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 — Mrs. Alice G. Peterson, 78, of the Bradford Road, Plattsburgh passed away Monday, Feb. 23, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center with her family by her side.

She was born in Montreal, Canada on Feb. 10, 1926, the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Knowles) Noble.

Alice retired from CVPH Medical Center after many years of service. She enjoyed crocheting and traveling.

Alice was predeceased by her parents; her first husband, Ernest Daniels; and several brothers and sisters.

She is survived by her second husband, John "Jackie" Peterson of Plattsburgh; one son, Terry Daniels and his wife Marion of Plattsburgh; three daughters, Nancy Maguire and her husband Paul of Albany, N.Y., Darlene Vanderhoff and her husband Jim of Plattsburgh and Theresa Wells and her husband John of Morrisonville; a sister, Olive Healey of Montreal, Canada; a brother, George Noble and his wife Irene of Toronto; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grand-children; several nieces and nephews.

At Alice’s request there will be no calling hours. Following cremation a funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the home of her daughter Darlene Vanderhoff, 442 Wallace Hill Road, Plattsburgh, N.Y. Interment will be at a later date in St. Peter’s Cemetery.

Arrangements are by the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.

Plattsburgh — Mr. Alfred J. Cereske, 68, of McGauley Avenue, Plattsburgh, 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.

Alfred served in the U.S. Air Force, serving in Thailand and Vietnam. He was a carpenter, gemologist and a locksmith during his military career. Alfred was an avid collector of many things.

He is survived by his wife, the former Ramona Dubuque whom he married Feb. 6, 1965, in Plattsburgh, N.Y.; one daughter, Starlisa Fortin of Plattsburgh; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Farris and Christina Cereske of Norfolk, Va., and Patrick Cereske of Fort Drum, N.Y.; and nine grandchildren.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2004, from 9 to 10:45 a.m. from the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11 a.m. from Our Lady of Victory Church in Plattsburgh. Burial will be later in the year in St. Peter’s Cemetery.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Evergreen Valley Nursing Home Patient Fund.

AuSABLE FORKS — Marion Darrah, 86, of 5 French Village Road, AuSable Forks, died Sunday, Feb. 15, 2004, at the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.

Born in Black Brook on Jan. 26, 1918, she was the daughter of Joseph and Ida (Miner) Seguin.

She married Asa Darrah Sr. on Jan. 26, 1935, at Holy Name Church in AuSable Forks. She was a lifelong resident of AuSable Forks and had been employed by various area hotels, including the Hungry Trout and the Lake Placid Club Resort.

She is survived by two daughters, Edith Howerton of Harkness and Diana Hopkins of Jay; four sons, Asa Darrah Jr. of AuSable Forks, George Darrah of Bradenton, Fla., John Darrah of Schuylerville and Robert Darrah of AuSable Forks; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one brother, William Sequin of Utica; two sisters, Elizabeth Rosio of Plattsburgh and Rita Hibbits of Independence, La.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband on Jan. 4, 1969; two brothers; one sister; one grandchild; and one great- grandchild.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. There will be no calling hours. A funeral service will take place at the convenience of the family in the spring. Interment will be in the Holy Name Cemetery in AuSable Forks.

Friends wishing to remember Marion Darrah may make memorial contributions to the AuSable Forks Volunteer Ambulance Service in care of the funeral home.

PLATTSBURGH — Jean Lavin Harney of Cumberland Head, died Feb. 22, 2004, at the Meadowbrook Nursing Home after a long illness. She was 83.

Mrs. Harney was a teacher and counselor at Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora before her retirement in 1987.

Jean Marie Lavin was born in Plattsburgh on Jan. 29, 1921, the daughter of Eva Costello Lavin and John T. Lavin.

Her mother has been a teacher in New York City before her marriage. Her father was the founder of the J.T. Lavin Candy Company. She graduated from Plattsburgh High School in 1936 and played violin in the Plattsburgh Youth Orchestra. She received a degree in home economics from Plattsburgh State Teachers College in 1941. Many years later, she received a master’s degree in counseling, also from Plattsburgh. She began her teaching career in an Indian school in Hogansburg, N.Y. During World War II she worked for both the Army and the Navy in Plattsburgh. After the war, she worked for Champlain College, which occupied the grounds of the old 26th Infantry. Her maternal grandfather, Thomas Costello, had built some of the barracks for the infantrymen. A few years later, the campus was absorbed by the new Plattsburgh Air Force Base and Champlain College suspended. She also worked for Plattsburgh State in the 1960’s.

