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Alice Smith
PINE HILL — Alice Smith was lifted into glory on Sunday, July 4, 2004, from Margaretville Memorial Hospital after residing 10 years at Mountainside Residential Care Center in Margaretville.
The daughter of Ida (Frisch) and Edward Heym, she was born in her parents' home in Hillsdale, N.J. on Nov. 7, 1931.
Alice graduated from Park Ridge High School in New Jersey in 1950 and began working as a secretary in New York City for Metropolitan Insurance Company, and later she worked for both NBC and ABC Broadcasting Systems. Eventually she was employed as a legal secretary for Rosenberg, Schmidt & Greenhalgh in Hackensack, N.J., where she met her husband of 50 years, Sydney Smith, now residing in Pine Hill.
They were married on Nov. 6, 1945, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Westwood, N.J. She began her new full-time career as a homemaker, raised four children and was active in the local PTA, Girl Scouts and Pascack Bible Church and was involved with the Martin Luther King Jr. Center in Spring Valley.
The Smiths purchased the same home she was born in where they resided more than 30 years. She and her husband moved to Pine Hill in 1990 where they became members of the Fleischmanns Untied Methodist Church.
Alice is survived by her husband, Sydney; her daughter, Alyson Lundy of Whiting, Vt., her daughter, Susan Skowronski of Vancouver, Wash., her daughter, Stacey Pender of Hillsdale, N.J.; her son, Mark Smith of Pearl River; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Viewing will be at the Hynes Funeral Home in Margaretville from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, July 9.
Funeral services will be held at the Margaretville United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 10, with the Rev. Joon Woo Lee officiating.
Burial will be in Bedell Cemetery, Fleischmanns.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Fleischmanns United Methodist Church Memorial Fund or to the Margaretville Memorial Hospital.
Arrangements are by the Hynes Funeral Home, Margaretville.
Harriett Griesmer
ONEONTA — Harriett E. Griesmer, 84, of Oneonta, passed away on Monday, July 5, 2004, at the Oneonta Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Harriett was born Nov. 15, 1919, in Oneonta.
She married Edward C. Griesmer on July 2, 1938. He passed away on April 5, 1989.
For the last five years she resided at the Hampshire House where she took great comfort in the friendships she established there among the residents and staff.
She was a secretary at General Electric in Schenectady and before that was a secretary at American Locomotive.
She was a member of St. Mary's Church and participated in the Young at Heart group. She also volunteered for the Salvation Army.
She is survived by her son, Edward K. (Roxana) Griesmer of Oneonta; three grandchildren, Pamela Burns of Scotia, Edward K. Griesmer Jr., of Arlington, Va., and Terry Griesmer of Guilderland; seven great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Carly, and Ian Burns and Alexandra, Jillian, Aaron and Nell Griesmer. She is also survived by her sisters and brothers and their spouses, Sylvia and Gerry Bouton of Oneonta, Joyce and Jim Broe of Oneonta, Maurice McLaud of Edgewater, Fla., Morton and Dorothy McLaud of Schenectady, David and Barbara McLaud of Central Valley; a brother-in-law Pat Grasso of Laurens and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her mother and stepfather Lydia and Elmer McLaud, a sister Marilyn Grasso, and two brothers Donald and Douglas McLaud.
A service to celebrate the life of Harriett will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 9, at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, with the Rev. Steven Moore, associate pastor of St. Mary's Church, and the Rev. Harry Myers officiating.
Friends may call at the funeral home one hour before the service when the family will be in attendance.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 542 Main St., Oneonta, NY.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
Reynold Schlafer
DELHI — A memorial service for Reynold Schlafer, DDS, 89, who died on May 25, 2004, in Pinehurst, N.C., will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 17, 2004, at the United Ministry Church in Delhi.
He was born in Walton on Jan. 17, 1915, to John and Hazel (Wilson) Schlafer.
He graduated from Marietta College in Ohio and attended Case Western Reserve in Cleveland for his dental training. Dr. Schlafer spent 40 years in dental practice in Delhi.
Dr. Schlafer married Ruth Dennis on June 30, 1973. After retiring, they spent winters in Pinehurst, N.C., and returned to Delhi summers. When his declining health made travel difficult, they settled in Pinehurst.
