Curtis S. Nellis, 77, of Route 10, Stone Arabia, died Wednesday at home after a long illness.

Born Dec. 2, 1919 in Stone Arabia, he was the son of John J. Nellis and Mabel Christman. He was educated in Fort Plain schools.

He worked on the family farm before retiring. He was the superintendent of the former Montgomery County Home for the Aged and was the supervisor for the Town of Palatine from 1956 to 1973.

Mr. Nellis served with the Army's 8th Infantry, 43rd Field Artillery in Europe, as well as the Battle of the Bulge.

He was vice president of the Stone Arabia Preservation Society, charter member of the Fort Klock Historical Restoration Society; a member of the Fort Plain Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3275, New York State Retirement System and Palatine Society; founding member of the Town Turtles Club; and treasurer of the Nellis Family Association.

Mr. Nellis was a player and manager of the Fort Plain Merchants semi-pro baseball team. They were the Mohawk Valley champions in 1954. He was also a member of the local bowling leagues. He was a player and manager of the Town of Palatine Basketball League and was inducted into the Fort Plain Hall of Fame in 1987.

He was a member and treasurer of Trinity Lutheran Church and a gardeners fund and established in his name at the church.

He married Helen Van Patten Nellis on Jan. 15, 1943.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Laurence Nellis of Stone Arabia; four grandchildren and several nephews and cousins. Mr. Nellis was predeceased by a son, Brian Nellis.

Funeral services will be conducted at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Route 10, with the Rev. John Omans officiating. Spring burial will be in Fort Plain Cemetery.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church, during which members of the VFW will meet at 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Curtis S. Nellis Gardeners Fund in care of the church.

Arrangements are by the Lenz & Betz Funeral Home, Canajoharie.
 

Wayne Dodge
January 1, 1997

Wayne H. Dodge, 67, of Levey Road, Pattersonville, died Wednesday at St. Mary' s Hospital in Amsterdam after a long illness.

Born in Schenectady, Mr. Dodge was a lifelong area resident.

He was a mason through Local 2 of the Bricklayers Union for 40 years, working mostly for M.L.B. and Sweet Associates. He retired in 1991.

Mr. Dodge was a member of Local 2 and Windmill Winnie's.

He was the widower of Mildred Palkovic Dodge. He later married Florence Stark Dodge on July 9, 1972.

In addition to wife, survivors include three sons, Drew Dodge of Dayton, Ohio, Wayne T. Dodge of Hagaman and Timothy P. Dodge of Syracuse; a daughter, Melanie R. Dodge of Sarasota, Fla., two stepsons, James Stark of Perth and Dale Stark of Houston, Texas; a stepdaughter, Nancy Stark of Houston; a sister, Marion Kroll of Rotterdam; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Bond Funeral Home, Broadway at Guilderland Avenue, Schenectady. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Amsterdam.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Schenectady.
 

Laura Blunck
January 1, 1997

Mrs. Laura M. Blunck, 89, of Pawling Street, Hagaman, died Wednesday morning at Amsterdam Memorial Hospital following a long illness.

Born April 6, 1907 in the Town of Providence, Saratoga County, she was the daughter of Charles and Elsie Shaw Bant. 

She lived in the Amsterdam area for most of her life.

She was employed at one time by the former J. Seld Leather Co. in Gloversville, and the former Sheepskin Lining Co. in Amsterdam. She was later employed as a sales clerk by the Montgomery Ward Co. in Amsterdam, retiring in 1950.

Mrs. Blunck was a past member of the Hagaman Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary. 

She was a communicant of the Calvary Reformed Church in Hagaman.

Mrs. Blunck was preceded in death by her daughter, Beverly J. Ruzycky, on Aug. 10, 1983. 

She married Louis J. Blunck on July 3, 1926. He died on Oct.23, 1986. 

Survivors include a son, John C. Blunck of Hagaman; a daughter, Shirley Buchanan of Hagaman; nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandson and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 am. Saturday at the Calvary Reformed Church in Hagaman, with the Rev. Susan Crane officiating. The interment will be in the Hagaman Cemetery in the spring. 

Calling hours are from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Betz Funeral Home Inc., 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Calvary Reformed Church or the Emergency Medical Service of the Hagaman Volunteer Fire Department.
 
 
 

Kenneth Bahn
January 1, 1997

Kenneth W. Bahn, 88, of Whitney Drive, Niskayuna, a former resident of Amsterdam, died Wednesday at St. Clare's Hospital in Schenectady.

Born on March 14, 1908 in Amsterdam, he was the son of Charles and Grace Borfell Bahn. 

He resided in Amsterdam until 1963, when he moved to Niskayuna.

Mr. Bahn and his wife owned and operated Bahn's Men's Shop in Amsterdam from 1934 until 1952. 

He was then employed at the former Bond's Clothing Store in Schenectady until retiring in 1975.

He was a communicant of the Niskayuna Reformed Church.

