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Zellah S. Darrin
SIDNEY — Zellah S. Darrin, 91, of Sidney, passed away Thursday morning, Nov. 25, 1999, at the New York State Veterans' Home at Oxford.
She was born on May 10, 1908, in Afton, a daughter of the late Chester and Jennie Sackett.
She graduated from Afton Central School in 1926, and took a business course at Ridley's Business School. She was employed as a bookkeeper at Whittaker and Son of Sidney for many years.
She married George Darrin of Sidney in 1954, in Delhi. She was predeceased by her husband, George; a sister, Alvaretta Weeks; and a brother, Leslie Sackett.
Zellah is survived by nieces and nephews, Phyliss Ewald of South Carolina, David Weeks of Binghamton, Beverly Miller of Chenango Forks, Kendall Weeks of South Carolina, Sherrill Weeks of Afton, Barbara Miller of Port Crane, Gretchen Gallo of Castle Creek and Marie Miller of Port Crane; and several great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, Nov. 29, 1999, from the C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St., Sidney, with the Rev. David Masland, pastor of the Sidney United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in the Prospect Hill Cemetery, Sidney. Friends are invited to call Monday at their convenience. Her family will be in attendance from 1 p.m. to service time at 2 p.m.
Robert W. Cook
COOPERSTOWN — Robert Wiles Cook, 87, formerly of Brookwood Estate on Otsego Lake, died Thursday evening, Nov. 25, 1999, at The Meadows.
He was born on July 3, 1912, in Springfield Center, the son of John Harry Cook and Grace Wiles Cook.
At an early age, Bob moved to Cooperstown where his father operated an automobile supply store and dealership.
In 1931, Bob graduated from the Tilton Boy's School in New Hampshire and later attended Duke University, graduating in the Class of 1938.
He enlisted in the United States Army on March 26, 1941, and was stationed at Hickam Field, Hawaii, where he observed the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, from his post in the airfield control tower. During his service time with the Quartermaster Corps of the 1219th Service Command, he attained the rank of captain and was honorably discharged on Feb. 13, 1946.
Following his discharge, Bob lived in California for a time and then returned to Cooperstown and New York City, where he served as a maitre d'hotel in well-known restaurants. At one point he trained individuals in this line of work, including Elaine Kaufmann who owns the famous New York establishment, Elaine's.
The sudden illness of a friend opened up his 13-year career as an international tour director for Thomas Cook and Sons. One of his most memorable tours was the final voyage of the Queen Mary en route to its permanent mooring in Long Beach, Calif. After more than a dozen world cruises, he returned to Cooperstown and operated an antique shop.
Since 1994, he had been a resident of the Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home in Cooperstown until he moved to The Meadows in late October of this year.
Bob's special interests were architecture, historic theaters, antiques and history — especially the history of Cooperstown and the people who lived there. An avid observer of the Cooperstown scene, he could talk for hours about everything from the pie at Carr's Hotel to the opening of Smalley's Theatre and the elephants in the barn on Hoffman lane.
Bob especially loved the garden at Brookwood, the estate on Otsego Lake that his father acquired as the family home in 1944. Bob spent much time and energy restoring and maintaining it. In 1985, he presented Brookwood to The Cook Foundation (a not-for-profit institution) to ensure its preservation and availability for public enjoyment. Each year, Brookwood plays host to many weddings, receptions, tour groups and individual visitors who experience the garden, garden house, and lake setting.
In accordance with Bob's wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral service. Burial will be at a later date in the Cook family plot at Lakewood Cemetery in Cooperstown. A special event will be held in Bob's memory next spring in the Brookwood Garden.
It was also Bob's request that those who wish to do so may make a memorial contribution to The Cook Foundation, P.O. Box 868, Cooperstown, N.Y. 13326-0868.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
Marjorie Graham
WEST DAVENPORT — Marjorie Scoon Graham passed away on Sunday, Nov. 28, 1999, at home in West Davenport, after fighting an 11-year cancer battle with dignity, class and great bravery.
Marjorie was born in Geneva on May 4, 1924, daughter of Howard and Julia (Clow) Scoon. She was raised on the family farm on Scoon Road, Hall.
She graduated from Penn Yan Academy and received a bachelor's of science degree with highest honors in business from Russell Sage College, Troy.
