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Williams Rathbun
EAST SPRINGFIELD — Mr. Williams Alden Rathbun, 72, passed away March 21, 2000, peacefully at home with his family at his side, after a long illness.
He was born March 20, 1928, in East Springfield, the son of Williams A. and Alice (Myers) Rathbun.
On April 10, 1954, he married Virginia Marr in Cooperstown, she survives.
Mr. Rathbun served in the United States Army from 1950-1952.
A lifelong area resident of East Springfield, he worked for 39 years for the Otsego County Highway Department, retiring in 1985 as shop foreman.
He was a charter member of Springfield Fire Department Company 1, and served as a fire commissioner for several years.
Besides his wife, Virginia Rathbun of East Springfield; he is survived by a son, Williams A. Rathbun IV, and companion, Anna V. Fort of Richfield Springs; a daughter, Priscilla G. Burgess, and her husband, Robert, of Schenectady; a sister, Irene Trumble, and her husband, Richard C., of Canajoharie; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 24, 2000, at 11 a.m. at the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley, with the Rev. Ron Fralick officiating.
Cremation will follow at the Leatherstocking Crematory Inc., Cherry Valley, with spring burial in Springfield Cemetery, Springfield Center, at the convenience of the family.
Calling hours will take place on Thursday, March 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home with a Springfield Fire Department service at 8 p.m.
Contributions in Mr. Rathbun's memory may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice, 542 Main St., Oneonta, N.Y. 13820 or the Springfield Fire Department.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
Catherine Dighton
STAMFORD — Catherine B. Dighton, 75, of Foote Hollow Road, Stamford, died Thursday, March 23, 2000, at her residence.
She was born May 31, 1924, in Glasgow, Scotland, the daughter of James and Agnes (Beattie) Lister.
Catherine was married to George F. Dighton on Jan. 30, 1971, in New York City. George died April 18, 1997.
Catherine came to the United States in 1957, and resided in New York City until the late 1970s when she moved to Stamford.
Catherine is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Karen Holeczko of Wharton, N.J.; a granddaughter, Taylor Marie Holeczko, also of Wharton, N.J.; a sister, Lavinia Mills of Dalgety Bay, Scotland; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, March 25, 2000, at the Hall Funeral Home, 142 W. Main St., Stamford, with the Rev. Waylen Bray, pastor of the Stamford Baptist Church, officiating. The burial will be in the Stamford Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday evening, between 7 and 9 p.m.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in Catherine's memory to the R.A. Robinson Emergency Squad, Main Street, Stamford, N.Y. 12167.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Hall Funeral Home, Stamford and Grand Gorge.
Metia S. Northup
UNADILLA — Metia S. Northup, 70, of Unadilla, died unexpectedly Wednesday, March 22, 2000, at The Hospital, Sidney.
She was born Nov. 18, 1929, in Herkimer, the daughter of Frederick and Ida (Farley) Gilbert.
She was married to Gerald Northup on June 13, 1948, in Bainbridge.
She has been a resident of Unadilla, since 1950, and was a retired employee of Amphenol Corp. of Sidney. She was presently employed at The Village Variety in Unadilla.
Metia is survived by her husband, Gerald Northup of Unadilla; four sisters, Gertrude Smith, Florence Sennet, Ella May Burns and Mildred DeVine; a niece, Jackie Dennis of Kirkwood; a nephew, Ralph VanLoan of Unadilla; and several other nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by a brother, Frederick Gilbert Jr.; and a sister, Marie Leon.
Graveside services will be held in Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Unadilla, at a later date.
Friends may call at the Westcott Funeral Home, 112 Main St., Unadilla, on Saturday, March 25, 2000, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Funeral arrangements are by the Westcott Funeral Home, Unadilla.
Marlene A. Heesh
UNADILLA — Marlene A. Heesh, 67, of Unadilla, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 22, 2000, at her home.
She was born to the late Henry and Verna (Porter) Hall on June 27, 1932, in Sidney.
Marlene married Harold L. Heesh on July 4, 1954, in Sidney. He predeceased her on March 6, 1998.
Marlene is survived by two sons, Russell Heesh of Masonville and James and Beverly Barre of Coventry; one daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Clifford Burton of Arkansas; one brother and sister-in-law, James and Joyce Hall of Unadilla; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services are private and at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 57 Front St., Binghamton, N.Y., 13905-4797; or the charity of one's choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Inc., Sidney.
Howard Berkowitz
ONEONTA — Dr. Howard Berkowitz, 72, of 30 St. James Place, Oneonta, died Wednesday evening, March 22, 2000, at the A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, after a brief illness.
He was born July 31, 1927, in Brooklyn, the son of Louie and Celia (Golobov) Berkowitz.
Howard was an educational psychology professor at the State University College at Oneonta for many years. He also had a private practice in clinical psychology. Howard earned his doctorate in education psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and his doctoral dissertation pioneered research into mid-life crisis. He was elected to Who's Who in America in 1970.
