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Mary Janet Myers
WEST BURLINGTON — Mary Janet Myers, 79, formerly of West Burlington, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005, at Chase Memorial Nursing Home, where she had resided for the past three years.
She was born Nov. 9, 1925, in Utica, the only child of Horace and Margaret Griffiths.
She married Robert L. Myers in 1951. She spent her summers at the family farm in West Burlington and later retired there.
She graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1943 and Cornell University in 1948 with a degree in labor relations.
She went to New York City to work at B. Altman’s Department Store for a short time, but liked country living better, so returned to attend Oneonta State Teachers College. She started her teaching career in September 1950 at Mt. Markham School in West Winfield as a kindergarten teacher, then taught first grade for 10 years and third grade for 29 years until her retirement in 1991.
She was an avid golfer and enjoyed bird watching, gardening, especially flowers, and loved her dogs and cats.
She attended West Winfield Federated Church, and in the fall of 2002, members of the West Winfield Chapter OES presented her with a 50-year pin.
She will be missed by the devoted, caring staff at Chase Nursing Home; many friends; and especially her "sis," Elna Harrington Virtell and family.
Graveside service and committal will be held in the spring at Burlington Flats Cemetery at a date and time to be announced.
At her request, memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Stevens-Swan SPCA in Utica or the Herkimer County SPCA.
Arrangements are by Houk-Johnston-Terry Funeral Home, Edmeston.
Vivian Ostrander
WALTON — Vivian E. Ostrander of Walton, a lifelong Delaware County resident, died Monday, Feb. 28, 2005, at Delaware County Countryside Care Center in Delhi. She was 91.
Mrs. Ostrander was born June 27, 1913, in Stockport Station to Frank L. and Gertrude Knight Oles.
She graduated from Walton Central and attended the Walton Training Class, graduating in 1932.
Vivian was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Walton. She will be remembered for her love of the outdoors and gardening. She took great pleasure in spending time at the family camp on Bear Spring Mountain.
Mrs. Ostrander is survived by her grandchildren, Gary (Jackie) Brooks, Sue (Ron) Huntress, both of Walton, and Karen Newby of Ithaca; her great-grandchildren, Katelynn Brooks and Kimberly and Cassandra Huntress; and several nieces and nephews.
Family members who died earlier include her husband, William S. Ostrander; her children, Jean Brooks and Donald Ostrander; and brothers, Robert, Harold and John D. Oles.
Service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 3, 2005, at the First United Methodist Church, 101 North St., Walton, with the Rev. Peggy Fabrizio officiating, and where her family will greet friends Wednesday night, March 2, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Interment will be at the Walton Cemetery later in the spring.
Donations in her name to the Walton Emergency Squad, 61 West St., Walton, NY 13856 would be appreciated.
Mary S. Briggs
ONEONTA — Mary S. Briggs, 90, of Oneonta died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005, at Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown.
She was born Jan. 4, 1915, in Rye, the daughter of Fredrick J. and Mary E. (Gregory) Selzer.
She married the late Harry L. Briggs on April 16, 1938.
Born and raised in Rye, Mary graduated from Rye High School in 1932, State Normal School in 1935 and State University College at Oneonta in 1963. She taught in Davenport Center, Milton School in Rye and at Charlotte Valley Central School, retiring in 1976.
For more than 20 years, Mr. and Mrs. Briggs operated a poultry farm, shipping chickens to the Virgin Islands at one point. They also raised turkeys. They owned and operated the Feather & Screen, where they sold gifts, televisions, chickens and eggs and ran a bakery.
Mary traveled extensively within the United States as well as to many other areas outside the United States including: Alaska/Pribloff Islands, Maritime Provinces of Canada, British Columbia, South America and the Panama Canal, Tahiti, Moorea, New Zealand, Australia, New Guinea, Figi and Hawaii.
She served as town of Davenport historian from 1973 until 2001 and published eight books on local history.
