Published: 10/30/04

Saranac — Melissa E. Giventer Bentoski, 25, died Wednesday, June 30, 2004.

Survivors include her husband of nearly two years, Mark Alan Bentoski, USAF and son Austin Alexander Bentoski, Hampton, Va.; her father, Curt (Metalman) Giventer and his wife Treza of Saranac; her mother, Carol Ekelund Young of Gloversville; three brothers, Curt Giventer Jr. of Staten Island and Cody and Josey Champagne of Saranac; grandmother Mildred Giventer, great-grandpa Sam and uncle Barney Giventer, all from New Jersey; great-uncle John Nuzzo of Staten Island; four aunts, Terry and husband Larry Moran, Mimi Ekelund, Barbra Ekelund, Nancy and husband Joe Dolan; uncle Gus Ekelund and his wife Susan; five cousins; and her special horse, Hollywood.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Gustav and Teresa Ekelund of Great Kills, Staten Island.

On July 3rd, a funeral service was held at Langley Air Force Base, Hampton, Va., at the main chapel with chaplain Christian Biscotti officiating.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Aug. 1st, 2004, at the Dannemora Methodist Church at 2 p.m. followed by the committal service at the Saranac Independence Cemetery with pastor Ken Davis officiating.

We welcome our many friends and family to join us for a gathering of food and drink at our home on Route 3, Saranac, following the services in celebration of our daughter Melissa's life.

The O'Neill-Redden-Drown Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Westport — Jaroslav (Jaro) Svoboda, born in Prague in 1942, died on July 26, 2004.

He left his country in 1968 to pursue his career in Canada at Concordia University as a full professor in mechanical engineering, Director of M. Eng. Program in Aerospace and Director of Concordia Center for Industrial controls.

His love for Westport and the Adirondacks made it his home, where he could devote his time to his passion for flying.

He will be terribly missed by all his friends in Westport and Montreal.

He leaves behind his sister, Maria Svoboda, in Prague; his brother-in-law, Franz Bartoska, in Switzerland; and his beloved adopted family for more than 20 years, his partner Carla Maarse, Barbara Newton Maarse and Willem Nico Maarse.

A private service will be held.

Donations may be made in his memory to an S.P.C.A. of your choice.

AuSable Forks — Theresa E. Estes, 72, of Green Street, died Thursday, July 29, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

Theresa was born March 20, 1932, in Keeseville, the daughter of William and Lena (Duell) Warner.

She was employed for 22 years at Steinholl's Sportmen's Inn, Wilmington. She was also employed for 13 years at the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base. She and her husband enjoyed attending square dances.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Gerald Estes of AuSable Forks; two daughters and two sons-in-law, Carolyn and Mike Fitzsimmons and Kathleen and Steve Thompson; a son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Sandi Estes; a sister and brother-in-law, Catherine and Alberto Rivera; a brother-in-law, Rodney and Alberta Estes; three sisters-in-law, Bettie Murphy, Beatrice and Frank Fressie and Celia and Nick Stephenson. She is also survived by several grandchildren, Carolee (Mike) Barber, Nick (Kari) Fitzsimmons, Megan Fitzsimmons, Casey Thompson, Cory Thompson; great-grandchildren, Owen and Gabriel and Liam Barber; and many nieces and nephews.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service for Theresa will be held Monday, August 2nd, at 11 a.m. at the Holy Name Catholic Church, AuSable Forks.

Memorials to Theresa may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

The Zaumetzer - Sprague Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Plattsburgh — Mr. Ronald H. Venne, 51, of Bailey Avenue, Plattsburgh, passed away Thursday, July 29, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center.

He was born in Plattsburgh on April 8, 1953, the son of Vivian and Elizabeth (Rabideau) Venne.

Ronald was a graduate of Plattsburgh High School. He also received a degree in welding and small engines. Ronald was self employed. He was a gifted artist who enjoyed a career and hobby of photography and building beautiful detailed models. He dedicated his life to helping others, family members, neighbors and friends. He volunteered his services to many community service projects. He made many appearances on the Home Town Channel 57 with Gordon Little. He was a member of the Antique Automotive Association Museum.

Survivors include his mother, Elizabeth Venne of Plattsburgh; his two sisters and brothers-in-law, Helen and Joe Profeti of Waterbury, Conn., and Nyoka and Felix Lareau of Plattsburgh. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. from St. Peter's Church.

Interment will follow in the family plot in St. Peter's Cemetery.

Emma M. Crowningshield, 79, died Tuesday, July 27, 2004, at the Elizabethtown Community Hospital.

She was born in Westport, N.Y., on May 5, 1925, the daughter of William and Anna Lovett.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, Aug. 2nd, at W.M. Marvin’s Sons in Elizabethtown from 11 to noon with a funeral service following. Burial will follow at New Burt Cemetery in Whallonsburgh.

Eunice B. Perry, 91, of 240 Broadway, Saranac Lake, died Thursday, July 29, 2004, at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.

She was born in Owl's Head, N.Y., on Oct. 2, 1912, the daughter of Wallace and Emma (Benware) Lester.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. There will be no calling hours. Funeral services will take place at the convenience of the family. Burial will take place at St. Bernard Cemetery in Saranac Lake.

Elizabeth L. Hanlon, "Betty," 86, of Church Street, Chateaugay, died July 30, 2004, at Cedar Hedge Nursing Home, Rouses Point, after being a patient there since July 21st.

Calling hours will be Sunday, Aug. 1st, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Chateaugay Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Monday, August 2nd, at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.

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

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