Obituaries

The following are today's death notices and last week's obituaries from The Evening Sun. Most notices are handled by funeral homes, but we do accept third-party submissions. To submit a notice, call us at (607) 334-3276 or e-mail news@evesun.com to inquire about formats, deadlines and billing

Today's Death Notices

Irene Welch, 90, of New Hartford

Last Week's Obituaries

Mary Lou Curley

NORWICH – A Mass of Resurrection for Mary Louise Curley will be held on Tuesday, April 29 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Church. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery in Oxford.

Friends are invited to call at the Funeral Home on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m.

Dawn Rowan

NORWICH – Dawn Marie Rowan, 64, life-long area resident, passed away early Wednesday morning, April 23, 2008 at home.

Born in Norwich in September of 1943, Dawn was the daughter of James and Ruth (Porter) Sayles. She grew up in the Norwich area and attended the Norwich schools prior to taking employment with the Norwich Shoe Company. Dawn later worked for Simmonds Precision, the position from which she retired in the mid-1990s, but she was essentially a stay-at-home mom who loved her family and was very devoted to her grandchildren. Dawn and the love of her life, John “Tom” Rowan, were married in Norwich on Nov. 9, 1984. An outgoing person who made friends easily, Dawn was a good cook, enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles in her quiet time, and liked going to the fairs. She was also a great fan of country music and an enthusiastic dancer who attended the dances in McDonough as often as possible. While she loved most animals, she wasn’t fond of snakes and didn’t even like to see them on the television.

Dawn is survived by her sons: Harold “Charlie” Friedel, Jr. and companion Cindy Hudson, and Kevin Friedel and wife Kristen, all of Oxford; her sister; Melanie A. Erickson and husband Ed of Iraq; her grandchildren: Amethyst Sayles, Dakota Friedel and Alivia Friedel; and nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband, John “Tom” Rowan, in 1998; her son, James Sayles, Jr.; and her brother, Ivan “Ike” Sayles.

Funeral services for Dawn will be held at noon on Saturday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev, Ralph Hinman, pastor of the Bible Baptist Church of Norwich, will officiate.

Interment will be in the J. D. Lewis Cemetery.

Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the service at noon.

Please consider memorial contributions to the Preston Pryde Park, c/o Deanna Johnson, 852 County Road 4, Oxford, NY 13830-3293.

Marie Stott

NORWICH – Marie J. Stott, age 86, of Norwich, died peacefully April 19, 2008 at the M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center in Canandaigua.

Marie lived in Detroit, Mich. until her marriage to Asa John (Jack) Stott. She retired in 1983 from the Norwich Pharmacal Company (Procter & Gamble) and lived in Norwich until 2002. She was predeceased by her husband Jack and a brother Walter.

She is survived by her son, James W. (Pamela Carrier) Stott of Soquel, Calif. and daughter Patricia Stott (Joseph) Annesi of Naples, N.Y. and three sisters and a brother in Michigan. Also surviving are three grandsons and two great grandchildren.

There will be no calling hours. The private interment will take place at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Norwich at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.

Marie fought a 12-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society CNY Chapter, 41 Hayes Street, Endicott, NY 13760.

Beatrice Card

NEW BERLIN – Beatrice W. Card, 87, of New Berlin, passed away April 24, 2008 in New Berlin.

She was born on July 25, 1920 in Pittsfield, the daughter of Charles & Effie (Oliver) Cobb. She spent her childhood in the Pittsfield & New Berlin areas and attended the Ketchum School.

On Dec. 24, 1936, she married Lowell E. Card.

Beatrice is survived by a daughter: Alice J. Gaff of Burlington Flats; 10 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Lena Cobb of New Berlin.

She was predeceased by her children Beatrice Lawrence, Susan Drumheller, Charles Card, and Lowell Card Jr. She was also predeceased by daughters Ruth, Esther & Virginia Card in April of 1947. And by her siblings, Charles, Frank and Alice Cobb and Emma Webb.

Beatrice was a seamstress and homemaker and a member of the Berean Baptist Church and the Pittsfield Homemakers Group.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 28, at the Dakin Funeral Home LP, New Berlin, with Pastor Jeff McLallen officiating.

Interment will be in the Fairview Cemetery, New Berlin.

Calling hours will be held Monday from noon to 2 p.m. prior to the funeral service at the Dakin Funeral Home.

Memorial Donations may be made to the South Edmeston Community Church, South Edmeston, NY or the American Diabetes Association.

Ruth Ingersoll

SOUTH OTSELIC – Ruth Horton Ingersoll, 95, of Tallahassee, Fla. passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at Centre Pointe Nursing Home in Tallahassee.

