ANDERSON – Russell John VanKleeck, 86, husband of the late Elizabeth VanKleeck, died Monday, Dec. 5, 2011 at NHC of Anderson.
Born Dec. 31, 1924 in Binghamton, he was the son of the late Seba Golden and Marian Burton VanKleeck. He was a graduate of the Drake School of Journalism. Mr. VanKleeck became publisher of the Times Herald-Record in 1973 and was named president in 1977. He was a director at the Arts Council of Orange County and of the Mid-Hudson Patterns for Progress. He was the past president of the New York Publishers Association and served as director for Horton Memorial Hospital (Orange Regional Medical Center), the Middletown YMCA, the Mid-Orange Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Kiwanis and the Lions Club.
Surviving are his daughters, Katrina Krenick of Anderson, Elaine Tarsi of Freemont, IN, son, John M. VanKleeck of Simpsonville, three grandchildren: Amy Beth Tarsi, Christopher James Tarsi, and Eric Michael VanKleeck, two great grandchildren: Abby Tarsi and Anthony Tarsi, step granddaughter, Sara Coker and special daughter, Linda Weyant of Middletown.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 9 p.m. Thursday at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home 130 Highland Ave. Middletown, NY 10940. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday at Mount Carmel Church 90 Euclid Ave. Middletown, with Father John Horan officiating. Burial will be in the family plot in Riverview Cemetery, Oxford.
Memorials may be made to the Guilford Historical Society.
Arrangements under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., www.applebeemcphillips.com.