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Wilma J. Blackwell
MILLVILLE, N.J. — Wilma J. Blackwell of Millville, N.J., lost her courageous battle against mesothelioma Monday, March 7, 2005.
Mrs. Blackwell had traveled with her husband, Jay, for many years, taking her through most of the United States and to Antigua for two years.
She was a resident of Browns Mills, N.J., for many years, as well as New Berlin, St. James City, Fla., and most recently, Millville, N.J. Traveling blessed her with numerous friends and loved ones throughout the country.
She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Moose Club and American Legion.
Mrs. Blackwell was predeceased by her parents, Howard and Rose Keen; sister, Catherine Henderson; and her eternal partner and beloved husband, Jay.
Surviving are her loved ones, daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Andrew Sanfosso of Palermo, N.J.; grandchildren, Michael and Kimberly Sanfosso, Douglassville, Pa., Lisa and James Esposito, Dennisville, N.J.; great-grandchildren, Andrew Esposito, Giana Esposito, Phoenix Sanfosso, Elijah Sanfosso; daughter, Cathy Becica (Bill) and family, Pt. Pleasant, N.J.; sister, Jessie Grablow; extended family and Dtrs., Dillie Staton, Jacqueline Watkins (Fred) and Penny Case of North Carolina; and her dearest friends, Cindy Crawford and family, Ruth Harts, Chloe Laubmeier, Zeda and Don Lavinder and Jane and Bill Mason; along with numerous friends and relatives.
Funeral service will be offered at 11 a.m. Friday at the Godfrey Funeral Home of Palermo, 644 South Shore Road, Palermo, N.J., where friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will follow in Seaside Cemetery, Palermo, N.J.
Those wishing to donate to charity may send to MARF, Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation Inc., 1609 Garden St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
William C. Staiber
BOSTON, Mass. — William C. Staiber, 50, of Boston, Mass., passed away Feb. 21, 2005, in Boston.
He was born March 3, 1954, in Stamford, the son of William E. and Helen (Bauer) Staiber. After graduating from Charlotte Valley Central School, he attended the State University College of Technology at Delhi and the State University College at Oneonta.
He was employed in the restaurant and tourism industries in Oneonta and Boston.
He is survived by his father, William E. Staiber of Oneonta; his sisters, Barbara (Richard) Burr of Oneonta and Carol (Harold) Brownell of Walton; his brother, Paul (MaDonna) Staiber of Davenport; a stepsister, Janye Hendricks of Miami, Fla., and her husband, Paul Koota of Tampa, Fla.; his uncle, Charles Bauer of Oneonta; nieces and nephews, Michael Brownell of Freeville, Matthew Brownell of Oneonta, Kristie (Gregory) Hill of Marietta, Ga., Andrew Burr of Orlando, Fla., Lisa and Linda Staiber of Davenport; his cousins, Kenneth and Stephen Bauer; a grandnephew, Jacob Hill of Marietta, Ga.; and his partner, William Vreeland of Boston.
He was predeceased by his mother, Helen, who passed away Dec. 26, 2004.
Graveside services will be held May 14, 2005, at the Davenport Cemetery in Davenport, the same time the services for his mother will be held.
Local arrangements are with the MacArthur Funeral Home, Davenport.
Elizabeth (Betty) L. Dickenson
EDMESTON — Elizabeth (Betty) L. Dickenson, 80, formerly of Edmeston died peacefully at her daughter’s residence Wednesday, March 9, 2005.
She was born March 22, 1924, in West Exeter, the daughter of Roscoe M. and Esther L. (Williams) Bowen.
She married Louis S. Dickenson Jr. on March 27, 1943, in Richfield Springs. He predeceased her Feb. 11, 2000.
Betty, along with her husband, operated the family dairy farm on Louis Dickenson Road for more than 40 years.
Many will remember her warm embrace and delightful smile. She enjoyed gardening and crocheting. Betty loved her family and provided a handmade afghan to each member to remember her by.
Betty is survived by her children and their spouses, Marlene and Manny Jimenez, Sandra and Darryl Dye, Duane Dickenson, Patricia and Wayne Clark and Randy and Robert Nocella; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Dorothy Jones.
Her brothers, Harold (Sammy) Bowen, Clair Eugene (Billy); and sister, Mildred Estes-Bowen, predeceased her.
Her committal service will be at Taylor Hill Cemetery in the spring. In honor of Betty’s wishes, visitation will be private.
Contributions may be made in Betty’s memory to the Edmeston Emergency Squad.
Arrangements by Houk-Johnston-Terry Funeral Home, Edmeston.
Charles H. Decker
LAURENS — Charles Henry Decker, 75, of Laurens passed away Friday, March 11, 2005, at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta.
He was born April 26, 1929, in Oneonta, the son of Firman H. Decker Sr. and Lillian (Grosse) Decker.
