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Joseph R. Schmitt
COOPERSTOWN — Joseph R. Schmitt, Esq., 75, of Brooklyn Avenue in Cooperstown, died Sunday morning, Feb. 27, 2000, at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown.
He was born on April 1, 1924, in Kottenheim, Germany, a son of Johann and Genevieve (Ruber) Schmitt.
In 1926, as a young child, Mr. Schmitt and his parents immigrated to the United States, settling in Oswego. Following graduation from high school, he served in the United States Army Air Force from 1943 until 1946.
A graduate of Syracuse University, he obtained his law degree in 1950, and was admitted to the bar in 1951. For many years he maintained a law office in White Plains where his practice included general trial, negligence and matrimonial law.
Mr. Schmitt served as counsel for the New York State Assembly Codes Committee, 1954; New York State lieutenant governor, 1969-1974; New York State Governor's Welfare Reform Task Force, 1974; and Westchester County Department of Social Services, deputy commissioner for welfare fraud, 1974-1975.
Mr. Schmitt was a member of the Westchester County Bar Association, serving as chairman of the Committee on Alcoholism from 1977-1985, and was also a member of the New York State Bar Association, serving as vice chairman of the Committee on Alcoholism, 1977-1985. Following his retirement in 1985, Mr. Schmitt and his wife, Mary, moved to Cooperstown.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Hazeldon Schmitt, who was originally from Waterville.
At the request of the family, funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts may be made to the Cooperstown Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 322, Cooperstown, N.Y. 13326 or a charity of one's choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
Paul Ritchko
ONEONTA — Paul Ritchko, 86, of Oneonta, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2000, at Fox Hospital Nursing Home, Oneonta, after a lengthy illness.
He was born Aug. 7, 1913, in Oneonta, the son of Peter and Mary (Suchniak) Ritchko.
Mr. Ritchko graduated from Oneonta High School Class of 1932.
Paul was an outstanding athlete in high school playing baseball and football and also played semi-pro baseball with the Oneonta Merchants and semi-pro football with the Oneonta Indians.
Mr. Ritchko attended baseball camp-school with Joe Long, a former Merchant player, in Hot Springs, Ark. He had an offer to play with the Saint Louis Cardinals minor league team, but chose to return to the family business.
Paul served with the United States Army Air Corps 451 Bomber Squadron during World War II and was highly decorated while stationed in England, France and Belgium.
He was a lifelong area resident, and along with other family members owned and operated Ritchko's Market on West Broadway in Oneonta until his retirement several years ago.
Mr. Ritchko is survived by one brother, Arthur, and his wife, Sue Ann Ritchko, of Glenmont; a sister, Katherine Ritchko of The Meadows; and several nephews, nieces, and cousins.
He was predeceased by three brothers, Harry (Pete), Fred and James Ritchko.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, March 2, 2000, at the Lewis-Hurley Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, with the Rev. Canon Mark Cole, pastor of St. James Episcopal Church, officiating. Burial will be later in Plains Cemetery, Oneonta.
Friends may call after 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 1, 2000. The family will be in attendance from 7 to 9 Wednesday evening at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Oneonta Boys and Girls Club, Oneonta, N.Y. 13820.
Richard Hobbie
ONEONTA — Richard Hobbie, 86, of Oneonta, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000, at the Masonic Home in Utica, where he had been a resident since February 1988.
He was born on June 1, 1913, the son of Richard and Meda Van Horn Hobbie.
He received his bachelor's degree from the State University College at Oswego in 1935, and completed his master's degree at Cornell University.
Mr. Hobbie began his career as an industrial arts instructor at Oneonta High School in 1935, where he taught metal shop and auto mechanics until his retirement in July 1973.
He was a member of the National Education Association, the New York Teachers Association, and the Oneonta Teachers Association.
He had a significant positive impact on the lives of nearly two generations of Oneonta High School students.
Outside of school Mr. Hobbie was a lifelong naturalist and outdoorsman who hunted, fished, and explored the woodlands of Otsego County. He was an NRA hunter safety instructor for many years and collected antique firearms from the Revolutionary and Civil War years. He loved to read and was an authority on such things as Civil War history, steam railroading, and sailing vessels.
He served as a call fireman with the Oneonta Fire Department for many years and was the president of the Residents Association at the Masonic Home during his stay there.
Mr. Hobbie, who never married, was predeceased by his brother, Edgar Hobbie, and is survived by one niece and nephew.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, March 1, 2000, at 10:30 a.m. at Tompkins Chapel at the Masonic Home located on Bleecker Street in Utica. Interment will be in the Masonic Home Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Friedel, Williams, Coriale & Edmunds Funeral Home, Utica.