Ren had many interests besides his loving family. In younger years, he obtained the rank of Eagle Scout. He enjoyed golf, fishing, hunting and woodcarving and was an avid reader.
He was a veteran of W.W.II and was discharged as captain in the Army Air Corps.
He was blessed with three surviving children, John, Barbara and Dan. Five grandchildren and three great-granddaughters are also among his survivors.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty, his brother, Fritz, and sisters, Virginia Williams and Margaret Shepard.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the memorial fund at the United Methodist Church, 175 Midland Rd., Southern Pines, NC 28387 or United Ministry in Delhi.
The new address for Ruth Schlafer is 155 Blake Blvd., Apt 223B, Pinehurst, NC 28374.
George Laubmeier
MORRIS — George J. Laubmeier, 74, of Morris died Tuesday, July 6, 2004, at his home in Morris.
He was born in Pottsville, Pa., on Oct. 14, 1929, the son of George and Mattilda (Hullrotter) Laubmeier. He was a graduate of Morris Central School and was an outstanding athlete, excelling in basketball and football.
He served his country in the United States Army for six years and was stationed in Munich, Germany with the 508th Military Police Company as a desk sergeant.
George met his wife, Chloe C. Campbell, while she was stationed in Munich also. They had a marriage of more than 52 years.
After being discharged from the Army, George worked as a bookkeeper for Black Coal & Oil Company of Oneonta and later for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. He then was employed by the D & H Railroad, first as a fireman and then as an engineer. He retired from the D & H after 20 years of service. After retirement, George served as the commander of the Morris VFW Post 1417 for several years, which he enjoyed greatly. He was also a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, the Moose Club of Oneonta and the American Legion Post of Norwich.
Throughout his life he spent many hours in the woods cutting firewood, fence posts and saw milling. George's hobbies included gambling, horseshoes, and sports events, especially horse racing.
He is survived by his wife, Chloe of Morris; his children, Michael Laubmeier and companion Stacey Louck of New Berlin, James Laubmeier of Morris, Christene Wood and companion John Meyer of Morris, two sisters, Erna Barton of Jacksonville, Fla., and Stella Abenanty of Cobleskill; his grandchildren, Garrett Thomas Novak of Hartwick and Mya Lee Laubmeier of New Berlin. He loved his grandchildren dearly. He is also survived by his many friends and comrades at the VFW.
George was predeceased by a son, George John Laubmeier, a granddaughter, Jessica Wood, and a brother, Karl Laubmeier.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, July 8, at the Johnston Funeral Home in Morris from 12:30 p.m. until funeral service time at 2 p.m. officiated by the Rev. Ann Blair, of the United Methodist Church of Morris.
Burial with full military honors will held in the Hillington Cemetery in Morris.
Those who wish may contribute to the Morris VFW post 1417, Morris NY 13808 or the Catskill Area Hospice, 542 Main St., Oneonta, NY 13820 in his memory.
Funeral arrangements are by the Johnston Funeral Home of Morris.
Grant U. Shumway
ONEONTA — Grant U. Shumway, 83, passed away Monday, July 5, 2004, at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta.
He was born July 25, 1920, in Oneonta, the son of Grant U. and Florence (Wright) Shumway.
Grant was a United States Army veteran serving in World War II.
He married Sharon Elmendorf in 1989 at the Main Street Baptist Church in Oneonta.
Grant was at one time the owner and operator of Ace Taxi Service in Oneonta for many years. He was also a bus driver for OPT and more recently he worked for Green Thumb Inc. in Oneonta as a handy man.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Shumway; nieces, Donna Decker, Jackie Fuller, June Shumway, Janet Dungey, Gale Valk and Janice Corwien; nephews, Steven Daniels, Fred Shumway, Lyn Shumway, Rick J. Shumway and John Shumway.
He was predeceased by his three brothers, Maynard, Arnold and George Shumway and a sister, Beatrice Evelyn Shumway.
Friends may call from 4 to 5 p.m. on Friday, July 9, at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, Oneonta. The funeral service will start at 5 p.m., with the Rev. Phil Livermore, pastor at the Main Street Baptist Church, officiating.
Burial, with military honors, will be later in the Glenwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 542 Main St., Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements are by the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.
