Blanche Becker Holland, 87, of McDonald Drive, Fort Johnson, died Monday evening at St. Mary's Hospital, Amsterdam, after a short illness.

She was born July 17, 1909, in Snooks Corners, Town of Florida, the daughter of Garrett and Jessie Wallin Becker, and was a lifelong area resident. Mrs. Holland was a homemaker.

She was a communicant of the Cranesville Reformed Church.

On Feb. 20, 1932, she married William R. Holland. He died on July 29, 1972.

Survivors include three sons, William Holland of Johnstown, Keith Holland of Amsterdam and Dwight Holland of Fort Johnson; three sisters, Marion Huebner and Pearl Fitzgerald, both of Rotterdam, and Ruth Johnson of Framingham, Mass.; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by a son, Wayne Holland, on March 28, 1975.

The funeral service is Friday at 11 a.m. at the Betz Funeral Home Inc., 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam, with the Rev. Jennifer Minier-Elliott officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery. 

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

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of the funeral home. 
 

Elizabeth Warner
March 31, 1997

Elizabeth B. Warner, 88, of Maple Street, Broadalbin, a former resident of Schoharie Village, Summit Lake, and Holmes Beach Fla., died Monday afternoon at home.

She was born in Schoharie Feb. 26, 1909, the daughter of Adam C. and Eliza Paterson Becker and was a 1926 graduate of Schoharie High School, graduating as valedictorian. She later attended Albany Business College.

Mrs. Warner was the first woman clerk in the Schoharie County Surrogate Court, and also served at various times as Children's Court clerk, Supreme Court law librarian and as Schoharie County Surrogate Judge secretary. She was a founder of the New York State Association of Chief Clerks of the Surrogate's Court.

Mrs. Warner was involved in establishing a large display of decorated Easter eggs that raised more than $30,000 and was used to found the Mary B. Cushing Library in Schoharie. The Easter egg exhibit is now housed in the Egg Museum Depot Lane, in Schoharie.

Mrs. Warner was active in the Red Cross, the Schoharie PTA, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Community Hospital Auxiliary, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was the recipient of the Schoharie County Citizen of the Year Award in 1975, and was inducted in the Schoharie Central School Alumni Hall of Fame in 1987. Mrs. Warner received the Mohawk Valley Library Association Trustees Award for outstanding service in 1982. She was a member of the Long Boat Art Center and a member of the Island Players on Anna Maria Island, Fla. She was a former member of the Bradenton Country Club and the Cobleskill Country Club.

Mrs. Warner was a communicant of the Presbyterian Church in Schoharie and the United Methodist Church in Summit.

She was married to Harold H. Warner, former mayor of Schoharie, on March 19, 1930. He died July 18, 1992.

Survivors include a daughter, Jeanne Wilkinson, with whom she resided in Broadalbin; three granddaughters, six great-granddaughters; three nieces and three nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. There will be no calling hours. Cremation will take place at the Parkview Crematory in Schenectady. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church in Summit, the Schoharie Presbyterian Church or to a charity of one's choice.

Arrangements are by the Robert M. Halgas Funeral Home Inc., 38 West Main St., Broadalbin.
 

Goldie Rezek
April 1, 1997

Goldie Rezek, 88, of Irving Street, Johnstown, died Tuesday at Nathan Littauer Hospital after a long illness.

Born in Croatia, Yugoslavia, Mrs. Rezek moved to Gloversville in 1935.

A gloveworker, she worked for the former Fownes and C.J. Bachner Glove Company, retiring in 1970.

Mrs. Rezek was a communicant of St. Mary of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church and was a member of its Rosary Society.

She was a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union and the 55 Plus Senior Citizens.

Her husband, Milan Rezek, whom she married in 1927, died in 1975.

Survivors include a sister, Caroline Yurkovic of West Minster, Calif.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Friday at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church.

Calling hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the John W. Finocan Funeral Home, 13 Prospect Ave.

Burial will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, or a charity of one's choice.
 

John Naple
April 2, 1997

John P. "Sonny" Naple, 80, of Kimball Street, Amsterdam, died this morning at his home. 

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Rossi Funeral Home, 11 Mohawk Place, Amsterdam.
 

Mary Philips
March 31, 1997

Mary K. Philips, 88, of Prospect Avenue, Gloversville, died Monday at the Palatine Nursing Home after a long illness.

Mrs. Philips was born in Nunda, Livingston County.

She received teaching degrees from Geneseo College and Buffalo State Teachers College.

She moved to Gloversville in 1929 and taught in the Gloversville school system until retiring in 1950.

Mrs. Philips was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served as former superintendent of its Sunday school.

She was a member of and volunteer with the YWCA for many years.

Her husband, Robert Philips, whom she married June 30, 1942, died in December.

Survivors include a daughter, Jean Pierce of Gloversville; a sister, Lois Teetz of Gloversville; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, at a time and date to be announced by the Hollenbeck Funeral Home.

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

Norman Spencer
March 31, 1997

Norman M. Spencer, 76, of Cayadutta Street, Johnstown, died Monday at Nathan Lattauer Hospital after a long illness.

