Published: 09/10/02

Lady Lake, Fla. — Mr. Leighton W. Nephew, formerly of Savannah, Ga., and River Bend Drive, Plattsburgh, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, at the Ocala Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Fla.

He was born in Altona, the son of Jerry and Delsie (Rushford) Nephew.

Leighton was a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving as corporal in the U.S. Army.

He had worked for Diamond National Corporation here in Plattsburgh until being transferred Natchez, Miss., as a instrument technician supervisor.

He graduated from DeVry Institute, the National College of Arts and Sciences at Tulsa, Okla. with a master of science degree in electrical engineering and went to worked for Parsons and Whittemore in New York City, where he was instrument engineer. He worked on many domestic and overseas projects, places as Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Egypt, Ethiopia and Thailand. Leighton retired as senior project engineer in the Corporate Division with Union Camp Paper Corporation in Savannah, Ga., now known as International Paper. Leighton was a Life Member of the Knights of Columbus Council 255, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Pensacola Beach, Fla., Lodge 2256.

Leighton was an avid golfer, a HAM radio operator and especially enjoyed taking cruises with his wife, Lorraine.

A devoted loving husband Leighton is survived by his wife, Lorraine (Parsons) Nephew of Lady Lake, Fla., whom he married June 2, 1951; two sisters, Edna Clark of Plattsburgh and Loyola Coolidge and her husband, Walter of Altona; his sisters-in-law, Rita Nephew of Mineville, Thelma Nephew of Plattsburgh, Gloria Nephew of Altona and Irene Deyo and her husband, Alden of Altona; several nieces and nephews.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Leighton was predeceased by his parents, Jerry and Delsie Nephew; and his brothers, Leonard, Orville and Clement Nephew.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2002, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday at 1 p.m. at St. Peter’s Church. Interment will follow in St. Ann’s Cemetery in Mooers Forks. Members of Knights of Columbus Council 255 are asked to meet Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. at the funeral home for services. Members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Plattsburgh Lodge 621 are asked to meet Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home for services.

Stuart, Fla. — Hortense H. Ashline, 84, formerly of Stuart, Fla., died Friday, Sept. 6, 2002, at the Fletcher Allen Healthcare Center in Burlington, Vt.

She was born in Altona, Aug. 23, 1918, the daughter of John and Anna (Miller) Peryea.

Her husband, Maynard, predeceased Hortense in July 1984. Together they ran Ashline’s Trucking in Corinth for many years.

She also enjoyed quilting, gardening and helping others with home Healthcare until April of this year.

Hortense is survived by her brothers, Bernard (Pat) and Hortense Peryea Dannemora, Leo Peryea of North Tonawanda and Norman and Claire Peryea of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; sisters, Velma King of Keeseville, Muriel Larson of Elizabethtown, Ky., Thelma (Tess) Irwin of Peru and Christine (Kit) and Edward Shepard of Richmond, BC; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, June and Cecil (Vern) Gibbs of Plattsburgh; sister-in-law, and brother- in-law, Belle and Lavern Ashline of Greenfield Center; sister-in-law, Edith Ashline of Ellenburg Depot and Marjorie Poupore of Glens Falls; and many nieces and nephews.

There will be no public calling hours. A memorial mass will be celebrated Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2002, at St. Joseph’s Church in Dannemora, with Rev. John Looby, pastor, celebrating. Burial will be at a later date in the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Hospice of the North Country.

Arrangements are by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru.

Beekmantown — Daniel A. Kelley, 53, of the Butler Road, died Monday, Aug. 26, 2002, at CVPH Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Nov. 27, 1948, the son of the late John Kuhn and Dorothy Beaman.

Dan is survived by his first wife, Marie Guilda Kelley of East Rochester; son and daughter-in-law, Wayne D. and Amanda Kelley of Palmyra; one granddaughter, Samantha Kelley; his present wife, Mary Lee Kelley; two stepdaughters and their husbands, Becky and Bill LaRock of Plattsburgh and Robin and Josh Sanders of Watertown; one stepson and his partner, Adam Nash and Jen Boulrice of Chazy; five grandchildren, Gabe, Allison, Dexter, Zander and Owen; two sisters and their husbands, Cheryl and Clyde Shaver and Robin and Patrick Perrin; three brothers and one sister-in-law, John and Gail Kelley, David Kuhn and Paul Kelley.

He was predeceased by two sisters, Joanne Wolf and Judith Thomas.