He married the former Selma (Sal) Bernhardt on Aug. 24, 1929.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Phyllis B. Mead of Rexford; four grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A private funeral service will be conducted at the convenience of the family at the Betz Funeral Home Inc., 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery. 

There will be no calling hours. 

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.
 

Andrew Werner
January 2, 1997

Andrew Frank Werner, 79, of Douglas Street, Fort Plain, died Thursday at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam after being stricken at home.

Born in Albany on Oct. 6, 1917, he was the son of Andrew Frank Werner and Cora Godfrey. He graduated from Wilbur Lynch High School in Amsterdam.

Mr. Werner was employed at the Montgomery County Office Building in Fonda for many years before retiring.

He lived in Fort Plain for 46 years. Prior to that he resided in Amsterdam.

Mr. Werner was a veteran of the United States Army serving during World War II.

He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Freysbush.

He was also a member of VFW Post 3275 of Fort Plain and also the Memorial Squad.

He married Katherine Peeler on Aug. 8, 1953 in Pennsylvania.

Survivors including his wife, are three daughters, Gayle Van Avery of Naples, Maine; Lucinda Listing of Saratoga, and Debra Voght of Fort Plain; one sister, Dorothy Howe of Clinton, N.Y., two nieces, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at the Gray-Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, 34 Center St., Fort Plain.

The Rev. Kenneth Dingman will officiate.

Burial will be in Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands.

Calling hours are from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

The VFW Post 3275 will conduct a service at 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, Route 163, Fort Plain, or to the VFW Memorial Squad, River Street, Fort Plain, 13339.
 

Grace Butler
January 1, 1997

Grace Emily Yager Butler, 54, of Fort Plain, died Wednesday at Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown.

Mrs. Butler worked in factory production at Keyano Anadizing in Fonda, for six years.

She is survived by her companion, Harold Mykel Sr., a son, Roger Butler Jr. of Fort Plain, two daughters, Denise Bowler of Fort Plain, and Bonnie Box of Colorado Springs; two stepsons, Harold Mykel Jr. of Mayfield, and Shawn Mykel of Pownal, Vermont; three stepdaughters, Jodi Mykel of Ovoca, Colleen Mykel, Delicia Ambrosino both of Fort Plain, and 25 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by five sisters, Rose Pink of Cooperstown, Mr. Dayle Chandler of Little Falls, Mrs. Frances Thayer of Illion, Mrs. Nancy Searles of Fort Plain, and Virginia Fort of Cooperstown; two brothers, Steven Yager and Melvin Yager, both of Cooperstown.

Cremation took place at the Leatherstocking Crematory Inc., Cherry Valley and burial will take place at Freysbush Cemetery in the spring.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ms. Butler's memory to the Freybush United Methodist Church, Freysbush Road, Fort Plain 13339.

Funeral arrangements are by the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
 

Steven Witkowski
January 2, 1997

Steven J. Witkowski, 85, of Ingersoll Avenue, Schenectady, died Thursday at home after a short illness.

Born and raised in Amsterdam, he moved to Schenectady on Ingersoll Avenue in 1948.

He graduated from Amsterdam Schools and worked at the General Electric Company in Schenectady for 36 years in Materials Reclamation, retiring in 1976. He was a member of G.E.A.A.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Theresa Rokitowski Witkowski of Schenectady; two sons, Ernest Witkowski of St. Regis Falls, N.Y., and Bernard Witkowski of Scotia; one daughter, Kathleen Witkowski of Schenectady and three grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Kazyaka Funeral Home, 819 Eastern Ave., then to St. Mary's Church at 10 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial.

Burial will take place in St. Joseph's Cemetery.

Calling hours are from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Kazyaka Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Church.
 

James Kroup
January 2, 1997

James P. Kroup, 77, of Highland Avenue, Fort Johnson, died Thursday morning at his home following a long illness.

Born in Amsterdam on April 1, 1919, he was a son of Adam and Edna Kinta Kriaupas. He was a 1936 graduate of the former Wilbur H. Lynch High School. During World War II he served with the U.S. Army as a platoon sergeant, with the 38th Infantry of the 2nd Division in France and the Rhineland.

Mr. Kroup was employed by the Scotia Naval Supply Depot as lead mill-wright and later in the same capacity for the Watervliet Arsenal retiring in 1974. He received many awards for superior performance and instructional guidance during his employment years. He later worked (following retirement) as a chemical formulator at the Gem Urethane Plant in Amsterdam for several years.

Mr. Kroup was a communicant of St. Casimir's Roman Catholic Parish and was a member and former board of director at the American Lithuanian Club. He was a member and past commander of the American Luthuanian Veterans and also served as treasurer for many years as well as commander of the color guard. Mr. Kroup was a member of the Mr. and Mrs. America Bowling League.

