FORK SHOP—Frances H. Thayer passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 101 Monday, January 23, 2023, at her home in Fork Shop.
She was born March 31, 1921 at the family home on Jones Road in Oaksville, the daughter of Christina Pushlar. In 1938, her mother married William A. Semrov, and he became her stepfather.
In her youth, Frances attended schools in Oaksville and Schuyler Lake. For many years she worked in the housekeeping department at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital.
BURLINGTON FLATS—Janet B. Fikes, 86, of Burlington Flats, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2023 in Oneonta.
Janet was born on October 1, 1936 in Burlington Flats, New York. She was predeceased by the love of her life and husband of 67 years, Arleigh Fikes, and her parents, Ward and Wilma (Cole) Baulch.
She is survived by a daughter, Cindi Sue (Phil) Mancino of Rome; a son, Terry (Nanette) Fikes of Burlington Flats; grandchildren Steven (Dawn) Patafie, Kevin (Alicia Diamond) Patafie, Cassandra (Jared) Popiel, and Matthew (Ashley) Fikes; and great-grandchildren Peyton and Rocky Patafie, Cole and Jade Popiel, and Carter and Levi Malmquist (Fikes). She is also survived by nieces, nephews and close friends.
EDMESTON – Meghan Elizabeth (Lum) Woodbeck, age 39, passed away at her home on Friday, January 13, 2023. She was born January 12, 1984 at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown to her parents, Edwin and Susan (Pentzien) Lum. She is a graduate of Edmeston Central School in 2002 and moved on to receive an Associate’s and Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Sullivan County Community College in 2004 and SUNY Oneonta in 2006. She worked many jobs in communications and found a great fit working in marketing at Bassett Hospital.
Meghan had a soft spot for animals. This is evident in her many adopted cats and dogs and her donations to help adopted pitbulls. Meghan loved musicals and participated in Peet Hook Players. She made many trips with her mom to Broadway and off-Broadway shows. Meghan loved to travel and it usually involved camping with her husband and son. One of her favorite trips was to Branson, Missouri to visit the Dolly Parton Stampede and the Titanic Museum. She was a “Star Wars” lover, which included a trip to Comic Con in Boston with her son.
Well Wow! That was an exhilarating ride! What a privilege.
My body! My constant companion. Her fortitude. She gave me everything I asked of her! And now she will rest deeply as she has long deserved. She & I are ready.
To have the education I received! To have the freedom to decide the exact shape my family and my work would take.
RICHFIELD SPRINGS—Alexander J. Shields, 86, passed away on January 9, 2023 at home with his loving wife by his side. He was born in Oneonta on October 2, 1936.
Alex is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Barbara A. Shields; a daughter, Ursula (Ralph) Thompson of Canandaigua, and their three children and four great-grandchildren; sons Gregory of Albany and Christopher of Washington, D.C.; stepchildren Harvey (Evonne) Elliott of Oak Hall, Virginia and their three children, and Charles (Mary Lou) Elliott of Binghamton, their nine children and six grandchildren.
AFTON—Alan James Curran, 73, passed away on January 8, 2023, in Afton, New York, with his family and loving dog, Max, by his side.
Born on August 21, 1949 in Youngstown, Ohio, Alan was the son of James Leroy and Marilouise (Hill) Curran. He joined the United States Air Force in 1969, where he worked as a jet aircraft mechanic. He served with honor and distinction until 1973, at which time he was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant.
“I will be always there with you, right there in your heart.” Mickey Mouse
On December 31,2022 Judith A. Krumpus, joined her parents James and Louise and brother Richard in eternal happiness. Born November 9, 1945 in Plainfield, NJ, Judy lived a life of love and kindness, supported by the strong bonds of family and friends.
Losing her parents at a young age, she was raised by her aunt and uncle, Kathleen and Edwin Phillips in Cooperstown, NY. Surrounded by her Phillips and Clark families, she flourished there and graduated from Cooperstown High in 1963.
She studied at Cobleskill College and Brockport State graduating with a degree in elementary education teaching.
MILFORD—David W. Thorn died on January 6, 2023. He was born on December 19, 1938 in Cooperstown, New York. He was predeceased by his three brothers, Richard, Donald, and Dean, and his sister, Joyce.
After graduating from Milford Central School, Mr. Thorn received his BS and MS degrees in Education from SUNY Oneonta. Additional graduate study from Syracuse University led to certification to work with children having special needs. His certification in School Administration and Business came from SUNY Plattsburgh. Additional study was done at Ithaca College and Utica College.