Born in Amsterdam, Mr. Spencer was educated in Newburgh before moving to Johnstown in 1945.

He was an Army veteran of World War II.

Mr. Spencer was a decorator for Hanchar Decorating of Johnstown for many years. He later worked in the maintenance department for the state Division of Youth at Tryon School, retiring in 1982.

His wife, Frances Brewster Spencer, died in 1986.

Survivors include two daughters, Lisa Ann Egan of Gloversville and Thurlah Stock of Johnstown; a son, David S. Spencer of Johnstown; a brother, Clement J. Spencer of Newburgh; and three grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at a time to be announced.

Cremation will be at Parkview Crematory, Schenectady, with burial in Fern Dale Cemetery.

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

Arrangements are by the Barter & Donnan Funeral Home.
 

Raymond Kretser
March 29, 1997

Raymond Irving Kretser, 89, of Amsterdam, died Saturday in Lantana, Fla.

He was the son of Fannie Rousseau and Edward Kretser. 

Before moving to Florida, Mr. Kretser worked in Amsterdam as an electrical contractor, and with his wife, he operated the Kretser Electric Store on Upper Market Street.

He was a member of St. Luke's Church in Amsterdam and worked with the Boy Scouts and was an active Mason.

During World War II, Mr. Kretser performed with the USO camp shows, making three trips to the European Theater, entertaining troops in Germany, Italy, France and the African-Mediterranean border.

He married Marion Young in June 1935. She survives him in Lantana, Fla.

Arrangements were by the Scobee-Combs-Bowden Funeral Home, Boynton Beach, Fla.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches, 7810 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, Fla., 33405.
 

Russell Hall
April 1, 1997

Russell M. Hall, 60, of Sacandaga Road, Johnstown, died Tuesday at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady after being stricken at his home.

Born in Canajoharie Sept. 24, 1936, he was the son of Merrill Hall and Nettie Winnie. He was a graduate of Canajoharie High School.

He was employed by the Department of Transportation in Fultonville as a heavy-equipment operator for 28 years, retiring in 1985.

Mr. Hall lived in Johnstown since 1994 and before that, he had lived in Fultonville for 28 years. He was a resident of Canajoharie at one time.

He was a member of St. Ann's Episcopal Church in Amsterdam.

Mr. Hall was an avid race car fan.

He married Doreen Gage Oct. 9, 1960, in Amsterdam.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Lynn M. Hall of Dunnellon, Fla., Tracy A. Bellinger of Gloversville, and Susan M. Hall of Johnstown; one granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are Friday at 7 p.m. at the chapel of Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home Inc., 20 Otsego St., Canajoharie. Father Alvin Burnworth will officiate.

Burial will be in Ames Cemetery at a later date.

Calling hours are 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Johnstown Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 244 N. Perry St., Johnstown 12095.
 

John Gavel
April 2, 1997

John Gavel, 90, of James Street, Amsterdam, died Wednesday at St. Mary's Hospital.

He was born May 10, 1906 in Amsterdam, and moved to Europe at an early age. He returned to Amsterdam at the age of 17.

Mr. Gavel was employed as a machinist for the General Electric Co. in Schenectady until retiring in 1972.

He was a member of St. Stanislaus Church.

He was married to Stella Ilnicki Gavel. She died on March 2, 1981.

Survivors include two sons, Joseph J. Gavel and John A. Gavel, both of Amsterdam; three daughters, Dolores Miller of San Diego, Calif., Sylvia Kowalski of Irving, Texas, and Carolyn Deay of Amsterdam; 15 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be conducted at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Amsterdam Funeral Chapel, 13 Belmont Place, followed at 9 a.m. by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Stanislaus Church. Interment will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Amsterdam Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
 

Marilyn Whitney
April 2, 1997

Marilyn J. Whitney, 66, of 21 McCleary Ave., Amsterdam, died Wednesday afternoon at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady after a short illness.

Born Sept. 30, 1930 in Amsterdam, she was the daughter of Otto and Lela Hoffman Strack.

Mrs. Whitney was a lifelong resident of Amsterdam and a 1948 graduate of Wilbur H. Lynch High School.

Mrs. Whitney was employed by the Holzheimer & Shaul Store in Amsterdam for 35 years. 

She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter No. 487, Broadalbin, and was a past matron. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Amsterdam.

She married Robert J. Whitney on April 26, 1975.

In addition to her husband, survivors include two stepsons, Paul Whitney of Portland, Maine, and Michael Whitney of Birmingham, Ala.; a stepdaughter, Patricia Morini of Amsterdam; a brother, Otto Strack Jr. of Ballston Spa; a sister, Joyce Wellman of Inverness, Fla; five step-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Betz Funeral Home Inc., 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam, with the Rev. Alfred Kahler officiating. Burial of cremains will take place in Fairview Cemetery in Amsterdam.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Amsterdam Volunteer Ambulance Corps of Amsterdam in care of the funeral home.
 

