Published 5/22/02

Plattsburgh — Viola T. Dashnaw, 73, of Meadowbrook Nursing Facility, Plattsburgh, died Tuesday, May 21, 2002, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Peru, Jan. 5, 1929, the daughter of Eli and Lucy (Chamberlain) Pelkey.

Mrs. Dashnaw worked locally as a waitress for a time, she picked apples at Burrell’s Orchard in Peru, worked in the Bardi and Triber sewing factory in Keeseville, worked at the Peru Central School as a teachers aide and she and her husband, John, owned and operated a vegetable stand and meat processing stand for many years.

She enjoyed sewing, knitting, feeding birds, and being with her family.

Survivors include five sons and four daughters-in-law, John Jr., and Dorinda Dashnaw of Peru, William and Nancy Dashnaw of Swastika, Daniel and Jeanne Dashnaw of Peru, Leonard Sr. and Jeanne Dashnaw of Peru and Paul Dashnaw of Sparta, Tenn.; three daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and David Fayette of Smithville, Tenn., Janice and Marvin Ransom of Peru, and Susan and Richard Passno of Sparta, Tenn.; 28 grandchildren; 34 great - grandchildren; one sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Vernon Yando of AuSable Forks; one sister-in-law, Theresa Blair of Plattsburgh; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, John E. Dashnaw Sr., whom she married March 17, 1945, May, 1988; two daughters, Elaine Imhoff, April, 1999 and Connie Dashnaw, May, 1962; four sisters, Marie Owens, Harriet Reynolds, Evelyn Robare and Rita Dashnaw; and three brothers, Samuel Blair, Charles Blair, and Francis Blair.

A memorial service talk will be held Thursday, May 23, 2002, at 4 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru, with Elder Harland Williams, presiding overseer of the AuSable Valley Jehovah Witnesses, officiating. Burial will be held at a later date in St. Augustine’s Cemetery in Peru.

Donations in her memory may be made to the American Lung Association or to the family.

Peru — Alden E. "Slim" Dodge, 83, of the Union Road, Peru, died Tuesday, May 21, 2002, at his home while under the care of his family and Hospice of the North Country.

He was born in Camden, Maine, Aug. 3, 1918, the son of John and Alice (Richards) Dodge.

Slim was employed for 25 years with Peru Central School in many different capacities.

He was an avid sports fan and loved to read.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, the former Edna Bashaw of Peru; one son and daughter-in-law, John and Patsy Dodge of Schuyler Falls; two daughters and one son-in-law, Dawn and William Morse of Marysville, Calif., and Kathy Bulriss of Peru; one sister, Frances Cecchi of Camden, Maine; seven grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; two brothers; and two sisters.

There will be no public calling hours. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in the Mountain View Cemetery in Camden, Maine.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Peru Rescue Squad or to Hospice of the North Country.

Arrangements are with the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru.

VISTA, CALIF. — Born Oct. 19, 1916, in Port Henry, N.Y., passed away May 12, 2002, in Vista, Calif.

She graduated from Chazy Central Rural School in 1936, married in 1937, moved to California in 1957.

Her husband, Alfred, predeceased her in 1975.

She is survived by her daughters, Sheila Wirt (Joseph) of Simi Valley, Calif., and Sandra Mayette of Vista Calif.; and son, Gary Mayette (Kathy) of St. George, Utah. She is also survived by her sister, Margaret "Sue" Bruce of Chazy; and brother, Frederick (Mary) of Sebring, Ohio; her sisters-in-law, Eleanor Mayette of Dannemora, N.Y., Marie Mayette and Pearl Barcley of Plattsburgh, N.Y., and Theresa Megargee (Tom) of Madison, Conn.; two grandchildren, Donald (Lori) Mayette of Vancouver, Wash., and Jennifer (Tim) Sheneman of Grand Rapids, Mich.; three great-grandchildren, Kara and Andrew Mayette and Christopher Sheneman; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Following cremation, interment will be at a later date near her parents, Sarah and Homer Norton, at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Chazy.

Plattsburgh — Donna I. McRae, 54, of Cornelia Street, died Saturday, May 18, 2002, as a result of an automobile accident.