Memberships included the Davenport United Methodist Church, Davenport Historical Society, New York State Municipal Historian Association, New York State Historical Association and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Honoring Mary’s wishes, she was cremated and there will be no services. There will be a graveside service for family at their convenience at a later date.
Contributions in her memory may be made to Davenport United Methodist Church, in care of Joanne Fisher, PO Box 204, Davenport, NY 13750 or Davenport Historical Society, PO Box 88, Davenport Center, NY 13751.
Arrangements are with the MacArthur Funeral Home, Davenport.
Winifred M. Cary
QUEENSBURY — Winifred M. Cary died Feb. 27, 2005, at Glens Falls Hospital after a brief illness. She had resided at The Landing in Queensbury since January 2001.
Winifred was the wife of Lucius G. Cary, who died in October 1997.
Winifred was born Feb. 2, 1913, in New York City. She was the daughter of the late John and Katherine (Scanlan) Mulligan.
She was a graduate of Richfield Springs High School and Cornell University and did special studies at the NYU School of Medicine.
Winifred was employed by Otsego County and Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown as a bacteriologist, retiring in 1966. After retirement, she assisted her husband, Lucius, in the operation of Hebron Camp and Conference Center in Hebron. They moved to Glens Falls in 1977. Winifred and her husband were active volunteers for many community projects and organizations in the Glens Falls area.
She was a communicant and active member of the Annunciation Parish in Queensbury.
Survivors include nieces, nephews and many close friends.
She was predeceased by brothers, Charles and John Mulligan, and foster brothers, Charles and Carl Garski.
At Winifred’s request, her body has been donated as an anatomical gift to Albany Medical Center.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2005, at the Church of the Annunciation, Queensbury, by the Most Rev. Matthew H. Clark, with her nephew John Mulligan and the Rev. Joseph Anselment officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Winifred’s memory may be made to Our Lady of the Annunciation Church, Queensbury, or to the charity of one’s choice.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Winifred’s niece, Mrs. Robert Burkwit, 710 Lake Road, Webster, NY 14580.
Wanda Jones
UNADILLA FORKS — Wanda Jones, 89, of Unadilla Forks passed away Monday, Feb. 28, 2005, at her home.
She was born May 29, 1915, in New Bedford, Mass., to the late Stanley and Caroline Mollek Slosek. She lived with her parents and brother, Walter, in Utica, until they moved to a farm in Plainfield Center in 1927.
She was educated in Plainfield and West Winfield schools.
Her mother passed away in 1928, leaving her the homemaker of the family at 12 years old.
On Dec. 31, 1937, she married Walter Jones and moved to Unadilla Forks, where she has resided since.
In addition to being a wife, mother and homemaker, she worked in the family store for more than 20 years. The "Forks Store" was owned by her husband and brother and was sold after her husband passed away in 1973. Her brother, Walter, passed away in 1994.
Wanda led an active life and was a member of several organizations, including the Eastern Star, Mother’s Club, Book Club, Senior Citizens, Faith Chapel Church and the WIMAC Rebekah Lodge. She was a 60-year charter member of the WIMAC Rebekah Lodge (the "W" in WIMAC stands for Wanda). She enjoyed working outside in her flower garden and mowing her lawns.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Gerald and Terry Jones of Apalachin; sister-in-law, Agnes Slosek; and many nieces and nephews. Special friends include Mary Buzzell, Steve Holmes and Louise Isabel.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Catskill Area Hospice, 542 Main St., Oneonta, NY 13820.
Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 2005, at the Wilcox-Dimbleby Funeral Home, 365 West Main St., West Winfield. Calling hours are from 11 a.m. Thursday until the time of the funeral. Interment will be in Unadilla Forks Cemetery.
Corbin Hayes Douglas Jr.
MORRIS — Corbin Hayes Douglas Jr., 14 months old, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005, at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, Oneonta.
He was born Dec. 9, 2003, in Oneonta, the son of Corbin H. Douglas Sr. and Elicia Longcor.