She was born and raised in West Leyden, N.Y., and moved to the Tallahassee area in 1975 from South Otselic. She took pride in her love of family and friends. She loved to read, play the piano, bake cookies, watch the Braves play and plan Sunday dinners. Her quick wit and sense of humor will be missed by many. Mrs. Ingersoll was retired from the U.S. Post Office and a member of The Order of the Eastern Star.

Survivors include a daughter Sandra Green and her husband Tom of Tallahassee; five grandchildren Allison Schultz, Ryan Crosby, Rip Hovde, Dr. Kelly Rucker, Mark Hovde, Melody Silva; and eight great grandchildren.

She is preceeded in death by her husband of 57 years Harry; a daughter Linda Hovde Wilson and a sister Helen Sullivan.

Memorial service swere held Sunday, April 19, at the Culley MeadowWood Funeral Home Timberlane Chapel, 700 Timberlane Rd., Tallahassee., Fla.

Alva Smith

NORWICH – Alva D. Smith, 80, Peacock Park Manor, Norwich, passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2008 in Saratoga Springs.

Graveside services for Alva will be held on Saturday from the Mt. Hope Cemetery. The Rev. Glenn Mahaffey, rector of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, will officiate. There will be no calling hours.

Please consider memorial contributions to the Chenango County SPCA, 6160 County Road 32, Norwich, or to the charity of your choice.

A complete obituary will be published in the Thursday edition of The Evening Sun.

Arrangements are by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.

Elizabeth Tosh

GREENE – Elizabeth D. Tosh, 59, Greene, died on Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at her home.

She was predeceased by an infant brother, Henry; parents, Henry and Betty Duke; and by a brother-in-law, David Dickinson. Survivors include her husband, Richard; daughter, Meagan; son, Ian and daughter-in-law Melissa; two sisters, Bert and Ilsa; brother-in-law, Jack.

Beth touched the lives of people through her efforts as a foster parent, a volunteer (then professional) in the Juvenile Court System in Hartford, Conn., a member of the Vermont House of Representatives, a delegate from Vermont Chapter of “Bridges for Peace” to the Soviet Union, her work as a Human Resource Specialist, and her involvement in the United Church of Christ.

A Memorial Service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Greene. Rev. Curtis Whitman, The Very Rev. Ralph Osborne, and Rev. Andrew Stehlik will officiate. Burial will be in Cumberland, Md.

Calling hours will be held Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, Greene. At 7 p.m. Friday, Beth’s family invites you to attend a gathering at First Congregational Church to sing Beth’s favorite hymns and to share your memories.

At the family’s request, please make memorial contributions in her memory to your local church or to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are by Root Funeral Home, 23 N. Chenango St., Greene, N.Y. 13778.

Alva Smith

NORWICH – Alva D. Smith, 80, of Peacock Park Manor, Norwich, passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2008 in Saratoga Springs.

The daughter of Lewis and Angie (Figary) Follett, Alva was born in New Berlin in May of 1927. Growing up in the Chenango Lake area, she attended and graduated from the South New Berlin schools. Alva and her husband, Raymond G. Smith, were married in Great Bend, Pa., on July 30, 1950. For numerous years, Alva worked as a billing clerk for the Norwich Pharmacal Company, retiring due to a health issue in the mid-1970s. Not one to be idle, and having a great fondness for children, Alva took up babysitting in her home. She and Ray were among the first tenants to move into the newly opened Peacock Park Manor in 1977, and she remained there for the remainder of her years. In her later years, Alva was able to indulge in her love for travel, seeing many parts of the country with Judy and her family.

Alva is survived by her children: Judith “Judy” Aronstamm and husband Grady of Saratoga Springs, Steven Smith and wife Gina Gentile of Cohoes, and Gayle Tosh and husband James of Clarks Summit, Pa.; by her grandchildren: Amy Scruton and husband Christopher of Mission Viejo, Calif., Emily Bergmann and husband Achim of Louisville, Kent.; Noah, Sophia, and Jacob Smith of Cohoes; Christopher Tosh and wife Jacqueline of Wind Gap, Pa., Matthew Tosh and fiancee Aubrey Pieper of Boston, Mass., and Amanda Tosh of Clarks Summit; and by her great grandchildren, Meghan and Ian Scruton. She is also survived by her sisters: Ola Scripture and Reba Cummings, both of Norwich, and Norma L’Hommedieu and husband Harry “Jack” of Altamont; nieces and nephews; and by her “granddog,” Boomer.

Alva was predeceased by her husband, Ray, on April 30, 1998; and by her sisters and brother: Florence Dain Youngs, Nora Edwards, and Roy Follett.

Graveside services for Alva will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday from the Mt. Hope Cemetery. The Rev. Glenn Mahaffey, rector of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, will officiate.

