HERKIMER - Vera Bruce, 87, formerly of 305 S. Caroline St., died Saturday evening, Dec. 9, 2000, in the Mohawk Valley Nursing Home, Ilion.
She was born April 14, 1913, in South Shields, England, daughter of the late Martin and Maria Clark Masur.
Vera and her family came to this country and settled in Schenectady when she was a young girl. ,
She was educated in schools both in England and Schenectady.
On Nov. 2, 1940, she married Lee S. Bruce in Schenectady, a loving and devoted union of nearly 53 years, until his passing on July 1, 1993.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Herkimer, where she had served as chairperson of the White Cross, was a member of the M and M Circle and the church Diaconate.
Surviving her are two sons and their wives, Robert and Barbara Bruce of Rome and Richard and Cynthia Bruce of Denver, N.C.; six grandchildren, Scott and his wife Sara Bruce, Shannon and his wife Wendy Bruce, Ryan and his wife Christi Bruce, Deborah and her husband Paul Rojas, Carolynn and her husband Michael Haug, and Dr. Susan Bruce; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Norman and John Masur, who died prior to the family coming to America, Norman Masur, George Masur and two sisters, Lillian Thomes and Lucille Cecilia Liston.
Funeral service will take place Thursday at 11 a.m. in the First Baptist Church, Herkimer, with the Rev. Jeremy Spencer, pastor, officiating.
Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, New Berlin.
f The family will receive relatives and friends in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court St., Herkimer on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church, Herkimer.
Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Harold J. Bowman
HERKIMER - Harold John Bowman, age 77, of East Smith Street, died unexpectedly on January 1, 2002, in Little Falls Hospital.
He was born on August 19, 1924, in Herkimer, a son of the late David J. and Rose Knout Bowman.
A lifelong area resident, he was a graduate of Herkimer High School.
He proudly served his country during WW II, enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1943 and was honorably discharged in 1945.
In June of 1956, he married Hazel Louise Weaver.
A union of 29 years until her passing on July 11, 1985.
For over 33 years he worked as a machinist with the Library Bureau in Herkimer.
He enjoyed the outdoors especially camping trips with the family.
Surviving are his daughters, Dale and her husband Randy of East Herkimer, Joanne Bailey of Dolgeville, grandchildren, Shannon Jackson and her fiancée Brian Lafever, Shawn Jackson, Lori, Julie, Wendy and William, great-grandchildren, Shawna and Brian Lafever, a brother, Richard and his wife, Betty, of Ilion, two sisters, Grace Ingerham, Ruby and her husband, Joseph Harrer, of East Herkimer.
Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Alfred Bowman and sister, Edna Jackson.
The family will be present in the Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer on Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. to receive relatives and friends.
A graveside service with military honors will be held in Oak Hill Cemetery next spring.
Henry Wyman
MOHAWK - Henry Wyman, 73, of State Route 5S, died unexpectedly on Friday, January 5, 2001 in Little Falls Hospital.
A resident of the area for many years, he had resided at the Cindy Fitzgerald Family Care Community Center, until recently, moving to Mohawk, where he had resided with Shirley and Leland Pedersen.
Henry enjoyed community activities especially taking trips.
He loved music and dancing.
Surviving are his extended family and close friends, Wade Graves, Robert Donlon, Sheila Bastedo and Morton Weiss.
Funeral service will be on Tuesday at 10:00 am in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer.
The Reverend Joseph R. Jansen, pastor of the New Life Church and Ministry Center, Herkimer will officiate.
Interment in Middleville Cemetery will take place later this spring.
Calling hours will be one hour prior to the funeral service from 9-10 am.
Arthur O. Burgess
MOHAWK -- Arthur O. Burgess, 96, of Devendorf Street, passed away peacefully on Saturday evening in Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown, with his loving family at his side.
Born on Sept. 12, 1905, in Ilion, he was the son of the late Jesse Maine and Alys Osgood Burgess.
Raised and educated in Ilion, he graduated from Ilion High School in 1923.
Art continued his education, receiving a bachelor's degree from Colgate University in 1928 and his Master's of Education from Columbia Teachers College in 1934.
On Aug. 23, 1930, he married Vera Hurlburt in Springfield, Mass.
They shared a loving and devoted union of 68 years until her passing on June 6, 1999.
From 1930 through 1945, he and his wife resided in Ludlow, Mass., where he taught high school history and English, was a guidance counselor, and the school newspaper advisor.
Art was an energetic man who enjoyed helping the youth.
In 1945, he took the position of YMCA youth work director in Norristown, Pa.
He continued his career for more than 45 years, organizing Hi-Y Clubs throughout the areas in Ludlow and Amherst, Mass., Norristown, and Corry, Pa., where he was instrumental in building a YMCA.
In the fall of 1957, he and his family returned to Mohawk.
He then joined the staff of New York State YMCA as director of the Central District of New York.
While director of the Central NY YMCA, he organized Hi-Y and Tri-Hi-Y clubs; a Y's Men's Club and Industrial Management Club throughout Herkimer County.
Upon his retirement from the YMCA in 1970, Art was happiest when he was helping others.
He recognized the need for activities for the senior citizens population throughout the county.
He was instrumental in organizing the AARP Chapter 1410 and in 1971 served as its first president.
Art later became an assistant state director for AARP and eventually state director, helping to organize new chapters in Utica, Rome, Oneida and Oneonta.
He was the managing editor of the monthly Chapter News, an instructor in the 55 Alive Programs, organized a men's cooking class in cooperation with the Cooperative Extension.
In 1989, after more than 20 years of active work with AARP, he received an Emeritus Recognition.
His community activities also included his assistance in organizing the combined United Way of Mohawk Valley.
He previously served on the Red Cross Board of Directors, the United Fund, RSVP and Office for the Aging and had served as treasurer for the historic Fort Herkimer Church Memorial Fund.
He had a strong belief in God and lived a devoted Christian life.
He was a member of the Mohawk Reformed Church, where he served on the Consistory, sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, and was the first editor of the church newsletter, "The Way."
He had managed a local campaign for funds for the Reformed Church Camp in the Adirondacks.
Surviving are his son, John W. and his wife Catherine Burgess of Lutherville, Md.; his daughter, Carolyn "Lynn" and her husband James Drury of Mohawk; four grandchildren and their families, Alyson Drury, Katherine Alys Drury-Dayton and her husband Jason, all of Mohawk, Vera Burgess-Ramsey and her husband Michael of Winston Salem, N.C., Elizabeth Anne Sales and her husband Tom of Lutherville, Md.; four great-grandchildren, Alesis Drury, Leo Burgess-Ramsey, Madyson Drury-Lennon and Isobel Ramsey; a niece, Frances Bonnie Hurlburt; a nephew, Dr. Ward Hurlburt; and a very special friend and caregiver, Marilyn Stone.
Funeral service will be on Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Mohawk Reformed Church.
The Rev. Donald Pangburn will officiate. Interment will follow in Mohawk Cemetery.
Calling hours will be on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court St., Herkimer.
Memorial donations may be made to the Mohawk Reformed Church Memorial Fund.