Ruth A. Whispell
ONEONTA — Ruth A. "Ruthie" Whispell, 89, of Oneonta passed away on Wednesday, July 7, 2004, at the A. O. Fox Memorial Hospital.
She was born June 12, 1915, in Jefferson, the daughter of Harry E. and Elizabeth J. (Dugan) Ruland of Oneonta.
Ruthie was a people person. She loved people and people loved her. She might have been small in stature, but she was "feisty." She worked approximately 14 years for Astrocom Electronics before she retired. She also worked voluntarily many hours for the Women's Auxiliary of the Moose, where she had been a member for more than 30 years.
She loved to league bowl, go fishing with friends and family, can dill pickles and tomatoes and cook before her eyesight failed her. She loved to talk, especially on the phone, to family and friends. She spent the last few years at the Robynwood Adult Home, where she will be missed by her roommate, Mary Long, the other residents and the Robynwood staff.
She is survived by her sons, Edward H. Whispell Sr. and his wife, Virginia of Laurens and Harry D. Whispell of Oneonta; her stepchildren, Anthony (Gene) Fairbairn and Patty of Neversink, Jimmy Fairbairn of Montgomery, Johnny Fairbairn of North Carolina, Joan Gray of North Carolina and Gail McArthur of Walton; a former daughter-in-law, Barbara Squires of Georgia; her grandchildren, Kelly Poole of Georgia, Melody O'Neill and Ron Page Jr. of Otego, Edward Whispell Jr. of Albany, Cathy Spoor of Morris, Teresa Bell of Morris, Debbie Glidden of Laurens and Christine Whispell of Pennsylvania, as well as many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great-grandchild.
Ruth was predeceased by her sister, Geraldine Ruland, her father and mother, Harry E. and Elizabeth J. Ruland, and most recently her daughter, Joan B. Page of Oneonta.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, July 9, at the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oneonta with the Rev. Christopher Ellis, pastor of the Bible Baptist Church, Mt. Vision, officiating. Friends may call Friday from 11 a.m. until service time.
Burial will follow in the West Jefferson Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice in loving memory of Ruth A. Whispell.
Funeral arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home of Oneonta.
Helen Jeanette Laures
ONEONTA — Helen Jeanette Laures, 88, of Oneonta, passed away on Wednesday morning, July 7, 2004, at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown.
She was born June 15, 1916, in Oneonta, the daughter of Herbert F. and Sarah (Worden) Bacheller.
She married Lester Laures on June 20, 1943. He died on July 21, 1983.
Helen graduated from Oneonta High School. She was also a graduate of the Traphagen School of Fashion Design in New York City. She was employed by Scintilla-Bendix of Sidney for a period of time during W.W.II.
A lifelong area resident, Helen was a member of the Emmons United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and served as Communion steward.
She is survived by her sister, Lillian Dartt of Clinton; a sister- in-law, Nedra Bacheller of Palm City, Fla.; her nieces and nephews, Bruce and Janice Downie and Thomas and Kim Downie of Oneonta, Stan and Betty Pierce of Abingdon, Va., Herbert E. and Susan Bacheller of Edgewater, Fla., Jack and Marilyn Phebus of Ocala, Fla., Robert E. and Nancy Bacheller of Lombard, Ill., Alan and Beverly Meyer of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Dr. Howard Tarko and his wife Dr. Darlene Dartt of Newton, Mass., Mark and Joanne Olson of Mattapoisett, Mass., Stephen and Judy Dartt of Peabody, Mass. Several great- nieces and great-nephews also survive her.
Her sister, Madeline Downie and her brother, Herbert W. Bacheller predeceased Helen.
Friends may call at the Bookhout Funeral Home Friday, July 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. when the family will be in attendance.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 10, at the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oneonta with the Rev. Rodney Johnson, pastor of the Emmons United Methodist Church, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Emmons United Methodist Church c/o Louise Jessup, 5706 State Hwy. 7, Oneonta, NY 13820 or Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 34, Oneonta, NY 13820, in memory of Helen Jeanette Laures.
Arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home of Oneonta.
Donald Colburn
BURLINGTON FLATS — Donald Hugh Colburn, 77, of Burlington Flats, died Tuesday, July 6, 2004, at Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown.
