CLARENCE BEADLE
SOUTH NEW BERLIN - Clarence H. Beadle, 61, of Adams Lane, South New Berlin, passed away early Sunday morning, March 16, 2003 in Chenango Memorial Hospital. Clarence was born and raised in the Holmesville-South New Berlin area and attended the South New Berlin Schools. For many years he worked for his brother William, of Beadle & Beadle Construction in New Berlin. He had also work for the Norwich Shoe Company for 9 years. Clarence also was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved to watch Nascar Racing on TV, while cheering for his favorite driver, Dale Jarrett in the #88 car. Born April 21, 1941 in Holmesville, he was the son of Osmer and Myrtle Myers Beadle. On Sept. 7, 1962, in South New Berlin, he married the former Joan C. Miles. Together they celebrated their 40th anniversary this past September. Clarence is survived by his wife Joan: a son Mark Beadle and his companion Lisa Cole of South New Berlin; a daughter and her husband Robin and Ronald Martin of Edmeston; six sisters: Jennie Carpenter of Norwich, Cora Harris of South New Berlin, Lillian Brown of South New Berlin, Betty Stone of Mt. Upton, Lavina Clum of South Plymouth and Doris Smeltzer of Endicott; three brothers: Robert Beadle of South New Berlin, Richard Beadle of Mt. Upton and Edward Beadle of Alba, Texas. He is also survived by nine grandchildren. He was predeceased by three brothers: George Beadle, William Beadle, John Beadle; a sister, Pearl Eccleston and a close family friend, Lisa Bolster. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 5 p.m. from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. Kurt Funke, pastor of the First Baptist Church of South New Berlin, will officiate. Interment will be at a later date in Fairview Cemetery, New Berlin. Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the South New Berlin Fire Department, South New Berlin, NY 13843.

JEAN PERKINS
NEW BERLIN - Jean Kamerer Perkins, 88, of New Berlin, passed away Sunday, March 16, 2003 at Chase Memorial Nursing Home, New Berlin. Born on Dec. 4, 1914 in Union City, Pa., she was the daughter of Frederick Donald and Marie (Thompson) Kamerer. She was a graduate of Schenectady High School. She also attended Syracuse University and graduated from SUNY Albany. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and participated in graduate studies at Syracuse University. On April 6, 1942 she married Ruso H. Perkins, who survives. In 1937, Jean came to New Berlin to set up the library at New Berlin Central School. She later became the children’s librarian in the Cooperstown Elementary School for 18 years. Pursuing her musical interests throughout her life, she taught piano in her home, sang in the St. Andrew’s Church Choir and the Catskill Choral Society traveling to England, Scotland and Boston, and performed at Carnegie Hall. After retirement she became the organist at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in New Berlin. She also traveled extensively with her husband, Ruso, throughout the U.S., Europe, and Central and South America. Surviving are a son, Ruso Donald Perkins of New York City; a daughter, Andrea L. Miller of Marshfield, Mass.; a son-in-law, Paul Miller of Marshfield, Mass.; a grandson, Thomas Byron Miller of Marshfield, Mass.; two sisters, Joan Thurston of Woodstock, and Julie and Charles Snell of Silver Springs, Md.; and several loving nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. from St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, New Berlin, with Rev. Charles Taylor, pastor of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, officiating. Interment will be in St. Andrew’s Cemetery, New Berlin. There will be no calling hours. Memorial donations may be made to Chase Memorial Nursing Home, New Berlin; St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Organ Fund, New Berlin; or the Alzheimer’s Support Group of the South Shore, c/o Treasurer of ADSGSS, Inc., P.O. Box 109, Hingham, MA 02043.

ANNETTE KNAPP
EARLVILLE - Annette Giza Knapp, 88, of Sebring, Fla., died on March 12, 2003 at Highlands Regional Medical Center, Sebring. Born on Dec. 26, 1914 in Chicago, Ill., she was the daughter of John and Rose Sowa Giza. She graduated with an RN degree from the Washington Boulevard School of Nursing associated with Rush Medical College. Annette worked as a registered at the Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago after graduation and throughout World War II. She met the love of her life, Carl, on a holiday trip to Colorado Springs in 1942. Following a Victory mail courtship, they married in Chicago when Carl returned from World War II in 1945. Carl then swept the city girl to his Earlville farm and they lived there for 50 years until they moved to Sebring in 1990. The city girl became a country girl and an avid gardener. Her gardens were beautiful in all seasons. Her floral arrangements won many blue ribbons at county and state fairs. As illness and age began to interfere with outdoor gardening, she taught herself orchid cultivation and kept several specimens continuously blooming. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Gayle Knapp and Bruce Copeland of Providence, Utah; a son and daughter-in-law, Perrin and Connie (Contant) Knapp of Mooers; two granddaughters, Andrea and Christie Knapp of Mooers; and a sister, Irene Rydz of Willowbrook, Ill. Burial will be private in the Poolville Cemetery, Poolville. Arrangements are by the Morris Funeral Chapel, Sebring, Fla.

ELLAMAE CHRISTIAN
SOUTH NEW BERLIN - Ellamae Christian, 84, long time resident of South New Berlin, passed away early Wednesday morning, March 19, 2003 in the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital of Cooperstown. Ellamae was born Feb. 5, 1919 in Hartwick, the daughter of Fred and Jennie (Doyle) Palmer. On March 5, 1938 in Gilbertsville she married Donald Christian, who survives. Ellamae grew up in Norwich and had attended the Norwich and South New Berlin schools. A resident of South New Berlin since 1946, she had worked for the fishline factory and the Dimock Hollow Phone Co. Her last employment was with the Norwich Shoe Co., where she worked for a period of 20 years retiring in 1981. Ellamae is survived by her husband of 65 years, Donald Christian of South New Berlin; her children: David Paul Christian and his wife Ann of South New Berlin, Mary Lee Meyers and her husband Kenneth of South New Berlin and Cynthia Ann Christian of Vienna, Va.; eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; her sister, Bertha Johnson of Cooperstown; and her sister-in-law, Beatrice Palmer. Several nieces and nephews also survive. She was predeceased by her son Donald W. Christian; her daughter-in-law Mary Lou Christian; two sisters: Margaret Thompson and Grace Houck; her two brothers Elmer and Walter Palmer; and two great-grandchildren. Graveside services for Ellamae will be held in the spring from the Maplewood Cemetery of Mt. Upton. There will be no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to the South New Berlin Fire Dept., South New Berlin Emergency Squad or to the South New Berlin Fireman’s Auxiliary, South New Berlin, NY 13843. Arrangements are by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.

AGNES PHELAN
PRESTON - Agnes R. Phelan, of Preston, died Sunday, March 16, 2003. Agnes was born in Oxford on June 3, 1919. As a baptized Methodist, she graduated from Oxford Academy in the great class of 1936. Agnes’ mother, Addie (Preston) Hendrickson, was of this area and maintained the family homestead on Butler Street since 1848. Her dad, Melvin Preston, was for many years the only village of Oxford highway employee, back in those simpler, horse and carriage days. Agnes married Joseph S. Phelan, Jr. of Brooklyn after falling in love with him while he was working at the Civil Conservation Corp (CCC) camp in McDonough. As a Sergeant and truck driver for the CCC, Joe had the good fortune of transportation to see his love in those early days. This of course was when he was not busy helping plant the beautiful state forests we all enjoy today. Agnes and Joe lived for many years in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn where Joe was policeman and Agnes was employed by the Sperry Rand Corporation, later the Lincoln Savings Bank. Agnes returned to the Oxford homestead in 1965 and found employment with the Housing and Urban Development Corp. (HUD), where she was instrumental in the City of Norwich Urban Renewal Program. After completion of those projects, Agnes was employed by and retired from Champion Products where she was the payroll clerk. Predeceased by her husband Joe, her sisters Ada Biviano of Norwich and Alice Wedge of Oxford, Agnes is survived by her two sons, Joseph of Hartford, Pa. and John of Oxford. Also surviving are her pride and joy grandsons, John Jr., Alexander and Michael. Agnes was a kind, forgiving and generous person. She continued to help others even to the day she entered the hospital for the heart surgery which ended her life. At 83 years of age, Agnes continued to distribute SHARE food to the elderly and homebound. She was a former member of the Business & Professional Women’s Club and Home Bureau. Agnes possessed exceptional grammatical and mathematical skills and was an avid reader. She asks that any contributions in her name be directed to the Oxford Library. Agnes will be greatly missed by her family and friends. We all wish her Godspeed to eternal peace and happiness in the arms of our Lord. Calling hours will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Behe Funeral Home in Oxford with services at 11 a.m. Internment will be at a later date.

SHIRLEY ANN WILCOX
SHERBURNE - Mrs. Shirley Ann Wilcox, 64, of state Route 80, passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at her home, following her second courageous battle with cancer. Born on July 2, 1938 in Butternut Creek, she was a daughter of Castle and Leona Barber McHenry, and received her education in local schools. In September 1956, Shirley was united in marriage to Albert Wilcox in Columbus. She had worked for BC Plastics in Sherburne, the Sherburne-Earlville School system, Walmart in Norwich, and was an Avon dealer for many years. She was also the owner and operator of E-Z Knitting, and made crafts, sewing and knitting products that she sold at flea markets and craft shows. Surviving are her husband of 46 years, Albert Wilcox; her mother, Leona McHenry of Sherburne; a daughter and son-in-law, Penny and Glenn Hamilton of Norwich; a son and daughter-in-law, Barry and Diane Wilcox of Wilmington, NC; a brother, Castle “Chip” McHenry of West Virginia; and four grandchildren. She was predeceased by an infant son, and a grandson, Scott Wilcox. Memorial services will be held on Friday at 7 p.m. from the Assembly of God Church, 97 Silver St., Norwich. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. In keeping with Shirley’s wishes, there will be no calling hours, and her family has requested no floral offerings. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 10 South Main St., Sherburne.

SYLVIA F. AXTELL
DEPOSIT - Sylvia F. Axtell, 98, of Deposit, died on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at The Hospital Nursing Care Center in Sidney. She had been a member of the Deposit First United Methodist Church since 1916, a life member of the Deposit Community Historical Society and a former member of the Fortnightly Club. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth M. Jr. and Joan B. Axtell of South New Berlin; a daughter, Joyce A. Klipp of Lutz, Fla.; two grandsons, Todd L. Klipp of Lexington, Mass. and Del L. Klipp of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and three great-grandchildren, Austin D., Hillary L. and Nathan C. Klipp. She was predeceased by her husband, Kenneth M. Axtell, in 1989. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. from the Deposit First United Methodist Church with Pastor Rev. Craig Gommer officiating. Interment will be in the Barbourville Cemetery in the town of Deposit at a later date. Friends wishing may make memorial donations to the Deposit First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, c/o Carol VanPelt at 1428 Airport Road, Deposit. Funeral arrangements are through the Zacharis Funeral Home in Deposit.

MILDRED FELLIN
NORWICH - Funeral services for Mildred Fellin were held on Wednesday at St. Bartholomew’s Church, with the Rev. Douglas Cunningham, pastor, celebrating a Mass of Resurrection. Mass began with Fellin’s grandchildren, Meghan Monahan, Melissa and Michele Fellin placing the baptismal pall upon the casket. Meghan proclaimed the readings for the mass and Fellin’s daughter and son-in-law, Mary Lou and Larry Monahan and son, Jack Fellin presented the offertory gifts. Mary Ward was the organist. The altar server was George Zieno, while Mary Ann Bodiot and Sister Sheena served as Eucharistic Ministers. Additional services will be held on Friday in Hazelton, Pa., and burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery there. The arrangements were under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home.

EDWIN GIBSON
NORWICH - Edwin S. Gibson, 60, of 24882 Pink School House Road, Evans Mills, formerly of Norwich, died Tuesday, March 18, 2003, as the result of an automobile accident in the town of Paris, just south of Utica. Born on March 20, 1942 in New Berlin, he was the son of Pauline Prindle Gibson and the late Stanford Gibson. After graduating from Norwich High School he served in the U.S. Army, serving in Washington and Georgia in the mid-1960s. Edwin began a 34-year elementary teaching career following his graduation from Utica College, which included 31 years in the Indian River School District. Outside the classroom his passion for the outdoors was displayed in his beef farming, which he enjoyed for 22 years. His great love for the outdoors was realized in many ways. He enjoyed fly-fishing, hunting and camping, and was a life-long supporter of Boy Scouting. He had one son achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, and he was both treasurer and Trustee of Theresa Troop 66 at the time of his death. He was also a strong supporter of education. Edwin participated in amateur archeology in central and northern New York for more than 40 years and coordinated Indian River Middle School’s Odyssey of the Mind program as coach and director for an extended period. In 1972 Edwin fell in love with fellow elementary educator Lucina Tornincasa, to whom he was married for 31 years. He was an honorable, loving and attentive father who was careful to pass on to his sons his preeminent values of honesty, service and respect. His unyielding display of honorable manhood and supportive fatherhood will be deeply missed by all who knew him without exception. Surviving are his wife, Lucina; two sons, Stanford of Sacramento, Calif., and Nicola of Chicago, Ill.; and his mother, Pauline Gibson of Norwich. The funeral will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Frederick Brothers Funeral Home, Theresa, with Pastor Eric Buzzell of Croghan, who is a friend of the family, officiating. He will be assisted by Pastor Nicola Gibson, son of Edwin. Cremation will be at the Frederick Brother Crematory, Theresa. Calling hours will be held this afternoon and evening from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Donations may be made in his memory to one of the following: Boy Scout Troop 66, c/o Ronald Amyot, Main Street, Philadelphia, NY 13673 or St. Mary’s Food Pantry, South Main Street, Evans Mills, NY 13637.

ANNA WAGNER DILL
NORWICH - Anna Wagner Dill, 92, of Woodbourne, a retired secretary and a life-long resident of the area, died Thursday, March 20, 2003 at Gilmour Health Care Facility. Born Dec. 19, 1910 in Callicoon, she was the daughter of William and Theresa Beiling Wagner. Anna was the widow of George A. Dill, whom she was married to for 62 years. She was a member of The Church of Immaculate Conception and the Home Bureau, and she was a great baker. Anna was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister. Surviving are two daughters, Marilyn Chan of Norwich, and Jeanne DePuy and husband Doug of Woodbourne; nine grandchildren, Michael, Debbie, Linda, Marilyn, Tim, Cyndy, Kevin, Scott and Tammy; 13 great-grandchildren, Chris, Jennifer, Amanda, Katlyn, Megan, Jessica, Chelsea, Matthew, Eric, Carly, Samantha, Nicholas and Samantha; one great-great-grandchild, Briana; and one sister, Emma Wagner of San Diego, Calif. She was predeceased by one son, William Dill; three sisters; and two brothers. Visitation was held Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 Main St., Woodbourne. A mass of Christian burial will be today at 1 p.m., with Fr. Robert Henry officiating. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery, Woodbourne. Memorial contributions may be made in Anna’s name to The Church of The Immaculate Conception, Rt. 42, Woodbourne, NY 12788. Arrangements were under the direction of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, Woodbourne.