Besides his parents, he is survived by his maternal grandparents, Cindy and James Longcor of New Lisbon; his paternal grandparents, Gretchen and Cecil Douglas Sr. of Morris; paternal great-grandparents, Nancy and Kenneth Figger of South New Berlin; maternal great-grandparents, Marie and Chauncey Babcock of New Jersey and Harry and Pat Longcor; his paternal great-great-grandmother, Betty Edick of New Berlin; as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was predeceased by his great-grandfather, Norman Dockstader.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at the Johnston Funeral Home in Morris.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 3, 2005, at the United Methodist Church in Morris with the Rev. Ann Blair officiating.
Burial will be in Hillington Cemetery in Morris in the spring.
Those who wish are asked to donate to the Morris Emergency Squad in his memory. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Arrangements are by the Johnston Funeral Home of Morris.
Angela F. Walters
POTSDAM — Funeral services for 3-year-old Miss Angela Faith Walters will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 2005, at the Seymour Funeral Home in Potsdam, with the Rev. Joanna R. Loucky Ramsey, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Potsdam, officiating.
Final interment arrangements are yet to be determined.
Friends may call at the Seymour Funeral Home in Potsdam from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Miss Angela Faith Walters died at the Canton-Potsdam Hospital on Feb. 27 as a result of complications from a heart attack.
Her parents, Michael and Rebecca Walters of Potsdam; her paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. David and Rosemary Walters of Utica; her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick and Reba Worman of Norwich; several aunts and uncles; and two cousins survive her.
Angela was born in Syracuse on Jan. 30, 2002.
Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to The Carter Centers for Holoprosencephaly, care of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Department of Neurology, PO Box 190567, Dallas, TX 75219-9982, or United Cerebral Palsy, 192 Judson Street Road, Canton, NY 13617.
Seymour Funeral Home, Potsdam, is in charge of arrangements.
Frances T. Polley
MARYLAND — Frances T. Polley, 95, passed away Tuesday, March 1, 2005, at Otsego Manor in Cooperstown.
Mrs. Polley was born Aug. 27, 1909, the daughter of foster parents Addison and Florence Spencer of Schenevus, whom she was with since she was 6 years old.
She married Harry J. Polley on June 10, 1933, in Milford. He predeceased her May 6, 1967. Frances and Harry operated a dairy farm in Maryland. After Harry’s death, Frances worked at Brooks House of Bar-B-Q’s, the State Teachers College, Oneonta, and AS Draper Central School Cafeteria in Schenevus.
Mrs. Polley is survived by two nieces, Helen Johnson of Mt. Kisco and Marie White of Pound Ridge; a nephew, Lawrence Daily of Bath; and dear friends, Warren and Arleen Odell of Oneonta and family.
She was predeceased by five sisters and one brother.
Calling hours will be held from noon to the funeral service time at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 2005, at the Heller Funeral Home in Schenevus, with the Rev. William Robert Thompson, pastor at the First Baptist Church in Schenevus, officiating.
Interment will be at the Schenevus Cemetery at a later date.
Contributions may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice, 542 Main St., Oneonta, NY 13820 or the Schenevus Cemetery Association, PO Box 346, Schenevus, NY 12155.
Arrangements are by the Heller Funeral Home, 25 Arch St., Schenevus.
Corbin Hayes Douglas Jr.
MORRIS — Corbin Hayes Douglas Jr., 14 months old, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005, at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, Oneonta.
He was born Dec. 9, 2003, in Oneonta, the son of Corbin H. Douglas Sr. and Elicia Longcor.
Besides his parents, he is survived by his maternal grandparents, Cindy and James Longcor of New Lisbon; his paternal grandparents, Gretchen and Cecil Douglas Sr. of Morris; paternal great-grandparents, Nancy and Kenneth Figger of South New Berlin; maternal great-grandparents, Marie and Chauncey Babcock of New Jersey and Harry and Pat Longcor; his paternal great-great-grandmother, Betty Edick of New Berlin; as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was predeceased by his great-grandfather, Norman Dockstader.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at the Johnston Funeral Home in Morris.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 3, 2005, at the United Methodist Church in Morris with the Rev. Ann Blair officiating.
