Arthur "Archie" L. Coessens, 85, of 23 First St., Camillus, formerly of Elizabeth Street, Amsterdam, died Friday evening at his home after a long illness.

Born the son of Francis and Margaret McKinney Coessens in Amsterdam, July 27, 1911, he attended local schools and lived in Amsterdam most of his life until moving to Camillus several years ago.

Mr. Coessens was employed by Mohasco Corporation for many years, retiring from the color lab.

He was active in local Boy Scouting and received numerous awards in Catholic Scouting for revitalizing the Boy Scout Retreats at the Auriesville Shrine in the 1970s. He was also an active member of the Democratic Party. 

Mr. Coessens was also a communicant of St. Casimir's Roman Catholic Church in Amsterdam and served on the Parish Committee as a Eucharistic Minister and usher. He most recently was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Camillus.

His wife of 57 years, the former Anne Backutis, died Feb. 7, 1993.

Survivors include one son, Richard Coessens of Camillus; one daughter, Kathleen Smith of Tuscon, Ariz.; one granddaughter, Alexandra Coessens of New York City; and several cousins.

Calling hours will be 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Rossi Funeral Home, 11 Mohawk Place, Amsterdam. 

Services will be 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, at the funeral home, followed at 9:15 a.m. by a Mass of Christian Burial at the Church of St. John The Baptist, Vanderveer Street.

Interment is in St. Casimir's Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Casimir's Cemetery Fund.
 

Kenneth Wilder
March 14, 1997

Kenneth G. Wilder Sr., 68, of Kahn Road, Fort Plain, died Friday evening at St. Mary's Hospital, Amsterdam, after being stricken at home.

Born June 29, 1928 in Johnstown, he was the son of William and Ella Nellis Wilder. He was a graduate of Fonda High School and attended Albany Business College.

Mr. Wilder was employed as a heavy equipment operator by the Montgomery County Department of Public Works for 30 years, retiring in 1984. He also owned and operated the Arietta Hotel in Hamilton County from 1960 until 1968.

He was a charter member of the Town of Mohawk Volunteer Fire Department, a member of the Fonda-Fultonville Booster Club, and the Deer Run Hunting Camp in Arietta. He also was a former member of the St. Johnsville Masonic Lodge.

Mr. Wilder was a communicant of the Fonda Reformed Church.

His wife, the former Irene Olson, whom he married July 3, 1969, died June 18, 1996.

Survivors include four sons, Kenneth G. Wilder Jr., A. Kelly Wilder and Kerry A. Wilder, all of Fort Plain, and William Wilder of Poland; two daughters, Kathleen R. Buck of Fonda and Ellen J. Walsh of Poland; a step-son, Richard Olson of Fonda; a step-daughter, Sharon Whitehouse of Fonda; two brothers, Richard Wilder Sr. of Fonda, and Gerald Wilder of Tribes Hill; 12 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Jackson & Betz Funeral Home, 15 Main St., Fultonville.

Services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Karen Patterson, officiating.

Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Fonda.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mid-County Volunteer Ambulance Corps., the Canajoharie Volunteer Fire Department or the Town of Mohawk Volunteer Fire Department in care of the funeral home.
 

John Deisseroth
March 15, 1997

John Deisseroth, 86, formerly of Otsego Street, Canajoharie, died Saturday afternoon at Montgomery Meadows where he had resided since 1995.

Born March 26, 1910 in Newburgh, he was the son of John and Anna Haible Deisseroth. He had lived in Canajoharie since 1949.

Mr. Deisseroth was a graduate of the Newburgh Free Academy, and a 1931 graduate of Colgate University. He received his Masters Degree in Education from the Albany Teachers College.

He served as supervising principal of the Canajoharie Central School from 1949 until his retirement in 1969. He previously served in the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk School District. After his retirement, he served as interim president of the Fulton-Montgomery Community College, and also as a member of the Board of Directors of the college.

Mr. Deisseroth was a past-president and director of the Capital Area School Development Association, a trustee of the Mohawk-Hudson Council on Educational Television, and was the recipient of a life membership in the New York State Congress of Parents and Teachers. He also was instrumental in the establishment of F-MCC.

He was past-president and trustee of the Canajoharie Library and Art Gallery, and was currently Trustee Emeritus. He served as superintendent of Parks in Canajoharie, and was active in the Boy Scouts. He was a former member of the Fort Rensselaer Club, the Canajoharie Country Club, and the Iroquois Hunting and Fishing Club of Sullivan County. He also was a mason.

