Search Archived Marriage Records
Erich Ernst
OTEGO — Erich Ernst, 78, of Otego, died Sunday, Nov. 18, 2001, at the home of his son in Williamson.
He was born June 23, 1923, in Bukowski-Las, Poland, the son of Friedrick and Mathilde (Rosien) Ernst.
He married Hildegard Anna Schacht on Oct. 18, 1947, in Plon, Holstein, West Germany.
Erich immigrated to East Germany and then to West Germany and in 1957 to Maple Grove. He brought his family to America on the Ocean Liner USS Taylor through the port of New York.
He was a man of many talents, going first to vocational school to become a gardener. He also worked in a coal mine and drove a bulldozer for reconstruction sites in Duisburg, West Germany.
Upon arriving in Maple Grove, Erich became a dairy farmer.
He loved animals, especially dogs and birds. He made and set many nesting boxes to promote the bluebird in this area. He had his own farm in West Laurens and later in Otego. He also raised bees and sold honey to family and friends for many years.
He had an eye for beauty in friendship, nature and life in general.
He was able to do housing construction, painting and electrical work.
He loved the land, had a large garden and planted many fruit trees. He had a love for making great wine, homemade preserves and soups and he liked to play the harmonica and whittle. He was also a strong swimmer and a trout fisherman.
Along with farming he also worked at Sheffield Chemical in Oneonta until the plant moved to Norwich.
He owned and operated the Otego Diner on Main Street for several years and then moved to Rochester to do truck driving and construction. From 1975 to 1985, he worked at the electrical shop as an electrician at the State University College at Oneonta.
Upon his retirement from 1985 to 1998, he and his wife lived in Spring Hill, Fla., each winter. He loved being in Florida.
Erich was a member of the Otego United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Otsego-Schoharie Fraternal Order of the Eastern Star No. 377 and served in many offices including District Grand Lecturer in 1986 and 1987. He was also a member of the Otego Masonic Lodge No. 282 where he also held many offices.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Hildegard; four children, Detlef Ernst of Williamson, Renate and Mark Frailey Sr. of Otego, Herbert Ernst of Canton, Ga., Hannalore and Ronald Yager of Otego; and a close family friend, Randy Bitters of Williamson; nine grandchildren, Amy Jo and Jeffrey Gardner of Oneonta, Michael Yager of Canton, Ga., Cory Yager of Atlanta, Ga., Nathan Ernst of Canton, Ga., Leah and Joseph Welch of Canandaigua, Shawnee and Scott Waters of Otego, Heidi and Thomas Frederick of Oneonta, Kerri Frailey of Otego and Mark Frailey III of Otego; five great-grandchildren, Amethyst Gardner, Liam Welch, Scott Waters Jr., Alyssa Waters, and Thomas Frederick Jr.; relatives living in Germany are, brother, Sigesmund Ernst; brother-in-law, Helmut and Irma Schacht; sister-in-law, Gertrude Schacht; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents; and older brother, Rudolf Ernst.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2001, at 2 p.m. at the Otego United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Fred Albrecht, pastor of the church officiating. Burial will follow at the Otego Evergreen Cemetery.
The family will be present at the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oneonta, Tuesday, this evening from 7 to 9 p.m. for those who may wish to call.
It has been requested that in lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to either the Alzheimer's Association, Northeastern New York Chapter, Leatherstocking Region Branch, P.O. Box 1364, Oneonta, NY 13820 or to the Unatego Masonic Scholarship Fund, care of Unatego High School, Unadilla, NY 13849 in loving memory of Erich Ernst.
Funeral arrangements are by Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.
Alice E. Lum
EAST WORCESTER — Alice E. Lum, 74, of East Worcester, passed away Sunday, Nov. 18, 2001, at Bassett Hospital of Schoharie County in Cobleskill.
She was born Sept. 27, 1927, in Albany, the daughter of Howard and Jane (Martin) Gray.
She married Paul B. Lum in June 1949 in Fort Plain.
Mrs. Lum was a lifelong area resident, who attended the Pilgrim Holiness Church in East Worcester.
She is survived by her husband, Paul B. Lum of East Worcester; two sons, Mark Lum of California and David and his wife, Penny Lum of East Worcester; four grandchildren; a sister, Sally Griffith of Colorado; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and a sister-in-law, Mary Lum of Richmondville.
She was predeceased by two brothers-in-law, Leonard and Walter Lum.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, Nov. 23, 2001, from 1 p.m. until the funeral service time at 2 p.m. at the Pilgrim Holiness Church, state Highway 7, East Worcester, with the Rev. John Peabody, pastor, officiating.
Burial will follow at the Ferris Family Cemetery, Decatur.
Contributions may be made in loving memory of Mrs. Lum to the charity of one's choice.
Funeral arrangements are by E.J. Skinner Co., 155 Main St., Worcester.