Mary E. Whitbeck
FRANKLIN — Mary E. Whitbeck, 68, of Franklin, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000, at The Hospital in Sidney.
She was born Sept. 16, 1931, in New Kingston, the daughter of Floyd W. and Lula J. (Butler) Davis.
She married Clifton Whitbeck on Sept. 17, 1949.
Mary was a homemaker, and for the past 40 years was an Avon representative in the Franklin area.
She attended the Plymouth Church on the Franklin-Walton Road, and served for 30 years on the town of Franklin election board.
She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother,
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Clifton Whitbeck of Franklin; a daughter and son-in-law, Gloria and Jack Callahan of Unadilla; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Robin Whitbeck of Unadilla and Tom and Barb Whitbeck of Schenevus; and six grandchildren, Brad and Rhonda Whitbeck, Bryan and Matthew Callahan, and Jennifer and Jessica Whitbeck. Also surviving are four sisters and brothers-in-law, Nancy and Bob Ward of Livingston Manor, Dorothy and Rodney Dean of Bainbridge, Pauline and Thurston Lambrecht of Sidney Center and Blanche Tompkins of Florida; two brothers and sisters-in-law, George Davis and Kathy of Poland and Henry and Polly Davis of Sidney Center; and a sister-in-law, Betty Davis of Walton.
She was predeceased by a son, David Whitbeck; a brother, Harold Davis; and a brother-in-law, Grover (Cleave) Tompkins.
A graveside service will be held in the Ouleout Valley Cemetery, Franklin, in the spring.
Arrangements are being made with the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, Franklin.
Mabel H. Simonds
BAINBRIDGE — Mabel H. Simonds, 95, of Bainbridge, passed away Monday, Feb. 28, 2000, at the Gilmore Health Care Facility, Norwich.
She was born to the late Claude C. and Josephine (Borden) Holman on Aug. 20, 1904.
Mrs. Simonds married Milton R. Simonds on March 31, 1923, in Adams.
She was a member of the St. Peters Episcopal Church, Bainbridge, and a member of the D.A.R. Bainbridge Chapter.
Mrs. Simonds is survived by her husband, Milton R. Simonds; four sons and daughters-in-law, Milton and Dorothy Simonds Jr. of North Fenton, Norman and Joan Simonds of Bainbridge, Benjamin and Peg Simonds of Bainbridge and James R. Simonds of Bainbridge; one sister, Ola Ramsey of Watertown; 21 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
She is predeceased by two sons, Charles and Donald Simonds; three brothers, David, Carl and Harvey Holman; and one sister, Sarah Davis.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 2, 2000, at St. Peters Episcopal Church, Bainbridge, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Mother Linda King, vicar of St. Peters Episcopal Church, officiating.
Friends may call at their convenience on Wednesday, March 1, at C.H. Landers Chapel, 21 Main St., Sidney.
Burial will be in St. Peters Episcopal Cemetery, Bainbridge.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peters Episcopal Church or the Bainbridge Emergency Squad.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers, Inc., Sidney.
Gerald A. VerValin
UNADILLA — Gerald A. VerValin, 76, of 55 Martin Brook St., Unadilla, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000, at the New York State Veterans' Home, Oxford.
He was born Dec. 21, 1923, in Unadilla, the son of Arthur and Mary (Larkin) VerValin.
He was a lifelong Unadilla resident and a graduate of the Unadilla Central School, Class of 1942.
Gerald was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Navy from 1942-1946.
He was a retired senior stores clerk with the New York State Police Troop C Headquarters in Sidney.
He was an active member of St. Ambrose Church in Unadilla and Sacred Heart Church in Sidney.
Gerald is survived by three sisters, Eleanor Marie Lindsey of Houston, Texas, Dorothy McElligott of Hoxley, Texas, and Mary Crandall of Afton; two brothers, Arthur J. VerValin of Lakewood, Colo., and Kenneth W. VerValin of Unadilla; also several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 2, 2000, at St. Ambrose Church, Unadilla, with the Rev. Joseph J. Schuck, associate pastor, officiating.
Burial will be in Evergreen Hill Cemetery at a later date.
There will be no calling hours.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Ambrose Church, Unadilla.
Funeral arrangements are by the Westcott Funeral Home, Unadilla.
Claire R. Malewski
DELHI — Claire R. Malewski, 71, of Delhi, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000, at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, Oneonta.
She was born Aug. 25, 1928, in Jersey City, N.J., the daughter of Anthony and Victoria (Brozowski) Brzozwski.