Mr. Deisseroth was a communicant of the Church of the Good Shepherd of Canajoharie.

His wife, the former Ethel Burger, whom he married June 29, 1935, died in April 1981.

Survivors include a daughter, Susan Blodget of Hopewell Junction; a brother, Ronald Haible Deisseroth of Honolulu, Hawaii; two granddaughters, Julia Ann-Deisseroth Blodgett of Charlottesville, Va., and Katherine Glencross Gusmano of New Haven, Conn.; and a great-grandson, Joseph Haible Gusmano of New Haven, Conn.

Calling hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Lenz & Betz Funeral Home, 69 Otsego St., Canajoharie.

Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 22 Moyer St., Canajoharie, with the Rev. Alvin Burnworth, officiating.

Interment will be Wednesday morning in the Woodlawn Cemetery, New Windsor. Memorial contributions may be made to the Canajoharie Library and Art Gallery, care of the funeral home.
 

William Frederick

March 15, 1997
William G. Frederick, 84, of Johnstown, died Saturday at the Fulton County Infirmary after a short illness.

Mr. Frederick was born in Sammonsville.

He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy. serving with the Seabees.

Mr. Frederick was employed as a carpenter by the Frederick Brothers from 1947 to 1959 and later worked for several area contractors until his retirement.

He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 510 and the Johnstown Moose Lodge.

He married Katherine Ireland Frederick on June 25, 1938. She died Aug. 29, 1990.

Survivors include a sister, Verna Frederick of Johnstown.

A graveside service will be conducted in the spring in Johnstown Cemetery.

There will be no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to charity.

Arrangements are by the A.G. Cole Funeral Home.
 

Earl Suits

March 15, 1997
Earl Suits, 79, of Mayfield, died Saturday at Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville.

Born and educated in St. Johnsville, Mr. Suits lived most of his life in Mayfield.

He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army.

He was employed by Coleco Industries in the scrap department for more than 20 years before retiring.

Mr. Suits was a member of the Mayfield United Methodist Church.

He married Jennie Greene Suits on March 24, 1964.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a daughter, Karen Wilson of Mayfield and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Hollenbeck Funeral Home, 4 Second Ave., Gloversville. Burial will be held in the spring in Union Rural Cemetery.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mayfield United Methodist Church.
 

Barbara Manley

March 14, 1997
Mrs. Barbara Ann Manley, 66, of May Avenue, Rotterdam, died Friday at St. Clare's Hospital in Schenectady after a short illness.

Mrs. Manley was born and educated in Schenectady. She lived in Canajoharie from 1959 to 1970, when she returned to Schenectady. She was employed as a clerk at Fabric Bonanza in the Crosstown Plaza.

Mrs. Manley was a former member of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Schenectady.

Her husband, Seth Manley Jr., died in 1972.

Survivors include two sons, David L. Manley of Princetown and Douglas B. Manley of Niskayuna; a brother, the Rev. Harry J. Bain of Taylors, S.C., and six grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Griswold Funeral Home, 1867 State St., Schenectady. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park, Colonie.

Calling hours will be from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Woodlawn Reformed Church, 1858 State St., Schenectady 12304, or to the First Reformed Church of Canajoharie, 19 Front St., Canajoharie, 13317.
 

LaVerne Wellman
March 15, 1997

LaVerne E. Wellman, 54, of Prospect Street, Fultonville, died Saturday at home after a long illness.

Born June 21, 1942 in Oneonta, he was the son of Alton and Nellie Johnston Wellman. Mr. Wellman was educated in the Fonda schools.

At one time, he was employed by the Glen-Mohawk Dairy and most recently was a rental property manager and maintenance supervisor until becoming ill.

Mr. Wellman served in the U.S. Navy from 1960 to 1970 and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He also served in the Cuban Crisis.

He married Mary Hinkle Wellman on Feb. 2, 1963.

In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, Richard Wellman of Spokane, Wash., and Charles Wellman of Choctaw, Okla.; two daughters, Catherine Wellman of Gloversville and Taryn Spaid of Fultonville; a sister, Barbara Healy of Fultonville; a brother, LeRoy Wellman of Fultonville and six grandchildren, and nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Evergreen Cemetery in Fonda. Calling hours will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 73 N. Main St., Gloversville, 12078.