Marjorie came to Delhi in 1945, as secretary to R.R. DeGelleke, district principal at Delaware Academy, Delhi.
Marjorie and Robert J. Graham were married on July 20, 1946.
She received her teaching certification from Hartwick College in 1962, and then taught high school business in Franklin, Oneonta, Delhi and South Kortright schools. She received her master's degree in counseling from the State University College at Oneonta in 1965. From 1973 to 1984, she taught office occupations at the Occupational Center in Milford. Upon her retirement from teaching, she did free-lance work, including on-site counseling at businesses in secretarial techniques, office procedures, stress management, assertiveness and communications. She is a graduate of Dale Carnegie, where she received two special awards, and then served as graduate assistant for Dale Carnegie in 1981.
Marjorie was an adult education instructor for Western Delaware BOCES. She was also the founder and an honorary member of Catskill Area Association of Educational Office Personnel. The founding meeting on May 3, 1961, consisted of six persons; the organization has now grown to involve more than 125 members.
Marjorie was a member of the Congregational Church in Hall, the First Presbyterian Church in Delhi, and a 25-year member of the West Davenport Methodist Church. She was a lay leader in the Methodist Church and a member of Methodist Women.
Marjorie's early years on the farm reflected in her bounteous vegetable gardens and the abundance of beautiful flowers she grew.
Her other hobbies included swimming, water skiing, bridge, arts and crafts, sketching, reading, puzzles and caring for her beloved cat, Abbey.
Survivors are her husband of 53 years, Robert J., and a daughter, Margo, both of West Davenport.
Calling hours are Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1999, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oneonta. Services will be at Little Church Cemetery, Hall, at the convenience of the family.
Marjorie requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to Catskill Area Hospice, 542 Main St., Oneonta, N.Y. 13820 or to the Bassett Hospital Oncology Department, Attention: Dr. Patrick Dwyer, Cooperstown, N.Y. 13326.
Florence Schon
COOPERSTOWN — Mrs. Florence Schon, 84, of Long Island, died Sunday morning, Nov. 28, 1999, at The Meadows.
She was born on May 17, 1915, in the Bronx, the ninth of 10 children, to Pasquale and Angela (LaVecchia) Giliberty.
On Sept. 10, 1944, she married William H. Schon Jr. in Garden City, Long Island. Mr. Schon died on Sept. 6, 1997.
Mrs. Schon grew up in Hempstead, Long Island and graduated from high school there.
Following her marriage, she devoted herself to raising her family. She was a loving wife and mother who enjoyed cooking, crocheting and playing bingo.
Three years ago she moved to this area to be near her daughter.
She was a former member of the Winthrop University Hospital Guild in Mineola.
Mrs. Schon is survived by her two daughters, Laura Jane Reidhead of Cooperstown and Constance Hemstreet and her husband, Michael, of Ellenville; her son, William H. Schon III and his wife, Lillian, of East Moriches, Long Island; her eight grandchildren, P. William Reidhead, Christopher Reidhead, Peter Reidhead, Michelle Mainolfi, Schon Hemstreet, Caroline Hemstreet, William H. Schon IV and Angela Schon; her great-grandson, Christian Mainolfi; three sisters, Helene Juergens of Southbury, Conn., Olga DeRiggi of Hempstead, Long Island, and Rose Parillo and her husband, Joseph, of West Hempstead, Long Island; and 20 nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2, 1999, at St. Mary's Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Cooperstown, with Fr. John R. Roos, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Cemetery of the Holy Rood in Westbury, Long Island.
At the request of the family, there will be no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts may be made to a charity of one's choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
Jack Riemer
SOUTH VALLEY — Jack Riemer, 86, died suddenly Saturday, Nov. 27, 1999, at his home in South Valley.
He was born May 11, 1913, in Berlin, Germany, the son of Herman and Dora (Liechtenberg) Riemer.
Jack fled Hitler's Germany in 1933, traveling illegally all over Europe and settling in Palestine a year later.
In World War II, he joined the British forces and was a prisoner of war for several years on Crete. He survived a death march and returned to Palestine.
On Sept. 28, 1947, he married Edith Lefor.