He married Gwendoline Dutcher on Feb. 26, 1972. A lifelong area resident of Laurens and the Mount Vision area, Charles worked many years in construction as a mason and electrician. He was a charter member of the Mount Vision Fire Department and was active for many years. He was a lifelong sportsman, hunter and fisherman.
He is survived by his wife, Gwendoline Decker of Laurens; three brothers, Firman H. Decker Jr. and his wife, June, of Boonville, Richard Decker and his wife, Helen, of Lockport and George Decker and his wife, Tanya, of Mount Vision; many nieces and nephews; stepchildren, Rowland Dutcher and Valarie Dutcher; and step-grandchildren, Joleane Robinson, Jared Robinson, Nicole Robinson and Corbyn Cleveland.
Calling hours will be held from 1 p.m. to the funeral service time at 2 p.m. Monday, March 14, at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home in Oneonta, with the Rev. Harry Myers, pastor at the Laurens Presbyterian Church, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Laurens Emergency Squad, PO Box 164, Laurens, NY 13796.
Arrangements are by the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.
Walter Saltys
UTICA — Walter Saltys, 83, formerly of Johnson Street in Richfield Springs, died peacefully Thursday evening, March 10, 2005, in St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Utica.
He was born Sept. 15, 1921, in Passaic, N.J., the son of the late Roman and Mary Anna (Hamot) Saltys.
A local area resident since childhood, he was educated in Springfield Center. He was first employed for Remington Rand and for more than 20 years worked road construction for Labors Union Local 35, retiring in 1982.
He was a United States Navy veteran receiving an honorable discharge as seaman second class in April 1946.
On April 7, 1945, he married Marie E. Jakubek in Richfield Springs. They shared a loving and devoted union of 55 years until her passing on Jan. 29, 2000.
Walter had a strong love for the outdoors and nature. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was proud of the fact that for 50 years his leisure time was spent fishing on Otsego Lake.
Surviving are his four loving daughters, Eleanor and Michael Peplinski Sr. of Richfield Springs, Ann and Jeffrey Pierson of Herkimer, Jean Seamon of Richfield Springs, Carol and Rodney Brown Sr. of Mohawk; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a brother; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents and wife, Marie, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Albert and Tony; four sisters, Vera, Stella, Anna and Wanda; and his son-in-law, Wayne Seamon on Sept. 29, 2004.
There will be no calling hours.
A memorial service will be held at J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, Richfield Springs, later this spring at a time to be announced.
Expressing of sympathy in his name may be made to the Masonic Home or the American Heart Association. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Simon (Seman) Richmond
OXFORD — Simon Richmond, 87, a resident of the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford since January, passed away March 11, 2005.
Si was born Sept. 20, 1917, to Nathan and Ida (Bloch) Richmond in Patterson.
He served in Europe during World War II as a sergeant in the 159th infantry from 1941 to 1945. He met his wife, Gladys M. Turner, while on duty in England. On July 13, 1946, they were married in London.
Si graduated from Cornell University in the field of agriculture, his lifelong love. Si was a dairy farmer all his life. His first farm was in Bloomville and his next in nearby South Kortright. He left many dear friends in Delaware County when he moved his family to a new farm in Guilford, where his son, Phil, still farms. He was a member of the Grange and the Civil War Roundtable in Norwich. He was a 4-H leader in Chenango and Delaware Counties and a member and elder of the Guilford Center Presbyterian Church. Besides his love of the outdoors and farming, Si had many interests, including, first and foremost, learning about the people he met along his life’s journey. He loved to talk to people and was sincerely interested in their stories. He was a talented writer and poet and could still recite poems he learned as a child. He will always be remembered for his wonderful and sometimes wry sense of humor. He had a deep love of music, which brought him great joy. Si was an avid reader, lover of history and current events. His greatest love was for his family.
Besides his wife of 58 years, he is survived by his six children and their families, Virginia Richmond and her husband, Mike Gustafson, of Menlo Park, Calif., Beverly Richmond of Zephyrhills, Fla., Wayne and Charlene Richmond of Statesville, N.C., Nathena and Peter Kain of Norwich, Philip and Gretchen Richmond of Guilford and Tracy Richmond of Richfield Springs. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren who will miss him a great deal. They are Laura and Percy Pearson, Dan and Taylor Richmond, Patrick, Emily and Lydia Kain, Vanessa Richmond and her fiance, Chad Aharon, Ryan, Carrie and Caitlyn Richmond, Kendra and Allysa Ostrander; and one great-grandchild, Percy Pearson Jr. Grandpa loved each of the children dearly and had a personal relationship with each. Si is also survived by his brother, Louis Richmond, and his wife, Virginia.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters, Julia and Eva, and three brothers, Sam, Elias and Lester. Many loving nieces and nephews also survive.
