NORWICH – Mrs. Edith M. Cleveland Walker Kramnich, 97, formerly of Gloversville, passed away Aug. 17, 2012 at Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich.
She was born in Mayfield on May 25, 1915, daughter of the late Rufus and Katherine Mead Cleveland. Mrs. Kramnich was a 1933 graduate of Gloversville High School and a member of the 65th class reunion committee. While a young teen and into early adulthood, Edith wrote poetry and was published by Crown Thistle Publishing in Lincoln Michigan as “Poems by Edith M. Cleveland,” an accomplishment she was extremely proud of and shared by her entire family. Edith spent much of her life as a stitcher at area glove companies as well as working at home. She retired in 1977 from St. Thomas Leather Goods Manufacturer in Gloversville.
Always giving of herself, Edith was a devoted volunteer along with her husband Leon. The Outreach Program was perhaps her favorite, volunteering countless hours to “Tag Day” fund raisers, blood bank work and various spaghetti and pizza dinners at nursing homes. She would offer rides to those needed at the Office for The Aging and had been a volunteer reading to and writing for those in need at an area Veterans Home. She was of the Protestant faith.
Edith is survived by her husband Leon Kramnich of Norwich, whom she married Nov. 29, 1979. She is also survived by her children: Mary Lou St. Thomas (James) of St. Lucie West, Fla. and Gloversville, and William Dale Walker (Carol) of Broadalbin, a step-daughter Donna Kramnich Merlino (John) of Smyrna, and a step-son Lynn Kramnich (Tyma Oliver) of Norwich. Edith also leaves her grandchildren: Michael St. Thomas, Michelle Plough, Kimberly Makela, William Kiplong Walker, Debra Lee Walker, Bill St. Thomas, Nancy Pavlik and Susan St. Thomas, seventeen great grandchildren, several great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She is also survived by four step-grandchildren and four step-great grandchildren. Edith was predeceased by her brothers: Gordon Cleveland and Richard Cleveland, her sisters: Eva Kuehner, Dorothy Weaver, Frieda Cleveland, Anita Wadsworth and a grandson Timothy St. Thomas in 1990.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday at Kobuskie-Konik Funeral Home, 51 Fremont St. Gloversville, with Reverend Dr. R.W. Williams officiating. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in Kings Cemetery, Northampton. Expressions of sympathy in her memory may be made to the James Brennan Humane Society, 437 Nine Mile Tree Road, Gloversville, N.Y. 12078. Please visit the family online guestbook at www.brbsfuneral.com.