Published: 10/04/03

Willsboro, N.Y. — Dr. Chilton C. McPheeters, 88, of Willsboro Point, died on Oct. 2, 2003.

He was born in Poplar Bluff, Mo., on Feb. 28, 1915. He graduated from the University of California and then attended Asbury Theological Seminary, of which his father was president for 20 years. He earned his doctorate degree at Drew University in Madison, N.J.

He was a Methodist minister for over 60 years, serving churches in New Jersey, Connecticut, Long Island, California, New York and Arizona. His last church was the historic Central United Methodist Church in Phoenix, Ariz., were he served for 12 years until his retirement in 1980 to Willsboro Point.

Chilton was married to Julia Winn for 64 years. They had three children, Chilton Winn McPheeters, whose wife is Sharron Bruno, Merle R. McPheeters, whose wife is Paula MacIntosh and Tina Eickhoff, whose husband is Bruce Eickhoff. He also leaves six beloved grandchildren, Mark and Julie, Mica and David, Brittany and Chelsea. A sister, Virginia, also survives him.

He volunteered as a chaplain to the U.S. Marines in World War II and was especially interested in missions, spending some time in Japan and Korea. He had opportunities to teach at various universities - New York University, Hofstra University, Long Island University, Azusa Pacific and the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University.

He brought his family to the Adirondacks every year for the past 50 years and always marveled at the beauty of this part of God’s world.

A memorial service will be held at the Community Church in Essex on Monday, Oct. 6th, at 2 p.m.

Arrangements are with the Huestis Funeral Home in Willsboro.

Franklin, Vt. — Charles Winslow Gates, 75, passed away unexpectedly at his farm on Wednesday evening, Oct. 1, 2003.

Charles was born March 29, 1928, in St. Albans, Vt., the son of the late Paul and Vera (Horne) Gates. He attended school in Franklin and graduated from Franklin High School in 1946. He attended Norwich University and graduated with an electrical engineering degree in 1952. Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Army in 1952 as a second lieutenant.

Charles married Priscilla Dewing on Aug. 4, 1951, at the East Franklin Union Church in East Franklin, Vt.

Charles served in Germany from 1952 to 1954. After being honorably discharged in 1954, he returned to Franklin to resume managing the Franklin Electric Light Company, Telephone Company and his greatest pleasure, the family farm and his registered Jersey cows. He relinquished management of the telephone company to his brother Hugh in 1963 and management of the electric light company to his brother David in 1976. He continued to run the farm in partnership with his brother Hugh until 1976.

Charles managed the farm for the next 21 years, retiring in the fall of 1997. At this time he and Priscilla traveled cross-country to California to visit his extended family. He loved exploring caves and visiting dams and national parks on his trip.

Charles loved his family and his time with them more than anything. His children and his grandchildren gave him great joy and he and Priscilla were happiest when surrounded by them.

Charles took great pride and pleasure in many things. Among these were helping his family and friends, passing out candy to the many children he knew and loved, card parties, sugaring, clearing and improving the land and watching his children's and grandchildren's sports and other activities.

Charles was a staunch Republican and was a member of the Franklin Congregational Church. He was also a director of the Vermont Jersey Cattle Club.

He is survived by his wife, Priscilla (Dewing) Gates of Franklin; eight children and their spouses, George and Becky Gates of Plattsburgh, N.Y., Gregg and Patty Gates, Paul and Diane Gates, Robert and Cindy Gates and Gerald and Wanda Gates, all of Franklin, Polly and Richard Fennessey of Windham, N.H., Donald and Martine Gates of Franklin and Mary and Michael Viens of Berkshire; his grandchildren, Sara, Norman, Maggee, Brenna, Ashley, Emma, Mandi, Karen, Kathryn, Thomas, Bobbie, Katie, Harrison, Brendan, Bethany, Mary, Mae and Charlie and also expected in January, Luc; a brother and his wife, Hugh and Cynthia Gates; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his daughter, Brenda Gates; three brothers, Paul, Geoffrey and David Gates; three sisters, Jane Merriam, Mary Gates and Marjorie Irish.

Visiting hours will be held Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickinson Ave., Enosburg Falls, Vt.

Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Franklin Congregational Church with Pastor Clifford Christensen officiating. Interment will follow in the Maple Grove Cemetery.

For those who wish, contributions in his memory may be made to the Franklin Homestead, Inc. - Carriage House, 114 Homestead Dr., Franklin, VT 05457 or to the Franklin United Church, P.O. Box 84, Franklin, VT 05457.

On-line condolences may be sent to the family through www.spearsfuneralhome.com.

Port Henry — Benjamin T. Launderville, 79, of Port Henry, died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003, at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vt., with his family by his side.

He was born Jan. 13, 1924, in Moriah, N.Y., the son of Benjamin and Emeline (Cheney) Launderville. He was a retired finish carpenter. He was also a veteran of World War II.

He is survived by his wife Constance (Weddell) Launderville of Port Henry; his son Larry Launderville and his wife Holly; his stepchildren, Beverly Tomlinson, Marilyn Phelps, Susan Dunn, Joyce Alicata, Diane Walbert, Wendy Forand-Burroughs, Robert Pilger, James Pilger, George Pilger and Michael Forand Jr.; his sister, Susan Putnam; his brother, Lewis LaunderviIle; a special nephew, Lem Treadway; several grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his first wife, Dingena d'Boer of Holland; his companion of 26 years, Pauline Whitford; his sisters, Sarah Bertelli and Frances Cowin; and his granddaughter, Kristixi Pilger.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held Friday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Harland Funeral Home in Port Henry.

Marcella Misnay, 91, of Camillus, N.Y., died Thursday, Oct. 2, 2003, at the Van Duyne Home in Syracuse, N.Y., where she had been a resident.

She was born in Albany, N.Y., on Oct. 3, 1911, the daughter of the late John and Nettie (Bordeaux) Bonville.

Calling hours will be on Monday from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Home in Malone. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10 a.m. at Notre Dame Church in Malone. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Bryant C. Rivers, 39, of Keeseville, died Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Plattsburgh on Sept. 5, 1964, the son of Aloney and Francis (McLean) Rivers.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Keeseville. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery in Keeseville.

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 2003, 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.