At Simon’s request, there will be no calling hours or funeral. The family will hold a memorial service at a later date.
Memorial gifts may be given to the Guilford Center Presbyterian Church, PO Box 56, Guilford, NY, 13780.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Behe Funeral Home in Oxford.
Clyde ’Pete’ Gray
MASONVILLE — Clyde "Pete" Gray, 84, of Masonville passed away Friday, March 11, 2005, at the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford.
He was born March 7, 1921, son of the late Leon and Agnes (McDougal) Gray in Terry Clove.
Pete married Helen Cutting on June 1, 1941, in Deposit. She predeceased him Aug. 9, 1994.
He served his country in the United States Navy from 1944-1945. Pete was employed as a machinist for the Amphenol Corp., when his health forced him to retire.
Pete loved the outdoors and enjoyed teaching kids about nature and hunting.
He was a charter member and past president of the 3 Rivers Coon Hunter Association. He raised and trained hunting dogs and was a member of the Klipnokie Beagle Club in Morris. Pete was also a UKC Bench Show Circuit Judge.
He was a past councilman for the town of Masonville as well as a Boy Scout leader for Troop 59. He was a member of the Masonville Masonic Lodge. Pete was a charter member of the Masonville Fire Department and Emergency Squad, having given 52 years of service.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, John and Judy Gray, Bainbridge; daughter, Bonnie Tripp and Troy Ramage, Masonville; sister, Virginia Hawley, DeLancey; grandchildren, Michael and Michelle Gray, Bainbridge, Scott and Marie Gray, Sidney, Tracy and Vaughn Ramage, Masonville, and Kevin and Audra Tripp, Bainbridge; great-grandchildren, Mia, Jeremy, Eva, Megan, Andrew, Hannah and Brooke; son-in-law, Ted Tripp, Masonville; three sisters-in-law, May Gray, Dorcas Cutting and Marie Cutting; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and many close friends.
He was also predeceased by two brothers, Eldred and Marvin Gray; a sister, Eva Wagner; and two nephews, Jim Gray and Gary Hawley.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, 2005, at the C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St., Sidney, where there will be a fireman’s service at 7 p.m.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, at the funeral chapel.
Burial will be in Masonville Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Masonville Fire Department.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.
Elizabeth Patchen
BAINBRIDGE — Elizabeth H. "Betty" Patchen, 78, of Bainbridge passed away Friday, March 11, 2005, at her home.
She was born July 24, 1926, daughter of the late Welland L. and Carrie (Cheesbro) Hitchcock in Bainbridge.
Betty went to dental hygienist school and was employed by Dr. Johnson in Bainbridge.
She married Donald J. Patchen on July 11, 1946. She then stayed home to raise her family, later working as the dental hygienist for Afton, Bainbridge and Guilford schools.
Betty went on in education to enable her to teach hygiene; she retired in the mid-1960s.
Betty was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bainbridge as well as a member of the Bainbridge Women’s Club.
She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Donna and Patrick Chambers, Syracuse, and Diane and Gary Gardner, Afton; and four grandchildren and their families, Kirby Lord, Erik Lord, Tim Gardner and Joe Gardner.
Betty was also predeceased by her husband, Donald J. Patchen; son, David J. Patchen; and two sisters, Barbara Carpenter and Dora Randall.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today, March 14, 2005, when the family will be in attendance, at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St., Sidney.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, at the funeral chapel.
Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Bainbridge, at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich or the Greenlawn Cemetery Association.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.
Stella Caperino
ONEONTA — Stella Caperino, 90, passed away Saturday, March 12, 2005, at her daughter’s home.
Mrs. Caperino is survived by her daughter, Patricia Robinson of Oneonta; a son, Frank Caperino of San Diego, Calif.; and two grandsons, Dustin and Jeffrey Robinson.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Frank Caperino.
A funeral service and interment will be held later this week in New Jersey.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice, 542 Main St., Oneonta, NY 13820.
Local arrangements are by the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.
Philip Henderson
ONEONTA — Philip (Wayne) Henderson, 49, of Oneonta died Sunday, March 13, 2005, after a lengthy illness, with his loving family by his side.
He was born Oct. 18, 1955, in Delhi, the son of Philip G. and Ida (Beams) Henderson.
He married Audrey Roberts on Aug. 27, 1995, in Oneonta. She survives him.
He was a graduate of Charlotte Valley Central School. Wayne worked on the family farm for a period of time. He also worked for Coastal Convenience Store in Oneonta as well as the Oneonta Plains Cemetery. He and his family moved to Alabama, where he worked on construction.
Wayne and his family returned to Oneonta because of illness, to be surrounded by his loving family.
