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Gertrude O. Pierce
ONEONTA — Gertrude O. Pierce, 84, of Oneonta, passed away Thursday, April 19, 2001, at the A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, Oneonta.
She was born on Sept. 10, 1916, in New Kingston, the daughter of the late Stanley and Lillian Jones Osterhoudt.
She was predeceased by her husband, Stuart E. Pierce, on Aug. 26, 1992; a sister, Margaret; and a brother, Harrison.
She is survived by one son, Craig Pierce and his wife, Melba of Charlotte, N.C.; one daughter, Janet Pierce of Oneonta; three grandchildren, Charles, Daniel and Sharon Pierce, all of Charlotte, N.C.; three brothers, Donald and Peggy Osterhoudt of Fleischmanns, Douglas and Katherine Osterhoudt of Florida and Catskill, and Francis Osterhoudt of Bradenton, Fla.; three sisters, Thelma Osterhoudt of Big Indian, Barbara Shultis and Ray of Bradenton, Fla., and Marilyn Rost of Corning; two sisters-in-law, Virginia Gilson of Arizona, and Frances Osterhoudt of Atlanta, Ga.; one brother-in-law, George Plass of Claverack; first cousins, Marion Hilliker and Ruth Rosenberry of Ravena, John Osterhoudt of Clifton Park, Betty Sator of Scotia, and Teresa McCabe of Middleburgh; dear friends, Adolph and Dorothy Buzzy of Oneonta; her neighbors, Carole Whalen, Mariam Nickerson and Angie Monington of Oneonta.
Gertrude was a 1935 graduate of Margaretville High School.
She married Stuart in 1935 in Big Indian.
She was a 12-year employee of Scintilla/Bendix in Sidney before working in the Oneonta School District in food service.
She loved baking pies and gardening flowers.
Her friends and neighbors will remember her for their visits on the porch at her home. She also enjoyed traveling with Stuart to North Carolina.
In addition, she was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Atonement in Oneonta.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2001, at the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oneonta. Interment will be in Oneonta Plains Cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to charity of one's choice in memory of Gertrude O. Pierce.
Ida Ruth Robinson
RICHFIELD SPRINGS — Ida Ruth Robinson, 70, of state Road 28, passed away on Saturday morning, April 21, 2001, in Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center, Utica.
She was born on Dec. 10, 1930, in the town of Minden, daughter of the late William and Ruth Rockwell Martin.
A lifelong area resident, she was educated in both Mohawk and Richfield Springs, graduating from Richfield Springs High School with the Class of 1949.
On April 11, 1953, she married George G. Robinson in the Richfield Springs Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Fraiser officiating.
For 20 years, she worked for Mohawk Data Sciences in Herkimer, retiring in 1991.
She was a member of the Church of Christ Uniting, Richfield Springs, and the Richfield Springs Grange #771.
Surviving besides her husband of 48 years, George; are one son, Garrett G. Robinson of Richfield Springs; a daughter, Laurie A. Knoblauch and her husband, Charles, of Fort Plain; four sisters and their husbands, Mary and Louie Ludlow, Maude and Ralph Reed, all of Ilion, Alberta and Charles Gardner, and Lillian and James Murphy, all of Richfield Springs; six brothers, William and his wife, Pearl, Martin of Luzern Valley, Calif., Francis Martin of Selah, Wash., Albert and his wife, Sue, Martin of Canajoharie, Richard Martin of Selah Wash., James and his wife, Betsy, Martin of West Winfield, and Robert and Marian Martin of Richfield Springs; four grandchildren, Peter and Heather Nasypany, Kayla Knoblauch and Zachery J. Robinson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides her parents; a son, Edward A. Robinson., preceded her in death on June 12, 1984.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2001, at 1:30 p.m. in Twilight Rest Cemetery, Monticello. The Rev. William Harkins, pastor of the Church of Christ Uniting, Richfield Springs, will officiate.
There are no calling hours.
Memorial donations may be made to the Richfield Springs Emergency Rescue Squad or the Cedarville Emergency Squad. Envelopes will be available at J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James St., Richfield Springs.
Leland H. Priscott
DELHI — Leland Henry Priscott, 86, of Dry Brook, Delhi, died Saturday, April 21, 2001, at Bassett Healthcare Center, Cooperstown.
He was born June 10, 1914, in Plymouth, the son of Henry and Bertha (Yale) Priscott.
Mr. Priscott graduated from Norwich High School and Delhi Ag and Tech.
He operated his own dairy farm on Dry Brook Road in Delhi, for many years and was a beekeeper.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Delhi; director of Meredith Fire Insurance Co.; Conservation Farmer of the Year in 1965; served on Delaware Academy School Board; past member of the Farm Bureau; and board director of Andes Creamery.
