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Wells R. Smith
DERUYTER — Wells R. Smith, 81, of DeRuyter, died Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, at his home.
He was born in New Woodstock and had resided in DeRuyter all his life.
He was the owner of Smith Funeral Home, Smith Ambulance Service Inc., and R.F. Smith & Son Furniture, Appliances and Floor Covering in DeRuyter, all of which continue.
Mr. Smith was a graduate of DeRuyter High School, Binghamton Business Institute and Simmons School of Embalming.
He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving as a hospital corpsman aboard the U.S.S. Repose Hospital Ship.
He was a member of the Owen Woodford Post 894 American Legion, DeRuyter Masonic Lodge 692, Tioughnioga Fire Department, Tri County Funeral Directors Association, the National Funeral Directors Association and Tioughnioga Ruritan Club.
He spent every summer at his camp on DeRuyter Lake.
He is survived by his wife, Janet Herlihy Smith; sons, Richard (Janet) and Donald (Terry Ann), both of DeRuyter; his daughter, JoAnne (Lester) Tyler of Milford; grandchildren, Russell and Daniel Smith of DeRuyter, Laureen Wood and Karen (Tom) Hocker of Boston, Mass., and Julie (Daniel) Minerva of Pleasantville; great-grandchildren, Isabelle and Daniel Minerva and Ryan Hocker; cousins, Robert Barber of Johnson City and Maxwell Smith of Oriskany.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Smith Funeral Home in DeRuyter. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, DeRuyter.
Calling hours will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Masonic services will be held today at 8 p.m.
Contributions can be made to the DeRuyter Rural Cemetery Association, Box 265, DeRuyter, NY 13052.
James E. Laboda
ONEONTA — James E. Laboda, 48, of Oneonta, passed away on Monday, Oct. 27, 2003, at his residence.
He was born on Feb. 28, 1955, in Delhi, the son of John E. and Nancy (Curtin) Laboda.
For many years he worked in the produce department of Genuardi's Family Market in Philadelphia, Pa.
Jim was raised in Oneonta, and graduated from the Oneonta High School in 1973.
He is survived by his daughter, Nicole LaBounty, her husband, Rudy, and their daughter, Rowan Mary; his parents, John and Nancy Laboda of Port Richey, Fla.; his sisters and a brother, and their spouses, Mary and David Brown of North Syracuse, John and Dayle Laboda of West Suffield, Conn., Anne Laboda of Catonsville, Md., and Joan and Eric Shaler of Baldwinsville; as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. today, Nov. 3, 2003, at St. Mary's Church, with the Rev. Thomas Babiuch, associate pastor, officiating.
Friends called Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand St., Oneonta, at which time the family was in attendance.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Rehabilitation Support Service, PO Box 781, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
Altanah Fairbairn
GRAND GORGE — Altanah L. (Midge) Fairbairn, 81, of Grand Gorge, died Thursday, Oct. 30, 2003, at Kingston Hospital, Kingston.
She was born Nov. 21, 1921, in Seager, to David and Edna (Pelham) Fairbairn.
Altanah married Orville Ballard in 1948, in Fleischmanns. He died in 1972. Altanah lived with a close friend, Merton Mayes, in Clovesville for several years.
Altanah was employed at several different workplaces in the Fleischmanns area.
Altanah was a longtime Fleischmanns resident and most recently lived in Grand Gorge. She enjoyed sewing for friends and family and was a collector of trinkets.
She is survived by three sons, Arthur Ballard of West Port Island, Maine, and Thomas Ballard and Jonathan Ballard, both of Grand Gorge; a daughter, Faith Cherry, of Fleischmanns; 11 grandchildren, Michael Ballard and Scott Ballard, both of California, Scott Ballard of Maine, Michelle Ballard of Norway, Karen, Jennifer, Mary, David and Thomas Ballard Jr., Jamie Williamson and Jason Yaekel, all of New York; and seven great-grandchildren.
Altanah was predeceased by 10 brothers and sisters, Arthur, Aileen, Donald, Claude, Clarence, Herman, George, David, Richard and Mary.
