Published: 2/23/04

PERU — Cherished husband, father, and grandfather John Edward Johnson passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 18, 2004, at the early age of 66.

Born on Dec. 4, 1937, in Brooklyn, he moved to East Hartland, Conn., at the age of 4, where he spent his childhood.

John enlisted in the military, serving from 1957 to 1959. Upon completion of his duty, he embarked on a new stage in his life, where he received his undergraduate degrees, majoring in sociology and psychology, from Moorhead State University in Minnesota. Serendipitously, he was led to the woman with whom he would share the next 36 years of his life, Kathleen Werlinger.

On the night of Dec. 27, 1968, in the midst of a Minnesota blizzard, he married Katy, his college sweetheart. Then returning to his New England roots, he completed his master’s degree at the University of Connecticut, School of Social Work, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

John’s work in the mental health field influenced communities across Minnesota, California, Kentucky, Oregon, and New York.

John began his work as director of Community Mental Health Services in Clinton County in 1979. He spent nearly 25 years building programs and was the primary architect, manager and inspirational conscience of the regional mental health system. John organized many programs and community services that are revered as models of excellence, recognized by numerous official accolades and awards.

Fulfilling another calling, John loved sharing knowledge with young minds at Plattsburgh State University, where he taught sociology. Remembered by students for his enthusiasm and authentic concern for their success, he was noted for his jovial demeanor and youthful personality.

However, John’s proudest accomplishment, if asked, was being a husband and father as he nurtured his own family. With faithful generosity and integrity, and his wife by his side, he instilled his personal, deep-seated emphasis on humanity within his children: Jennifer, Charles and Maggie.

John’s natural gifts included his master carpentry skills, his love for antiques, his talent as an artist and writer, and his unparalleled ability to touch people with his genuine compassion. His affection for woodworking was rooted in his father’s Norwegian heritage. His reverence for nature was inspired through his exploration of the wooded New England hills that surrounded his childhood home.

John Edward Johnson’s legacy will be carried on through his three children, who have all chosen to pursue professions in service to humanity. He will continue to watch the world through his crystal blue eyes, which he donated as his last gift to someone in need. John’s spirit lives on inside the hearts of his wife, children, and grandchildren, as well as all the people whose lives were changed by his genuine and giving nature.

Calling hours will be held Thursday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru. A celebration of his life will be Friday at 2 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Church in Peru.

Dedications may be made in John’s memory to: Running Strong For American Indian Youth, a project of Christian Relief Services, PO Box 670, Raton, N.M. 87740-9970.

PLATTSBURGH — Ruth "Alma" Brothers passed away peacefully on Feb. 21, 2004, at CVPH Medical Center with her daughter, Kenna, at her side.

She was born June 24, 1913 in Rouses Point, the daughter of Arthur and Myrtle (Conkrite) Taylor.

She was a lifelong resident of this area. She was a homemaker and retired as librarian of the Dodge Memorial Library in Rouses Point after 29 years of dedicated service. She enjoyed her many plants and flowers, was an avid animal lover, and enjoyed watching sports on television. She was a member of the Plattsburgh Women’s Bowling Association for many years. In her younger years, she was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

She was married to David A. Brothers, who predeceased her in 1976.

She is survived by two daughters, Janice (Donald) Williams of Melfa, Va., and Kenna (Kenneth) LaMora of Plattsburgh, whom she lived next door to for 27 years; two granddaughters and their spouses, Karra and Dennis Poupore of West Chazy and Ashley and Greg Frederick of Virginia Beach, Va.; three grandsons and their spouses, David and Michele Williams of Crownsville, Md., Jeffrey and Susan Williams of Richmond, Va., and Stewart Williams of Melfa, Va.; four great-grandchildren, Karrisa MaKenna Poupore, Lilly and Madison Williams and Chelsea Williams.

Her parents, two sisters, Marion T. Wilson and Beatrice Lamb, and a brother, Arthur Taylor, predeceased her.

Calling hours will be at R.W. Walker Funeral Home from 4 to 7 tonight. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Funeral Home, with the Rev. John Sorensen, pastor of Trinity Episcopal Church, officiating. Burial will be in the family plot at the Maple Hill Cemetery, Rouses Point, in the spring.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Adirondack Humane Society.

ELIZABETHTOWN — Joseph "Hervie" Richer, 75, of Cutting Road, died Saturday, February 21, 2004, at the Elizabethtown Community Hospital. He was born Jan. 4, 1929, in Tupper Lake, the son of Albert and Cecile (Brunet) Richer.

Hervie attended Tupper Lake Schools and was a veteran of the Korean conflict. On June 17, 1973, he married his second wife, Sheila Denton, in Elizabethtown. He enjoyed visiting with his granddaughters, but especially his only grandson, Ethan.

Hervie was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed camping at Little Wolf and Lake Eaton. He was famous for his home-ground horseradish, a favorite of many family members and friends. He will be remembered for his love of the outdoors and his great abilities as a "Jack of all trades." He was especially known for his skill of repairing golf carts. Golfers throughout the area would bring their broken down golf carts to him and he always seemed to get them going again.

In addition to his wife, Sheila, of Elizabethtown, he is survived by four daughters, Mary Richer and her partner, Gail Smith, of Tupper Lake, Marilyn Benware and husband, Charles, of South Glens Falls, Elizabeth Forsell and husband, Mark, of Raquette Lake, Cecile Bush and husband, Randy, of Long Lake; seven grandchildren, Johanna and Ethan Bush, Kathryn, Jennifer and Amanda Forsell, Bridget and Heather Benware; one sister, Rita Cummings of Mattydale; three brothers, Rolland and Arthur of Tupper Lake and Leonard Richer of Syracuse; his first wife, Margaret Jennings Jonasch of Long Lake; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Richer Funeral home, 25 Park St., Tupper Lake, and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at W.M. Marvins Sons, 7521 Court St., Elizabethtown. A funeral Mass will be held at 11:15 a.m. Thursday at W.M. Marvins Sons Funeral Home in Elizabethtown. Burial will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Elizabethtown in the spring.

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

JEAN LAVIN HARNEY, 83, of Cumberland Head, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004, at the Meadowbrook Nursing Home.

Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

ALFRED J. CERESKE, 68, of McGauley Avenue, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004, at the Evergreen Valley Nursing Home in Plattsburgh. He was born on Dec. 19, 1935, son of the late Farris and Edna (Patrick) Banfield.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

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