In retirement years, he enjoyed traveling with his wife, Louise, and spending time with family and friends. He especially liked spending time with his grandchildren, and they each know special stories and times he shared with them. He was the Best Grandpa.
Survived by his wife, Louise John Priscott at home; four sons and their wives, Robert and Sandy, Florida, William and Sandy, Lisle, Leonard and Kathy, Ballston Lake, and Arthur and Kim, Delhi; extended family, Anthony and Anita DeFrancesco, Carmel, and Richard and Barbara John, Yorktown Heights; 15 special grandchildren; and special cousins and friend, Frances Perkins of Loudonville.
His first wife, Mary Menke Priscott; grandson, Brien; and brothers, Lloyd, Ralph and Jim, predeceased him.
Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 28, 2001, at the MacArthur Funeral Home, Delhi, with the Rev. Bert More of the Hobart Presbyterian Church officiating.
Calling hours will be on Friday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Burial will be at Woodland Cemetery, Delhi.
Contributions in his memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Delhi, or to the Delhi Fire Department Emergency Squad.
Arrangements are with the MacArthur Funeral Home, Delhi.
June VanValkenburg
SIDNEY CENTER — June H. VanValkenburg, 70, of Sidney Center, died Saturday, April 21, 2001, at Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown.
He was born July 10, 1930, in the town of Sidney, the son of Ernest and Leola Alger VanValkenburg.
He was married to Virginia Lilley on Oct. 5, 1951, in Hobart.
He was a lifelong Sidney Center resident and a retired employee of McDowell and Walker Inc. of Afton.
He was a former member of the Sidney Center Fire Department.
June is survived by his wife, Virginia VanValkenburg of Sidney Center; his son, Ronald L. VanValkenburg of Sidney Center; his daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Skip Bishop of Bainbridge; his grandsons, Gerald Moore and David Bishop; his sisters, Alice and Raymond Beers of N. Tonawanda, Virginia Zurn of Amsterdam, and Bert and Jim Reynolds of Sidney Center; a brother, James VanValkenburg; a sister-in-law, Elda VanValkenburg of Mertztown, Pa.; also several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Clifford and John VanValkenburg.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 26, 2001, at the Westcott Funeral Home, Unadilla, with the Rev. Delbert E. Ripley, pastor of the Northfield Community Church, officiating.
Burial will be later in Highland Cemetery, Sidney Center.
There will be no calling hours.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Society of Bassett Hospital.
Funeral arrangements are by the Westcott Funeral Home, Unadilla.
Emily Pearl Witt
SHARON SPRINGS — Emily Pearl Witt, 106, died in her sleep on Monday, April 23, 2001, at the Sharon Springs Manor Adult Home, where she was a resident since 1990.
A longtime Bergen County, N.J., resident, her life spanned three centuries; born in the 19th century, living her life in the 20th and surviving into the 21st. During her lifetime she witnessed the growing popularity of a horseless carriage: the amazing inventions of radio, television and jet-propelled travel; saw Halley's comet twice and watched a man walk on the moon.
The youngest of four daughters, born on Oct. 2, 1894, to E. Emil Sahner of Durkheim, Germany, and Louisa Fehr of Hoboken, N.J., she began attending school in northern New Jersey, but left as a young teen-ager to help support her family as a laundress, cook, nanny and housekeeper.
She married Frederick Witt in 1918, after a courtship that began with his offer of a ride up a steep Union City, N.J., street in his horse-drawn beer delivery wagon. They had two children, Margaret (Webberley), presently of Closter, N.J., and Frederick Jr., formerly of Harrington Park, N.J., and Cobleskill. He predeceased his mother in 1992.
Emily and Fred Sr. retired to a hilltop home in Worcester, in the mid-1960s where she happily tended to her gardens, her cats and her frequently visiting extended family. Her husband passed away in 1972.
She was a devout believer in taking whatever life handed you with a smile and not getting upset over things you could not control.
In addition to her daughter, Margaret; she is survived by her daughter-in-law, Winifred Witt of Cobleskill; four grandchildren, Vicki Webberley-Yanes of Vernon, N.J., Gail Spaulding of Plummer, Idaho, Kaem LaFalce of Bedford, Texas, and Craig Witt of Cobleskill; great-grandsons, the Rev. Will Stafford of Post Falls, Idaho, and Travis and Justin Witt of Cobleskill; a great-great- grandson, Shaw Stafford of Idaho; two nieces, Evelyn McComb and Madeleine Haviland of Newburgh; grandnephew, Terrence Haviland of Newburgh; grandnieces, Louisa Fehr Haviland of New Paltz and Denise Haviland of Richfield Springs; and numerous great-great- and great-great-great nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2001, at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Worcester, with the Rev. John Dawson, pastor at the Catskill Area Hospice in Cobleskill, officiating.
