Plattsburgh — Helen FitzGerald Groendyk Alexander Schiel, 94, of Lake Forest Senior Living Community, Plattsburgh, died peacefully, June 1, 2003, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, surrounded by her family.

She was born in Passaic, N.J., Nov. 28, 1908, the daughter of Jacob and Kathryn (FitzGerald) Groendyk.

She married G. Howard Alexander in 1927 and lived with him in New Jersey and Warwick, N.Y., until his death on June 1, 1960.

Helen lived in Cape Cod and Tennessee for 30 years with her second husband, Fred P. Schiel, until his death last year.

She was predeceased by her two beloved brothers, Hubert and James, who inspired her love of opera and music. She was a keen observer of the natural world and the human spirit. She expressed her creativity and zest for living through song, sculpture and painting.

Survivors include three daughters, Joan A. Clark of Keeseville, Judy A. Gucker of Keeseville and Joyce A. Hillyer of Westport; nine grandchildren, Bruce K. Hillyer of Lebanon, N.J., Susan G. Dion of Keeseville, Holly Hillyer-Emshe of Brookline, Mass., Cathryn A. Clark of Keeseville, Nancy G. Birdsall of West Rutland, Vt., Joanna C. Linden of Waterville, Maine, Sarah Helen (Sally) Smithson of Keeseville, Peter H. Gucker of Keeseville and Hope H. Larson of Speonk, N.Y.; and her 14 cherished great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Lake Forest Good Samaritan Fund or the Lake Forest Performance Fund, 8 Lake Forest Drive, Plattsburgh, NY 12903.

Arrangements are by the Hamilton Funeral Home.

Mooers Forks — Alfred A. LaValley, 76, died Sunday, June 1, 2003, at the Evergreen Valley Nursing Home in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Mooers Forks on Dec. 30, 1926, the son of Albert and Bertha (Huggins) LaValley.

He was employed for many years at Northland Hides in Ellenburg Depot and was a self-employed milk transporter for many years.

He is survived by two brothers, Albert "Joel' LaValley of Mooers Forks and Justin Houle of Plattsburgh; three sisters, Mrs. Earl (Mabel) Stone of Cannons Corners, Irene Marshall of Mooers Forks and Mildred Derosia of Massachusetts; and several nieces and nephews.

Two brothers, Harold and Clarence LaValley, died earlier.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the E.F. Drown Funeral Service in Mooers. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday from St. Ann's Church in Mooers Forks. Interment will follow in Whispering Maples Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Ellenburg Depot.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the SPCA of Clinton County.

Keene — Mary Jo Mehrman, 77, of Potsdam and formerly of Keene, died Sunday, June 1, 2003, in Potsdam.

She was born Feb. 7, 1926, in West Country Cove, Newfoundland, the daughter of Thomas and Johanna (Matthews) Sullivan.

She met and married John Mehrman during World War II, while he was active as a soldier. Mary was an artist for many years, a member of the Paleface Ski Club, she managed the Flying M Ranch and was very active in the Morley Fire Department Auxiliary.

She is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. John Mehrman III of Keene, Mr. Thomas Mehrman of Pensacola, Fla., and Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Mehrman of Las Vegas; one daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Sharon Straight of Canton, N.Y.; six sisters, Philomena, Irene, Elizabeth, Madonna, Jean and Alberta; three brothers, Claud, Andrew and Cyril; ten grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband John Mehrman; one sister, Carolina; and one great-grandson, Thomas Allen.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday June 3, 2003 from 7 to 9 p.m. at W.M. Marvin's & Son Funeral Home in Elizabethtown. A graveside service will be held Wednesday June 4, 2003, 10 a.m. in Norton Cemetery in Keene.. Memorial donations may be made to the Morley Fire Department, County Route 27, Canton, NY 13617, or to St. Brendan's Church, Keene, NY 12942.

BETHLEHEM, PA — The Rev. Van S. Merle-Smith Jr., 85 years of Bethlehem, died June 1, 2003, in Bethlehem, Pa.

The husband of Katherine (Smith Combs) Merle-Smith, they were married 56 years.

The Rev. Merle-Smith was a minister and educator.

