binghamton Psychiatric Center and Broome Development Services at the Delaware Regional Center in Walton.
In honor of her dedication to her profession she was a recipient of the New York State Employee of the Year Award for the New York State Office of Mental Retardation Developmental Disability. Barbara loved her job and, having been inspired by her developmentally disabled clients, she in turn enriched the lives of individuals who were not only her co-workers but her best friends.
Barbara is survived by her loving parents, Doris and Bill Powers of Milford; her loving fiance, Wyant (Penny) Keefer of Geneva; five sisters, Shirley Dobkin and her husband, Dean of California, Nancy Powers and her husband, Bill Wyant of the State of Maryland, Jean Barry of Milford, Annette Kalinoski and her husband, Tom, and Jackie Fricke and her husband, John, all of Vermont; two brothers, Dr. William S. Powers Jr. of Iowa, and Joseph Powers and his wife, Mary of Milford; 17 nieces and nephews; and numerous caring, fun-loving and supportive friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2003, at St. Mary's Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Cooperstown, with Fr. George St. John, temporary parish administrator, officiating. The Service of Committal and Burial will take place following the Mass in St. Mary's Cemetery in Index.
Friends and family may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, 2003, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut St., Cooperstown, when Barbara's family will be in attendance.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts in Barbara's name may be made to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 20 Elm St., Delhi, NY 13753 or American Cancer Society, 31 Adams Ave., Endicott, NY 13760.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