Robert Scott
April 1, 1997

Robert Gordon Scott, of Riviera Circle, Larkspur, Calif., died Tuesday at his home.

Born in Amsterdam in 1927, he was the son of John D. and Christina Beaton Scott. He was a graduate of Mercersburg Academy, the University of California at Berkeley and attended Boalt Hall School of Law.

He served with the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1947 in post-war Europe, earning a field commission as second lieutenant.

He was admitted to the California Bar Association in 1955. Mr. Scott practiced law in San Francisco from 1955 to 1969. He was owner and chief executive officer of the Van Der Horst Corp. of America, retiring in 1988 due to poor health.

Mr. Scott was a member of the San Francisco and California Bar Association; co-founder of the San Francisco Police Athletic League in 1958 and the New Frontier Democratic Club in 1960.

Survivors include his former wife, Carol Cicurel Scott; two daughters, F. Christine Scott of Los Angeles, and Ellen Alexandra Scott of Larkspur; two sisters, Sarah Scott Blumenfeld of Boxford, Mass. and Elizabeth Scott Blase of Naples, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be conducted at the Montgomery Memorial Chapel at the San Francisco Theological Seminary at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

Arrangements are by the Neptune Society of Marin, 700 Larkspur Landing Circle, Suite 163, Larkspur, Calif.
 

John Naple
April 2, 1997

John P. "Sonny" Naple, 80, of Kimball Street, Amsterdam, died Wednesday morning at his home.

Born March 16, 1917 in Amsterdam, he was the son of Pasquale and Maria Rosa Umberto Naplolitano. He was a lifelong resident and attended local schools. 

Mr. Naple was employed at the former Bigelow-Sanford Carpet Mills until its closing. He then worked for 27 years with the New York State Thruway Authority, retiring in 1980.

During World War II, he served with the U.S. Army's 80th Division in Europe. During his youth, he was a star basketball player with the former Amsterdam Textile Basketball Team. He was a member of the Amsterdam YMCA and played on its handball league. Mr. Naple was also an assistant Boy Scout master and a member of the Catholic War Veterans.

He was a communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.

He married the former Dorothy Huckans on May 26, 1946.

In addition to his wife, survivors include five sons, John P. Naple and Richard P. Naple, both of Amsterdam, Steven P. Naple of Broadalbin, William L. Naple of Lasselsville, and Timothy M. Naple of San Diego, Calif.; a daughter, Marie L. Naple of San Diego, Calif., and Woodstock, Vt., a sister, Rose DiMenno of Amsterdam; 18 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter, and nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:15 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. Interment is in St. Michael's Cemetery.

Calling hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Rossi Funeral Home, 11 Mohawk Place, Amsterdam.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Amsterdam YMCA.
 

Katherine Jones
April 1, 1997

Katherine "Katie" Jones of Boonville died Tuesday at Sunset Nursing Home in Boonville.

Born at Mount Kisco, she was the daughter of Patrick and Cecelia A. Quinn Thornton. She spend her younger life in Westchester County before moving with her family to Glen.

She graduated from Fonda High School and attended a beauty school in Utica. For several years, she was employed in beauty shops in Utica. During World War II, she was employed by Savage Arms Corp. in Utica.

She was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Boonville and was a member of St. Clare Circle Daughters of Isabella and the Altar and Rosary Society.

She married Everett G. Jones on July 12, 1943, in Charleston, S.C. He died Oct. 16, 1989.

Survivors include two grandsons, Daniel and Jason Reiss, both of Charlotte, N.C., and two sisters-in-law. She was predeceased by a daughter, Cecelia Mae Jones Reiss, on April 10, 1988.

Funeral services will be conducted at 9 a.m. Friday at the Trainor Funeral Home, 143 Schuyler St., Boonville, and at 9:30 at St. Joseph's Church, where the Rev. David Orzel, pastor, will officiate. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Fort Johnson.

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

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

William Boice
April 1, 1997

William D. Boice, 82, of Court Street, Keene, N.H., died Tuesday at the Cheshire Medical Center in Keene following a brief illness.

Born Nov. 26, 1914 in Amsterdam, he was the son of Bert and Sarah Denninson Boice and attended Amsterdam schools.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Pacific Theatre of Operations.

Mr. Boice worked for Mohawk Carpet Mills for 44 years, serving in various supervisory and management positions in both of the company's Amsterdam and Greenville, Miss., facilities.

He was married to Mildred R. Boice of Keene for 55 years.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Bruce W. Boice of Orlando, Fla.; a daughter, Barbara Sovik of Dublin, N.H.; a brother, Edward Boice of Tribes Hill; a sister, Dorothy Shelley of Amsterdam; four grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

There will be no calling hours.

A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at the United Methodist Church, Pawling Street, Hagaman. Mr. Boice's nephew, Admiral David E. White, retired chaplin, U.S. Navy, of Arlington, Va., will officiate. Spring burial will be in Hagaman Mills Cemetery.

There will be no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Amsterdam Volunteer Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 11, Amsterdam.

Arrangements are by the Cournoyer Funeral Home, 33 River St., Jaffrey, N.H.