Published:  04/11/03

Morrisonville — David K. Matzke, 32, of River Street, died Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at the Fletcher Allen Health Care Center in Burlington, Vt.

He was born in Landstuhl, Germany, on Aug. 2, 1970, the son of Leo and Cheryl (Ladd) Matzke. David graduated from Oneida City High School and received his bachelor's and master's degrees at Plattsburgh State. He was a probation officer for the Clinton County Probation Department, a resident manager for ARC Group Home and was presently a special education teacher for the Champlain Valley Educational Services.

David married the former Renée Giroux on May 25, 2002, at St. Peter's Church. He was a member of St. Peter's Church, Clinton County Youth Commission, an avid fisherman, hunter and gardener. He was a fan of the New York Jets and his strength was in being a "People Builder." David had a strong love for his students.

Survivors include his wife, Renée Giroux-Matzke; his parents, Leo and Cheryl Matzke of Oneida; two sisters, Tonia and Jamie Matzke of Oneida; three aunts, Mrs. George (Doreen) Douglas of Syracuse, Mrs. Randy (Patty) Brooks of Central Square and Mrs. David (Annie) Calkins of New Hampshire; four uncles, Mr. Philip Matzke and his wife Gene of New Hampshire, Mr. Thomas Matzke and his wife Lynn of New Hampshire, Mr. Lloyd Ladd and his wife Dawn of Florida and Harold Ladd of Central Square; his paternal grandmother, Joyce Matzke of Central Square and his maternal grandmother, Estella Ladd of Central Square; and 17 cousins.

Calling hours will be held on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday at 1 p.m. at St. Peter's Church. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to a trust fund for their unborn child in care of Renée Giroux-Matzke.

Chateaugay — Darwin L. Colburn, 79, of the EarIville Road, Chateaugay, was called to the gates of heaven on April 8, 2003.

Born Nov. 30, 1923, in Dannemora, he was the loving son of Harry and Beulah Colburn who predeceased him.

In his early years, he was employed by Republic Steel, Lyon Mountain. Darwin became a heavy construction employee for over 40 years. He was a member of 1249 Electrical Workers, the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 106 and 549 for 49 years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Malone Moose Lodge and the Franklin County Association of Senior Citizens.

He loved to hunt, fish, joyride and give whatever was needed to help others. His favorite pastime was visiting with anyone he met.

The woman of his dreams came into his life in 1944. On June 1, 1946, Amelia LeClair became his wife. They were married by the late Msgr. Floyd Brown in St. Patrick's Church, Chateaugay. For 56 years he was totally devoted to her. His children, grandchildren and great - grandchildren were the sunshine of his life.

Besides his wife of 56 years, he is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Faith Colburn of Kentucky, Robert Colburn and his companion Cheryl Mason of Arizona and David and Pam Colburn of Plattsburgh; three daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and William Holbrook, Deborah Recore of Chateaugay and Karen and Ray Markel of Plattsburgh; and one daughter-in-law, Joanne Recore Colburn of Plattsburgh.

The treasures of his life were his 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was patiently waiting for two more great-grandchildren to arrive. He shared stories, memories and his lifesavers with them.

He is also survived by three sisters, two brothers, two sisters-in-law and three brothers-in-law: Nettie LeClair of Syracuse, Muriel and Floyd Fish of Ticonderoga, Etola and Irving Genier of Mineville, Harold and Jeanette Colburn of Port Henry, James Colburn of Elizabethtown, Joan Colburn of Port Henry and Art O'Brien of Crown Point.

Darwin was predeceased by one son-in-law, Gary Recore; one brother, Chester Colburn; one sister, Agnes O'Brien; and his parents.

Calling hours will be 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Chateaugay Funeral Home on Saturday, April 12, followed by a funeral Mass at St. Patrick's Church, Chateaugay, at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Burial will take place in the spring at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Chateaugay.

For those who wish to come, we will meet at the Knights of Columbus after Mass.

