Published 3/19/02

PLATTSBURGH — Lita Lynch Kelly, 81, of Olivetti Place, died Saturday, March 16, 2002, at her home surrounded by her family and support from Hospice of the North Country.

Mrs. Kelly was born on Dec. 24, 1920, in White Sulphur Springs, W.V., the daughter of Grover C. and Alice (Reed) Lynch. She grew up in White Sulphur Springs and moved to Point au Roche in 1936.

She was a 1938 graduate of Plattsburgh High School and a 1942 graduate of Plattsburgh State Teachers College.

Following teaching appointments in Vermontville, Van Hornesville, Westport, West Chazy and a one-room schoolhouse on the LeRoy Manor Road, she taught first grade at Cadyville Elementary School for 26 years, retiring in 1981.

She married Richard W. Kelly of Saranac Lake on July 13, 1946, in the rectory of St. John’s Church in Plattsburgh. Mr. Kelly died on Feb. 14, 2000.

In addition to a deep love for teaching and for her students, Mrs. Kelly was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who enjoyed reading, gardening and crossword puzzles. She was a member of the New York State Teachers Association and the Camp Red Wing/Red Cloud Association.

Survivors include six children and their families, son, Michael L. Kelly of Longmont, Colo., his daughter, Melissa (Kelly) O'Farrell, and his son, Michael N. Kelly; daughter, Sara (Kelly) Johns of Saranac Lake, her husband, Frank Johns, her son, Ryan Brenizer, and her stepchildren, Robin and Doug Brenizer and Anthony and Tyler Johns; daughter, Lita (Kelly) Paczak of Morrisonville, her husband, David Paczak and her son, Jay Lesage; daughter, Donna L. Kelly of Plattsburgh, her children, Brian and Amanda Chreitzberg; son, Hugh V. Kelly of Plattsburgh, his wife, Louise (Wagner) Kelly and their children, Hugh Richard, Timothy, Jennifer, Johanna, Kieran and Olga Kelly; and daughter, Mary (Kelly) Sutphen of Malta, her husband, Matthew Sutphen and their children, Andrew, Connor and Ana Sutphen. Also surviving are a sister, Hilda Casey-Jenkins of Plattsburgh; one brother, James D. Lynch of Boca Raton, Fla.; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were a brother, Thayer D. Lynch; two sisters, Daisy Felton and Gina Paradise; four brothers-in-law, Jerome Felton, Raymond Casey Jr., William Paradise and Hugh Kelly; mother-in-law, Edith M. Kelly; and son-in-law, Robert F. Brenizer.

Private calling hours were held for the family. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at noon on Saturday at St. John’s Church in Plattsburgh. A reception will follow at the church. Burial will be at a later date in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

Memorial donations may be made in her name to Hospice of the North Country, 386 Rugar St., Plattsburgh.

All arrangements are being made through and coordinated by the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

Plattsburgh — Alma Hawkes, 97, formerly of South Catherine Street, died Monday March 18, 2002, at CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Redwood, N.Y., on Sept. 7, 1904, the daughter of Henry and Eleonore (Schwappacher) Ahles.

Alma graduated from Redwood Central School in 1922 and St. Lawrence University in 1926. She was a honor guard at St. Lawrence University, member of the Diamond Circle of Kappa Delta Sorority, former member of the American Association of University Women.

Following graduation she moved to Champlain, N.Y., where she taught English and History for three years.

She married Thomas "Blair" Hawkes at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Redwood in 1929. Mr. Hawkes was the chief engineer and later vice president at T. W. & C. B. Sheridan Company in Champlain. In 1954 they moved to Manhassett, Long Island and when Mr. Hawkes retired in 1966 to Easton, Pa. After Mr. Hawkes death in 1972 Alma moved back to Plattsburgh in 1978.

She was a member of the Chazy Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include one son, Richard B. Hawkes Sr. and his wife, Anne of Bethlehem, Pa; four grandchildren, Julie Howard and her husband, Alan of Lexington, Ky., Richard B. Hawkes Jr. of Morrisonville, Steven J. Hawkes of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Rebecca Hawkes of Bethlehem, Pa.; a great - granddaughter, Elizabeth Howard; and one sister, Katherine Carman of Redwood, N.Y.

One brother, Dr. Richard Ahles and one sister, Ruth Morrow died previously.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh, followed by a funeral service at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Redwood Cemetery, Redwood, N.Y.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Chazy Presbyterian Church or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Redwood.

Paul L. LaBombard, 62, of Route 11, Churubusco, N.Y., died unexpectedly Sunday afternoon, March 17, 2002, at his home.

He was born in Ellenburg, N.Y., April 29, 1939, the son of the late Anian and Glorvina (Nicholes) LaBombard. He attended local schools.

On August 22, 1959, he was united in marriage to the former Audrey M. Trombley at Notre Dame Church in Malone. She survives.

Mr. LaBombard was employed by Local 186 Labor Union in Plattsburgh, N.Y., for over 35 years. He retired in 1985.

He enjoyed gardening, camping and spending time with his grandchildren.

Along with his wife, Audrey, he is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Darrell and Barbara LaBombard of Malone and Randy and Michele LaBombard of Churubusco; one brother, Leo LaBombard of Ellenburg; three sisters and a brother-in-law, Margaret and Robert Colgan of Ellenburg Depot, N.Y., Lucille LeClair of Brushton, N.Y., and Mae LaBombard of Ellenburg; three grandchildren, Derrick, Zachary and Joshua LaBombard of Malone; and three step-grandchildren, Alec, Angelia and Craig Staley of Churubusco; and several nieces and nephews.