In 1954, he emigrated from Israel to the United States and lived in New York City where he was first a sewing machine repairman and then worked until his retirement in 1978 for the New York City Transit Authority. At this time he moved to South Valley, which he came to love. He was most interested in politics and loved to read.
He was a very kind and compassionate person and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Edith Riemer of South Valley; a daughter and son-in-law, Dorit and Steven Stark-Riemer; three granddaughters, Wendy, Jamee and Rachel of Delmar; three sisters, Hatti Riemer of London, England, Leni Riemer of Greenbrae, Calif., and Nettie Rigacci of Rome, Italy.
At his request he will be cremated. There will be a private memorial service at his residence.
At Jack's request expressions of sympathy may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, N.Y. 13220-3049 or the Yad Vashem 500 Fifth Ave., Suite 1600, New York, N.Y. 10110.
Funeral arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home Oneonta and Otego.
Gertrude M. Eldred
LAURENS — Gertrude M. Eldred died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 1999, at M.I. Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown.
She graduated from Oneonta High School and Syracuse University, earning her master's degree from St. Lawrence University. For two years she taught school in St. Christina School in Cooperstown and for 41 years she worked for the Oneonta Public Schools, serving as the original principal of Valleyview Elementary School until her retirement in 1967.
Gertrude is survived by two nephews and their families, John C. Eldred of San Jose, Calif., and Harry D. Eldred of Lombard, Ill. She is also survived by some good friends and some loving animals.
She was predeceased by a nephew, Kenneth H. Shotwell, who died on Oct. 9, 1998. His family survives.
Private committal prayers will be held on the John M. Eldred family plot at the convenience of the family in Hillington Cemetery in Morris.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the SPCA, Cooperstown, or to the charity of one's choice.
Arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.
Otto I. Olsen
BLOOMVILLE — Otto I. Olsen, 70, of Bloomville, died Sunday, Nov. 28, 1999, at Benedictine Hospital, Kingston, following an extended illness.
He was born May 20, 1929, in Stamford, the son of Otto and Delia (McMullen) Olsen.
He married Mabel (Wood) Armstrong on June 22, 1985, in Bloomville.
A 1946 graduate of Grand Gorge Central School, he enlisted in the United States Air Force (1953-57) and served in Germany attaining the rank of staff sergeant. A longtime American Legionnaire, Otto was a member of the Donald W. Gleason Post 190, Delhi, and past commander of the Truman C. Tobey Post 32, as well as past commander of the Frank Meade Eells, V.F.W. Post 270, Walton.
A lifelong Delaware County resident and skilled automotive mechanic by trade, he had been employed in earlier years by Breakstone's in Walton, where he previously lived, later State University College of Technology at Delhi and subsequently with the former Decker Ambulance Service, Hamden until his retirement.
A longtime Bloomville resident, he was a founding member of the Bloomville Emergency Squad, was well-liked and respected in the community and will be remembered for his characteristic laugh.
Known as "Mr. Mustang," he was an avid collector of classic Ford Mustang automobiles, and his interest had been the subject of a feature article of The Daily Star several years ago. He also enjoyed country music and dancing.
Surviving are his wife, Mabel A. Olsen at home; two sons, Tim Stewart of Bloomville and Paul Olsen of Walton; several stepchildren, many grandchildren; a sister, Avis Miller of Florida; two brothers, Melvin Olsen of Florida and Eugene Olsen of Bloomville; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by a brother, Frederick Olsen.
Friends are invited to call today at the Hall & Peet Funeral Home, Delhi, where the family will be in attendance 7 to 9 p.m. and where funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 1, by the Rev. Richard L. Elder, pastor of the Hobart United Methodist Church, and also by the American Legion and V.F.W. units; and at 4 p.m. services will be conducted by Edwin L. Retallick, Elder of the Hamden Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Burial will be later in the Riverside Cemetery, Bloomville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Guillain-Barre Syndrome Foundation Int'l., P.O. Box 262, Wynnewood, Pa. 19096.
Arrangements are entrusted to Robert A. Peet, Delhi.
Edward A. Kitts
RICHFIELD SPRINGS — Edward A. Kitts, 93, of East Main Street, died on Monday morning, Nov. 29, 1999, in Folts Homes, Herkimer.
Born on April 7, 1906, in Richfield Springs, he was a son of the late Harvey and Louise Angermire Kitts.