He was born June 2, 1927, in Burlington Flats, the son of Howard and Pearl (Hickling) Colburn.
Donald married Frances (Benedetto) Colburn in 1954. She died in 1984.
He was a letter carrier with the United States Postal Service in the Seattle, Washington area until his retirement several years ago. He served his country in the United States Army during World War II. He was a member of the Lake City Elks Club, No. 1800 of Seattle, Wash., past-president of the Laebugten Salmon Chapter, founder and manager of the Deer Creek Hatchery, in Edmonds, Wash., the Lake City Sportsman's Club, the Seattle Poggie Club, and the North American Hunting Club. Donald was an avid Salmon fisherman and hunter.
Donald is survived by his daughter, Sister Aloysia Morelli of Dobbs Ferry; his sisters, Ruth Miller of Garrattsville, Margaret Crumb of Geneva, Wanda Tiffany of Buffalo, Sally Pickens and husband, Bud, of New Berlin, Jone Lum and husband, Elmer, of Edmeston, and Patricia Mahar of Texas. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Beverly Colburn, Josephine Colburn and his best friend, Mitch.
He was predeceased by his brothers Cecil, Fay, Kenneth, Edwin and Howard Colburn Jr. and a sister, Betty Walinski.
There will be no calling hours.
A memorial gathering will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 9, at the New Lisbon Community House in Garrattsville.
Donald's final resting place will be in Holyrood Cemetery, Edmonds, Wash.
Those who wish are asked to make contributions to the Catskill Area Hospice, 525 Main St. Oneonta, NY 13820 in his memory.
Funeral arrangements are by the Johnston Funeral Home of Morris.
Madeline Shaver
SCOTIA — Madeline Rose Shaver, 88, of Red Coach Drive, died at home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, July 6, 2004.
She was born in Paterson, N.J., the daughter of the late George and Rose Stockin. Her childhood was spent in Meridale. Madeline graduated from Treadwell High School.
In 1935, she married Ralph A. Shaver and they lived on the Shaver family farm until they moved to Oneonta in 1943.
Madeline worked as a manager for the Bresee's Department Store in Oneonta from 1948 until her retirement in 1982 at which time she moved to Scotia.
Madeline is survived by her daughter, Virginia Shaver of Scotia; her grandchildren, David R. Shaver, his wife Rosemary and their children, Brendon, Brittni, Ashleigh and Gabrielle all of Delmar, and Lisa S. Radley, her husband William and their children, Jack and Samuel of Clifton Park. A brother, Sam Stockin of Laurens, and several nieces and nephews also survive.
Madeline was predeceased in 1977 by her husband, Ralph. She was also predeceased by her son, Robert R. Shaver, her brother, George Stockin and her sister, Katherine Page.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, July 9, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Rd., East Glenville.
Interment in the family plot in Oneonta Plains Cemetery will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions in Madeline's name may be made to Community Hospice of Schenectady, 1411 Union St., Schenectady, NY 12308.
Grant U. Shumway
ONEONTA — Grant U. Shumway, 83, passed away Monday, July 5, 2004, at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta.
He was born July 25, 1920, in Oneonta, the son of Grant U. and Florence (Wright) Shumway.
Grant was a United States Army veteran serving in World War II.
He married Sharon Elmendorf in 1985 at the Main Street Baptist Church in Oneonta.
Grant was at one time the owner and operator of Ace Taxi Service in Oneonta for many years. He was also a bus driver for OPT and more recently he worked for Green Thumb Inc., in Oneonta as a handy man.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Shumway; nieces, Donna Decker, Jackie Fuller, June Shumway, Janet Dungey, Gale Valk and Janice Corwien; nephews, Steven Daniels, Fred Shumway, Lynn Shumway, Rick J. Shumway, John Shumway and Maynard (Al) Shumway.
He was predeceased by his three brothers, Maynard, Arnold and George Shumway and a sister, Beatrice Evelyn Shumway.
Friends may call from 4 to 5 p.m. on Friday, July 9, at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, Oneonta. The funeral service will start at 5 p.m., with the Rev. Phil Livermore, pastor at the Main Street Baptist Church officiating.
Burial, with military honors, will be later in the Glenwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 542 Main St., Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements are by the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.