Along with his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Austin and Richard LaBombard; and four sisters, Marion Trombley and three in infancy.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. at the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Home in Malone. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in Malone, with Msgr. C. John McAvoy officiating. Burial will be in St. George’s Cemetery in Burke later in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, the family have requested Masses in his memory.

Saranac — Dorcas Dickerman, 83, formerly of Saranac, died Thursday, March 14, 2002, at her residence in Birchwood, Tenn.

She was born in Lyon Mountain on Jan. 31, 1919, the daughter of William F. and Emma A. (Tatro) LaMountain.

She was employed for many years as a nurse at the Evergreen Manor Adult Home in Jamesville, N.Y.

She was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in South Plattsburgh.

She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Eugene F. and Penny Dickerman of Redford and Lynell B. and Terry Dickerman of Birchwood, Tenn.; a brother and sister-in-law, Emile "Howard" and Whenny LaMountain of Taunton, Mass.; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Dorothy and Joe Parrish of Plattsburgh and Dolores Gadway of Vermont; two sisters-in-law, Eunice LaMountain of Plattsburgh and Ethel LaMountain of Fort Covington; 16 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Her husband, Eugene Dickerman died earlier. Five brothers, William, Sheldon, Norman, Lynell and Alder LaMountain; and a sister, Esther Abare also died earlier.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. at the O’Neill - Redden - Drown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday from the funeral home chapel, with the Rev. Gene Thomas officiating. Interment will be in the Brainardsville Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Seventh Day Adventist Church in South Plattsburgh.

For directions and guest book, please visit www.legacy.com

MINEVILLE, N.Y. — Joseph J. Java, 60, of Fisher Hill Road, Mineville, died Sunday, March 17, 2002, at Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, N.Y.

Joe was born on March 30, 1941, at Cheever, N.Y., the son of Joseph and Anna (Smith) Java.

He worked for Republic Steel Corp. until it closed and was plant manager for Rhodia Co. in Mineville. He served as a town justice for the Town of Moriah for over 21 years. He was a gunsmith and was the owner of Java’s Trading Post Gun Shop.

Joe served on the Board of Directors of the Moriah Union Cemetery, Town of Moriah Police Commission and was an Essex County Fair Director for many years.

He was a member of The Odd Fellows, a member of Morning Sun Lodge, where he became a 32nd degree mason on April 2, 1968, and a member of Laetitia Chapter 263 O.E.S.

He has also been active in harness racing, trained and drove horses at County Fairs for many years, officiated as a presiding judge, race secretary, announcer and starter. He was recently employed by NYS Racing and Wagering Board as a starter at Saratoge Harness Raceway.

Joe was happiest when surrounded by his family and friends and when he spent time with his beagles, racing, hunting and at trials.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy (Wathsock) Java, whom he married on Oct. 23, 1965; two daughters, Amy (Java) Theobald and husband, Dave, Kelly (Java) Farnsworth and husband, Jeff; four grandchildren, Anna and Ellyn Farnsworth and Allyssa and Emily Theobald; his sister, Leilani Sprague and husband, Derek; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his father, Joseph and his mother, Anna.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, March 19, 2002, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Harland Funeral Home, Port Henry. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 20, 2002, at 10 a.m. at the Church of All Saints, Mineville, N.Y.

Memorial donations may be made to the Mineville Fire Department, Mineville, NY 12956.

Mary S. Steingraeber, 54, of Jabez Allen Road, died Monday March 18, 2002, at her home.

She was born in Plattsburgh on Oct. 15, 1947, the daughter of Michael and Barbara (Tupper) Sullivan.

Arrangements are incomplete at the R. W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

Paul C. Snow, 64, of Largo, Fla., died Monday, Feb. 4, 2002.

He was born in AuSable Forks on Feb. 20, 1937, the son of Robert and Rose Snow.

Arrangements were through Internation Funeral Home in Florida. Burial was in Bushnell National Cemetery in Florida.

Curtis Tyler, 39, of Vermontville, N.Y., died Saturday, March 16, 2002, at Fletcher Allen Health Care Center in Burlington, Vt.

Calling hours will be at the Fortune - Keough Funeral Home, Inc. on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2002, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Union Cemetery in Vermontville in May.

FLORIDA M. MARLEAU, 82, of the Franklin County Nursing Home, died Monday, March 18, 2002, at that facility.

She was born Oct. 13, 1919, in Malone, N.Y., the daughter of Gilbert and Mamie (Perry) Reome.

There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday, March 23, 2002, at 11 a.m. in St. John Bosco Church, with Rev. Thomas Moody officiating. Spring burial will take place in St. John Bosco Cemetery, Malone, N.Y.

Funeral arrangements are through St. Mary - Murphy Funeral Home, Inc.

Erma M. Durant, 81, formally of McKinley Street in Lake Placid and a resident of Mercy Healthcare Center in Tupper Lake, passed away Monday, March 18, 2002, at the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac.

She was born in Newport, N.H., Sept. 29, 1920, the daughter of Henry and Dora (Young) Durant.

Friends may call at the Clark Funeral Home in Lake Placid, Tuesday, March 19, 2002, from 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 20, 2002, at noon at the Uihlein Mercy Center Chapel. Rev. Patrick O’Reilly, chaplain, will officiate. Cremation will follow. Burial will be at a later date in St. Agnes Cemetery.

IRENE L. BEAUDRY, 89, of the Alice Hyde Nursing Home died Monday, March 18, 2002, at that facility.

She was born Dec. 22, 1912, in Malone, N.Y., the daughter of George D. and Agnes M. (Lamica) Gardiner.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, March 19, 2002, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the St. Mary-Murphy Funeral Home chapel. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday, March 20, 2002, at 10 a.m. in St. John Bosco Church, with Rev. Thomas Moody officiating. Spring burial will take place in St. John Bosco Cemetery.