FRANKFORT - William M. Rivers, age 47, of Westlake Avenue, passed away unexpectedly on Christmas morning, December 25, 2001.
He was born on July 8, 1954 in Herkimer, son of Earl H. "Mike" Rivers and the late Dorothy Bowie Rivers.
A lifelong Herkimer resident, he was a graduate of Herkimer High School "Class of 1972".
Upon his completion of high school, he went to work for the Remington Arms Co., in Ilion.
He then went on to serve in the U.S. Navy.
After his military service, he enrolled in Mohawk Valley Community College, where he graduated with a degree in Surveying Engineering.
Until 1992, he was employed with the New York State Department of Transportation.
A member of the First United Methodist Church, Herkimer, he had a strong belief in God and led a devoted Methodist life.
Surviving are his father; Earl H. "Mike" Rivers, of Herkimer; two sisters and their husbands, Sandra and Richard Sullivan, of Oriskany and Sheila and Robert E. Kennedy, of Mohawk; a niece, Sarah Elizabeth Kennedy and nephew, R. Kyle Kennedy, both of Mohawk; and several cousins.
His mother, Dorothy Rivers, preceded Bill in death on March 27, 2000.
Funeral service will be on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer.
The Reverend William Otis, pastor of the First United Church, Herkimer will officiate.
The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends two hours prior to the funeral service 3:00 until 5:00 p.m.
Interment in Mountain View Memorial Gardens, Town of Little Falls, will be next spring.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
John H. Diehl
1935-2002
ILION - John H. Diehl, age 66, of Brewer Road, passed away on Thursday evening, July 25, 2002, in Valley Health Services Inc., with his loving family surrounding him after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born on September 12, 1935 in Bethel, NY, son of the late John N. and Albina Bassney Diehl.
John was raised and educated in Honesdale, PA.
A U.S. Army veteran, he served with the Airborne Division from 1955, until his honorable discharge in 1958.
On August 5, 1961, he married Barbara Patten in Saint Mary's Church, Honesdale.
He and his wife have resided in Ilion since 1976.
John's occupation and love was the trucking industry.
He took great pride in being an owner operator for most of his career.
More recently, he hauled for ALNYE Trucking retiring earlier this year.
He traveled extensively throughout the states and acquired several safety awards including the "Million Mile Safety Award".
His greatest joy was having his children and grandchildren join him on his trips to various states.
He was a friend to many all over this country, "Pop-Pop" as he was affectionately called, will never be forgotten.
John had a strong belief in God and was of the Catholic faith.
Surviving are his wife of forty years, Barbara, a daughter, Tina, and her husband, Mark Sommer, of Herkimer, four sons; Darryl Diehl, Brian and his wife Nancy Diehl all of Ilion, Jason and his wife Temple Diehl of Liberty Hill, TX, Shayne and his wife, Lynda Diehl, of Mohawk; eleven grandchildren, Brandon, Jordan, Brianne, Megan, Ashley, Melissa, Joshua, Caitlyn, Morgan, Dallas, Liberty; five brothers, five sisters, several nieces, nephews, and cousins along with special friends Phil, Carol and Deb.
Funeral service will be on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer.
The Reverend Mark Cunningham, pastor of St. Francis deSales Church will officiate.
Mr. Diehl will be laid to rest in North Columbia Cemetery.
The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends on Saturday 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Memorial donation may be made to the Valley Health Services Palliative Care Unit.
Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude and sincere thanks to the staff of the Palliative care unit of Valley Health Services Inc. for the care and compassion given to John and his family during his stay with them.
Stanley James Foster
HERKIMER -- Stanley James Foster, 69, of Eatonville Road, died peacefully on Monday, March 18, 2002, in Little Falls Hospital with his family by his side.
He was born Feb. 5, 1933, in Fairfield, son of the late Leland and Agnes Bradberry Foster.
A lifelong area resident, he graduated from West Canada High School, class of 1950.
On Oct. 11, 1980, he married Sally Vickers in Little Falls.
Until 1992, he had worked on the family-owned dairy farm.
For a few years, he had worked at the Engert Saw Mill in Herkimer.
He had owned and operated a taxidermist shop on Route 28 in Herkimer.
Stanley had a strong love for he outdoors and nature.
He enjoyed hunting, trapping and fishing.
His hobby was woodcarving.
He will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband and father and will be greatly missed.
Surviving are his devoted wife of 21 years, Sally Vickers Foster; a cherished son, Nathaniel James Burke Vickers Foster of the home address; a brother, Donald Eugene Foster of Herkimer; a sister, Reta and her husband Arthur Taylor of Middleville; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Virginia and Eric Braun of Lima, Peru; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
The funeral ceremony will be private and at the convenience of the family.
There are no calling hours.
Funeral arrangements are with Fenner Funeral Home Inc., Herkimer.
Alba L. Robinson
MOHAWK - Alba L. Robinson, 71, of W. Main St., died unexpectedly Thursday afternoon, Dec. 20, 2001, in St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Utica.
He was born Nov. 26, 1930, in Escanaba, Mich., son of the late Alton B. and Julia Ryder Robinson.
Albie was raised in Muskegon Heights, Mich., and graduated high school there.
During the Korean War, he proudly served with the U.S. Army.
On Nov. 24, 1951, he married Diane E. Baughman in Muskegon.
A resident of Mohawk since 1958, he joined in the family business, Robinson Brothers Appliance in Mohawk.
He retired as owner and operator in 1997.
He had a strong belief in God and lived a good Christian life.
Albie enjoyed his summers at Hinckley Lake and was happiest when surrounded by his many friends, family and especially his grandchildren.
He was an exempt member of the Mohawk Volunteer Fire Department, a member of the Mohawk Kiwanis Club and a former member of Mohawk Lodge 276 F&AM.
He was a friend to many and will never be forgotten.
Surviving are his loving wife of 50 years, Diane; two sons, Kim and his wife, Cheryl Robinson, of Ilion, and Alba M. Robinson of Charlotte, N.C.; three daughters and their husbands, Brooke and Glenn Bellinger of Fultonville, Lynne and Chris Shoemaker of Herkimer and Stacey and Mark Holleran of Mohawk; a brother, Richard A. and his wife, Mary Robinson, of Muskegon, Mich.; his aunt, Betty Garito of Florida; 10 grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday from noon until 2 p.m. in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court St., with services to follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. William Harkins officiating.
Interment will follow in Mohawk Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.