ONEONTA—John Burgher passed away on December 24, 2022 at a Westchester County hospital. He was 65. John was born in Stamford, New York to parents Pearl and Ezra Burgher and attended Charlotte Valley Central School. He later worked at Rider farms, Gage’s Carpet, “The Daily Star” and Taylor’s gas station.
John was predeceased by his brother, Charles Burgher. He is survived by spouse, Lulu; eight children, Cheryl Rifenbark (Matthew), Kelly Nafalski (Mike Cooper) Harry Smith (Amanda), Jason Burgher (Amanda), April Jarvis (Patrick), Nikki Peace (Nicholas), Elizabeth Miller, and Pamela Judd; 20 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; brothers Donald Burgher and Lewis Phelps; sister Rebecca Barber; and brother-in-law Jay Gage.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnston and Stanimer Funeral Home in Morris, New York. No funeral or calling hours are planned at this time.
MARYLAND – Wayne Lee Allen, Sr., 76, passed away early Thursday morning, December 29, 2022, at his home in the Town of Milford.
He was born February 7, 1946, in Bainbridge to the late Arthur W. and Marian Elizabeth (Williams) Allen.
In his youth, he attended schools in Mount Vision and Laurens Central School and lived and worked on the family farm in Laurens and later at several local farms. Then for 25 years he worked at Custom Electronics and The Daily Star for over ten years as a delivery driver.
Oneonta – John Joseph Carney, Jr. died Wednesday December 21, 2022 from complications of Covid and dementia after a brief stay at the New York State Veterans’ Home in Oxford. He was 90.
John grew up in and still held dear Hastings-on-Hudson, NY. He had fond memories of riding the trolley to and from New York City with his parents. He attended City University of New York before enlisting in the Air Force and serving during the Korean War. The Air Force is where he first honed his teaching skills and after his service, he used the GI Bill to attend SUNY Geneseo for his bachelor’s degree.
It was in Geneseo, working at the Dairy Bar, that he met his future wife and partner, Margaret Kane. She would become Margaret Carney in a small ceremony in Geneseo, and they would be married for more than 60 years.
ONEONTA – Gayle Salisbury Ryan, 73, passed away Saturday, December 17, 2022 in her Oneonta home where she had lived for over 35 years.
Gayle was born June 10, 1949 in Oneonta, New York, the daughter of the late Paul and Jean Salisbury. Gayle graduated from Oneonta High School in 1967 and kept in close touch with many of her classmates throughout her life. She worked at Wilber National Bank from the time throughout her career, seemed to know everyone in Oneonta and enjoyed keeping up with the city news every day. Many of Gayle’s customers became friends and she enjoyed going to regular luncheons and on bus trips throughout the northeast with the Gold Club as a retiree.
Leonard (Hank) Bridger passed on December 18th in peace at 86 yrs old. He was son of Leonard & Martha (Wykoff) Bridger, born 1936 and graduated a native of Oneonta. He is survived by wife Jeanne (Mohar) Bridger, daughter Kelly Bridger, son Jim & wife Chrissy Bridger, grandsons Jack & Sawyer Bridger along with nieces and nephews.
It’s an impossible task to sum up a lifetime of a man like Hank. He was considered a Saint by all who knew him, his devotion and caregiving for his wife never faltered, neither did his humor. He was an avid outdoorsman spending time with his children walking the woods, hunting, fishing, gardening, riding snowmobiles and target shooting. He was a loving father and a son’s best friend; these were the joys of his days.
WEST WINFIELD – Sharon W. Sprague, 90, of West Winfield, NY passed away at home on Saturday December 17, 2022.
Sharon was born on March 25, 1932 in Walton, NY the son of the late Walter A. and Maude E Borden Sprague. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife Nellie in 2015, sisters Lu Anne Benjamin and Ellen Stephens, a son Joseph Sprague, and a son in law Ronald DenHaese.
ONEONTA—Clara B. Holford passed away peacefully on Monday, November 21, 2022. Clara lived in an assisted living center in Oneonta, New York where her sister, Sally Bennett, still resides.
Clara was born September 3, 1928 in Sharon, Connecticut. She was the daughter of Fred R. Brooks Sr. and Frances Becker Brooks. Clara was predeceased by her brother, John Brooks, and sisters, Fredine Cooke and Charlotte Roberts. She is survived by Fred R. Brooks Jr., age 88, and Sally Bennett, age 92.