There will be no calling hours.

Please consider memorial contributions to the Chenango County SPCA, 6160 County Road 32, Norwich, NY 13815; or to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.

Dorothy Law

PLYMOUTH – Dorothy A. Law, 73, former long-time resident of Plymouth, passed away Wednesday afternoon, April 29, 2008 in the Chenango Memorial Hospital.

Born in Earlville in March of 1935, Dorothy was the daughter of Harold and Gertrude (Baldwin) Hughes. Growing up in Chenango County, she received most of her schooling from the DeRuyter schools. She moved to Plymouth in the mid 1950s, continuing to make her home there until her health necessitated her move to Valley View Manor about six years ago. Dorothy was employed by the Norwich Knitting Mill for a time and worked in the Norwich Shoe Factory for 20 years. A hard worker, she was close to her friends and coworkers. Dorothy was also very devoted to her family, and raised her children properly with a firm hand.

Dorothy is survived by her children and their spouses: Roger and Debra Dorward of Norwich, Wayne Law of Napa, Calif., Craig and Patrice Law of Brick, N.J., and Vernon Law of Brick; her grandchildren and their spouses: Susan Dorward of Troy, Christine and Robert Barnes of Norwich, Wayne Law II and Shanna Law, both of California, Christopher and Jeffrey Law, both of Brick, N.J., and Carlie Law of Manasquan, N.J. She is also survived by her great grandchildren: Kaylee, Michael, Stephen, Mya, and Jack Barnes; her sister, Edna Barber of Cuyler; brothers: Kenneth Hughes of Manlius, and Robert Hughes and wife Tiny of Homer; and nieces and nephews. Dorothy was predeceased by her husbands, Walter Dorward in April of 1954 and Jewell Law in February of 1995; her sisters, Mary Custer and Ina Stone; brother James Hughes, and her twin brother, Ronald Hughes.

Funeral services for Dorothy will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeremy Stopford of Norwich will officiate. Interment will follow in the South Side Cemetery of Plymouth. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m.

Please consider memorial contributions to the Plymouth Historical Society, Plymouth, NY 13832; or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815.

Joan Squires

SHERBURNE – Joan E. Squires, 67, of Sherburne, passed away early this morning, Thursday, May 1, 2008 in the Chenango Memorial Hospital.

Funeral arrangements for Joan are pending and will be published in the Friday edition of The Evening Sun.

Arrangements are with the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.

Joan Squires

SHERBURNE – Joan E. Squires, 67, of Sherburne, and formerly of Norwich, passed away early Thursday morning, May 1, 2008 in the Chenango Memorial Hospital.

The daughter of Claude and Grace (Chase) Avery, Joan was born in June of 1940 in Binghamton but moved to Norwich as a youngster with her family. She attended and graduated from the Norwich High School, and began her working years with the Norwich Shoe Company, remaining there until they closed their doors. Joan next worked for the Shop Vac company in Norwich until they closed, then found her true calling when she spent seven years with the Chenango County ARC in Oxford. She was devoted to her grandchildren, loved going to the casinos, and was an avid country-western “groupie” with a true passion for the music.

Joan is survived by her children and their spouses: Lisa and Tom Smith of North Norwich, Wendy and Darrell “Bub” Hicks of Norwich, David and Jamie Squires Jr. of Sherburne, and Daniel Squires and companion Kristy of Norwich; her brother, Ronald Avery and companion Mary of Marble Falls, Texas; her grandchildren: Kara, Samantha, Mathew, Heather, Jessica, Dawson, Jacob, Dustin and Colin: and great-grandchildren Mathew Jr. and Madison. Joan was predeceased by the father of her children, David Squires Sr.; her granddaughter, Cassie Smith; and brother, Gerald Avery,

Funeral services for Joan will be held at 2 p.m. Monday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. James Moore, pastor of the North Pharsalia Bible Church, will officiate. Interment will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Monday from noon until the service at 2 p.m.

Please consider memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, 13 Beech Street, Johnson City, NY 13790.

Ronald Rucker

OXFORD – Ronald L. Rucker, 60, died at Community Health Partners Hospital, Sunday, April 13, 2008 after a long illness.