She married Thomas H. Harney in 1952. He died in 1978.

She is survived by their four children and families, John L. Harney and his wife Claudia Demello Harney of New York City, Katherine Harney Hubbell and husband George L. Hubbell IV of Plattsburgh, Jane Harney Wray and her husband C. Robert Wray of Cumberland Head and James T. Harney of New York City; and seven grandchildren, David and Mary Harney; Christine, Shane and Erinn Hubbell and Alexander and Emily Wray.

She was a member of the Tuesday Club and the Ladies Auxiliary of CVPH. A docent at SUNY Plattsburgh Galleries, a member of many boards, including Literacy Volunteers of Clinton County, American Cancer Society and Cumberland Head Tomorrow.

Calling hours will be Tuesday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church on Cumberland Head. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Donations in her name may be made to Literacy Volunteers of Clinton County, Hawkins Hall, Plattsburgh, N.Y., or The Nature Conservancy, P.O. Box 65, Keene Valley, N.Y.

MORRISONVILLE — Leona I. Sorrell, 92, formerly of Plattsburgh and for the past 27 years lived in an adjacent apartment to her daughter Shirley, died Monday, Feb. 23, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Plattsburgh on Aug. 14, 1911, the daughter of Edward and Anna (Longtin) Gebo.

Leona married Arthur A. Sorrell in 1948 at St. Peter’s Church, he died in 1961.

She loved to travel and go camping and enjoyed family gatherings. Mrs. Sorrell worked for the New York Telephone for 15 years and in retail sales at several area department stores, including Grandway, for over 30 years, retiring in 1990.

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. James (Shirley) Recore Sr. of Morrisonville; two brothers, Leander and Philip Gebo and their wives, all of Plattsburgh; three sisters, Irene Morales of St. Petersburg, Fla., Velma Hughes of West Chazy and Geraldine Gebo of Morrisonville; one special brother-in-law, Armond Frederick; two grandchildren, James T. Recore Jr. and his wife Dina and Jeffrey S. Recore; and several nieces and nephews.

Three brothers, Hector, Edward and Robert Gebo; and two sisters, Rhea Frederick and Beatrice Bushey died earlier.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday 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 Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Alexander’s Church in Morrisonville. Burial will be at a later date in St. Peter’s Cemetery.

PERU — Linda M. Annis, 55, of Mark Way, Peru, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Plattsburgh on Sept. 27, 1948, the daughter of Hanford and Ethelbert (Annis) Blanchard.

Linda was a member of the Salvation Army.

She enjoyed listening to music and loved children.

Survivors include one son, Phillip Annis and his companion Nicole Burgess of Plattsburgh; one daughter, Heather Annis of Peru; her father, Hanford Blanchard of Peru; and several nieces and nephews.

One brother, Raymond Blanchard; and one sister, Theresa Annis died earlier.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2004, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A funeral service will follow at 6 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with the Reverend Ralph Chapman, pastor of the Turnpike Wesleyan Church, officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Cadyville Protestant Cemetery in Cadyville.

David B. Jackson, 54, of Neil Street, Saranac Lake, died Saturday, Feb. 21, 2004, at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vt.

He was born in Summit, N.J., on Oct. 16, 1949, the son of Davis and Harriet (Bergen) Jackson.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held Friday, Feb. 27, 2004, at 5 p.m. at the Church of St. Luke the Beloved Physician with Father Fredrick Dennis, officiating. Interment will be in Brighton Cemetery, Gabriels in May.

Fortune-Keough Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.

Jennie Campbell McCalvin, 81, of Spring Street, Lake Placid, N.Y., died at her home Feb. 21, 2004.

She was born in Findlay, Ontario, April 24, 1922, the daughter of William and Elisa (Baillie) Campbell.

There are no calling hours. A private service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are with the Clark Funeral Home.

Margurite "Peggy" Hannahs, 84, of LeBoeuf Street, Tupper Lake died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004, at the home of her daughter in Schuyler Falls in care of family and Clinton County Hospice.

Calling hours were held at the Richer Funeral Home in Tupper Lake on Monday, Feb. 23, 2004. A funeral Mass will be held at Holy Name Church in Tupper Lake at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2004. Internment at Holy Name Cemetery will be in May.