She was married to the late Anthony Malewski on May 17, 1947, in Jersey City, N.J.; he died May 10, 1990.
A loving mother and grandmother, she is survived by three sons, Robert A. Malewski of Rochester, N.H., Joseph E. Malewski of Delhi and Anthony P. Malewski of Oneonta; a sister, Lil Kozlowski of South Carolina; four grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mrs. Malewski was a legal secretary for more than 20 years working at McKeegan and McKeegan Law Offices in Delhi.
She was an active member of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Delhi.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday, March 2, 2000, at 1 p.m. at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Delhi, with the Rev. Father Joseph Manerowski celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in the spring at Woodland Cemetery, Delhi. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, March 1, 2000, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the MacArthur Funeral Home, Delhi.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 96 Spruce St., Oneonta, N.Y. 13820.
Arrangements are with the MacArthur Funeral Home, Delhi.
Nicholas J. Rohner
DELHI — Nicholas J. Rohner, 69, of Peakes Brook, Delhi, died Wednesday night, Feb. 23, 2000, at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, Oneonta.
He was born March 8, 1930, in Delhi, the son of Nicholas and Emily (Studach) Rohner, who were natives of Altstatten, Switzerland.
A lifelong Delhi resident, Nick graduated in 1948 from Delaware Academy and in 1950 from Delhi Tech.
A Korean era veteran (1950-54), he was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force serving in Saudi Arabia.
He married Claudine F. Hait, who died Nov. 16, 1960. Their infant daughter, Joan, also died at the same time.
Nick was a self-employed carpenter and stone mason who possessed an artistic gift as evidenced by many of his construction projects.
A devout Roman Catholic, Nick was a parishioner of St. Peter's Church, possessed a profound compassion for children and was a sponsor of the Christian Children's Fund.
He was also past noble grand of Delhi Odd Fellows Lodge #625 and past commander of Donald W. Gleason American Legion Post 190.
Surviving are his daughter and son-in-law, Mary Lou and Bill Oliver of DeLancey; a son, Neil A. Rohner of Ballston Spa; two grandchildren, Abigail and Noah Oliver; a sister and brother-in-law, Emily and Joseph Pazienza of East Greenbush; one niece; and three nephews.
Friends are invited to call today (Friday) at the Hall & Peet Funeral Home, Delhi, where the family will be in attendance from 7 to 9 p.m. and funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 26, by the Rev. Fr. Edward J. Ryan.
Burial will be at a later date in the family plot at Woodland Cemetery, when military honors will be accorded by Post 190.
Memorial contributions may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, 280 North Bedford Rd., Suite 305, Mt. Kisco, N.Y. 10549.
Arrangements are entrusted to Robert A. Peet, Delhi.
Maria Weiss
COOPERSTOWN — Mrs. Maria Weiss, 97, of Cooperstown, and formerly of Harrington Park, N.J., died Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 23, 2000, at The Meadows.
She was born on Feb. 11, 1903, in Stuttgart, Germany, a daughter of August Edward and Eva (Schiller) Deutschle.
She married Karl Anton Weiss in November 1938, in New City, Mr. Weiss died on Aug. 25, 1982.
Mrs. Weiss was raised and educated in Germany. She immigrated to the United States on June 25, 1928, and was employed as a governess by many notable families in Manhattan. Following her marriage to Mr. Weiss, she dedicated her life to her family and her home. In 1995, she moved to Cooperstown.
At one time Mrs. Weiss was affiliated with the Community Church of Harrington Park, N.J. Her life spanned most of the twentieth century.
She is survived by her son, Albert K.G. Weiss and his wife, Christine, of Cooperstown; two granddaughters, Marianne Weiss of Boston, Mass., and Katherine Weiss of Hoboken, N.J.; a stepsister, Renata Reimann of Ditzingen, Germany; a sister-in-law, Elsa B. Weiss of The Meadows; two nephews, Walter Wuehler of Woodcliff Lake, N.J., and Fritz Weiss of Harrington Park, N.J.; and one cousin, Miss Sigrid Scheu, of Manhattan.
A funeral service will be held this evening, Friday, Feb. 25, 2000, at 8 p.m. at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown, with the Rev. Stephen J. Quinlan, co-pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, officiating. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2000, at 1 p.m. in the George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, N.J.
Friends may call at the funeral home this evening from 7 p.m. until service time.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts may be made to Friends of Bassett, attention; Critical Care Unit, 1 Atwell Rood, Cooperstown, N.Y. 13326.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.