Born Nov. 18, 1947 in Norwich, Ron resided in Oxford for most of his young adult life. After graduating from Oxford High School in 1966, he went on to attend Whitworth Technical College in Massachusetts, earning an Associates Degree in 1967 and then on to Boston University to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1969. Ron was immediately employed by IBM in Endicott. He later transferred to IBM in Cleveland where he worked as the human resource director for over 15 years. Ron has served both God and his community well. In 1986, he worked as a job developer for the Lorain County Urban League, Elyria. He later founded and became the executive director of the Midnight Basketball League of Lorain County, until 1998. He then started his company, CommTech Computer Consulting, Inc., where he served as CEO until 2000. He had also received many notable service awards and honors including:  Graduate Leadership Lorain County - Class of 1989 and the National Association for Community Leadership Distinguished Leadership Award, 1993. His civic and board affiliations include: Junior Achievement, Elyria City Schools Affirmative Action, Lorain County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, City of Elyria Civil Service Commission, Lorain County Correctional Planning Board, City of Elyria Task Force to Recruit Minority Police and Fire Fighters, “Shoes For Kids” – Lorain County and Erie Shores Girl Scout Council.

Ron was a humble man who genuinely cared about the well-being of all people and worked tirelessly helping others to reach their potential. He was a great role model, and a very loving husband, father, son and brother. He possessed a warm, polite and friendly disposition. Although his presence will be missed tremendously by many, the fruit of his labor will continue to bless many for years to come.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ernon Rucker and leaves to cherish his precious memory; his wife, Mariam Henderson-Rucker; sons, Nickolaus R. and Joshua H. Henderson of Lorain; daughter, Renee E.  Rucker of  Wheaton, Maryland; mother, Julia B. Rucker, Oxford; brother, Dwight Rucker, Nashville, Tennessee; and a host of family and friends.

Committal services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the family plot in Riverview Cemetery, Oxford. Friends may meet at the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford, at 1:30 p.m. to proceed to the cemetery. Following the committal friends are invited to a reception at the United Church of Oxford Chapel, 27 Main St., Oxford.

Vera Prestigiacomo

McDONOUGH – Mrs. Vera Belle Prestigiacomo, 81, of 31 Elm Street Dolgeville, died late Thursday evening, April 30, 2008 at the Heritage Health Care Center, Utica.

She was born on May 26, 1926 in McDonough, the daughter of Ward and Edith (Wright) Simpson and was a graduate of Oxford Central School, Oxford.

Her marriage to Benedict “Benny” Prestigiacomo took place on April 22, 1949 at the home of his parents in Dolgeville. They recently celebrated 59 years of marriage.

Vera was first employed by the Daniel Green Company of Dolgeville, upon leaving there she became a local business women. She was an independent consultant for the Beeline Clothes Company. She then became co-owner and operator of the Dolgeville Bowling Center for over 12 years. Along with running the bowling center she worked with her family at Debbie’s Video Store for several years.  She then went to work for the Dolgeville Housing Authority as the bookkeeper which she held for 15 years. Her love of family and children also led her to “baby sit” several of her Grandchildren along with other children in the Dolgeville area.

She was a faithful member of St. Joseph’s Church, a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Dolgeville Fire Department for over 40 years, a member of the Tuesday Night Bowling League, and she also served as a den mother for the local cub scout pack for many years. For her service to the Boy Scouts, she was awarded the Silver Beaver Award. She personally enjoyed crafts, knitting and crocheting, along with cooking for her family.

She is survived by her husband Benedict; her sons and their wives: Vincent and Susan Prestigiacomo and Barry and Debbie Prestigiacomo both of Dolgeville; her daughters and their husbands: Joanne and Terry Williams of Dolgeville, and Bonnie and Doug, Schroeder of Columbus, Ohio; her brothers: Dean Simpson and Robert Simpson both of McDonough; her sisters: Esther Beckwith of Crowley, Texas, and Blanche Tefft of Oxford; her grandchildren: Heather Tuthill and her husband Derrek, Corinne and her husband Joe Picataggi, Trevor Williams and his companion Donna Doerrer, Maria Prestigiacomo and her companion Randy Randall, Theresa Prestigiacomo and her companion Damon Daukontas and daughter Maryia, Stephen Prestigiacomo and his fiancée Freddie Hull, Anthony and his wife Kimberly Prestigiacomo and Joseph Prestigiacomo and his companion Brittany Cerasi, Christopher Schroeder and Brittany Schroeder; her great-grandchildren: Joey, William, Andrew, Isabella, Theodore and Nora; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Aubrey Simpson.

A funeral Mass will be offered at 2 p.m. Saturday at at St. Joseph’s Church Helmer Avenue Dolgeville. Rev. Leo F. Potvin will be the celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Calling hours are on Friday from 5-8 p.m. at the Roberts & Enea Family Funeral Home 3 Faville Avenue Dolgeville.

Memorial may be sent to The Heritage Health Center 1657 Sunset Avenue Utica, NY 13502 or to the Dolgeville Boy Scout Troop 18, c/o Curtis Eggleston 94 North Helmer Avenue Dolgeville, NY 13329 in her memory.

An online message of sympathy or a remembrance of Vera may be sent to the family at www.robertsandenea.com.