Obituaries
from the
Greenville Local
February 2003
Newspapers courtesy of the Cairo Public Library. Retyped by Arlene Goodwin
February 6, 2003
Thomas Johannesen
World War II Veteran
Greenville—Thomas Johannesen, 83, of Surprise, died Jan. 29, 2003 at Columbia-Greene Long Care in Catskill.
He was born in Norway on Oct. 19, 1919, the son of the late Johanes and Anna (Thorbjornsen) Johannesen.
He served under Bradley and Patton in the 5th Army of Africa and Sicily, the 1st Army in England, the 3rd Army in France and the 9th Army at the Battle of the Bulge. In all he served in eight campaigns.
He received five Bronze stars and one Silver star, the Croix de Guerre from France, a Presidential Citation, American Defense Service Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Expert Badge with Rifle Bar and the Honorable Service Lapel Button. When discharged he was Staff Sergeant in the 70th Cav. Ren Tr.
He was employed at Royal Metals as a metal fabricator before his retirement.
Surviving are his wife Lillian (Soderstedt) Johannesen; daughter Janice Kendrick and her husband Terence of Monroe; son Thomas Johannesen of Surprise; grandchildren Lisa MacLeod and her husband Joseph, Todd Kendrick and his wife Jeanne, Greg Kendrick and his wife Lisa, and Jamine Johanneses and her friend Dominick Lobe; brothers Karl and Martin Johannesen of Surprise; sister Judith Eilertsen of Greenville; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by two sisters, Margot Haukom and Evelyn Johannesen, and three brothers, John Andrew and Bjarne Johannesen.
Memorial services will be Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003 at 1:30 p.m. at the Greenville-Norton Hill U. M. Church at Norton Hill. Those who desire may contribute in his memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777, New York, N. Y. 10163 or to the Columbia-Greene Long Term Care Activity Fund, 161 Jefferson Heights, Catskill, N. Y. 12414. Arrangements are by the Cunningham Funeral Home in Greenville.
February 13, 2003
Ruth Haley
Ruth Haley, 89 years, of Westerlo, NY passed away at her home on February 6th. She was born in Winchester, NH on June 22, 1913, daughter of the late George C. and Lula (Prentice) Brown.
Ruth was fondly known as “the Mitten Lady”, for the literally thousands of mittens she distributed across the U. S. from her home. But to her loving family and to her many friends she was “Gram”, as strong as the roses in her garden, as refreshing as the Spring she loved so much and as warm as the fluffy blankets she gave out to those in need. “Gram”, you will be missed, but never forgotten. You will always be carried in the hearts of your children, your grandchildren and the many friends and extended family.
Surviving are her loving children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great great grandchildren, a sister, two brothers and several nieces and nephews.
As to her wishes, she was cremated and there will be no public services. Arrangements by the Cunningham Funeral Home.
February 13, 2003
Frances I. Mahler
Frances Ida Mahler, 83, formerly of Selkirk, died Monday, February 3, 2003 at the Augusta Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Virginia. She was born in Albany, daughter of the late Clinton Kellam and Rose Mickel Kellam. Frances attended the Staunton Alliance Church in Virginia.
Survivors include her husband George Mahler of Virginia; daughters, Nancy (John) DeYoe, of Virginia and Kathleen (Jay) Pasquale of Staten Island; sons, James (Cindy) Mahler of Warrensburg and Keith (Lucia) Mahler of Selkirk; sisters Mary Kellam of Greenville, Olive Schnare of Climax, and Phyllis Skidmore of Greenville; brother Everett Kellam of Ravena; 16 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Frances was predeceased by three brothers.
Funeral services were held Friday, February 7, at the Babcock Funeral Home, Ravena with her sister, Rev. Phyllis Skidmore officiating. Burial will be in the spring in Chestnut Lawn Cemetery, New Baltimore.
February 13, 2003
Elaine G. Williams
Elaine G. Williams, 74 years, of Rensselaerville, New York, passed away February 6, 2003 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, New York. She was born in Green Island, New York on June 25, 1927, daughter of the late John and Laurina (Archambeault) Gwinn.
Elaine was a clerk at the NYS Department of Tax until her retirement. She enjoyed gardening and bird watching. She was a communicant of St. John the Baptist Church and her smiling face will be missed by those who knew her at the Saturday 4 o’clock Mass. She was involved with the young girls in the CYO at the church. Elaine was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother devoted to her family.
Surviving are her beloved husband Horace E. Williams of Rensselaerville; her two sons, Thomas E. Williams and his wife Rebecca A. of Saginaw, Michigan, and Charles R. William and his wife Leslie of Palm Coast, Florida; a daughter, Judith Dibbell and her husband Stephen of West Shokan, New York; five sisters, Theresa Foster and Lorranine Harris, both of Watervliet, New York, Joan Quell and Elizabeth Diehl, both of Wynantskill, New York, and Lourdes Williams of Snyders Lake, New York; a brother Kenneth Gwinn of Wynantskill, New York; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral service was from the Cunningham Funeral Home 4898 SR 81, Greenville on Monday, February 10 with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Baptist Church. Interment will follow at the Saratoga National Cemetery at a later date.
February 20, 2003
Ruth Schirmer
Ruth Schirmer, 85 years, of Greenville, New York passed away on February 12, 2003 at the New Hyde Park Nursing Home in Staatsburg, New York. She was born in Alberta, Canada, on March 4, 1917, daughter of the late Nicholas and Lydia (Henschka) Schirmer. She was predeceased by brothers Reinhold (Lefty), Harold (Pete) and Nicholas Schirmer.
Surviving are her sister Lydia (Lee) Newton of Florida and her brother John Schirmer of Greenville, New York, and several nieces and nephews.
There will be a memorial service in May on 2003. Those who wish may contribute in Ruth’s memory to the National Mental Health Association, 2001 N. Beauregard St., 12th Floor, Alexandria, VA 22311 or a local mental health organization of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Cunningham Funeral Home in Greenville, New York.
February 27, 2003
Clifford L. Chase, Jr.
Clifford L. Chase, Jr., 77 years, of Medusa, New York, passed away suddenly at his home on February 19, 2003. He was born in Seward, New York on October 2, 1925, son of the late Clifford L. and Rosanna (Slater) Chase, Sr.
Clifford was the former Superintendent of Highways for the town of Rensselaerville; he retired in 1987. He also operated Chase’s Repair Shop at his home and was an excellent auto mechanic as well as a former dairy farmer. He was a member of the Medusa Vol. Fire Co., the Democratic Social Club and the New York State and Albany County Superintendent of Highway’s Association.
He was predeceased by his wife Bernice in 1994; a son, Tommie Chase; and a great-grandson, Clifford Chase, V.
Surviving are three daughters, Wanda Clickman and her husband Charles, Linda Snyder and her husband Donald Snyder Jr., Melon Shaver and her husband Doyle; five sons, Clifford L. Chase, III and his wife Janice, Richard Chase and his wife Carol, Gary J. (Jon Chase and his wife Joyce, Mark Chase and his wife Carol Ann, Galen Chase and his wife Rachel; also 22 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are brothers, sisters, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service as Sunday from the Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 SR 81, Greenville. Spring interment will be in the Medusa Cemetery. Those who desire may contribute in his memory to the Town of Rensselaerville Ambulance Fund or to the Medusa Vol. Fire Co.