He was raised and educated in Richfield Springs. He went on to graduate from Columbia University with a pharmaceutical degree in 1922, a chemist degree in 1924, and a bachelor's of science degree in 1926. From college he became chief manufacturing Chemist for Fellows Medical Co. in Yonkers.
On June 16, 1934, he married Mildred Filkins, a loving and devoted union of 55 years, until her passing on Oct. 20, 1989.
In 1940, he and his family moved back to Richfield Springs.
He was the pharmacist for Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital as well as Church and Scott Drug Store in Cooperstown.
In 1944, he purchased Ansley Buck's Drug Store, Richfield Springs and changed the name to Edward A. Kitts Drug Store. He retired in 1973.
He was a member of Saint Joseph's Church, Richfield Springs. He was a founding member and 53-year member of the Richfield Springs Rotary Club. He had served as club president and was active in ARROW, which was started by Louis Bruce of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. Mr. Kitts was adopted by the Mohawk Indian Nation that year.
Surviving are two sons and their wives, Donald E. and Barbara Kitts of Richfield Springs and James J. and Janet Kitts of Loudenville; a daughter, Mary K. and her husband, Roger Skinner, of Whitesboro; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Cletus, Robert and Jack Kitts; and a sister, Mollie Streeter.
Funeral from J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James St., Richfield Springs, will be held on Wednesday, at 9:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. in Saint Joseph's Church, Richfield Springs, with the Rev. Terrance Healey officiating. Interment in Saint Joseph's Cemetery will take place next spring. Calling hours are today (Tuesday) 6 to 8 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the Folts Homes. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Frances Renwick
ONEONTA — Frances A. Renwick, 68, of Oneonta, died Friday, Nov. 26, 1999, at her residence.
She was born on July 23, 1931, in Richmond, the daughter of John and Rosetta (Joyce) Winkley.
She married Victor C. Renwick on Feb. 26, 1955, in Oneonta. He died on Sept. 12, 1976.
Frances was a very active member of the Oneonta Community Gospel Church, along with being a classroom volunteer in the church's Christian School program.
She was also a member of the Oneonta Business Womens' Club and the Oneonta American Legion Auxiliary.
Frances is survived by her children and their spouses, Alberta and Robert (Jim) Nelson of Schenectady, James C. Renwick of New Brighton, Minn., Cindy Stachowski of Hamburg and William and Sandy Renwick of Oneonta; 11 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren; her two brothers, John Winkley of West Orange, N.J., and Norbert Winkley of Clifton Park. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by a son, John Renwick in 1975.
A service to celebrate the life of Frances A. Renwick will be held on Thursday, Dec. 2, 1999, at 1 p.m. in the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta, with the Rev. Donald Yarborough, pastor of the Community Gospel Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Emmons.
Friends may call Wednesday evening at the funeral home from 7 to 9 at which time the family will be in attendance.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Community Gospel Church.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
Sophie Melnick
SCHENEVUS — Sophie Jaroch Melnick of Schenevus, formerly of Kearny, N.J., and New York City, died Sunday evening, Nov. 28, 1999, at A.O. Fox Hospital, after a long illness due to complications from two strokes and pneumonia.
Sophie was born Feb. 9, 1921, in New York City. She was the gentle child of Mary and Josef Jaroch, the stepchild of Leo Siwinska.
She was predeceased by her brother, Leo, in 1990.
Sophie is survived by her beloved husband of 46 years, Stanley; her children, Robert of Schenevus, Maria and Carol, both of New Jersey; and also best friends, Vera and Rudy Lukacovic of New Jersey.
Calling hours will be held Tuesday, Nov. 30, 1999, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Heller Funeral Home in Schenevus.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place 11 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 1, at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Main Street, Schenevus, with the Rev. Edward Golding as celebrant, burial will follow at the Schenevus Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors of Fox Hospital; the nurses and staff of the Oneonta Nursing Center on Chestnut Street; and the people of At Home Care Inc. of Oneonta.
Sophie enjoyed flowers, especially in the springtime when their first blooms signified life. But Sophie would appreciate it more if, instead of flowers, a donation in her name was made to the Schenevus-Maryland Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 272, Schenevus, N.Y. 12155.
Funeral arrangements are by the Heller Funeral Home, 10 Arch St., Schenevus.