Dan was a Vietnam veteran who served two tours in Vietnam, where he was a tank combat commander. Dan was wounded while in combat, recovered from his injuries and returned to combat. He received the Purple Heart along with other medals and a Combat Action Ribbon.

Upon leaving the service as a corporal he was self employed as a master mechanic.

Dan loved hunting and fishing, he was an avid sportsman, but most of all he loved people - he will be dearly missed. Our Dan will always be with us.

Dan wanted a special thank you sent out to the nurses and staff at CVPH. They were all very kind and caring during his long stay. Dan also wanted to say thanks to the staff in dietary.

A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 30, 2002, at St. Peter’s Church in Plattsburgh.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Vietnam Veterans memorial or the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are by the R. W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

HILLCREST, N.Y. — David Preston Lees, one of two siblings and only son of the late David Hamlin Lees and Lauretta (Diggins) Lees, of Binghamton, N.Y., was born Oct. 18, 1918, and went home to be with the Lord on Sept. 5, 2002.

His elementary education was received in the public school system in Altoona, Pa. He subsequently went on to further his education at Penn State University and received a degree in electrical engineering. It was during his sophomore year that he met his future wife, the late Edithe Louise (Davis) Lees, daughter of the late Ronald Harrison Davis and late Olive Leona (Jones) Davis.

David and Edithe were married on July 17, 1941. To this union were born two children, Jeffrey and Rodney. He began his career as an air conditioning engineer in the Wilkes-Barre, Pa., area. While raising his children, he managed to have a very long mid successful career in the business world. In 1955, they moved to their current residence in Hillcrest where he was employed for some 25 years as president and general manager of Power Engineering Corporation and for the next 10 years he owned and operated his own air conditioning business as president of Lees & Miller, Inc.

David was a veteran for his country serving in both World War II (U.S. Army Signal Corps officer) and the Korean War (Air Force officer and Pilot)

In his community, he was active in Kiwanis (past president & lt. governor), Free & Accepted Masons, Shriners (past president legion of honor - Irem Temple), Boy Scouts of America (past district vice-chairman) and the Benevolent & Protective Order of the Elks (past exhalted ruler lodge no. 852 and editor/publisher monthly newsletter) as well as a member of the MacSTAC computer club serving also as editor/publisher of their newsletter.

He will always be remembered for his kind, sweet and gentle manner, and the loving concern he showed toward his family, friends and neighbors. All who knew him loved him. His demeanor made others know always that a gentleman stood before them.

David leaves to mourn his loss, two sons and daughters-in-law, Jeffrey P. and Lorena B. Lees (Bryn Mawr, Pa.) and Rodney A. and Bernice Lees (Auburn, N.Y.); one grandson, Preston R. Lees (Pembrooke Pines, Fla.); one devoted and loving sister, Betty Brackbill (Zelienople, Pa.); one sister-in-law, Marge Davis (Tampa, FL); a niece, Deborah A. Buchinsky (Tampa, Fla.); a nephew, Bruce Brackbill (Cranberry Twp, Pa.); six step-grandchildren, Linda Koenig (Westerville, Ohio), Barbara Brydges (Bethesda, Md.), Francis J. Dumas (Mooers, N.Y.), Ralph Rink (Auburn, N.Y.), Susan Rink (Auburn, N.Y.) and David Rink (Baldwinsville, N.Y.); also many other relatives and a host of wonderful friends.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002, at 11 a.m. from the Wm. R. Chase & Son Funeral Home, 737 Chenango Street (Port Dickinson), Binghamton NY 13901. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Altoona, Pa., on Friday, Sept. 13, 2002, at 2 p.m. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2002, from 6 to 9 p. M.

Those wishing, may make memorial contributions to: the Shriner’s Crippled Children’s Hospital, 3551 North Broad Street, Philadelphia PA 19140; the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory, 2150 Bleeker Street, Utica NY 13501; or Hospice c/o Lourdes Hospital, 169 Riverside Drive, Binghamton NY 13905.

Chateaugay — David C. Bush, 82, of the Pulp Mill Road, Chateaugay, died Sept. 8, 2002, at his home under the care of his family and Hospice of the North Country.

He was born in Chateaugay, N.Y., on June 29, 1920, the son of Leslie and Nessie (Hutchins) Bush.

He was married to Beulah Ruth Moore on Feb. 26, 1940, in North Bangor by Rev. Robert E. Wright.