Burial will be in Hillington Cemetery in Morris in the spring.
Those who wish are asked to donate to the Morris Emergency Squad in his memory. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Arrangements are by the Johnston Funeral Home of Morris.
Fra Ward
MOUNT UPTON — Fra "Nanie" Ward, 71, of Mount Upton passed away unexpectedly March 1, 2005, at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City.
She was born Dec. 20, 1933, daughter of the late Lester and Eva (Wixom) Ward in Mt. Kisco.
Nanie was a second generation flag maker. She took over the embroidery shop in Mount Upton after her mother died in 1989, and operated it until her retirement in 1999. Their flags and banners can be seen all over the world, from Windsor Castle to military banners, local schools and firehouses. Nanie created the current Chenango County seal, which is displayed in Albany and Norwich.
She was a beloved daughter, mother, sister and a grandmother to: stepfather, Milton Searles, Mount Upton; two daughters, Stacey Smith, Norwich, and Darcey Barrows, Mount Upton; sister and brother-in-law, Gerry and Jim Corley, Brewster; brother, Seth Ward, Coventryville; sister-in-law, Mary Edholm, Oneonta; seven grandchildren; and 10 nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Robert Moore of Mount Upton for spending time with Nanie.
She was also predeceased by her brother, Rodney.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 4, 2005, at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St., Sidney.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the funeral chapel, with the Rev. Mary Ann Linder, pastor of the Mount Upton United Methodist Church, officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Upton Emergency Squad.
Arrangements by C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.
Ronald P. Decker
BINGHAMTON — Ronald P. Decker, 65, of Binghamton passed away March 1, 2005, in Binghamton.
He was born July 7, 1939, in Hamden, the son of Robert L. and Frances (Cobbe) Decker.
A veteran of the United States Air Force, he was also a member of the National Guard of Walton. Mr. Decker worked for 25 years in maintenance with SUNY Binghamton.
He loved music and was a member of the Delaware County Men’s Choir and sang in many church choirs. He enjoyed helping his neighbors and friends and was an avid reader. Ron loved a good horseshoe game and was successful in throwing ringers often.
Two brothers, Robert J. Decker, North Carolina, and Rodney B. Decker, Delhi; a sister, Lois (Sue) Ford, Otego; a stepsister, Donna Torma, Delhi; his stepmother, Frances C. Decker, Delhi; and many nieces and nephews survive.
A sister, Grace Finch, predeceased him.
Memorial services will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 5, 2005, in United Ministry Church with the Rev. Lisa Heckman officiating. Calling hours will precede the service in the church from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Burial will be in Hamden Cemetery in the spring.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Capital Improvement Fund at United Ministry, PO Box 111, Delhi, NY 13753.
Arrangements are with the MacArthur Funeral Home, Delhi.
Harry E. Couse
ONEONTA — Harry E. Couse, 91, passed away Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at his daughter’s residence.
He was born March 2, 1914, in Milford, the son of Arthur and Della (Kilts) Couse.
He married Florence Beagle. She predeceased him in 2002.
Harry served in the United States Army during World War II. He served in the Guadalcanal Campaign and was a Purple Heart recipient. Harry survived a ship sinking and hid from the Japanese for three days before being rescued.
He was a lifelong area resident and served the Oneonta community for 18 years as a taxi driver. Harry was a past member of the Eagle and Elks Club in Oneonta. He enjoyed playing cards and horse racing.
Harry is survived by three daughters, Janet Palmer and her husband, James, of Maryland, Helen Althiser of Oneonta and Doris Reyes and her husband, Eddie, of Florida; a son, David Couse and his wife, Jenny, of Ohio; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and his sister, Bertha Roketa of Maryland.
He was predeceased by his daughter Sylvia Utter; and his two brothers, Charlie and Paul Couse.
A graveside service will be held at the Oneonta Plains Cemetery at a later date.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 5, 2005, at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.
Contributions may be made in loving memory of Harry to the Catskill Area Hospice, 542 Main St., Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements are by the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.