Arrangements are with the Chateaugay Funeral Home.

Whallonsburg — Sonia P. Power, 67, died Friday April 4, 2003, at the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh, N.Y.

She was born May 9, 1935, in Keeseville, N.Y., the daughter of Reginald and Ida (Lincoln) McLean.

Sonia loved to cook for her family and friends and was an avid camper and attended antique tractor shows with her husband every summer. She was a member of the New York Steam Engines Association of Canandaigua, N.Y. Sonia was also a member of the former Whallonsburg Church.

Sonia is survived by her husband, Gerard Power of Whallonsburg; a daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia and Ken Billings of Crown Point; a son, Gerard D. Power of Whallonsburg; a grandson, Andy Billings of Crown Point; and a granddaughter, Kelly Berry of Tucson, Ariz.; three sisters, Mary Nichols of Morrisonville, N.Y., Helen Williams of Lake Placid, N.Y., and Rena Decker of Keeseville, N.Y.; six brothers, Clyde McLean of North Carolina, William McLean of Arkansas, James McLean of Minnesota, Robert McLean of Lake Placid and Everett and Gerald McLean of Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

A sister, Julia Talbot and a brother, Merrill McLean, died previously.

Calling hours will be held Saturday, April 12, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Marvin's Funeral Home in Elizabethtown. Services will be held at the funeral home at 3 p.m. Burial will be at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Essex Ambulance Squad.

Mooers Forks, N.Y. AND Lakeland, Fla. —

Wyon "Bob" Robert Smith, 66, of Mooers Forks and Lakeland, Fla., died Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at the Good Shepherd Hospice at Grace Health Care, Lakeland, Fla.

He was born in Williamsport, Pa., on May 19, 1936. Beginning in 1996, he was a winter resident in Florida and lived at Woodalls MHP, Lakeland. He was a self - employed truck driver for 47 years.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Doreen Smith, of Mooers Forks, N.Y.; a son, Robert Smith of Plattsburgh, N.Y.; three daughters, Brenda Colby of Champlain, N.Y., Teresa Reil of Lakeland and Kimberly Young of Mooers Forks, N.Y.; three brothers, Charles Smith of Washington State, Claire Smith of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Richard Smith of St. Albans, Vt.; a sister, June Fink of Williamsport, Pa.; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren,

He was predeceased by a grandson, Jacob Reil.

Services will be held at a later date.

Donations may be made to the Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Huburndale, FL 33823.

The David Russell Funeral Home in Lakeland, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.

Taylor E. LaPlante, 84, of 52 Couch St., Plattsburgh, died Thursday, April 10, 2003, at his home.

He was born in Chazy on Sept. 3, 1918, the son of Edmund and Mabel (Taylor) LaPlante.

Calling hours and funeral services are incomplete at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home, as of Thursday evening.

Margaret Blaine, 92, of Flynn Avenue, Plattsburgh and formerly of West Chazy, N.Y., died Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at the Clinton County Nursing Home in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Altona, N.Y., on Feb. 5, 1911, the daughter of Nicholas and Julia (Tessier) Blaine.

There will be no public calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 11, 2003, at 9 a.m. in St. Peter’s Chapel in Plattsburgh. Burial will take place at a later date in St. Louis de France Cemetery in Sciota, N.Y.

The R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh is in charge of arrangements.

Wayne E. Busko, 54, of Merrilee Lane, Keeseville, died Thursday, April 10, 2003, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Keeseville.

Dawne E. Lane, 56, of the Slosson Road, West Chazy, passed away Thursday, April 10, 2003, at her home with her family at her side.

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

Dorothy Thomas, 62, of Boynton Avenue, Plattsburgh, passed away Tuesday, April 8, 2003, at the CVPH Medical Center.

She was born on June 30, 1940.

Calling hours will be Friday, April 11, 2003, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh, with a service to follow at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Paul Heller, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery at a later date.

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