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Leola M. Downey
MILLERTON - Leola M. Downey, 96, who taught for 25 years in the Webutuck Central School District, died July 11, 2008 at Noble Horizons in Salisbury, Conn. She had lived most of her life in the Town of North East. Mrs. Downey, who was known as Lee, began her career teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in the Adirondacks in 1932. At Webutuck, she taught seventh- and eighth-grade social studies before retiring in 1972. She had been a volunteer and member of the Millerton-North East Library, an officer and member of the Town of North East Historical Society and had attended St. Patrick's Church in Millerton. Born on Jan. 11, 1912, in Lake Pleasant, N.Y., on the south slope of the Adirondacks, Leola Josephine Morrison first left home at age 13 to work for her board in Wells, N.Y., so she could attend high school since her community had no secondary school or buses. She graduated at age 16 and was captain of the basketball team. She attended Albany State Teachers College (now the State University of New York at Albany) and worked for room and board by cleaning, doing laundry and caring for children in the household of an Albany physician. She graduated in 1932. She taught for a year in Hoffmeister, N.Y., and then went to Plattsburgh State Teacher's College to obtain her K-12 teaching certification. A classmate at Albany, Violet H. Simmons, encouraged her to take a job in Miss Simmons' hometown of Millerton in 1934. There she was charmed by a young man, Augustine M. Downey, who owned a Mobil gas station at the checkerboard turn. She married Gus on June 25, 1939. They were together 58 years until Mr. Downey's death at age 90 in 1997. She often told her students that anything worth doing at all was worth doing well. With her life, she achieved that. Mrs. Downey is survived by two sons, Leo A. Downey of Sedona, Ariz., and Edward E. Downey of Millerton, two grandchildren, Kyle and Evan Downey, and numerous nieces and nephews. She had two siblings Floyd Weaver who survives at Lake Pleasant, N.Y., and LeRoy Weaver of Speculator, NY, who predeceased her. Calling hours are from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, at Valentine Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton. Services will be held Wednesday, July 16, at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick's Church in Millerton. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The North East Historical Society, P.O. Box 727, Millerton, NY 12546; the Millerton-North East Library, P.O. Box 786, Millerton, NY 12546; or St. Patrick's Church Cemetery Fund, Immaculate Conception - St. Patrick Parish, 4 Lavelle Road, Amenia, NY, 12501.
Walter "Wally" Durso, Sr.
TAMASSEE, SC - Walter "Wally" Louis Durso, Sr., 68, of 120 Cherokee View Dr., died Saturday, July 12, 2008 at Oconee Medical Center. Born in Poughkeepsie, NY, in 1940, he was a son of the late James Sr., and Hertha Mallenbrei Durso. Mr. Durso was a head mechanic for the City of Beacon, NY where he worked for 27 ½ years until his retirement. He was a member of Chapter U of the Goldwing Motorcycle Club and was of the Catholic faith. He was a veteran of the US Army serving during the Vietnam War era. Surviving are his wife, Janet Durso of the home, sons Walter Louis Durso, Jr. and wife Wendy of Beacon, NY and Thomas J. Durso and wife Christine of Monroe, NY, 5 grandchildren, Jordan, Ian, Jessica, Josette and Dominic, brothers Dominic Durso of Hollywood, FL and James Durso, Jr. of Beacon, NY. In addition to his parents, brothers Alfred, Charles and Ralph Durso precede him in death. Memorial services will be 2 pm, Wednesday, July 16, 2008 in the Chapel of Sandifer Funeral Home in Westminster. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital For Children, 950 West Faris Rd., Greenville, SC 29605. SANDIFER FUNERAL HOME IS ASSISTING THE DURSO FAMILY.
