Margaret Stewart, 88, of Cayadutta Street, Johnstown, died Sunday at Nathan Littauer Hospital after a long illness. She was born on April 22, 1913 in Fonda, the daughter of Dexter M. and Ida Berke Sweet. She attended Fonda schools. She was employed at Wood & Hyde Leather Co. of Gloversville, then as a glove worker at Gates Mills Inc., Johnstown. She retired in 1971. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Johnstown and Gloversville. Mrs. Stewart was an avid bingo player. She also lived in Naples, Fla. for 10 years and returned to the Johnstown area in 1982. She is survived by one son, Alan Stewart of the town of Perth; one daughter, Sharon Abel of Johnstown; one grandson. She was predeceased by brothers, Richard and Dexter Sweet; and sisters, Marion Norton and Betty Knoblauch. Calling hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Barter & Donnan Funeral Home, 1 N. Melcher St., Johnstown. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. The Rev. R.W. Williams, chaplain of Mountain Valley Hospice, will officiate. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, Fonda. Memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice or JAVAC.

Rene J. Vallieres Sr.
Monday, October 29, 2001

Rene J. Vallieres Sr., 80, of Utica, passed away Friday, Oct. 26, at Faxton Hospital. He was born on March 18, 1921 in Montreal, Canada, the son of Raoul and Bella (Savageau) Vallieres. Rene was educated in Gloversville, N.Y. and graduated from Mohawk Valley Community College with an AAS degree in mechanical drawing. On Dec. 18, 1943, he married the former Jean A. Patten in Sacred Heart Church in Gloversville. He was a World War II veteran, serving as an airplane mechanic. Rene was employed with Chicago Pneumatic Bendix Corp. for 18 years and most recently with New York state as a consultant of OSHA. He retired in May 1985. He was a member of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Legion of Mary and served as eucharistic minister and altar server with the funeral ministry, a member of the Bendix Management Club and William E. Burke Utica Council 189, Knights of Columbus. Rene was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and caring friend. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed cross country skiing. Surviving are his cherished wife, Jean; one daughter and son-in-law, Linda A. and Robert Fisher of Worcester, N.Y.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Rene J. Jr. and Gloria Vallieres of Adams, N.Y. and David and Penh Vallieres of Utica; one sister and brother-in-law, Monique Vallieres Ruller and her husband, Bert of Gloversville. Rene also leaves 10 grandchildren, Margaret L. Fisher Shoopack and her husband, Robert, Mary Jean Fisher, Edward G.J. Fisher, Nicole E. Vallieres and her fnance, Phillip Emmett, John-Paul Vallieres, Christine M. Vallieres, Brice P. Vallieres, Brian Vallieres, Philip J. Vallieres and Samara J. Vallieres. Funeral services will be held at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday at Nunn & McGraph Funeral Directors, 470 French Road, Utica, and 11 a.m. at The Church of the Lady of Lourdes, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and are also invited to a graveside service at 11 a.m. Saturday at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville. The William E. Burke Utica Council 189, Knights of Columbus will meet at the funeral home at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Remembrances in Rene's name may be made to Monsignor H. Charles Sewall Social Service Outreach Fund. Envelopes will be available at funeral home. The Vallieres family would like to thank the staff, nurses and doctors of Faxton Hospital ICU and the fourth floor for their care and compassion. The family would also like to acknowledge the "fun group" of friends for their support and help during Rene's illness.

Michael M. Hanchar
Tuesday, October 30, 2001

Mr. Michael M. Hanchar, 85, of West Fulton Street, Gloversville, died Sunday, Oct. 28, at Samuel S. Stratton Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Albany, following a long illness. He was born on July 16, 1916 in Winbar, Pa., the son of Michael and Anna Hercha Hanchar. Mr. Hanchar was a World War II veteran, serving in the Marines. He was a member of St. Anthony's Church, Gloversville VFW, Disabled American Veterans, and Meco Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Hanchar was employed with Curtin-Herbert Co. Inc. of Gloversville, the former Johnstown Hospital and the Gloversville branch of Key Bank until his retirement in 1978. Survivors include his wife, Olive Burgess Hanchar, whom he married on Sept. 5, 1941; two sons, Robert M. Hanchar of Charlton and David Hanchar of Fonda; one brother, Joseph Hanchar of Johnstown; one sister, Ann Oaksford of Gloversville; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews and cousins. Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at A.G. Cole Funeral Home Inc., 215 E. Main St., Johnstown, where funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday. The Rev. James Fitzmaurice will officiate. Burial will take place at Ferndale Cemetery, Johnstown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or to the charity of choice.

Sarah Marion Warner
Tuesday, October 30, 2001

Sarah Marion Warner, 84, formerly of Mayfield, died early this morning at Fulton County Residential Health Care Facility. She was born on Nov. 2, 1916 in Mayfield, the daughter of Russell and Esther Fraiser Warner. She attended Mayfield schools and was a lifelong Mayfield area resident. She was employed as a glove maker for several area glove companies and later retired from the former Fulton County Infirmary, where she was employed for 14 years in the laundry and activity departments. Survivors include one son, Andre R. Warner of Newmarket, N.H.; two daughters, Sarah L. Warner of Hudson Falls and Cathy Murphy of Mayfield; one granddaughter, Andrea Murphy; several aunts and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband, Veryl L. Warner, whom she married on April 21, 1939 and who died on Dec. 23, 1993. The family will be receiving friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hollenbeck Funeral Home, 4 Second Ave., Gloversville, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday. The Rev. David C. Newkirk, pastor of Mayfield United Methodist Church, will officiate. Interment will take place at Union Rural Cemetery, Mayfield. Memorial contributions may be made to Mayfield Volunteer Fire Department or charity of one's choice.