If you wish, in her memory, you may make a donation to your local SPCA shelter.
Arrangements are by the E.J. Skinner Co. Funeral Chapel, 115 Main St., Worcester.
Leonard L. Hoyer
WEST WINFIELD — Leonard L. Hoyer of West Winfield passed away on April 23, 2001, at this home with his loving family by his side.
Born May 30, 1924, in Yorkville, the son of Frank and Naomi (Butts) Hoyer, he graduated from Morris Central School. Following a semester at Syracuse University, he was drafted into the Army, transferred to the Air Force for pilot training and served as a replacement in 1481st Engineer Maintenance Co. overseas in Okinawa.
He graduated from Hartwick College in 1950.
He began his teaching career in mathematics at Harpursville Central School, also coaching baseball, football, basketball and community baseball for ages 9-12. Summers he taught a course he developed, pre-tech mathematics, at Broome County Community College.
On June 21, 1952, he married Zelpha Card of Morris.
Mr. Hoyer began teaching mathematics in 1954, at West Winfield Central School, also coaching baseball. When consolidation of West Winfield, Bridgewater and Leonardsville occurred, he was interim principal. Instituting the middle school concept with team teaching, he remained the Mount Markham Middle School principal until his 1981 retirement.
For 30 years, Mr. Hoyer taught night mathematics courses at MVCC. He thoroughly enjoyed working with many area students whom benefited from his volunteer tutoring preparation for Regents.
He was a member of the New York State Principal's Association, American Legion Post 1376 of New Hartford, Loyal Order of Moose #1010, Butternuts Lodge F&AM of Gilbertsville, West Winfield V.F.W. His Tuesday card playing group with Maurice, Luke, Bernie and chauffeur Howard Coy gave him pleasure.
A member of Cedar Lake, he played in men's leagues and immensely enjoyed the golfing events with his wife and son, Jim. Leonard loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, bird and deer watching. He also raised geese, pheasant, ducks and chickens. He loved gardening in the raspberries and wintertime bowling.
A fierce competitor in all his sports, he played to win but when the game was over, he would shake hands and be your friend.
Mr. Hoyer is survived by his wife and best friend, Zelpha (Zee); and children, whom he always put first: daughter, Amy, and her husband, Peter H. Pavlot, and beloved grandson, Justin "The Kid" Pavlot, a name that Poppy gave and lovingly called him; and son, James W. Hoyer of Sauquoit; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Roger and Lillian Card of Melbourne, Fla.; and a niece, Judy DiToma of Nanuet.
The family extends their thanks to Dr. Patrick Dwyer for his continuous support to Len and to Barbara Knapp and Mary Ellen Kachnis for their loving care these past three years.
His funeral will be Thursday, April 26, 2001, at 2 p.m. from the Federated Church, West Winfield. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. until funeral time.
In lieu of flowers, please consider the Leonard L. Hoyer Memorial Fund to benefit a deserving Mount Markham senior each year at graduation, send to Fleet Bank, West Winfield Branch, Main Street, West Winfield.
Dad, Thank you for all the unselfishness that you have shown us all these years. For your guidance, support and direction you have given us in life. You will always be the wind beneath our wings.
Arrangements are in care of Wilcox-Dimbleby Funeral Home, West Winfield.
Arrie Hecox
FLY CREEK — Arrie "Pa" Hecox, 87, of Fly Creek, died Sunday evening, April 22, 2001, at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown.
He was born on April 5, 1914, in Fly Creek, a son of Hiram and Mabel (Cook) Hecox.
He married Lillian M. Barton on Oct. 23, 1935, in Richfield Springs. Mrs. Hecox died on May 22, 1990.
Pa, as he was affectionately known by his family and friends, was a lifelong resident of Fly Creek.
After attending Cooperstown schools, he and his wife operated a dairy farm on Bed Bug Hill in Fly Creek Valley from 1935 until 1955.
He then attended and later graduated from the Memphis Lumber Grading School in Tennessee, and was employed by the Phoenix Mills Lumber Yard as a lumber scaler. When the yard closed in the late 1960s, he and his wife moved to the Poughkeepsie area, where he was employed as an attendant at the Wassaic State School. He retired at the age of 62 and moved back to Fly Creek.