Serenity Jane Henry
MODENA, NY - Serenity J. Henry, 69, born in Jackson, PA, a longtime resident of Modena, NY, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, surrounded by her family, after a long illness. Born on January 5, 1939, she is the daughter of the late Jesse and the late Helen Spangenberg of Lakewood, PA. Serenity was married on October 20, 1962 to Robert P. Henry, Sr., who predeceased her on April 13, 1991. Surviving are her children, Robert Henry, Jr., and his wife, Carole of Truxton, NY; Janice Barrett and husband, Michael of Monrovia, MD; Dawn Dooley and husband, Kevin of Walden; Nancy Schifani and husband, Stephen of Modena; and Bobby Joe Henry of Kingston. She is survived by her siblings, Sandra DeGeyter, Sylvia Centano, Mae Helen Oestrich, Stanley Spangenberg, Sharon Gunn, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brothers, Stuart and Sydney Spangenberg. She was especially proud of her many grandchildren, Josh and Sara Henry; Leah, Daniel and Weston Barrett; Emily, Robert and Jenna Dooley; Matthew, Elizabeth, and Hannah Schifani. Serenity was a long time member of the Modena Methodist Church and was well known for her baking, especially her delicious apple pies. Friends and relatives may call from 5 to 8 pm. on Tuesday, at the Copeland Funeral Home, Inc., 162 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12568. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the Memorial United Methodist Church of Modena, Route 44/55, Modena, NY. Burial will follow at Modena Rural Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Memorial United Methodist Church.
John T. Knaus
SPRING HILL, FL - John T. Knaus, Jr., 70, of Spring Hill, FL, passed peacefully at his home with his family present on June 9, 2008. Formerly from Red Hook, NY, John retired full time to Spring Hill in 2002. Born in Rhinebeck, NY, June 13, 1937, he was the son of the late John Knaus, Sr. and Eleanor Rockefeller Knaus. John grew up in Ridgewood, NY, and attended St. Bridget's School, Queens Vocational, and graduated in 1955 from Brooklyn Automotive. He served in the United States Army (1956 - 1958) in Panama and received an Honorable Discharge. John married Helene Westhoff, March 2, 1957. She predeceased him in February 1985. His son, John W. predeceased him in May 2007. In April 1961, John started working for John Arborio in Poughkeepsie, NY and worked under International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 106. He retired in 2002. John enjoyed camping and many outdoor activities with his family and friends. Since retirement, he traveled to many areas. He had a special passion for Tennessee and the Smokey Mountains. He toured Europe and visited his father's birthplace in Austria. John enjoyed attending car shows and "Cruise-Ins" with his restored 1955 Chevy Bel Air. He was passionate to participate in car show fundraisers when he knew others would benefit. He modestly filled a room with his winning trophies. John was proud of his family and felt blessed by his many friends. He is survived by his daughters and their families: Joann Grazier, husband Craig and children Erik & Michele of Shokan, NY., Laura Warren and son Matthew of Wappingers Falls, NY, and Ann-Marie Cochran and husband Darren of West Yarmouth, MA. His granddaughter, Megan Knaus, of Rhinebeck, NY, and son-in-law, Doug Warren, of Red Hook, NY. His best friend, and second love, Shirley Robinson, Lebanon, TN. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, July 19th, at Burnett & White Funeral Home, 7461 S. Broadway, Red Hook, NY. Committal will be in St. Sylvia's Cemetery, Tivoli. Friends may call that the funeral home prior to the service on Saturday from 11AM to 1PM. Memorial donations may be made in John's memory to Hernando Pasco Hospice, 12260 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613. John and his family were greatly blessed by Hospice during his illness.
Vivian Erdreich
PHILADELPHIA - Vivian Erdreich, formerly of Poughkeepsie, died July 12 at Cathedral Village in Philadelphia. Daughter of Theodore and Anna Holzer, widow of Ulysses Erdreich, survived by son, David Erdreich, daughter, Vicky Cohen, daughter and son-in-law, Gina and Don Kaiser, grandchildren, Jaycob Erdreich and Rachel and Julie Cohen, niece, Elizabeth and her family in Israel, favorite nieces and nephews and cousin and Florence from the Erdreich family. Librarian at Kinry Road School, Wappingers District; First Executive Director, Dutchess County Literacy Volunteers (Literacy Partners); librarian for McCabe & Mack. Volunteer and board member Little Red Schoolhouse. Volunteer and board member, Poughkeepsie Day School. Volunteer at Alzheimer's Association, Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, Poughkeepsie Public Library District. Board member and past president, Friends of Poughkeepsie Library. Member of AAUW, Schuylkill Embroiderer's Guild. Contributions in her memory may be made to Employees' Fund, Cathedral Village, 600 E. Cathedral Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19128 or to an organization of your choice. Condolences to Gina Kaiser, 867 N. 30th St., Philadelphia, PA 19130.