Arrangements are by the Barter & Donnan Funeral Home.
 

Bernice Saraceni
March 17, 1997

Bernice Saraceni, 96, of Division Street, Amsterdam, died this morning at the Edward L. Wilkinson Residential Health Care Facility after a brief illness. Prior to her recent admission to the facility, she made her home with her niece, Livia Saraceni.

Born July 6, 1900 in Guarda Fiore, Province of Campobasso, Italy, she was the daughter of Alexander and Livia Saraceni. She was educated in Italy and moved to Amsterdam in 1921, where she since lived. Miss Saraceni was employed as a spinner for Mohasco Corp. before retiring in 1960. She was a member of the Mohasco Quarter Century Club.

Miss Saraceni was a communicant of St. Michael The Archangel Roman Catholic Church.

In addition to her niece, survivors include several additional nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Rossi Funeral Home, 11 Mohawk Place, Amsterdam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at St. Michael's Church. Interment is in St. Michael's Cemetery.

A calling hour will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday prior to the services.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund of St. Michael's Church.
 

Charles Becker
March 15, 1997

Charles D. Becker of Guilderland died Saturday at home after a long illness.

Born in Glen, Mr. Becker was a graduate of Fultonville High School. Subsequently, he earned a bachelor's degree from the State University at Buffalo and a master's degree from Columbia University. He also pursued graduate studies at New York University.

He moved to Guilderland in 1949. Mr. Becker served as chief of the Bureau of the Mentally Handicapped for the state Department of Education before retiring in 1970.

He was a member of the former Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in Albany, where he also served as an elder and financial secretary for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Hazel E. Becker, and a sister, Ethel King of Albany.

A graveside service will be conducted at Chuctanunda Cemetery, Minaville, in the spring. 

Arrangements are by the Fredendall Funeral Home, Altamont.
 

Thomas Grimes
March 15, 1997

Thomas F. Grimes Jr., 60, of Sacandaga Road, Galway, died Saturday at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady after being stricken at home.

Born in Wantagh, Mr. Grimes lived in Galway for more than 25 years.

At one time, he operated Grimes Gulf Service on Sacandaga Road. More recently, he was a self-employed logger.

Mr. Grimes served in the U.S. Army.

He is survived by two daughters, Christina E. and Joanna L. Grimes, both of Galway; four brothers, Peter Grimes of Long Island, James Grimes of Hagaman, Daniel Grimes of Rochester and William Grimes of California; and a sister, Rosemary Frank of Long Island.

Funeral services will be announced at a later date. Cremation will be in Vale Crematory, Schenectady.

Memorial contributions may be made to charity.

Arrangements are by the Richard J. Ryan Funeral Home, Galway.
 

Louise Stoddard
March 16, 1997

Mrs. Louise Stoddard, 92, of Gloversville, died Sunday at the Nathan Littauer Hospital Nursing Home.

Born in Gloversville, Mrs. Stoddard attended the former St. Francis Catholic School and was a lifelong area resident.

She was a sewing machine operator for more than 40 years at Crescendo Leather Co. of Johnstown.

Mrs. Stoddard was a member of St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church.

She was a member of the Recreational Bowling League.

Her husband, William Stoddard, died in 1964.

Survivors include a daughter, Glorain Stoddard of Gloversville.

Funeral services will be conducted at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Hollenbeck Funeral Home, 4 Second Ave., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church. Burial will be in Ferndale Cemetery, Johnstown.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to Nathan Littauer Nursing Home.
 

Stephen Parenti
March 16, 1997

Stephen James Parenti, 81,of DeGeorge Street, Fonda, died Sunday at St. Mary's Hospital, Amsterdam after a short illness.

Born Oct 26, 1915 in Fonda, he was the son of Vincenzo and Gelsmuna Candela Perenti. Mr. Parenti was a graduate of Fonda schools. He was employed by the New York Central Railroad for more than 30 years, retiring in 1977.

He was a member of St. Cecilia's Roman Catholic Church in Fonda, and member of the former American Legion in Fonda, 

Survivors include two brothers, Mino Parenti of Utica and Chris Perenti of St. Cloud, Fla., and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Jackson & Betz Funeral Home, 15 Main St., Fultonville. Spring burial will be in St. Ceclia's Cemetery in Fonda.

Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.