Published:  11/19/02

Willsboro — Leonard "Mac" McClure, 64, of 16 George St., died unexpectedly on Nov. 16, 2002.

He was born in Detroit, Mich., on Jan. 23, 1938, to Leonard and Muriel (Wilson) McClure.

"Mac" served his country proudly as a U.S. Marine from January 1956 to his honorable discharge in 1959. He continued to serve in the New York State National Guard from 1974 to his retirement as first sergeant in 1991.

His career spanned 37 years as a sales representative for several national food chains. He was an active and creative member of the Willsboro Fish and Game Club; he enjoyed woodcarving, hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities.

"Mac" is survived by his wife, Barbara (Ruggeri) of Willsboro; a daughter, Sue McClure of Sugarbush, N.Y.; a daughter, Beth, and her husband, Jeff Hayes, and their sons Jason, Jordan and Evan of Texas; and a son, David Christensen, and his wife, Laura, of Charlotte, NC. Also surviving are a brother, Dennis McClure, and his wife, Phyllis, of Arizona; a sister, Vicki, and her husband, Bud Conklin, of Willsboro; a brother-in-law, Peter Ruggeri, and his wife, Wendy; and a sister-in-law Janice LaCharity of Connecticut; several nieces and nephews and many friends.

Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2002, at the Huestis Funeral Home in Willsboro. Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002, also at the funeral home.

Friends wishing to make a memorial donation may do so to the Willsboro War Memorial in care of Mike Lindsay, P.O. Box 292, Willsboro, N.Y. 12996 or the Willsboro-Reber Rescue Squad, Willsboro, N.Y.

LAKE PLACID — Rita M. Sheffield, 85, formally of 30 Greenwood St., Lake Placid, passed away at Uihlein Mercy Center in Lake Placid, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2002.

She was born in Saranac Lake, N.Y., Aug. 30, 1917, the daughter of Francis and Eva (Bailey) Hennessey.

Rita was a graduate of Saranac Lake High School, class of 1935.

She married James C. "Bunnie" Sheffield, Oct. 5, 1935. "Bunnie" died Jan. 21, 1976.

Rita was a member of St. Agnes Church and church secretary for 10 years. She also was a Brownie and Intermediate Girl Scout Leader.

From 1935 until 1976, Rita, along with her husband, was very active in promoting speed skating in Lake Placid, many times promoting and accompanying skaters to events in the North East. She served as a speed skating official for many years. Rita was an avid outdoors woman and relished hiking, fishing and boating each summer with her family at their camp on Connery Pond. Her favorite past times include caring for wildlife and a wide variety of pets. She also enjoyed playing bridge with her friends.

Mrs. Sheffield is survived by two sons, Gary R. Sheffield Sr. and his companion, April Dixon and William J. Sheffield; one daughter, Patti Sheffield, all of Lake Placid; one sister, Betty (Hennessey) Wilson and her husband Calvin of Lake Placid; her grandchildren, Gary J. Sheffield Jr. and his wife Kelly of Colorado, Shane D. Sheffield of Utah, Lisa Sheffield Hanson and her husband Ron of Florida, Elizabeth Sheffield Bishop of Nevada and Robert Gumaer and his wife Erin of New York. Rita had seven great-grandchildren, two nieces, one nephew, four great-nieces and one great-nephew.

Rita was predeceased by a son, James A. Sheffield, on Dec. 19, 1971, and an infant son, Mark J. Sheffield died in 1957.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2002, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Clark Funeral Home in Lake Placid.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002, at 12 noon at Uihlein Mercy Center Chapel in Lake Placid. Rev. Patrick O'Reilly, chaplain, will officiate.

Cremation will follow. Burial will be in St. Agnes Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please remember Rita with donations to High Peaks Hospice, P.O. Box 840, Lake Placid, N.Y. 12946.

A reception will follow for family and friends at the Craig Wood Golf and Country Club restaurant.

PLATTSBURGH — James W. Scarborough, 68, of Truman Avenue, died Sunday, Nov. 17, 2002, at the CVPH Medical Center.

He was born in Paris, Tenn., on Sept. 7, 1934, the son of Richard F. and Odell (Redmon) Scarborough.

James married the former Sally MacDonald in Saranac on Jan. 21, 1961.

He worked for Imperial Wallpaper for 31 years, retiring in 1997. Mr. Scarborough also did electrical work part time. He was a member of the Saranac United Methodist Church, the American Legion Post 1618 Saranac, and a longtime trustee at the Saranac Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Sally of Plattsburgh; four sons and three daughters-in-law, Joel and Lisa Scarborough of Redford, Russell and Donna Scarborough of Schuyler Falls, Kevin and Bonnie Scarborough of Vader, W. Va., and Lynn Jon Scarborough of Saranac; one daughter, Kathleen Scarborough of Saranac; two sisters, Barbara Finch and her husband, Robert of Knoxville, Tenn., and Donna Nelsen and her companion, Robert of Valencia, Calif.; three grandchildren; and six step grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his mother, Odell Enoch and one daughter, Deborah Scarborough.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2002, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Saranac United Methodist Church.