Ronald Jennings
WALTON — Ronald Jennings of Walton, died Friday, Nov. 16, 2001, at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown. He was 65.
He was born Dec. 11, 1935, in Downsville, to Howard and Jessie (Hood) Jennings.
Ron worked as a truck driver for 33 years at Del-Krome/Del-Met Corp. in Walton. He retired in 1999 from Yellow Freight Company, Maybrook. He was a member of the machinist and Teamsters unions.
After high school he entered the U.S. Army and served in the signal corps, Frankfort, Germany, from 1955 to 1958. He was recalled to active duty in 1961, and was honorably discharged in 1963, with the rank of SP5.
On Feb. 14, 1959, he married Sue Gray at the United Methodist Church in Walton.
He lived his entire life in Walton and surrounding areas.
He is survived by his wife, Sue of Walton; his son, Michael Jennings and wife, Bonnie of Walton; his daughter, Michelle Pattison and husband, Pat of Downsville. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Colin Pattison, Shayna Jennings, Shelby Jennings, Christa Jennings, Katrina Pallik, Emily Pattison and Shawn Pattison. Other surviving family members include his mother, Jessie of the New York State Home for Veterans in Oxford; a brother and sister-in-law, James and Phyllis Jennings of Unadilla; plus several nieces and nephews.
Ron was an ardent auto race fan and an avid gardener and traveler. He will be most remembered for his love of family.
The family will receive friends at Lyon Bros.-Way Funeral Home, corner of North and Delaware streets in Walton on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2001, from 7 to 9 p.m. A private funeral will be held later in the week.
Donations in Ron's memory may be made to the American Lung Association.
Nathan VanSteenburg
ONEONTA — Nathan "Nate" Daniel VanSteenburg, 42, of Oneonta, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2001, at the New England Medical Center in Boston, Mass. He had fought a difficult and courageous battle with leukemia.
Nathan was born Aug. 12, 1959, in Oneonta, the son of Elmer W. "Red" and Shirley (Rake) VanSteenburg.
Nate was a 1978 graduate of Oneonta High School.
He had previously been employed by Scavo's Body Shop. He was an extremely gifted wildlife artist; had worked at Van's Bait and Tackle with his brothers, Arthur and Victor VanSteenburg; worked as a taxidermist; and most recently, had worked for the Oneonta city school system.
Nate was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, cooking and gardening. He recently was able to attend the Eighth Annual Arthur VanSteenburg Memorial Fishing Tournament. He was a gifted wildlife artist, in which he had the ability to capture nature and wildlife at its peak of beauty.
He was a member of the Moose Club, Sixth Ward Athletic Club, Eagles Club and school union.
Nathan is survived by his mother, Shirley VanSteenburg of Oneonta; his father, Elmer "Red" VanSteenburg of Portlandville; his brother, Victor VanSteenburg of Oneonta; his daughter, Nicole A. VanSteenburg of Oneonta; his longtime friend and companion, Darlene Cornish, and her son, Landon Cornish of Oneonta; an uncle, Wayne VanSteenburg of Oneonta; a cousin, Jimmy Deming of Oneonta; several cousins and many, many dear friends.
He was predeceased by his brother, Arthur William Casper VanSteenburg on June 19, 1993; his maternal grandfather, Arthur Rake; his paternal grandparents, William Casper and Mina E. VanSteenburg; and his aunt, Mrs. Ina Deming.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2001, at 11 a.m. at the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oneonta, with the Rev. Ken Zulkoski officiating. Burial will follow at the Oneonta Plains Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, Nov. 23, 2001, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in memory of Nate may send donations to Oneonta High School in care of Scott Rabeler, principal. The family has established a scholarship fund to benefit graduating Oneonta High School student(s) who are pursuing an education in either the arts or conservation/forestry.
The family also wished that anyone interested in the treatment of bone marrow disease be tested in Nate's memory and placed on the National Bone Marrow Program Registry.
Funeral arrangements are by Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.
Ivan R. Walker
FRANKLIN — Ivan R. Walker, 67, of Franklin, died Monday, Nov. 19, 2001, at the A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta.
He was born Jan. 4, 1934, in Sidney.
He married Frances Santaniello on May 6, 1956. She passed away on Nov. 11, 1992.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1960, attaining the rank of Sergeant.
For 30 years, Ivan was the owner and operator of Franklin Used Equipment Sales in Franklin.
He was a member of the Franklin American Legion Post 1689.
He is survived by his children, Frank Walker and Jennifer Paddock of Franklin; his brother, Richard Walker of Syracuse; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, Nov. 26, 2001, at 11 a.m. in the Franklin United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Lyle Linder, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Ouleout Valley Cemetery, Franklin.
Friends may call at the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at which time the family will be in attendance.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice, 542 Main St., Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements are by the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, Franklin.
Jean A. Barns
COOPERSTOWN — The Barns family announces the death of Jean Anderson Barns, who passed away suddenly, but peacefully on Tuesday evening, Nov. 20, 2001.