Mr. Bush is survived by: his wife of 62 years; ten children, Lee Ann Patnode of Morrisonville, N.Y., David Leslie Bush of Watertown, N.Y., Joy Lorraine Gokey of Malone, N.Y., Gay Lennette Bush of Port Henry, N.Y., Shae Lenore Leonard of Malone, N.Y., Shasta Lane Bush of Moira, N.Y., Scott Whitney Bush of Averill Park, N.Y., Dane Hutchins Bush of Vanceboro, N.C., Jerre Lynn White of Brainardsville, N.Y., and Jill Elizabeth Harrigan of Brainardsville, N.Y.; seven daughters-in-law and sons-in-law, Nancy Bush, Tonya Bush, Bill Joyce, Barry Leonard, John Dailey, Steve Tedford and Gary Harrigan; 18 grandchildren, Randy and David Bruso, B.J., Josh, Courtney and Molly Leonard, Lindsey and Eric Bush, Jessica White and Jake Lucas, Jennifer and Dylan White, Kristy and Cindy Harrigan, David Rosen and Chad, Jorie and Kaylee Williams; 1 great-granddaughter, Ciara Rose Lucas; two sisters, Elsie Gildersleeve of Peura Bush, N.Y., and Emma Jean Hutchinson of Constable; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents; a daughter, Gloria Bush; 2 brothers; Robert and Ralph Bush; a sister, Elizabeth Bush; and a grandson, Brandon Michael Leonard.

Mr. Bush graduated from Chateaugay High School. He worked at McCadam Cheese in Chateaugay as foreman before retiring.

He enjoyed playing cards, reading and watching sports.

Calling hours will be held at the Chateaugay Funeral Home on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2002, in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Eleanor Bellows officiating. Burial will take place at Ridgeway Cemetery, Burke.

Donations in his memory may be made to Hospice of the North Country or Chateaugay Fire Dept. and Rescue Squad.

ELIZABETHTOWN — Elizabeth "Betty" Peasley, 77, of Keene Valley and formerly of Elizabethtown, died Saturday, Sept. 7, 2002, at Fletcher-Allen Hospital in Burlington, Vt.

She was born in New York City on Sept. 13, 1924, the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Siefert) Trelease.

Betty was a very active member of St. Elizabeth’s Church in Elizabethtown and taught CCD classes for children.

She is survived by her husband, Theodore L. Peasley of Keene Valley; two daughters, Barbara Ann Peasley of Liverpool, N.Y., and Mary Eileen and her husband, John Bautz of Dumont, N.J.; a son, Theodore P. Peasley of Keene Valley; a daughter-in-law, Renee Cusprinie Peasley of Westport, N.Y.; three grandchildren, Eric, Camille and Elizabeth Peasley, all of Westport; two sisters, Mae Indyke of Milltown, N.J., Patricia Hayles of Edison, N.J.; four brothers, Richard Trelease of Worthington, Ohio, Thomas Trelease of New Jersey, James Trelease of New Brunswick, N.J., and John Trelease of Newport, R.I.

Calling hours will be held Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at Marvin’s Funeral Home in Elizabethtown. A wake service will be said during the calling hours. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Elizabethtown. Burial will be in St. Elizabeth Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Elizabethtown - Lewis Ambulance Squad.

Eugene G. Droesch, 95, formally of Lake Placid and a resident of Clinton County Nursing Home in Plattsburgh, died at the nursing home Sunday afternoon, Sept. 8, 2002.

He was born in New York City, Nov. 10, 1906, the son of Eugene J. and Josephine Ruppert Droesch.

There are no calling hours. A graveside service for friends of Mr. Droesch will be held Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2002, at the St. Agnes Cemetery in Lake Placid. Rev. Michael Gaffney, pastor of St. Agnes Church will officiate.

The Clark Funeral Home in Lake Placid is in charge of arrangements.

Josephine E. Magee, age 84, of Lake Clear, died Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.

He was born in Lake Placid, on April 30, 1918, she was the daughter of Joseph and Lucille (Hanmer-Pratt) Marello.

Visitation will be at Fortune - Keough Funeral Home, Inc. on Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. A Bible vigil will he held Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002, at 11 a.m. at St. Bernard’s Church, with Rev. Timothy Soucy officiating. Burial will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery in Saranac Lake.

HOWARD - A graveside service for Cleo J. (Smith) Howard, who died in Orange, Mass., on Aug. 18, 2002, will be held Saturday, Sept. 14, 2002, at 2 p.m. at the Forestdale Cemetery in Crown Point, N.Y.

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