Emma B. Krause
Wednesday, January 2, 2002

Emma B. Krause, 88, formerly of Caroga Lake, died Tuesday at Nathan Littauer Hospital. She was born on March 5, 1913 in Gloversville, the daughter of Gottlieb and Frances Fisher Brown. She attended Gloversville schools. Mrs. Krause was a supervisor for Caroga Lake from 1965 to 1984. She owned and operated the Unger House Hotel from 1941 to 1959. Mrs. Krause always loved animals all of her life. She was a member of the Fulton County Republican Party. She is survived by nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Winston Krause, who died on March 4, 1981; three brothers, Lewis, Bert and Lee Brown; and two sisters, Catherine Decker and Agnes Richards. The family will be receiving friends from 2 to 4 Thursday at Hollenbeck Funeral Home, 4 Second Ave., Gloversville, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday. Interment will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville. Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association or charity of choice.

Leslie Massad
Wednesday, January 2, 2002

Mr. Leslie Massad, 93, of North Street, Gloversville, died Sunday after being stricken. He was born on Feb. 18, 1908 in Beirut, Syria, the son of Peter and Miriam Sweet Massad. He moved to Gloversville when he was an infant and was educated in Gloversville schools. He owned the former Massad's Grill on the corner of Eighth and Kingsboro avenues. He worked in sales for the former Cordone Beverage Co. and was a real estate dealer. He retired in 1958. He was a member of the Fulton County Historical Society and the 55 Plus Senior Citizens. He contributed articles to the Gloversville Leader-Herald and the 55 Plus Senior Citizens. He was a member of the Wednesday Luncheon Group which met at the Holiday Inn. He is survived by one daughter, Marjorie Glover of Scotia; one son, Thomas, and wife Janice Massad of Arizona; 13 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was married in 1933 to Ruth Stewart, who died in 1977. He was also predeceased by two sons, Terrance, twin of Tom, who died at the age of 3. and Dr. Leslie Stewart Massad, who has a surviving wife, Maryann, of Manlius, N.Y. He was a dear friend of Thomas Murphy and his late mother Margaret Murphy. Calling hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Kobuskie-Konik Funeral Home, 147 Bleecker St., Gloversville. A prayer service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, followed at 11 a.m. by a Mass of Christian burial at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church. The Rev. Donald Czelusniak, pastor, will be celebrant. Burial will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville.

Elizabeth H. Sanges
Wednesday, January 2, 2002

Mrs. Elizabeth H. "Betty" Sanges, 81, of West State Street, Gloversville, N.Y., died Monday, Dec. 31, 2001 at Nathan Littauer Hospital. She was born on Oct. 12, 1920 in Montrose, Mo., the daughter of Henry and Mary Walbert Hueser. She graduated from a business college in Kansas City and later served in the Navy during World War II. Following the war she married Renato "Ray" Sanges on Nov. 30, 1946 and moved to Gloversville. Mr. Sanges died on Feb. 25, 1980. Mrs. Sanges was employed by the law office of Caputo, Aulisi and Skoda for several years and by attorney Michael Geraghty. She was also a secretary for the Gloversville school district for about 12 years and worked at the Family Counseling Center from 1992 until this past summer. She was a member of St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, Gloversville. Survivors include her daughters, Susan Landress of Madeira Beach, Fla. and Kathryn S. Kline of Oppenheim, N.Y.; sons, Gary M. Sanges of Lewistown, Pa., Renato J. Sanges of Gloversville and Robert J. Sanges of Enfield, Conn.; sister, Kathryn M. Essig of Kansas City, Mo.; grandson, Joshua Landress; granddaughter, Elizabeth F. Sanges; several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by a brother, Richard Hueser, and sister, Irene Hale. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home Inc., 51 Fremont St., Gloversville, where a prayer service will be conducted at 8:45 a.m. Friday, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, Gloversville. The Rev. Donald Czelusniak will be the celebrant. Interment will take place in the spring at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Johnstown. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, 149 S. Main St., or the Family Counseling Center, 11 Broadway, Gloversville, NY 12078.

Helene Anthony Shell
Wednesday, January 2, 2002

Mrs. Helene Anthony Shell, 98, of East Eighth Avenue, Gloversville, died Tuesday, Jan. 1 at Fulton County Residential Health Care Facility, Gloversville. She was born on July 11, 1903 in Gloversville, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Bemis Anthony, and graduated from Gloversville High School and the former Gloversville Business School. She was a bookkeeper for 47 years at the former family-owned B.E. Shell Co. of Gloversville from 1923 until 1970. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Gloversville and Cayadutta Chapter 166, Order of the Eastern Star. She is survived by sons, Charles E. Shell of Endicott, N.Y., Richard A. Shell of Washington and Robert L. Shell of Gloversville; daughters, Eleanor M. Waite of Las Vegas, Nev. and Audrey Jean LaGanke of New York City; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Shell was married to Bertram E. Shell, who died in 1963. She was also predeceased by sisters, Ella S. Arnott and Elizabeth Mastracco. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home Inc., 51 Fremont St., Gloversville, where a funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. The Rev. Edmund T. Freeborn III will officiate. Interment will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice.