Sophie Piccolo, 93, formerly of West Main Street, Amsterdam, died Thursday at the Montgomery Meadows Nursing Home after a long illness.

Born April 1, 1903 in Pisciotta, Italy, she moved to Amsterdam at an early age. She attended local schools and was a lifelong city resident.

Mrs. Piccolo was employed at one time as a glovemaker with Fownes Bros., retiring many years ago.

She was a member of St. Michael The Archangel Roman Catholic Church and a member of the St. Sophia Society of the church.

She was married to Frank Piccolo, who died in 1958.

Survivors include a niece, Mary Palombi of Saratoga, and a nephew, Thomas Palombo of Albany.

Funeral services will be conducted at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the De Stefano Funeral Home, Route 5S, Amsterdam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:15 at St. Michael's Church. Interment will follow in St. Michael's Cemetery. 

There will be no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to charity.
 

Donald Campbell
October 22, 1996

Donald Campbell, 84, of Salt Springville Road, Salt Springville, died Tuesday at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown after a long illness.

Born May 30, 1912 in Salt Springville, he was the son of Joseph Campbell and Effie Ackerman. He graduated from East Springfield High School. He owned and operated Campbell Tree Service for more than 50 years before retiring.

Mr. Campbell was a lifelong area resident.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in Normandy and also World War II and the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of the Audubon Society.

He married Theresa Disch Campbell on Feb. 14, 1952.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Steven J. Campbell of Amsterdam; a sister, Ruth Fettinger of Sprakers; four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Gray-Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, 34 Center St., Fort Plain. The Rev. Jeff Thibodeau will officiate. Burial will be in Springfield Cemetery, Springfield Center. 

Calling hours are from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. The VFW Memorial Squad No. 3275 of Fort Plain will conduct graveside military honors.
 

Raymond Heiser
October 24, 1996

Raymond Heiser, 75, of 551 Clinton Road, Canajoharie, died Thursday at home after a long illness.

Born Oct. 13, 1921 in Canajoharie, he was the son of Herbert and Cora Shuster Heiser. A lifelong Canajoharie resident, Mr. Heiser attended Seebers Lane School on Clinton Road, Canajoharie.

He owned and operated the Heiser Homestead Dairy Farm all of his working years, retiring in 1984.

Mr. Heiser was a former member of the Cross Trails Square Dance Group and the Montgomery County Cooperative Extension.

He was of the Protestant faith.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Tina Marie Heiser, in 1959.

He married Ethel Dygert Heiser on Nov. 25, 1944.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Thomas Lee Heiser of Tonawanda; three daughters, Evelyn Marie Schafer of Rochester, Patricia Ann Squier of Palmyra and Jane Elaine Anello of Utica; three brothers, Fayette, Everett and Richard Heiser, all of Canajoharie; a sister, Florence Heiser McCaskey of Mulvane, Kan.; seven grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Lenz & Betz Funeral Home, 69 Otsego St., with the Rev. Kenneth Dingman officiating. Burial will be in Fort Plain Cemetery.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 34 W. Fulton St., Gloversville, 12078.
 

Sister Pauline Szychulska
October 24, 1996

Sister Pauline Szychulska, C.R. (Ernestine Marcella Szychulska), 80, a Sister of the Resurrection and resident at Resurrection Nursing Home, Castleton, died Thursday after a long illness.

Born April 26, 1916, in Amsterdam, she was the daughter of Stanislaus Szychulska and Catherine Ciulik Szychulska. She entered religion in September of 1933. In June of 1995, she celebrated her 60th anniversary of religious profession.

Sister Pauline served the church in the teaching ministry in Albany, Watervliet and Amsterdam. From 1951 to the present, she ministered to the people and church in Montreal.

She is survived by a nephews, cousins, grandnieces and grandnephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Sisters of the Resurrection Provincialate in Castleton. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery.

Calling hours are from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday at the Provincialate Chapel, 35 Boltwood Ave., Castleton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Resurrection Memorial Fund, 35 Boltwood Ave., Castleton, 12033-1011.
 

Nelson Pierce
October 22, 1996

Nelson Pierce, 98, of Eden Park Nursing Home, Cobleskill, died Tuesday at the residence, where he had resided since 1983.

Born in Schoharie, Mr. Pierce attended the Oak Hill one-room schoolhouse on Route 7. He later purchased the schoolhouse and lived there for many years before entering the nursing home.

Mr. Pierce was a farmer and worked on several area farms in Schoharie and Montgomery counties before retiring.

After that, he was a handyman and mowed lawns in the Schoharie area.

Mr. Pierce was of the Methodist faith.

He married Mildred Liddle Pierce on Sept. 16, 1950.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a daughter, Kathy Merwin of Barnwell, S.C.; a son, Richard N. Pierce Sr. of Johnstown; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Langan Funeral Home, 227 Main St., Schoharie.

Burial will follow in the Lutheran Cemetery.
 

Laura Glamm
October 24, 1996

Laura N. Glamm, 91, of Henrietta Boulevard, Amsterdam, died Thursday morning at Amsterdam Memorial Hospital.

Born June 4, 1905 in Dryden, Cortland County, she was the daughter of Frank and Edna Conrad Naylon.

Mrs. Glamm was educated in the Binghamton school system.

She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Glamm was a communicant of St. Mary's Church, a member of its Rosary Society, and a charter member of the former St. Mary's Institute Home & School Association.

She married Otto A. Glamm in 1928. He died in 1965.

Surviving are three sons, Joseph O. and Richard G. Glamm, both of Amsterdam, and Paul A. Glamm of Austin, Texas; three daughters, Kathleen A. Glamm of Amsterdam, Louise E. Glamm of Tully and Laura E. Brown of De Leon, Texas; two grandchildren and nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:15 a.m. Monday at the Riley Mortuary Inc., 110 Division St., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Church. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Calling hours are from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the mortuary.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Amsterdam Volunteer Ambulance Corps, St. Mary's Church Development Fund or to St. Mary's Hospital Foundation.
 

John "Ray" Casabonne
October 24, 1996

John R. "Ray" Casabonne, 86, of Hains Street, Mayfield, died Thursday at Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville following a long illness.

Born Oct. 27, 1909 in Amsterdam, he was the son of George and Lydia Kruger Casabonne. He was a weaver for the Bigelow-Sanford Mills until 1954 and was then employed by Coleco Industries in Mayfield as a scooter operator, retiring in 1977.

He was a member of the Sacred Heart Church in Gloversville, a member of Ivory Leaf Fish and Game Club and a former member of the Bleecker Fish and Game Club.

He is survived by his wife, Emily Kaczor; a son, Walter Casabonne, of Amsterdam; one sister, Barbara Cherickio of Amsterdam; three grandchildren; three great- grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be conducted at Mayfield Cemetery at a later date to be announced.

There will be no calling hours.

Contributions may be made to the Mayfield Fire Department, 13 N. School St., Mayfield, 12117.

Arrangements are by the Kobuskie-Konik Funeral Home, 147 Bleecker St., Gloversville.
 

Bernice Sausville
Oct. 24, 1996

Bernice L. Sausville, 83, of 2189 Lynn St., Rotterdam, died Thursday at St. Clare's Hospital.

Born and educated in Amsterdam, she moved to the Rotterdam area in 1952 and lived there the rest of her life.

Mrs. Sausville was a homemaker.

She is survived by her husband, George R. Sausville, whom she married in 1952; a daughter, Ann Doepel of Whitesboro; a brother, Steven Wojcik of Amsterdam; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held today at 12:30 p.m. at the Daly Funeral Home, Schenectady.

A calling hour will precede the service from 11:30 to 12:30.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
 

Betty Van Slyke
Oct. 24, 1996

Betty Waner Van Slyke, 72, of 38 Clinton Ave., Fort Plain, died Thursday evening at her home following a long illness.

Born May 4, 1924, in Fort Plain, she was the daughter of Emery and Irene Bruggencate Waner. She was a lifelong area resident.

Mrs. Van Slyke was a homemaker.

She was a communicant of the Fort Plain Reformed Church and served on the consistory of the church and was very active in various church affairs.

She married Nellis Van Slyke Sept. 23, 1944.

In addition to her husband, survivors include a son, David Van Slyke of Rochester; two daughters, Debbie Mastroianni of Walnut Creek, Calif., and Kim Wilson of Holland, Mich.; and five grandchildren.

Mrs. Van Slyke donated her body to the Anatomical Gift Program at Albany Medical College.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 73 N. Main St., Gloversville.

Arrangements are by the Lenz & Betz Funeral Home Inc., 69 Otsego St., Canajoharie.
 

Stanley Mitchell
Oct. 25, 1996

Stanley L. Mitchell Sr., 78, of West Main Street, Fonda, died early Friday morning at Nathan Littauer Hospital after a long illness.

He was born Feb. 9, 1918, in Brooklyn, the son of Anthony and Mary Buerzinkis Michalowsky.

He was educated in Brooklyn schools and moved to this area from Long Island in 1947. He was owner-operator of the Mitchell Paper Company in Fonda until his death.

He was a World War II veteran serving with the 8th Air Force as an airplane mechanic.

Mr. Mitchell was a member of St. Cecelia's Roman Catholic Church in Fonda.

Survivors include his wife, Clara Bluvas Mitchell, whom he married Aug. 4, 1946; a son, Stanley L. Mitchell Jr. of Fonda; a daughter, Lorna Quinn of Fonda; a sister, Mary Rooney of Maspeth; four grandsons; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 1 p.m. at St. Cecelia's Roman Catholic Church. 

There will be no calling hours. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church from noon until 1 p.m. Monday.

Burial will be in St. Cecelia's Cemetery, Fonda.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mohawk Volunteer Fire Department, the Fonda Volunteer Fire Department or to the Fonda-Fultonville Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Arrangements are by the Jackson & Betz Funeral Home, 15 Main St., Fultonville.
 

Lee Elander Jr.
Oct. 24, 1996

Lee Russell Elander Jr., 55, of Nelson Road, Amsterdam, died unexpectedly Thursday at Memorial Hospital in Clarksville, Tenn.