Born on Sept. 21, 1917, in New York City, N.Y., the son of the late Van S. and Kate (Fowler) Merle-Smith.

A graduate of The Hill School, Pottstown, Pa., Mr. Merle-Smith received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University in 1940. He worked as a geologist for Texas Oil Company before serving as a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Amy from 1940 to 1946, acting as General Patton's aide from the end of the war until the General's death.

He earned his Masters from Columbia University. He taught at Saint Paul's School in Concord, N.H., before becoming Headmaster of Foxcroft School in Middleburg, Va. Committed to education, but wanting to put his work in a more spiritual context, he attended Union Theological Seminary in New York. He received a Masters of Divinity and was ordained as a Presbyterian Minister.

After serving for a year in the First Presbyterian Church in Oyster Bay, N.Y., the Rev. Merle-Smith became Chaplain at the Moravian Seminary for Girls in Bethlehem Pa.

When Moravian Seminary and Moravian Preparatory merged to become Moravian Academy, he was interim. Headmaster until he resumed his calling as Chaplain. He was a tireless advocate for youth, a father figure to many and a moral touchstone for the entire community.

The Rev. Merle-Smith served on Boards of the Bach Choir, The Hill School, the Bethlehem Area Foundation, and the Council for Religion in Independent Schools. He was President of the ATIS for ten years, a long-standing member of the Cruising Club of America and an avid fly fisherman.

He is survived by his wife; five sons, Richard M. Combs of Aiken, S.C., Van Santvoord of New York City, N.Y., Ted Merle-Smith of Keene Valley, N.Y., Grosvenor F. Merle-Smith of Charlottesville, Va., and Barton N. Merle-Smith of Charlotte, Vt.; one daughter, Katie M.S. Dawson of Dillon, Mont., and their spouses; 15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by four foster sons, Normand Smith of Boston, Mass., Peter Smith of Gunnison, Colo., Tom Smith of Keene Valley, N.Y., and Nulsen Smith of Chestnut Hill, Mass.; a foster daughter, Tracy McClelland of Keene Valley, N.Y., and their families.

Memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 4, 2003, at First Presbyterian Church, 2344 Center St., Bethlehem, Pa. There will be a memorial service in Keene Valley, N.Y., at a later date.

Memorial gifts may be made to Moravian Academy, Bethlehem, Pa., and the Neighborhood House, Keene Valley, NY 12943.

Funeral arrangements are by the John F. Herron Funeral Home 458 Center At Market Street Bethlehem, Pa.

DOUGLAS — Graveside services for Marguerite F. Douglas, who died Dec. 4, 2002, in Plattsburgh, will be held Thursday, June 5, 2003, at 9 a.m. at Holy Name Cemetery, AuSable Forks. Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Marie A. Rock, 63, of South Peru Street, Plattsburgh, died Sunday, June 1, 2003, at the CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Plattsburgh on April 9, 1940, the daughter of Archie J. and Dorothy (Rock) Jubert.

Calling hours are private and at the convenience of the family.

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

James Paul Oberg, 68, of State Route 122, Constable, N.Y., died Monday morning, June 2, 2003, at the Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone, where he had been a patient since May 29.

He was born in Fall River, Mass., on Nov. 29, 1934, the son of the late Edgar and Yvonne Oberg.

Calling hours will be in the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Horne in Malone, on Wednesday morning from 10 a.m. until time of funeral services at 12 noon in the funeral home chapel, with the Rev. Roger Willingham presiding. Burial will follow, with military rites, in Riverside Cemetery, Westville.

Sandra Lee McLaughlin Lamica, 55, of Lower Park Street, Malone, N.Y., died Sunday, June 1, 2003, at the Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, Vt. She had been a patient there since May 26.

She was born in Malone, Sept. 28, 1947, the daughter of Harold and Etta Seavers McLaughlin.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Home in Malone. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. John Bosco Church with the Rev. Tom Moody officiating. Burial will be in St. John Bosco Cemetery.

Pauline M. Meagher, 82, of Gabriels, N.Y., died Saturday, May 31, 2003, at her home.

She was born Sept. 3, 1920, in Rainbow Lake.

The funeral service will be private at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in Brighton Cemetery, Gabriels, N.Y.

The Fortune-Keough Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.