She was born in Cortland, N.Y., on March 11, 1948, the daughter of Donald and Irene (Hughes) McRae.

She was employed at Behavioral Health Services North in Plattsburgh. Her love and compassion surpassed her immediate family carried over into her career. Donna enjoyed working with her clients as a family services aide.

Donna is survived by her children, Michael, Beth, Christopher, Irene, Chad, along with Christine, Erich, Edward, John. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Khloe, Madeline, Christopher, Adele, Brianna, Colton, Delaney, Kadie and Samantha; brothers and sister, James, Tommy, and Mary Ellen; and several nieces and nephews.

Donna’s children would like to recognize her friends in Plattsburgh as part of her extended family.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the John XXIII Newman Center on Broad Street, with the Rev. J. Roger McGuiness officiating. A memorial service will be also be held at St. Mary’s Church in Cortland, N.Y., on Friday, May 24, 2002, at 2 p.m.

Donations in her memory may be made to Joint Council of Economic Opportunity.

Arrangements are by the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.

Mooers and Zephyrhills, Fla. — Myrtle Thornhill, 73, of Mooers and Zephyrhills, Fla., passed away Monday, May 20, 2002, at the CVPH Medical Center.

She was born Oct. 8, 1928, in Alburg, Vt., the daughter of Ishmeal and Winnie (Covey) Hilliker.

She was very courageous and independent woman who loved flowers and birds. Myrtle had an interest in making and selling crafts, she will be missed by her flea market friends.

She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Judy and James Pray of Brockport, N.Y., Joan and Ed Kent of Mooers; five sisters and three brothers-in-law, Beatrice Ducharme of Champlain, June Upton of Rouses Point, Pauline and Donald Mumley of Edgewater, Fla., Ann and Robert Dominy of Edgewater, Fla., and Doris and John Cooper of Rouses Point; four grandchildren, Kenny Roberts, Kyle Kent, Brenden Pray and Megan Pray; she is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Myrtle is predeceased by her parents; her husband, Vern Thornhill who passed away May 20, 1992; two brothers, Raymond Hilliker and Orin Hilliker; she is also predeceased by one sister, Barbara O’Brien.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Clark Funeral Home in Champlain. A funeral service will be celebrated Thursday at 10 a.m. from the Clark Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Mooers.

Donations in Myrtle’s memory may be made to the Fitzpatrick Cancer Center, 75 Beekman Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.

MANCHESTER, CONN. — Francis Henry Gowett, 81, of Manchester, husband of Dorothy (Ryan) Gowett, died peacefully, Tuesday, May 21, 2002, at his home.

He was born Feb. 24, 1921, in Plattsburgh, N.Y., son of the late Henry and Nellie (Rabideau) Gowett and had lived in Manchester since 1963.

Francis was a U.S. Army Veteran serving during World War II in Central Europe. He had been employed as a research assistant with United Technologies Research Center in East Hartford, Conn.

He was a member of St. Bridget Church in Manchester and a member of the Knights of Columbus Campbell Council 573.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his son, Edward H. Gowen and his wife, Eva of Austin, Texas; two daughters, Ellen Ryan Simpkin and her husband, Art also of Austin, Texas, and Nancy Pratt and her husband, Doraine of Clifton Park, N.Y.; two sisters, Geraldine Steinmann of Stuart, Fla., and Kathleen Devins of West Chazy, N.Y.; three grandchildren, Jennifer, Michael and Cynthia; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 24, 2002, at 9:15 a.m. at the Holmes Funeral Home, 400 Main St. Manchester. Followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at St. Bridget Church, 80 Main St., Manchester. Burial will be in St. James Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society (Manchester Unit) 538 Preston Ave., P 0 Box 1004, Meriden, CT. 06450 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

ROUNDS — A graveside service for Geraldine Rounds, 84, of Third Street, Lyon Mountain who died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2002, will be Friday, May 24, 2002, at 9:30 a.m. in St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Lyon Mountain.

Arrangements are through the Chateaugay Funeral Home.

BOUREY — A graveside service for Leo Bourey of Lyon Mountain who passed away in his home on Jan. 21, 2002, will be Friday, May 24, 2002, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Standish.

Arrangements are through the Chateaugay Funeral Home.