DONALD W. LACOE
PLYMOUTH - Donald W. LaCoe, 90, of West Benson Road, Plymouth, former owner of LaCoe’s Sport Shop of Norwich, passed away early Saturday morning, March 22, 2003 at his home. Born May 20, 1912 in Clarks Summitt, Pa, he was the son of Wesley H. and Lillian B. (Jacoby) LaCoe. One June 24, 1938 he married Lillian S. Cosner LaCoe, who survives. Don grew up in the Clarks Summitt and Scranton, Pa. areas, attending their local schools. In the early 1940’s, he started his own business, LaCoes Garage, Trucking and Coal which he ran with his two brothers. During World War II he and his brothers hauled coal and produce in the Clarks Summitt and Scranton area. Moving to Norwich in 1947 he continued with his business and opened LaCoe Coal Co. and Sport Shop on Adams St., Norwich, which he operated until 1960. At this point he bought property just south of Norwich, which is now Norwich Implement, and continued to operate LaCoe’s Sport Shop until 1963. Don continued to work by gaining employment with Morton-Norwich where he worked as a production line supervisor until his retirement in 1977. Following his retirement Don remained active and enjoyed spending many hours with his family, especially with his grandchildren. An avid hunter and fisherman, Don would spend many days at his cottage on the St. Lawrence River, enjoying the area with his family. While at the cottage, he loved to go boating and water-skiing, even teaching many of his family members to water-ski. He also enjoyed snow-mobiling and four-wheeling, and could quite often be seen cutting and splitting wood. Don is survived by his wife, Lillian LaCoe of Scarbourgh, Ont.; his children, Susan Bard and husband Keith of Plymouth, and Kathy Rembsoki and husband Michael of Dothan, Ala.; his grandchildren, Christina Conners and husband Robert of Plymouth, Jason Bard and wife Debbie of Plymouth, Karen Carter and husband Danny of Cottonwood, Ala. and Robert Mitchell of Dothan, Ala. Also surviving are his great-grandchildren, Hunter and Shianna Conner, Lindsey, Sabrina and Garett Bard, and Daniel and Katlyn Carter; his two step-great-grandchildren, Ashley and Brandon Connors; and his sister, Lillian Grace of Tonowanda. Don was predeceased by his sister, Lavina LaRue; and his brothers Roy, William, Glenn and Melvin LaCoe. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 1 p.m. from the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418-22 State St., Clarks Summitt, Pa. Interment will follow in the Newton Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.

EILEEN Y. RYAN
NORWICH - Eileen Y. Ryan, 86, formerly of Barr Road, Norwich, passed away Thursday morning, March 20, 2003, in the Chenango Memorial Hospital. Born on May 1, 1916 in East Branch, she was the daughter of Francis and Ivah (Sperbeck) Yager. On April 10, 1940 she married Frederick C. Emrich, who passed away Sept. 21, 1960. On June 28, 1963 she married Vincent “Mike” Ryan, who passed away March 11, 1985. Eileen grew up in the East Branch and Hancock areas. She attended school in East Branch and Roscoe, graduating from the Roscoe High School in 1933. She further her education by attending and graduating from the Perry Business School and the Binghamton Business Institute. She began her working career at Val Iverson’s Car Sales in Hancock, where she worked as their bookkeeper, and met her first husband, Fred Emrich. In the early 1950s Fred bought Deposit Motor Sales and Eileen worked by his side as the bookkeeper until his death, when she sold the business but stayed on as the bookkeeper for several years. Following her marriage to Mike Ryan, Eileen moved to Norwich in 1964, but continued to travel back and forth to Deposit to work as the dealership’s bookkeeper. At that point, she decided to stay closer to home, so she took a job first with the Anderson Motor Corporation as the office manager and bookkeeper, and subsequently with Christman’s Motor Sales as their office manager and bookkeeper, from where she eventually retired. Eileen was fond of all animals, especially her dogs, and she loved to go camping with her dog - even at the age of 80. She truly enjoyed traveling all around the country and was an avid reader. She liked telling and hearing funny stories, and loved to visit with family and friends. Surviving are by her children, Dale Green and husband Dave of Norwich, and Edward Emrich and wife Carol of Florence, S.C.; her grandchildren, David Thomas Green of Norwich, Jennifer L. O’Bryan and husband Sean of Chesapeake, Va., Elizabeth R. McKenzie, Matt A. McKenzie and Christopher McKenzie, all of Florence, S.C., and Paul McKenzie and wife Brandi of Charleston, S.C.; four great-grandchildren; and her sister, Murilyn Vetrone of Rome. A Mass of Resurrection was held on Monday at 11 a.m. from St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Norwich, with the Rev. Douglas Cunningham, pastor, officiating. Interment will be at a later date in the East Branch Cemetery. Calling hours were held Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, Norwich. Please consider contributions to the Chenango County Historical Society, 45 Rexford St., Norwich, NY 13815.