Calling hours were held Nov. 1, 2003, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Miller Funeral Home, Roxbury. Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at Miller Funeral Home, Roxbury, with Pastor Kristina Hansen officiating.
Committal services will be private.
Contributions in memory of Altanah L. Fairbairn may be made to the Humane Society of Central Delaware County, Route 10, Delhi, NY 13753.
Arrangements were by the Miller Funeral Home, Roxbury.
Helen V. All
ARGUSVILLE — Mrs. Helen V. All, 85, formerly of Summit, died Saturday, Nov. 1, 2003, at her residence in Argusville.
Mrs. All was born Aug. 23, 1918, in South Worcester, the daughter of Lester and Maggie (Mitchell) Bruce.
Mrs. All was a homemaker all her life and upon marriage moved to Summit where she resided until her husband's death in 1982.
She was a Jehovah's Witness and did volunteer ministry door-to-door. Mrs. All attended the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Fort Plain.
She was predeceased by her husband, Morris All, who died in February 1982.
Survivors include two sons, Harold D. All Sr. of Roxbury and John All of Evansville, Ind.; a sister, Marguerite Bruce of Argusville; seven grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2003, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Fort Plain, with Elder Steve Gage presiding.
There will be no calling hours. Burial will be at the family's convenience in Charlotteville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice Hope Foundation, 327 West Main St., Suite 3, Cobleskill, NY 12043.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill and Palmer & Shaylor Inc. Funeral Home of Middleburgh.
Mirwis Askerzadah
WALTON — Mirwis Askerzadah Sr. 42, of Walton, died as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Oct. 28, 2003, at Wilson Memorial Hospital.
Wis was born on Sept. 9, 1961, in Kabul, Afghanistan. Wis moved to the United States in 1983.
Wis was employed by Vines Restaurant in Oneonta, where he worked as a chef and was admired by all who knew him.
While living in Afghanistan, he played on a professional soccer team. His other hobbies included watching his son, Wisey Jr., No. 27, play football and basketball, lifting weights, being outdoors and cooking.
Wis is survived by his wife, Cheryle Pritchett Askerzadah, of 19 years; four sons, Chris and fiancee Johanna, Justin and wife Saranda, U.S. Army Cpl. Nicholas Ildefonso and Merwis M. (Wisey) Askerzadah Jr. He also leaves behind four grandchildren, Rainier and Justin Jr., Donovan and Autumn; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by two brothers and two sisters; six sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and other family members located in Holland, Germany, Australia, Ireland, California, New Jersey and New York.
He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and brother-in-law.
He was deeply loved by those whose life he touched and will be greatly missed by all.
He was predeceased by his parents; two brothers and one niece.
A memorial service was held Oct. 31, 2003. Burial was at Rose Hill Cemetery in Linden, N.J.
A gathering for close friends and relatives will be held at Vines Restaurant, 214 Main St. in Oneonta, on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2003, between 1 and 5 p.m. in honor of his memory.
Harold W. Cornell
BAINBRIDGE — Harold W. Cornell, 85, of Bainbridge, passed away Monday, Nov. 3, 2003, at the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford.
He was born May 9, 1918, son of the late Vern and Florence Cornell in Afton.
Harold served his country in the United States Army from 1944-1946. Harold was employed as a foreman for E.C.D. of Bendix in Sidney, when he retired in 1978.
During retirement he enjoyed mowing the lawn and relaxing outside on his glider. "He was a devoted family man and had a big heart."
Harold married Hazel Howe in 1937, she survives in Norwich. He is also survived by daughter, Florence Spangenburg, Sidney; granddaughter, Kattie and Joseph Flanagin, Bainbridge, granddaughter, Cherie Naab, Richmond, Va.; grandson, Vance and Kelly Jones, West Plains, Mo., grandson, Harold and Kathy Jones, Texas, and their two children; great-grandchildren, Joseph and Caitlyn Flanagin, Debbie Naab, Logan, Lesley and Danielle Jones.
He was also predeceased by a sister, Jean Gray.
Funeral and committal services will be held Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St., Sidney, at 2: p.m. with the Rev. David Masland, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Sidney, officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery in Afton.