A member of the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown, Pa was a generous donor to many Christian charities. He was also a member of Fly Creek Valley Grange No. 844 and greatly enjoyed all animals and flowers. An avid reader, Pa most especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
Pa is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law, Mrs. Mable Ann Baker of Fly Creek and Mrs. Betty Jane Smith and her husband, F. Russell Smith of Toddsville; seven grandchildren, Susan A. Boss and her husband, Christopher, of Richfield Springs, Michael R. Baker and his wife, Christine, of Fly Creek, Steven Arrie Baker of Las Vegas, Nev., Russell E. Smith of Toddsville, Roger A. Smith and his wife, Dorothy (Slover) Smith, of Warnerville, Barbara J. Smith and Ken Parker of Toddsville and Richard S. Smith and his wife, Jennifer (Bowen) Smith, of Rotterdam; a granddaughter-in-law, Johna Blanchard Smith of Cooperstown; 11 great-grandchildren, Ariel and Kimberly Baker, Christian Cole Shaefer, Jonathan Robert Boss, Jacob, William and Benjamin Smith, Roger, Russell and Megen Smith and Kelly Smith; and his good friend, Dr. Jim Atwell of Fly Creek.
He was predeceased by one brother, Stanley Hecox, who died on June 16, 1990.
A funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 26, 2001, at the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown. Burial will be at a later date in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery.
Pa's family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until service time on Thursday afternoon in the Prayer Room at the church.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts may be made to the Fly Creek Historical Association, P.O. Box 87, Fly Creek, N.Y. 13337.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
Robert Halbert
GILBERTSVILLE — Robert Wilson Halbert, 82, of Gilbertsville, died Sunday, April 22, 2001, at The Hospital, Sidney.
He was born June 17, 1918, in the town of Butternuts, the oldest of six children to Robert M. and Jennie (Wilson) Halbert.
He graduated from Gilbertsville Central School, Class of 1938, and graduated from Delhi Ag and Tech College, Class of 1940.
He married Georgianna Currie on June 22, 1946, in DeLancey.
Bob was a dairy farmer his entire life, retiring in July of 1986.
He will always be remembered for his distinct laugh and smile, his love of playing cards and his melodious whistle when he heard a familiar tune.
He served as the town of Butternuts assessor and councilman for nearly 30 years. He was a 66-year member of the Butternut Valley Grange holding several offices including master from 1946 to 1949, and 1956 to 1967. He was master of the Otsego County Pomona Grange from 1968 to 1971, as well as a member of the New York State and National Grange; elder of the Gilbertsville Presbyterian Church; a former member of the Eagle Hose and Fire Engine Co.; The Dairymen's League; the Otsego County Agriculture Stabilization Committee, Farm Bureau and the Extension Service.
He is survived by his wife, Georgianna of Gilbertsville; a daughter, Roberta Halbert; and a son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Helen Halbert, all of Gilbertsville; three sisters and their husbands, Helen and Charles Prentice of Montrose, Pa., Gertrude and Peter D'Ambrosio of Yeadon, Pa., and Charlotte and Melvain Oliphant of Chenango Bridge; a brother, James Halbert and his wife, Elma, of Bradenton, Fla.; a sister-in-law, Joyce Halbert of Palmento, Fla.; a grandson, Jeffrey Halbert, a student at Ithaca College; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 25, 2001, at 2 p.m. at the Gilbertsville Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Dr. Donald Boardman and assisted by the Rev. Randolph Palada. Burial will follow in the Brookside Cemetery in Gilbertsville. Calling hours will be Tuesday at the Johnston Funeral Home in Morris, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A Grange memorial service, arranged by the Otsego County Pomona Grange, will be held at 8:30 p.m. This service open to all Grange members.
Those who wish are asked to send memorials to the Butternut Valley Grange Restoration Fund, P.O. Box 102, Gilbertsville, or the Bell Tower Fund of the Gilbertsville Presbyterian Church in Bob's memory.
Funeral arrangements are by the Johnston Funeral Home of Morris.
Charles Fletcher
EL PASO, Texas — Charles (Chuck) Fletcher, 70, passed away Tuesday, March, 20, 2001, in El Paso, Texas.
He was born in Bainbridge, N.Y., to Forrest and Lena Fletcher.
Mr. Fletcher joined the United States Army where he served for 20 years and retired as SFC.
He was remembered in the 1960s as the NCO club manager at Fort Bliss providing great family entertainment for all.
Chuck was a member in the Southwest Quarter Horse Association. He was twice past master of Masonic Fraternity 32o in Scottish Rite and past worthly patron three times in Ysleta OES 991.
After his military retirement he also worked for the El Paso City and County Health Department. He served on El Paso County Water Improvement District and on many projects.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Grace Fletcher; his children, Betty Jean DeWitt and her husband, Rick, Barbara Trussell and her husband, Larry, Danny Fletcher and his wife, Renee, and Dale Fletcher; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and three brothers, Mike, Roger and Robert Fletcher, all of this area.
Chuck was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He had many friends that cared for him during his illness. He never met a stranger, he was always loving and friendly to everyone he met.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and to the Masonic Home and School or Scottish Rites Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Arrangements by Hillcrest Funeral Home, 1060 Carolina Drive.