ARCHIE B. CLARK
SMYRNA - Archie B. Clark, 66, of Main Street, Smyrna, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, March 19, 2003 while visiting with his son in Florida. Born on May 5, 1936 in Earlville, he was a son of Archie and Elizabeth Clark. He received his education in local schools. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean conflict. He had worked at TACO in Sherburne, and then at the Chase Memorial Nursing Home in New Berlin until his retirement. On July 28, 1956, Archie was united in marriage to the former Faith Dungey in Earlville. She predeceased him on Dec. 1, 2002. Archie was a member of the Edmeston American Legion Post, and his favorite past-time was woodworking. Surviving are three sons and two daughters-in-law, Kevin and Nancy Clark of Edmeston, Keith and Monika Clark of Cecelia, Ky., and Christopher Clark of Smyrna; a sister, Eva Clark of Cortland; 14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a daughter, Katrina Brown in 2001; and a brother, LeRoy Clark. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. from the Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 10 South Main St., Sherburne. Interment will be in the West Hill Cemetery, Sherburne. Friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., prior to the service.

MILDRED FELLIN
NORWICH - Mildred E. Fellin, 82, of Sunset Drive, Norwich, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, March 23, 2003, surrounded by her family. Born on April 28, 1920 in Hazleton, Pa., she was the daughter of John and Mary (Ponchari) Palermo. On April 28, 1947 in Hazleton, Pa., she married Joseph A. Fellin, who survives. She was a housewife, and also worked as a sales associate at McLaughlin’s Department Store in Norwich. Mildred was an avid gardener, bird watcher and lover of crafts. She read cookbooks as if they were novels, and collected recipes. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Mildred took extreme pride in her home. She especially loved preparing her home for the holidays with her family. Mildred is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Joseph Fellin of Norwich; her daughters, Judy Fellin of Hazleton, Pa., and Mary Lou and Larry Monahan of Norwich; sons, Joseph Fellin of Hazleton, Pa., and Jack and Pam Fellin of Conklin; granddaughters, Amy, Liz and Katie Fellin of Hazleton, Pa., Melissa and Michelle Fellin of Conklin, and Meghan Monahan of Norwich. Also surviving are her brother, Dan Palermo and wife Isabelle and daughter Jill of Hazleton, Pa.; a special friend, Mary Shaheen of Sherburne; and several nieces and nephews. Beside her parents, Mildred was predeceased by her sisters, Angeline and Margaret; her brother, Joseph; and an infant brother, Louis. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at St. Bartholomew’s Church. Friends may call on Tuesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Wilson Funeral Home, and on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at St. Bartholomew’s Church. Burial will be on Friday in Calvary Cemetery in Hazleton, Pa. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mildred may be made to Hospice of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815 Condolences may be sent to Mildred’s family from wilsonfh.com.