There will be no calling hours.
Memorial contributions may be made in Harold's name to the Valley View Manor Nursing Home Activities Fund, 40 Park St., Norwich, NY 13815.
Thomas M. Gunn
DOWNSVILLE — Thomas Monroe Gunn, 88, of Downsville, departed this life and entered into eternal peace on Monday, Nov. 3, 2003.
Tom was the son of Lee and Ida Gunn born on March 22, 1915, in the town of Hamden, Mo.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Betty, and they celebrated 52 years of marriage earlier this year. Also surviving are two sisters, Wilma Coolick of Little Rock, Ark., and Dorothy Johnson of Mission, Kan.; a sister-in-law, Peggy Curtin; seven nieces, two nephews, 10-great-nieces, two great-nephews; three great-great-nieces; and three great-great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Howard.
He graduated from Salisbury High School in 1932 and went to work in his father's grocery store for a short time then turned to farming, raising both grain and cattle. He also spent time with the Fiedler Oil Company and in 1941 joined the Curtis-Wright Corporation in St. Louis, Mo.
Then World War II started and Tom joined the Air Force. He served in Peru, the Panama Canal Zone and Tucson, Ariz. He was a crew chief on both B24 and B29 bombers. He ended his service on Dec. 7, 1945.
Tom then came east and joined in a partnership with his brother-in-law, Doctor Charles T. Markert, to establish a dude ranch in Delaware County. Roundup Ranch opened for business in 1947, with Tom taking over the management in 1950. Along with his wife, Betty, the two successfully managed the growing resort to where they employed 25 year-round employees and double that number during the summer months.
He both raised and raced quarter horses for the sport and received a state appointment to the Racing and Wagering Board. His commitment to the community was demonstrated by his membership in several organizations. He was proud to serve and be a charter member of the Downsville Lions Club and the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the American Legion and held membership for over 67 years in the Masonic Fraternity. In 1996, he received the Francis Kipp Delaware County Democratic Man of the Year. Thomas was a member of the Colchester Community Church of Downsville.
He will be fondly remembered and missed by all.
Viewing hours are from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2003, with an American Legion Memorial Service at 7 p.m. and a Masonic Service at 8 p.m., at the Knorr Funeral Home, Downsville.
The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, at Colchester Community Church, with the Rev. Joseph Upole officiating.
Memorials may be made to Catskill Hospice, Main Street, Delhi, NY 13753.
Arrangements are with the Knorr Funeral Home in Downsville.
Dewey W. Loft
SCHENEVUS — Dewey W. Loft, 84, died Saturday, Nov. 1, 2003, at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta.
He was born Aug. 31, 1919, in Oneonta, the son of the late George and Lulu (Cox) Loft.
Dewey was married to Dorothy R. Sperbeck, who "put up with him for 56 years" until her death on Aug. 23, 1998.
Dewey enjoyed reminiscing of the days he roamed the hills of Oneonta and as far as Richmondville with his boyhood pals.
He worked many years for Meridale Farms pedaling milk and later as a dairy farmer and logger. He took pride in serving as Superintendent of Highways for the Town of Maryland for 18 years.
After retiring, he and his wife enjoyed traveling around the country by camper with family and friends. He also developed a knack for baking and woodworking.
He is survived by three sons, Richard and Nancy Loft of Worcester, George and Inge Loft of Schenevus, and David and Sylvia Loft of Worcester; a daughter, Frances and Richard Skinner of Horseheads; sisters-in-law, Edna Sperbeck and Marjorie Sperbeck; a brother-in-law, Jack and Margaret Sperbeck, all of Richmondville; 11 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his sister, Genevieve (Jane) Bozanic.
Calling hours will be from 3 p.m. to the memorial service time at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2003, at the Heller Funeral Home in Schenevus. The Rev. Judith A. Thistle, chaplain at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, will officiate.
Dewey will be missed dearly by all of his family and friends.
At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Schenevus-Maryland Emergency Squad, 105 County Highway 34, Schenevus, NY 12155.
Arrangements are by Heller Funeral Home, 25 Arch St., Schenevus.