Edna M. "Toots" Hinzmann
WAPPINGERS FALLS - Edna M. "Toots" Hinzmann, of Wappingers Falls, entered into rest Sunday, July 13, 2008 at her daughter's home, surrounded by her family. She was 88. Daughter of the late William I. and Sarah Bell Owen, she was born on April 15, 1920 in Poughkeepsie. She married the love of her life, Edwin B. Hinzmann on January 27, 1943 at St. Mary's Church in Wappingers Falls; Mr. Hinzmann precedes her in death, passing on October 29, 1997. Toots attended Wappingers Schools. She spent her years making a warm and loving home for her husband and five children. Toots loved the Village of Wappingers Falls. She had the honor of "First Lady", as her husband Edwin was the Mayor of the Village from 19911997. She, along with her friend Jean Laffin, would always be seen at the local board meetings to keep up with the village politics. Toots was also very involved locally in organizations such as the WT Garner Ladies Auxiliary where she was Past President, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Wappingers Falls Democratic Club, Wappingers Falls Recreation Committee and the Wappingers Falls Business and Professional Association. She was also a lifelong member of St. Mary's Church in Wappingers Falls. Survivors include her son Edwin Hinzmann, III and his wife, Kathleen of Goose Creek, SC; her daughters, Dorothy Fink and her husband, Fred of Dallas TX, Mary E. Steber and her husband, David of Poughkeepsie, Jean Hinzmann of Waterloo, and Kathleen Bentley and her husband, Robert of Goose Creek, SC; grandchildren, Jennifer Evans, Cherie Acosta, Edwin and Katie Hinzmann, Lisa, Derick and Amie Bentley, and Christopher Steber; great-grandchildren, Preston, Luke, Jessica and Emily Acosta, and Jonathan and Katelyn Evans; brother-in-law, John Hinzmann of Baltimore, MD; sisters-in-law, Franziska Hinzmann of New York City, Elizabeth Sullivan of Nantucket, MA, and Jane Owen of Syracuse; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her brothers, William L. Owen and Oscar E. Owen, and her sister, Doris Riedinger. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. and Mrs. Schneider and staff for their ongoing compassion and support through the years, especially over the last few months. They would also like to thank Hospice for their care and consideration during Toots' final days; their appreciation is immeasurable. Family will receive their friends on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E. Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday, July 17 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, Clinton Street in Wappingers Falls. Interment will immediately follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Wappingers Falls. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Edna's name to Hospice of Dutchess County, 374 Violet Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, Grinnell Library Children's Room, 2642 E. Main St., Wappingers Falls, NY 12590, or St. Mary's Church, 11 Clinton St., Wappingers Falls, NY 12590.
John A. Hull Jr.
ELIZAVILLE - John A. Hull, Jr., 58, of Elizaville, NY, died Monday, July 14, 2008 at his home. He was the owner and operator of John Hull Excavation in Elizaville, NY and was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting. Born on January 10, 1950, in Hudson, NY, he was the son of the late John and Jennie (Karwacki) Hull, Sr.. John married Janet Hapeman on May 15, 1976 in Red Hook, NY and she survives at home in Elizaville. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter: Jessica and her husband Jeremy Matthies of Elizaville, NY, two sons: Jay and his wife Stephanie Howe of Elizaville, NY, Kevin and his wife Christina Howe of Hyde Park, NY, a sister: Barbara Hapeman of Elizaville, NY, five grandchildren: Ashley, Alyssa, Spencer, and Mitchell Howe, and DJ Lysenko, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 17th, 2008 at Burnett & White Funeral Homes, 7461 S. Broadway Red Hook, NY. Burial will be at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, Red Hook. Friends may call at the Burnett & White Funeral Homes 7461 S. Broadway Red Hook, NY on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 from 2 - 4 & 6-8 PM. Memorial donations may be made in John's memory to the Community Hospice of Columbia-Greene, 47 Liberty St., Catskill, NY 12414. Arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes 7461 S. Broadway, Red Hook, NY.