EDWARD SHERWOOD SHUMAN
NORWICH - Edward S. Shuman, 74, passed away Sunday morning, March 23, 2003 at Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich, following a battle with pneumonia. Born Oct. 25, 1928 in Steubenville, Ohio, he was the son of the late Dewey an Ethel Shuman. He grew up in Hundred, W.Va. He worked all his life from a very young age as a heavy equipment operator. He was a Korean War veteran who served with the 2nd Infantry division and was awarded the Bronze Star along with a United Nations Service medal. He is survived by his wife Helen of Willet; his former wife, Eloise Atkyns Shuman and their four children, Vicki Shuman and companion Rich Remski of South Otselic - Vicki’s children, Jason Letlough of Norwich and Rebecca Knickerbocker of Binghamton - Mr. and Mrs. Alan (Peggy) Huntley and daughter Lisa of South Otselic and their son, Robert Huntley and companion Misty Wright and their daughter Katlin of Norwich. Also surviving are Michael Shuman and son, Vincent of Beaver Meadow and Mr. and Mrs. James (Chris) Shuman of Beaver Meadow and their daughters, Jamie and Elizabeth. He also leaves behind two loving sisters, Loretta Stewart of Fairmont, W.Va., and Phyllis Sole of Las Vegas, Nev.; a niece and nephew; and several cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Dewey an Ethel Shuman; and a sister, Sharon of Hundred, West Virginia. A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 1 p.m. from the Beaver Meadow Christian Church with Rev. Jeremy Stopford officiating. A military service is pending.

HELEN VALENTINE
NORWICH - Helen Valentine, 76, formerly of the Norwich and Holmesville area, passed away early Saturday morning, March 22, 2003, in the Hamilton Manor Nursing Home in Rochester. Born on Dec. 9, 1926 in Norwich, she was the daughter of Rial and Celestia (McKillip) Thompson. She married Carlton Valentine, who passed away April 4, 1994. Growing up in Norwich, Helen attended and graduated from the Norwich schools. For a brief period, she and her husband lived in Earlville, then returned to Norwich to live first on the Barnes Road and then on Columbia St. During this time, Helen worked as a waitress for the Imperial Diner. In the mid 1950’s, Helen and her family moved to Mt. Upton where they purchased and operated a farm, subsequently moving to Holmesville where they made their home for the next 25 years. During these years, Helen worked for 35 years as an inspector for the former Scintilla Plant in Sidney, retiring in the mid-1990’s. She returned to Norwich following the death of her husband and, for the past several years, had made her home in the Rochester area to be near her son Daniel. Helen is survived by her children, Gordon Valentine and his wife Deborah, and Daniel Valentine and his wife Carol of Rochester; her grandchildren, Heather, Megan, Matthew, Robin and Kristin Valentine; and her brothers, Dale Thompson of Victorville, Calif., and Rial Thompson of Richfield, Utah. Besides her husband Carlton, Helen was predeceased by her son, Michael; her sister, Celeste Palmer; and her brother, Earl Thompson. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. from the Holmesville Baptist Church, with the Rev. Romeyn Kipp, pastor, officiating. Interment will be at a later date in the West Oneonta Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. In Helen’s memory, please consider donations to Holmesville Baptist Church, 3024 state Route 8, South New Berlin, NY 13843, marked “for Camp BaYouCa.”

DEBORAH L. HAWKINS
NORWICH - Deborah L. Hawkins, 46, of Norwich, died Wednesday afternoon, March 26, 2003 at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown. Born on Oct. 29, 1956 in Middletown, she was a daughter of James R. Hawkins and Barbara L. (O’Hagan) Helm. Raised and educated in Middletown, Debbie traveled throughout the United States, ultimately settling in Norwich. Most recently she had been employed as a machinist at Unison Industries in Norwich. Debbie is survived by her two sons, Robert and Morgan Roberts of Norwich; her mother, Barbara; her husband, George Helm of Henderson, Nev.; two brothers, Larry Hawkins and wife Marion, and Jim Hawkins, all of Rochester; two sisters, Brenda Medina and husband Carlos of Henderson, Nev., and Jackie Colon and husband Santos of Woodbridge, Va.; her stepmother, Phyllis Hawkins; and five stepbrothers and sisters, Charles, Keith and Mark DePoty, Lauri Cofran and Penny Sotak. She was predeceased by her father, James R. Hawkins, who died on Feb. 6, 2003. A graveside committal service for Debbie and her father will take place on April 12 at 3 p.m. in the Wallkill Cemetery in Middletown. Arrangements are under the direction of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