He is survived by his loving wife, Audrey of Oneonta; his two sons, Ryan and Allen of Oneonta; his sister, Phyllis DeSilver, and her husband, Brian, of Oneonta; as well as a brother, Harry Henderson, and his wife, Carleen, of Schenevus; his father-in-law, Brownell Lake; his sisters-in-law, Terry (Bill) Cimko, Josephine (Dennis) Ouimet, Carol Roberts, Gail (Robert) Davis, Tracy (Jim) Hoffman; nieces and nephews, Felisa, Rochel, Heather, Veronica, as well as John, Vicky, Christopher, Kara, Shawn, Christina, Charles and Heidi; great-nieces, Hannah and Meghan Ouimet; many cousins, aunts and uncles; as well as several close friends.
His parents, Philip and Ida (Beams) Henderson; and his mother-in-law, Louise Lake, predeceased him.
A service to celebrate the life of Philip Wayne Henderson will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 17, 2005, in the East Meredith Presbyterian Church, East Meredith, with the Rev. Carol Wilson, pastor officiating.
Friends may call at the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oneonta, Wednesday, March 16, 2005, from 6 until 8 p.m., at which time the family will be in attendance.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Audrey Henderson, 5106 State Highway 23, Lot No. 30, Oneonta NY 13820, so a trust fund for Wayne’s children can be established.
Arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home of Oneonta.
Marie Leary
CHEVY CHASE, Md. — Marie (Pat) Leona Oelhaf Leary, resident of Chevy Chase, Md., and a former longtime resident of Cooperstown and Lehigh Acres, Fla., died of chronic pulmonary disease Wednesday, March 9, 2005, in Bethesda, Md.
She was born March 11, 1909, in Leonia, N.J., one of six children of Carl and Mary Oelhaf.
Her husband of 52 years, Joseph P. Leary, died in 1984.
Mrs. Leary was a graduate of Arnold College, New Haven, Conn., and was director of athletics at the Alfred Corning Clark Gymnasium in Cooperstown.
During her years in Cooperstown, she was active in many civic organizations. She served as a member and president of the Cooperstown Board of Education, a commissioner of Girl Scouts and a member of the Otsego County Infantile Paralysis Board.
She was a longtime member of the Cooperstown Country Club where she was the 18-hole women’s golf champion for many years. She continued to play competitively into her 90s and twice won the nine-hole women’s championship in her 80s at the Lehigh Acres Golf Club.
Mrs. Leary was also a member of the Lake & Valley Garden Club and the Brush and Pallet Club, where as an accomplished painter, she exhibited her paintings in Cooperstown and Lehigh Acres. Her style was her approach to life, colorful but understated.
Mrs. Leary is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and Grant Leschin of Fairfield, Conn., and Mary Ellen and Richard Hibey of Potomac, Md.; and five grandchildren, Grant Leschin Jr. and his wife, Francesca, of Burlingame, Calif., Anne Leschin and Alec Leschin of San Francisco, and David Hibey and Justin Hibey of Arlington, Va.; two great-grandchildren, Jacqueline Leary Leschin and Emily Claire Leschin of Burlingame, Calif.; and nine nieces and nephews.
A memorial service and burial will be held at the convenience of the family in Cooperstown.
The family suggests that private donations be made to Oelhaf House for Battered Women Committee Fund, PO Box 448, Leonia, NJ 07605.
Erika C. Raetzer
DELHI — Erika C. Raetzer, 74, of Peakes Brook Road, Delhi (town of Meredith), passed away unexpectedly Monday morning, March 14, 2005, at her home.
The daughter of Ernst and Anna (Lengkeit) Klee, she was born July 17, 1930, in Angerburg, Germany. She came to New York when she was a young woman and met Gerhard Raetzer, whom she married May 3, 1953, in Delhi.
The Raetzers lived in Franklin Square, spending weekends in Delhi, eventually building their home and moving here permanently in 1991. Mr. Raetzer died Dec. 23, 1997.
A homemaker, Erika enjoyed the pace and peace of country living and, most of all, the mountains. Her happiest times were spent in her garden with her dogs, watching the deer and riding her lawn tractor, and she will be forever loved and missed by her family.
Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Claus and Alma Raetzer of Rockport, Texas; two daughters and sons-in-law, Erica and Dean Tallman and Britta and Barry Taylor, all of Miller Place; five grandchildren, Jasmin, Leah, Derek, Kirsten and Emily; and a sister, Reta Boulden of Pagosa Springs, Colo.
Friends are invited to call 4 to 6 p.m. March 16, when the family will be in attendance at the Hall & Peet Funeral Home, Delhi.
Private funeral services for the family will be conducted Thursday by the Rev. Jeffrey Staples.
Memorial contributions to the Humane Society of Central Delaware County, Box 88, Delhi, NY 13753 will be appreciated.
Arrangements are entrusted to Robert A. Peet, Delhi.