He married the former Ann S. Dargush on Aug. 10, 1946.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Deborah A. Kroup of Schenectady; one sister, Sophie Olbie of Amsterdam; and nieces and nephews.

A service will be held on Monday at 10 a.m. at the Rossi Funeral Home, 11 Mohawk Place, with the Rev. Joseph J. Grabys officiating.

Interment will be in St. Casimir's Cemetery. Calling hours are Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Casimir's Cemetery Fund or to Hospice of Amsterdam.
 

Mary Cassedy
January 1, 1997

Private services will be held for Mrs. Mary M. Cassedy, 92, of the Fulton County Infirmary, who died Wednesday at the home after a long illness.

Born in Johnstown, Mrs. Cassedy was a graduate of Gloversville High School and Simmons College in Boston.

She lived most of her life in Gloversville. She also lived in Getman Memorial Home in Gloversville for six years before moving to the infirmary nine months ago.

Mrs. Cassedy was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and its Altar Guild.

Her husband, Raymond Frank Cassedy, whom she married Oct. 12, 1928, died in 1969.

Survivors include a daughter, Ann L. Everetts of North Canton, Ohio; a son, Paul S. Cassedy of Manlius; three grandchildren; and three great-grandsons.

There will be no calling hours.

Cremation will be at Parkview Crematory, Schenectady.

Memorial contributions may be made to charity, the Gloversville Free Library, Getman Memorial Home or Trinity Lutheran Church.

Arrangements are by the Walrath & Bushouer Funeral Home, Gloversville.
 

Robert Ellis
January 1, 1997

Robert B. Ellis, 76, of Montgomery Meadows in Amsterdam, formerly of West Grand Street, Palatine Bridge, died Wednesday at the home after a short illness.

Born in Palatine Bridge, Mr. Ellis was educated in Canajoharie schools.

He was a bartender for the former Log Cabin Bar & Grill in Yosts and later worked for the Van Wies Bar in Canajoharie.

He was a volunteer with Green Thumb Meal Site in Fort Plain from 1981 to 1990.

He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the 12th Fighter Group. He was a member of American Legion Post 222 and the Fort Plain Mohawk Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars.

There are no immediate survivors.

The services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the Lenz & Betz Funeral Home, 60 Otsego St., Canajoharie.

There will be no calling hours.

Spring burial will be in Canajoharie Falls Cemetery.
 

Mildred Koncur
January 1, 1997

Mrs. Mildred F. Koncur, 82, of Saratoga, died Wednesday at the Maplewood Manor in Ballston Spa.

Born in New Bedford, Mass., Mrs. Koncur lived in Saratoga County for the past 20 years.

Survivors include her husband, John F. Koncur; two daughters, Lorraine Allen of Feura Bush and Delores Reinemann of Broadalbin; two sisters, Leona Horey of Florida and Gladys Gregory of California; a brother, Russell Caldwell of Albany; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

The service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the chapel of Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery, Central Avenue, Colonie.

Entombment will be at Evergreen Memorial Park.

Arrangements are by the Hearley & Son Funeral Home, Albany.
 

Parker Sherwood
January 1, 1997

Parker Bennett Sherwood Jr., 73, of West Galway Road, Hagaman, died Wednesday at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady after a short illness.

Born in Schenectady, Mr. Sherwood was a 1942 graduate of Scotia High School and a lifelong area resident.

He was the manager of the former Strand Theater in Schenectady and later owned Industrial Electronics in Schenectady. He was an industrial designer and vice president of E.E. Taylor of Albany, retiring in 1992 with 25 years of service.

Mr. Sherwood was the former commander of the Sacandaga Power squadron and a member of the Instrument Society of America. He was also a member of the Schenectady Amateur Radio Association, the Radio Relay League and AZK Fraternity, where he served as president at one time.

He was a member and former lay reader at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Scotia.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Doris Dix Sherwood; a son, Parker Bennett Sherwood III of Paul Smiths; a daughter, Lynn Barger of Fort Plain; a brother, Carl L. Sherwood of Florida; and four grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 52 Sacandaga Road, Scotia.

The family will receive friends after the service at the church hall.

Burial will be at the church columbarium.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church.

Arrangements are by the White Funeral Home, Scotia.
 

Gilbert Brower
January 2, 1997

Gilbert Brower, 80 of Kingsboro Avenue, Gloversville, died Thursday at home after a long illness.

Born in Mayfield, Mr. Brower was an Army veteran of World War II.

He was a glove cutter at the former Rubin Glove Company in Gloversville, retiring in 1978.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Fisher Brower, whom he married Oct. 11, 1951; a son, Jacob Brower of Gloversville; a daughter, Catherine Brower of Meriden, Conn., two sisters, Marion Rullison and Vivian Smrtic, both of Gloversville; and four grandchildren.

There will be no services or calling hours.

Cremation will take place at the Leatherstocking Crematory, Cherry Valley.

Arrangements are by the Amico Funeral Home.