Search Archived Marriage Records
Bruce Rathbone
COOPERSTOWN — Mr. Bruce Rathbone, 79, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2000, at Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown.
He was born Feb. 26, 1920, in New York City.
He served in the United States Army during World War II. He was highly decorated and received a battlefield commission during his dedicated service. At the end of the war he was discharged as first lieutenant.
After his military service in the late 1940s, he was employed by The Leatherstocking Corp. in Cooperstown. He became vice president and general manager, retiring from that position in 1987.
He was best known for his commitment to the Republican Party and his work ethic. He never became familiar with the term, "sick day."
Cremation took place at the Leatherstocking Crematory Inc., Cherry Valley.
A private service for family and friends will be held at the Christ Church, Cooperstown, with the Very Rev. Doug Smith officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Rathbone's memory may be made to the V.F.W. Post 7128, 60 Main St., Cooperstown.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
Ella Ritter Geerken
WORCESTER — Ella Geerken, known to many as "Grandma," died on Saturday morning, Feb. 5, 2000. She was 95 years young.
Born in Heidelberg, Germany, on Nov. 26, 1904, to Catherine and Ferdinand Schon; she was one of 14 children. She was adopted by the Max Ritter family who operated a barber shop in Stuttgart.
When she was 19 she emigrated to America and had her first job as a cook in Gloversville.
She met Frederick Geerken in Hoboken, N.J. They were happily married for 47 years, until his death in 1973.
A member of the Worcester community since 1948, she assisted in the operation of Geerken's Meat Market on Brighton Road, was a member of the Methodist Church in Worcester and the Free Baptist Church in West Davenport, and was infamous for throwing the slowest bowling ball at the Worcester lanes.
She was predeceased by her husband, Fred; and her sons Fred Jr. and John.
She is survived by a daughter, Lucia (Lischick) Bozzelli of Key Largo and Salisbury, Md.; and sons Henry of Worcester and Richard of Minden, La. She has a legacy of 12 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren,
A celebration of her life will be announced at a later time in the spring when her family and friends can all be together.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the West Davenport Free Baptist Church in West Davenport.
Funeral arrangements are by the E.J. Skinner Co., Worcester.
Raymond Gockel
GRAND GORGE — Charles Raymond Gockel Sr., 81, of Cronk Lane, Grand Gorge, died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital in Schenectady.
Ray was born June 20, 1918, in Roxbury, the son of Henry J. and Anna E. (Haynes) Gockel.
He was married to Maime Ciaravino on Sept. 8, 1940, in Grand Gorge.
Ray was a lifelong Roxbury and Grand Gorge area resident and for many years was employed by Verona Oil Co. of Roscoe as an oil burner technician.
He was a member of the Grand Gorge United Methodist Church, member and former chief of the Grand Gorge Fire Department, former member and past master of the Gilboa Lodge F. & A.M. and charter member of the former Roxbury Grange.
Ray was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Ray is survived by his wife, Maime Gockel of Grand Gorge; a daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Albert B. Jones Jr. of Gilboa; sons and daughters-in-law, Charles R. and Beverly Gockel Jr. and Karl and Elaine Gockel, all of Prattsville, and Henry and Linda Gockel of Grand Gorge; grandchildren, Tim, Jim, David, Deborah, Charles B., Holly, Dawn, Joanne, Brittany, Henry Jr., Karl Jr., Ray, Jamie and Jeremy; 18 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000, at the Grand Gorge United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Robert Nash, pastor, officiating. The burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery at a later date.
Friends may call at the Hall Funeral Home, Grand Gorge, at their convenience Tuesday afternoon and evening. The family will be in attendance between 7 and 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in Ray's memory to either the Grand Gorge Rescue Squad or the Grand Gorge United Methodist Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Hall Funeral Home, Stamford and Grand Gorge.
Ada M. VanAken
GRAND GORGE — Ada M. VanAken, 87, of Grand Gorge, died Friday, Feb. 4, 2000, at the Mountainside Residential Care Center, Margaretville.
She was born Dec. 8, 1912, in Grand Gorge, the daughter of George Lutz and Louise Rappleyea.
She married George VanAken on Sept. 2, 1933, in Prattsville. He died Nov. 8, 1963.
She was a homemaker. She was a lifelong area resident.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Grand Gorge, the United Methodist Women and the Delaware Valley Grange.
Ada is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Herb and Marion VanAken of Grand Gorge; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today at the Miller Funeral Home, Roxbury, with the Rev. Robert Nash officiating. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery, Grand Gorge. Calling hours were held on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2000, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Contributions may be made in memory of Ada VanAken to the United Methodist Church, Grand Gorge.