CECILIA (McGRORY) SPANN
CINCINNATUS - Cecilia (McGrory) Spann, 77, of Cincinnatus, and formerly of Tenafly, N.J., passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at her home. Born on Nov. 22, 1925 in Teaneck, N.J., she was the daughter of the late Patrick and Bridgett Driscoll McGrory. Both Patrick and Bridgett immigrated from Ireland, and Cecilia had a lifelong interest in Irish culture and history and visited Ireland twice. A 1943 graduate of Tenafly High School, she worked as a cadet nurse during World War II and married in 1945. After 15 years as a homemaker and scout leader, she worked at Smith-Corona from 1960 until the plant closed, first as a line worker and later as a plant nurse. Cecilia returned to school in her 40’s and earned her RN degree from Morrisville in 1973. She also worked at the American Red Cross until retiring in 1992. Since her retirement, she maintained a full schedule of volunteer activities through RSVP, including working at the Salvation Army, Loaves & Fishes, Tourist Booth, Little York Plantation, reading to the blind, and teaching English as a second language. She also was very active in the Cortland American Legion Auxiliary and was secretary of the Retired Nurse’s Association. She loved her animals and is survived by her beloved pet cat, Blackie. Cecilia is also survived by her husband of 58 years, Richard Spann of Pitcher; her son, Patrick (Patricia Squires) Spann of Arlington, Va.; daughters, Kathleen and Maureen Spann, both of Greene; a granddaughter, Lynn Chamberlin and her fiancé Jason Kenyon of Binghamton; and the children of her late sister Mary - Gene, Marie, Julie, Joseph, John, Patricia, Frances and Kevin - with whom she maintained close ties. Cecilia was predeceased by her sisters, Mary Erikson and Kathleen Fader, and her brother, Francis McGrory. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Cincinnatus, with Rev. Lester E. Smith as celebrant. Burial will be on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. in Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Tenafly, N.J. The family will be present on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. to receive friends at the Black Funeral Home, Cincinnatus. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Cecilia may be directed to the American Cancer Society, Daffodil Days Program, 31 Adams Ave., Endicott, NY 13760.

CECILE JONES
NORWICH - Cecile Ruth Jones, 95, formerly of Beebe Avenue, Norwich, passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, March 27, 2003 at the Hilltop Nursing Home in Binghamton. Born Jan. 26, 1908 in Norwich, she was the daughter of Frank and Annie Scanlon. Cecile graduated from Norwich High School and attended Cortland Teacher’s College before graduating from Syracuse University. Returning to Norwich, she taught elementary school. During 1940 in Norwich, she married another Norwich native, Carlton Paul Jones, who was an executive at the Norwich Pharmacal Company. Carlton passed away in 1988. Following their marriage, Cecile and Carlton moved to Chicago and Cecile taught in various catholic schools there. While in Chicago, their two daughters, Nancy and Sharon grew up and went on to college at Marquette University. Carlton and Cecile returned to Norwich after their retirement. She will be fondly remembered by all who knew her. Cecile was an active member of St. Paul’s Church. Surviving are her two daughters, Nancy Clark and Sharon Jones; and two grandsons, Oliver and Nicolas Monday. A Mass of Resurrection for Cecile will be held on Monday at 10:30 a.m. from St. Paul’s Church. Committal services will follow the Mass in Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel in St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends are invited to call from 9:30 am until the time of the service in the Marian Chapel of St. Paul’s Church. The arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home.