Burial will take place in the spring in Independence Cemetery in Saranac.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Saranac Rescue Squad or to the Saranac United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.

Plattsburgh — Mr. Robert C. "Bob" Berg, 54, of Wood Manor Drive, passed away Friday, Nov. 15, 2002, at the CVPH Medical Center, as a result of a motor vehicle accident.

He was born in Gowanda, N.Y., Feb. 4, 1948, the son of Leland and C. Clare (Parkinson) Berg.

Bob had worked as a security officer for Burns Security. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving from 1968 to 1972. He was member of Rescue Hose 5 from 1986 to the present where he served as 2nd lieutenant, secretary, vice president and president. Bob was named fire fighter of the year in 1989 and was also named volunteer of the year for the City of Plattsburgh. He enjoyed coin collecting.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, Leland and Catherine Berg.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years Joan (LaBombard) Berg of Plattsburgh; Cynthia Alger and her husband Scott of Plattsburgh; Michael Berg of Plattsburgh; two brothers, Lyle Berg and his companion, Michelle Spanjer of Cadyville; Keith Berg and his wife Tammy of Beekmantown; two grandchildren, Dylan and Jason Alger of Plattsburgh; a sister-in-law, Jan Garrant and her companion Dennis Baker of Beekmantown; a brother-in-law, Mark LaBombard and his wife Cathy of Plattsburgh; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Calling hours will be Tuesday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 11 a.m. from St. Peter's Church. Interment will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Rescue Hose 5 or the American Cancer Society.

Ellenburg Depot — Alden J. LaBarge, 80, of Therrien Road, died Sunday, Nov. 17, 2002, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Altona, N.Y., on Sept. 18, 1922, the son of Frank and Anna (Bushey) LaBarge.

Alden was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. He was a laborer with Teamsters Local 186. Alden enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping and playing guitar.

Alden was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Anna LaBarge; his wife, Leah LaBarge; his children, Alden LaBarge Jr., Carl LaBarge; his daughter, Barbara LaBarge; his brothers, Amos LaBarge and Frank LaBarge.

Alden is survived by six sons and five daughters-in-law, David and Wanda LaBarge of Altona, Clarence and Arlene LaBarge of Champlain, John and Gloria LaBarge of Schuyler Falls, Gerald and Brenda LaBarge of Plattsburgh, Bob LaBarge of Mooers, Joseph LaBarge of Ellenburg Depot; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Theresa and Daniel Bohn of Bristol, Conn., Bertha and Paul Desautel of Tampa, Fla., Betty Jean LaBarge and her fiancé, Ronny Rascoe of Redford; one sister, Viola Guerin of Malone; 22 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2002, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Altona. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002, at 1:30 p.m. from Holy Angel's Church in Altona. Burial will be later next-year at Holy Angel's Cemetery.

Ticonderoga — Eleanor I. Osler, 86, a former resident of Holcomb Avenue in Ticonderoga and more recently of Burlington , passed away peacefully at the Fletcher Allen Medical Center on Nov. 17, 2002.

A lifelong resident of Ticonderoga, she was born on Dec. 18, 1915, in North Walpole, N.H., the daughter of George and Isabelle (Forcier) Wells.

On Feb. 10, 1941, she married Harold (Buck) Osier in Ticonderoga. He predeceased her on Nov. 26, 1976.

Eleanor is survived by her two sons, Frederick Osier and his wife Sharon of Burlington and Robert Osier and his wife Polly of North Canton, Ohio; and four grandsons, Tim, Mark, Eric and Kirk Osier.

Besides her husband, she is also predeceased by her daughter, Carlene, who died Dec. 2, 1988.

Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Connery & Gunning Funeral Home in Ticonderoga. A wake service will be held at the funeral home at 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 20, 2002, the Rev. William Muench, officiating. Internment will be in the family plot in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ticonderoga.

Penny Darrah, 40, of Maple Street, died unexpectedly Monday, Nov. 18, 2002, at her home.

She was born in Plattsburgh on July 16, 1962, the daughter of Paul and Marie (Wilson) Mitchell.

Calling hours and funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.

Natalie Benoit of Doyelstown, Pa., died on Nov. 8, 2002.

She was born on Oct. 28, 1926, in Westport, N.Y., the daughter of Noel and Georgina Merrihew.

Burial was held in Westport and a memorial service will be at a later date in Doyelstown.

To contact the Press-Republican, Phone: (518) 561-2300 or send mail to:
Press-Republican, 170 Margaret St., P.O. Box 459, Plattsburgh, NY 12901

Copyright 2002, Plattsburgh Publishing Co., Plattsburgh, NY,  Division of Ottaway Newspapers, Inc., Campbell Hall, NY. The information you receive from Press-Republican Online is protected by the copyright laws of the United States. The copyright laws prohibit any copying, redistributing, retransmitting, or repurposing of any copyright-protected material.