Arrangements are by the Miller Funeral Home, Roxbury.
Margaret Sahler
NEW LONDON, N.H. — Margaret (Radant) Sahler, 85, of Lakeside Road, died Friday, Feb. 4, 2000, at her home.
She was born in Hartland, N.Y., on Dec. 30, 1914; the daughter of Albert and Wilhelmina (Fischer) Radant.
She received her RN degree from Philadelphia General Hospital School of Nursing in 1933, and had been the assistant supervisor for nursing services at the University of Rochester's Strong Memorial Hospital from 1933-1940.
Mrs. Sahler had been a resident of Cooperstown for 47 years, where she was an active member and trustee of the First Presbyterian Church in addition to being involved in various volunteer efforts including: The American Red Cross, where she taught home nursing and was a member and president of the Women's Auxiliary of the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital.
She moved to New London, N.H., more than five years ago and was an active member of the Kearsarge Community Presbyterian Church in New London.
She was an avid bridge player.
In 1940, she married Dr. Otto DePuy Sahler, who died in 1989.
She is survived by a son, Paul R. Sahler of Wilmot, N.H.; two daughters, Gretchen S. Patterson of Washington, Pa., and Amy F. Sahler of Boston, Mass.; four grandchildren, Jennifer, Mark, Pamela and Kimberly; and three great-grandchildren, Molly, Garan and William.
There will be no calling hours.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2000, at 11 a.m. at the Kearsarge Community Presbyterian Church, Route 11, New London, N.H., with the Rev. John Wall, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Cooperstown at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lake Sunapee Region Visiting Nurse Association, P.O. Box 2209 or the Kearsarge Community Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1620, both New London, N.H. 03257, or to the Friends of the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown, N.Y. 13326.
Chadwick Funeral Service of New London, N.H. is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Pashley
FRANKLIN — Dorothy (Dottie) Marie Pashley, 76, of Franklin, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000, at the Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Fla.
She was born in Oneonta on Sept. 25, 1923; the daughter of Frank and Marie Schmitt.
She married Lewis Pashley on July 25, 1945, and he predeceased her on Oct. 7, 1988.
Dottie was retired from Mold-A-Matic in Oneonta and was also formerly employed at ECD Bendix in Sidney.
She was a member of the Aldrich Baptist Church and the Board of Elections.
Dottie is survived by her loving companion, Joseph DiSpezio; her children and their spouses, Marjorie and Jack Ritz, Sally and Roger Adams and Rick and Donna Pashley; six grandchildren, Mike Ritz and his wife, Dawn, Kelly Ackley and her husband, Peter, Brian and Chris Pashley and Rhiannon and Lindsay Adams; four great-grandchildren, Jonathon and Kyle Ackley and Ross and Sarah Todd.
She was predeceased by two brothers, Francis and Melvin Schmitt.
Dottie enjoyed her flower garden, baking and spending winters in Cocoa Beach, Fla.
A service to celebrate the life of Dottie Pashley will be held on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2000, at 1 p.m. in the Aldrich Baptist Church, North Franklin, with Mr. Richard W. Sliter, interim pastor, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Aldrich Baptist Church, HC 64, Box 44, Oneonta, N.Y. 13820.
Funeral arrangements are by the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, Franklin.
Benjamin L. Wells
SOUTH NEW BERLIN — Benjamin L. Wells, 71, of South New Berlin, died Monday, Feb. 7, 2000, in New Berlin, unexpectedly.
He was born in New Berlin on July 12, 1928, and the son of William T. Wells and Jennie (Chase) Wells.
He was married to Maysie C. Wells on Sept. 10, 1950, in the First Baptist Church in South New Berlin.
He was a lifelong area resident and a well-known and respected dairy farmer.
Benjamin is survived by his wife, Maysie Wells of South New Berlin; two daughters, Mary Jane Brunschmid of Morris and Sheila Beckert of South New Berlin; two sons, David Wells of South New Berlin and James Wells of Walton; a brother, William Wells of Missoula, Mont.; eight grandchildren, Julie and John Burns, Bryon, Erica and Sherry Beckert and Janet, Rebecca and Elizabeth Wells; and two great-grandchildren, Ashley and Morgan Burns.
A sister, Janet Wells Bettiol, who died in 1953, predeceased him.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2000, at 1 p.m. in the First Baptist Church in South New Berlin, with the Rev. Daniel Age officiating.