He was born July 24, 1941, in Sydney, the son of Lee Russell and Helene Bartlett Elander. He lived in Amsterdam for the past several years.

Mr. Elander was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

He was employed by American Airlines as general manager of the Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta, retiring in 1988. He also owned Trillium Antiques in West Galway.

At one time he served as an emergency medical technician with the New Berlin Volunteer Ambulance Service.

Mr. Elander was of the Lutheran faith.

He was married Aug. 11, 1990, to Diane K. Howard.

In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, Lee Russell Elander III of Pleasant View, Tenn., and Gregory Robert Elander of Kingston, Pa.; a brother, Harvey Bruce Elander of Coconut Creek, Fla.; a sister, Patricia Weiss of Edmeston; five grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral service is 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Betz Funeral Home Inc., 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam, with the Rev. Robert Doxey officiating.

Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Tribes Hill.

A calling hour will begin at noon Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association in care of the funeral home.
 

Clara Sliva
Oct. 25, 1996

Clara V. Sliva of Clizbe Avenue, Amsterdam, died Friday evening at St. Mary's Hospital after a long illness.

She was born in Amsterdam, the daughter of Albert and Katherine Ziemba Muciek. She was educated locally and was a lifelong area resident.

Mrs. Sliva was employed in the medical records department of Amsterdam Memorial Hospital and was also a homemaker.

She was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church.

She was married to Michael J. Sliva April 27, 1939. He died Nov. 20, 1979. She was also predeceased by a son, David M. Sliva, who died Feb. 5, 1985; and a cousin, Alfred Pastalaniec, who died Oct. 2.

Several nieces, nephews and cousins survive.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Monday at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church.

Interment will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery.

Calling hours are private at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Stanislaus Church, St. Stanislaus school, or to the Greater Amsterdam Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Arrangements are by the Jendrzejczak Funeral Home, 200 Church St., Amsterdam.
 

Frances Merritt
Oct. 25, 1996

Frances K. Merritt, 66, of Pine Street, Rensselaer, died Friday evening at St. Mary's Hospital, Amsterdam, following a short illness.

She was born May 26, 1930, in West Chazy, the daughter of Lewis and Doris Casavaugh Budro. She lived in the Albany area most of her life.

She was at one time employed by the Two Guys department store in Schenectady. She was later employed as a clerk in the tax sort department of the New York state Department of Taxation and Finance. She retired this month.

Mrs. Merritt was of the Roman Catholic faith.

She was married March 27, 1948, to Harvey Merritt. He died March 3. She was also predeceased by a sister, Harriette Budro.

Survivors include a son, Lewis Merritt of Rensselaer; two daughters, Carolyn Gressick and Diane Riley, both of Amsterdam; a sister, Juna Parrow of Ausable Forks; six grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral service is Tuesday at 8:15 a.m. at the Betz Funeral Home Inc., 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:15 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, Amsterdam.

Cremation at Parkview Crematory, Schenectady, will be followed by inurnment in Coeymans Hollow Cemetery.

Calling hours are Monday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

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

Gordon Heiser
Oct. 25, 1996

Gordon L. Heiser, 88, of 33 E. Clark St., Ilion, died Friday at St. Luke's Hospital in Utica.

He was born June 8, 1908, in Fort Plain, the son of Gifford and Lula Dygert Heiser. He was educated in Fort Plain schools.

Mr. Heiser lived in Starkville at one time where he ran the family farm. He also lived in Little Falls until moving to Ilion 24 years ago. Most recently he was employed by the Herkimer County Highway Department for 20 years.

Mr. Heiser was of the Methodist faith.

He was married to Melvina Fletcher. She died in 1964.

Survivors include three sons, Adrian Downs of Ilion, John Downs of Ashland, Va., and James Downs of Ilion; three daughters, Freda Louis of Middleville, Catherine Quackenbush of South Carolina and Gladys Talcott of Ilion; two sisters, Anna Mae Handy of Fort Plain and Elma Warn of St. Johnsville; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren;, also nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services are 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Smith-Woody and Enea Funeral Home, 9 Center St., St. Johnsville.

Burial will be in West St. Johnsville Cemetery.

Calling hours are 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ilion Ambulance Corps. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
 

Ashley Putnam
Oct. 26, 1996

Ashley Marie Putnam, 2, of Jacksonburgh Road, Little Falls, died Saturday at Albany Medical Center Hospital after a long illness.

She was born in Syracuse June 2, 1994, the daughter of James A. and Julie A. Brownell Putnam Jr.

Survivors include her parents of Little Falls; paternal grandfather and step-grandmother James A. and Toni Putnam Sr. of Fort Plain; paternal grandmother June L. Putnam of Fort Plain; maternal grandparents Albert and Cheryl Brownell of Fort Plain; paternal great-grandparents Eva Ballard of Fort Plain, Harold Mowers of Dewey, Okla., and Marie Gleason of Penn Yan; several aunts, uncles and cousins.

The funeral is 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Gray-Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, 34 Center St., Fort Plain, with the Rev. Kenneth Dingman officiating.

Burial will be in Freysbush Cemetery.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church c/o St. Paul's, 36 Lydius St., Fort Plain.