Howard was very active in the community. He was a faithful Kiwanis member for many years, a Catskill Area Hospice volunteer and a member of the Oneonta Housing Authority. He ran twice for mayor for the city of Oneonta. He was the president of the Board of Visitors at the Binghamton Psychiatric Center for many years as well as the chair of the educational psychology department at SUCO. He also was on the Faculty Senate Committee of Student Affairs. Howard was a diplomat in the American College of Forensic Examiners.
He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Ruth Berkowitz Scott and David Lawrence Scott of Lexington, Ky.; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert S. and Cynthia Berkowitz of Merrick; and a brother and sister-in-law, Henry and Judith Berkowitz of Las Vegas, Nev.
Memorial services will be held Sunday, March 26, 2000, at 4 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 12 Ford Ave., Oneonta, with the Rev. Judith Quales officiating.
Burial will be in the Temple Beth El Cemetery, Emmons, at the convenience of the family. There will be no calling hours.
It has been requested that in lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy be made to either the Unitarian Universalist Church, 12 Ford Ave., Oneonta, N.Y. 13820, the Binghamton Psychiatric Center, 425 Robinson St., Binghamton, N.Y. 13901 or the Catskill Area Hospice, 542 Main St., Oneonta, in loving memory of Dr. Howard Berkowitz.
Funeral arrangements are by Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.
Elaine Butkereit
ROSEBOOM — Elaine Butkereit, 73, died on Feb. 9, 2000, while on vacation in Florida.
Elaine became ill on the trip to Florida, entered a hospital upon her arrival, and died of a perforated ulcer subsequent to her admission.
Elaine was born on April 19, 1926, in Barre, Vt., but lived most of her life in Freeport, where she raised three children and worked in the libraries of the Freeport School System. Besides sharing her love of the written word with elementary school children, Elaine developed and delivered a variety of environmentally oriented programs with a co-worker, Gloria Cohen.
In addition to her work, Elaine was forever organizing dinner parties, bridge games and vacation visits from her broad array of friends.
Since retiring, Elaine has given untold hours of her time volunteering for M.I. Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown.
Elaine is survived by her husband, Paul; her three devoted children and their spouses, Paul Thomas Butkereit of Lynbrook, Peg Butkereit of Albany and Robert Butkereit of Schenectady; one brother, Richard Sibley; and a sister-in-law, Mariette Sibley of Manchester, Conn. Elaine is also survived by three grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 16, 2000, in the Chapel at the Bassett Hall Conference Center, which is located on the corner of Beaver and Susquehanna streets in Cooperstown.
Memorial contributions may be made to South Shore Audubon, care of Gloria Cohen, 909 Maple Lane, East Meadow, N.Y. 11554 or Population Communications International, 777 United Nations Plaza, Fifth Floor, New York, N.Y. 10017-3521.
Edward `Ned' Poole
AFTON — Edward "Ned" Poole, 66, of Afton, died Wednesday evening at Wilson Memorial Hospital.
Edward Poole was born in Afton on Dec. 19, 1933, the son of Ernest Lousi and Rite (Young) Poole.
He married Judith Wolf on May 5, 1956, at the First Baptist Church in Afton.
He was a dairy farmer for many years and ran the family farm on the Back River Road until selling it. He worked for the Afton School System as a bus driver for many years.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church and a member of the church board and choir.
He was a Republican committeeman, a member of the Afton Town Board, Afton Fair Board and the Glenwood Cemetery Association Board.
He is survived by his wife, Judith Poole, of Afton; three sons and daughters-in-law, Jeremy and Lucy Poole of Schenectady, Thomas and Karen Poole of Utica and Charles and Lisa Poole of Newark Valley; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jennifer and Greg Smith of Afton and Ann and Carl Niles of Nineveh; 12 grandchildren; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Pauline and Philip Comings of Coventryville and Mary and David Douglas of Towanda, Pa.; and several nephews, nieces and cousins.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 1, 2000, from 1-2 p.m. The memorial service in celebration of Ned Poole's life will be held at 2 p.m. with Pastor Christopher Prezorski officiating.
Burial will be later in Glenwood Cemetery in Afton.
Memorial gifts may be made to the First Baptist Church in Afton or to the Afton Emergency Squad.
Arrangements are by Nick E. Ferrentelli and Arthur N. Jones and the Dorothy Memorial Homes of Afton and Bainbridge.
Katherine Wern
MARGARETVILLE — Katherine (Katie) Wern, 94, of Margaretville, died March 24, 2000, at Mountainside Residential Care Center in Margaretville.
She was born Dec. 8, 1905, in Nuremburg, Germany, the daughter of Jacob and Lina Neubauer.
She married Henry Wern on Feb. 17, 1927, in New York City. He died Aug. 30, 1970.
She moved to Margaretville in 1975 and loved this area where she met her husband.
Katherine enjoyed knitting and crocheting and was a good cook. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Margaretville.
She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Henry (Hank) and his wife, Helen Wern, of Margaretville, John (Jack) and his wife, Betty, of Wading River, Long Island, and Fred and his wife, Barbara, of Lagrangeville; one brother, Hans Neubauer, of Coburg, Germany; 13 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband and one granddaughter.