There will be calling hours and interment will be in the spring in the Hillington Cemetery in Morris.
In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to donate to the First Baptist Church of South New Berlin in his memory.
Funeral arrangements are by the Johnston Funeral Home of Morris.
Lina Theilke
MARGARETVILLE — Lina Theilke, 88, of Margaretville, died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, at the Mountainside Residential Care Center, Margaretville.
She was born Oct. 6, 1911, in Germany.
She married Franz Theilke on March 12, 1938, in Germany, they were married for 51 years. He died in 1990.
She was a homemaker. She lived at Mountainside Residential Care Center for 21/2 years being cared for Parkinson's disease.
She was a resident of Huntington, Long Island, coming to this country from Germany in 1957, with her family. She lived in Huntington, Long Island, until moving to the Mountainside Residential Care Center.
Lina is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Inge and Franz Luettger of Fleischmanns; and two grandsons, Floyd and Mark Glaess.
Funeral services will be held 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000, at the Hynes Funeral Home, Margaretville, with the Rev. Dr. George Carpenter officiating.
Burial will be in Pinelawn Cemetery, Pinelawn, Long Island.
Calling hours will be Wednesday, from 5:30 p.m. until service time.
Arrangements are by the Hynes Funeral Home, Margaretville.
Brenda Centofante
MILFORD — Brenda Centofante, 57, of Milford, passed away Monday, Feb. 7, 2000, after a long illness while vacationing in Las Vegas, Nev.
She was born Sept. 20, 1942, in Rutland, Vt. She is the daughter of the late Charles and Elinor Moore.
Brenda is survived by her husband of 35 years, Pat Centofante; by her sister, Barbara and her husband, Walter (Sonny) Hansen, of Brewster; brother, Philip Cameron of Brewster; daughters, Tonia Holic and her boyfriend, Jerry Brown, and Sheila Vallee, all of Milford; and her son and daughter-in-law, Matt and Elisa Centofante of Oneonta; and her son, Mark Centofante of Long Island; six grandchildren, who she loved dearly, Tiffany, Tara and Deanna Holic, Matthew and Tina Centofante and Donavan Vallee; many nieces and nephews; and many loving friends.
Memorial services are planned for the spring in Milford.
In lieu of cards and flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to our local Hospice center.
Brenda was an extremely special lady, who was always there to lend a helping hand, whether it was through her business, Concrete Art in Milford Center, or for various people. She will be missed by all.
Elizabeth M. Bliven
OXFORD — Elizabeth M. Bliven, 84, of 25 Scott St., Oxford, longtime Oxford town clerk died Monday, Feb. 7, 2000, at Chenango Memorial Hospital, Norwich.
She was born on Aug. 11, 1915, in Oxford, the daughter of William and Inez (Murray) Corbin.
On April 12, 1932, in Oxford, she married Paul Bliven, who died on March 13, 1996.
She is survived by her children, Robert and Susan Bliven of Oxford and Frances Bliven of Oneonta. Many nieces and nephews also survive.
She was predeceased by her brother, James Murray Corbin.
Mom Bliven or Aunt Betsy as she was known to many friends in Oxford was a lifelong resident of Oxford and lived in the house where she was born.
She attended Oxford Academy and Central School. She held many jobs through out her life; at Victory Markets, John Wyckoff's IGA Store, the Norwich Shoe Co., the Oxford Bowling Alley and for many years she was the Oxford town clerk and most recently she was serving as deputy town clerk.
She was recently recognized for her 74 years of membership in the United Church of Oxford. She was one of the first female members of the Oxford Emergency Squad and is an honorary member of the Oxford Emergency Squad and the Oxford Fire Department.
She was also an American Red Cross volunteer, working on bloodmobiles in Oxford.
She enjoyed counted cross stitch work, knitting, gardening in her younger years and baking and canning.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2000, at 11 a.m. from the Behe Funeral Home, Oxford, with the Rev. Allen Lang, pastor of her church officiating. Burial will be in the spring in J.D. Lewis Cemetery, Preston.
Friends may call at the Behe Funeral Home, Oxford on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the United Church of Oxford, the Oxford Emergency Squad or Hospice of Chenango County.
Benjamin L. Wells
SOUTH NEW BERLIN — Benjamin L. Wells, 71, of South New Berlin, died Monday, Feb. 7, 2000, in New Berlin, unexpectedly.
There will be no calling hours and interment will be in the spring in the Hillington Cemetery in Morris.
Funeral arrangements are by the Johnston Funeral Home of Morris.