The devoted and beloved wife of Dr. Douglas Holmes Barns for 49 years, she was the loving mother of Tom and his wife Julie, Susan and her husband Dan, Kathy and her husband Carter, Tim and his wife Cathy, and Pam and her husband Joel.
Jean was born on Dec. 27, 1929 to Helen Anderson. She was raised with her sister Nancy, in Kingston.
Jean and Doug fell in love while attending St. Lawrence University in Canton and were married on Aug. 23, 1952, settling in Cooperstown shortly thereafter.
While raising her five children, Jean also worked as a substitute teacher, managed the Church Mouse Boutique and was active in countless community organizations. But she was happiest being surrounded by her friends and family including: 12 grandchildren, Melissa, Maegan, Allison, Danny, Matthew, Christopher, Caroline, Molly, Timmy, McKenzie, Douglas, Madison; and one great-grandson, Hayden.
Strong and resilient, but shy, tender and loving, Jean would not want her passing to be marked by grief and sadness, but would rather ask that you join her family in rejoicing and celebrating her life. She would also request that in lieu of flowers, that those willing to do so, send an honorarium to the Friends of Bassett Hospital, 27 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, N.Y., a charity she loved.
Deacon Prosser
SHERBURNE — Deacon McCall Prosser, infant son of Corey and Lynn Stone Prosser, passed away Tuesday Nov. 20, 2001, at his home.
Surviving besides his parents are three brothers, Dustin, Dylon and Damien; his grandparents Fred (Skip) and Cathy Stone of Sherburne; Harry and Edith Prosser of Andes; great grandparents Fred and Linda Stone and Richard and Helen Fink, all of Norwich; his great-great grandmother Evelyn Rounds; and many aunts, uncles, great aunts and uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his grandmother Barbara McCall Prosser.
His funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday from the Burgess Funeral Home, 10 S. Main St., Sherburne.
Interment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Norwich.
Friends are invited and may call Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. before the service at the funeral home.
Vicki Lee Sherwood
VEGA — Vicki Lee Sherwood, 53, of Vega, died Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2001, at the Mountainside Residential Care Center in Margaretville, after a lengthy illness.
She was born Oct. 8, 1948, in Margaretville, the daughter of Francis and Betty (Hull) Sherwood.
Vicki attended the Community Living Skills program at ARC in Arkville.
She lived with her parents for 38 years before leaving and making her home at the ICF Home in Walton. She had been at Mountainside Residential Care Center since June 29, 1994.
She was a member of United Methodist Church, Halcottsville, N.Y.
She is survived by her mother and father, Francis and Betty Sherwood of Vega; brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Mary Sherwood of Stamford; and aunts, uncles and cousins.
A funeral service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23, 2001, at the Miller Funeral Home in Roxbury with the Rev. Charles Gockel and the Rev. Richard Dykstra officiating.
Burial will be in the Vega Cemetery, Vega, N.Y.
Calling hours were held on Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and friends may call at the Miller Funeral Home in Roxbury before the service.
Contributions in memory of Vicki Lee Sherwood may be made to the Memorial Fund of Mountainside Residential Care Center, Margaretville.
Arrangements are by the Miller Funeral Home, Roxbury.
Irving G. Denton
FORT PLAIN — Mr. Irving G. Denton Jr., 55, of Fort Plain, passed away at his home suddenly, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2001.
He was born on Oct. 18, 1946, in Fort Johnson, the son of Irving and Nellie (Litchfield) Denton Sr.
In 1971, in Amsterdam, he married the former Joan Mulchy.
Having served in the U.S. Army, he was an auto mechanic.
He was a member of the Wanderer's Car Club of Cooperstown.
He is survived by his wife, Joan, of Fort Plain; a daughter, Marcy Denton of Mayfield; a son, Shane Denton of Virginia Beach, Va.; five grandchildren; his mother, Nellie Nardo of Johnstown; two sisters, Delores Jennings and Marilyn Jennings, both of Fort Plain; and several nieces and nephews.
Public calling hours will be at the Ottman Funeral Home at 22 Church St. in Cherry Valley on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2001, from 2 to 4 p.m., with the family in attendance.
There will be no public funeral services at this time.
As per the family request, in lieu of flowers, donations in Irving's memory may be made to his family.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home.
Clifford R. Jordan
MERIDALE — Clifford R. Jordan died Nov. 20, 2001, at home.
He was born June 29, 1920, the son of Frank and Marcelle Jordan in Brooklyn.
He served as a naval pilot in the Pacific in World War II.
He was a dairy farmer in Meridale for 36 years.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ruth E. Jordan; his three children, Clifford, Ruth and Margaret Jordan; his brother, Francis Jordan; his sister, Lucille Jarek; and three grandchildren, John Jordan, Rachel Midgette and Adam Jordan.
There will be no service.
In lieu of flowers, please send remembrances to the Meridale Emergency Squad.