A funeral will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 26, 2000, at the Hynes Funeral Home, Margaretville. The Rev. Dr. George Carpenter will officiate.
Committal will be private at the Margaretville Cemetery. Calling hours will be 2 p.m. Sunday until service time at 3 p.m.
Contributions in memory of Katherine Wern can be made to Mountainside Residential Care Center, Margaretville.
Arrangements are by the Hynes Funeral Home of Margaretville.
Thelma A. Brent
ONEONTA — Thelma A. Brent, 75, of Oneonta, died Friday, March 17, 2000, at the A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital Nursing Home.
Mrs. Brent was born April 26, 1924. She was the daughter of Nicholas and Bessie (Marble) Roth.
A homemaker, Mrs. Brent was a longtime member of the Oneonta Assembly of God Church.
She is survived by three sons and their spouses, Dominic F. and Karen A. Brent of Oneonta, the Rev. Robert and Teresa Brent of Salisbury Center and John Brent of Albany; and her grandchildren, Douglas, David, Dominic, Joshua and Megan Brent, Clint and Patti Smethhurst and Marcey Wilcox.
She was predeceased by two brothers, Albert and Ernest Roth.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 27, 2000, at 1 p.m. in the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta, with the Rev. Robert Brent, son of the deceased, officiating.
Burial will be later in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery, Oneonta.
Friends may call from noon on Monday until service time.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Oneonta Assembly of God Church.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
Doris E. Sperbeck
WORCESTER — Doris E. Sperbeck, 74, of Worcester, died Saturday, March 25, 2000, at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta after a lengthy illness.
She was born June 11, 1925, in Lutheranville, the daughter of Olin and Grace (DeKater) Zeh.
She married Freeman "Doc" Sperbeck on Oct. 28, 1941, in Summit.
Doris was a nursing assistant at Eden Park Nursing Home in Cobleskill, The Meadows in Middlefield and Woodside Hall in Cooperstown, followed by many years of private duty.
She is survived by her devoted children and their spouses, Shirley Burton of Windsor, Duane and Kathy Sperbeck of Alaska, Roxanne and George Stockdale of Worcester, MaryAlice and William Shafer of East Worcester, Debbie and Jim Utter of Schenevus, Terry and John Davidson of Cobleskill, Cindy Grover of Pennsylvania, Star and Joe Poliseno of Worcester and Jody and Michelle Sperbeck of Schenevus.
Words cannot be spoken adequately enough to describe our loss. She was a devoted grandmother to 27 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
She is survived by three brothers, Marvin Zeh of East Worcester, Burnett Zeh of Davenport and Robert Zeh of Schenevus; two sisters, Helen Couch of Goodyear Lake and Lucille Lyons of Chestertown and several nieces and nephews.
Doris was predeceased by a son, Buddy Sperbeck; her husband, Freeman E. Sperbeck, who passed away on April 25, 1997; a brother, Mahlon Zeh, and a sister, Martha Coons.
Calling hours will be on Tuesday, March 28, 2000, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the E.J. Skinner Co. Funeral Chapel, Worcester, with the family in attendance.
A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2000, at E.J. Skinner Co. Funeral Chapel, 115 Main St., Worcester, with the Rev. Joyce Allen officiating.
Burial will be in the East Worcester Cemetery on Friday, March 31, 2000, at 3 p.m.
It has been requested that in lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Worcester Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 191, Worcester, N.Y., 12197, the Schenevus-Maryland Emergency Squad, 105 county Highway 34, Schenevus, N.Y., 12155; or Catskill Area Hospice, 542 Main St., Oneonta, N.Y., 13820.
Funeral arrangements are by the E.J. Skinner Co. Funeral Chapel, 115 Main St., Worcester.
Leighton L. Purkis
PEMBERTON, N.J. — Leighton L. Purkis, 69, of Pemberton, N.J., passed away Saturday at his residence.
Born in Maine, Mr. Purkis was a resident of East Northport from 1969 through 1989. More recently, he resided in East Worcester from 1989 until moving to Pemberton six months ago. He was a data processing supervisor for Peter A. Frasse Steel in New York for 27 years before retiring in 1985. Mr. Purkis was a U.S. Air Force veteran serving during the Korean War as a staff sergeant.
Mr. Purkis is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jacqueline M. Purkis; two daughters and sons-in-law, the Rev. Jana M. Purkis-Brash and the Rev. Donald J. Brash of Pemberton and Leanne S. and Christopher M. Blevins of Yardley, Pa.; two sons and daughters-in-law, George L. and Melissa Purkis of Westhampton and Steven D. Purkis of Pearl River; three grandchildren, Leah Brash of Pemberton, Claudia and Daniel Purkis of Westhampton and a cousin and her husband, Norma and Leslie Boothby of Livermore, Maine.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Saul Colonial Home, 3795 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square, N.J.
A committal service will follow at the Ewing Cemetery Chapel.
Relatives and friends may call Tuesday evening from 6:30-8 at the Colonial Home.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Purkis' memory to the Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, N.J., 08053.
