Published: 9/24/04

WEST CHAZY — Shirley S. Derusha, 79, of Stratton Hill Road, passed away Thursday, Sept. 23, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center after a courageous battle with kidney disease. She was the youngest of 13 children, born to George and Lucy (Leazott) Donivan on May 8, 1925. She was greatly admired and loved by all for her brave spirit and will to live.

Shirley married her devoted husband, Armand, while he was home on leave from the U.S. Army/Air Force on Jan. 9, 1945, at St. Joseph's Rectory in West Chazy. She was a longtime member of St. Joseph's Church in West Chazy.

Even as a busy mother of five, she made time for outside pursuits. She enjoyed teaching and taught religion at Sacred Heart Church in Chazy. She later mentored as a Literacy Volunteer. She also loved sewing (especially for her children) and played the piano with great enthusiasm. She was an avid bowler, participating in adult leagues for many years. Perhaps her greatest love was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Survivors include her beloved husband, Armand of West Chazy; three sons, two daughters and their families: Dale Derusha and his wife Karen of Plattsburgh, their children Katelyn of Plattsburgh and Allison of New York City; Brent Derusha and his longtime companion Valerie Bacon of Plattsburgh; Neil Derusha and his companion Marilyn Casey of Saranac, his daughter Corinne of Ohio; Lisa Zohrehvand and her husband Fariborz of California, their children Nema, Mona and Sarah; Kristie Billups and her husband Ken and their children, Nathan, Treye and Drew of Plattsburgh; one sister, Florence Donivan of Chazy; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church in West Chazy. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation.

Otisville, N.Y. — Walter James Giveans, beloved father of the late James B. Giveans and U.S. Army veteran who served as SP4 in Korea during the Vietnam War era, passed away suddenly on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004, in North Hudson. He was 53.

The son of Betty J. (Giveans) Randall and the late Chief Petty Officer George B. Giveans II, he was born on Jan. 14, 1951, in Memphis, Tenn.

A longtime resident of Otisville, Walter was a heavy equipment operator who held an active Class A CDL.

In addition to his mother of Westport, survivors include his life companion, Eileen Marallo of Otisville; four brothers, Ronald L. Giveans and his wife Sondra L. of Indiana, George B. Giveans III of Otisville, Gary W. Giveans of Middletown and Daniel "Curt" Mead of Westport; two sisters, Diana "Lynn" Fournier and her husband Joseph B. of Arizona and Shannan L. Fleury of Westport; Eileen's daughter, Tara E. Ehrbar of New Windsor, her parents, Eileen and Joseph A. Marallo of Wappingers Falls and a brother, Steven J. Marallo of Fishkill; several nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews. He will also be missed by Dozer, his Chocolate Labrador.

Friends are invited to come celebrate his life in an open service at the Community Center in Otisville on Sunday, October 3rd.

There will be a private service on Sunday, Sept. 26th, at the Wallkill Cemetery, Philipsburgh. An additional service will be held at a later date in Westport.

Arrangements are with the W.M. Marvins Sons Funeral Home.

Boise, Idaho — Marion Brown Walker, 67, daughter of Ruth and John Brown of Cadyville, N.Y., died in Boise, Idaho, after a three-year battle with cancer.

She died on Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, in the hospital with her family at her side.

Marion was born and grew up in Cadyville, N.Y. She received her training in nursing from Champlain Valley Hospital. Shortly after that, she moved to Boise, Idaho, where she was a registered nurse for 16 years at St. Alphonsus Hospital. She finished the last 18 years of her career with the mobile blood unit of the American Red Cross.

She is survived by her children, Shauneen Grange and Shannon Walker; her daughter-in-law, Dana Walker; her grandchildren, Jackie, Hannah and Moli; her sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Al Wolfgang of Cadyville, N.Y.; a sister-in-law, Loretta Brown; four nieces and nephews; and her devoted friend, Russ Cheney.

A Mass will be said in her name on Wednesday, Sept. 29th, at 8:30 a.m. at St. James Church in Cadyville, N.Y.

Beacon, N.Y. — Joseph K. Cumm, 22, died at West Medical Center on Sept. 22, 2004.

He was born in Albany, N.Y., on Feb. 11, 1982, the son of Glen and Crystal Cumm Foley.

He was a former resident of Keeseville and had lived in Beacon for the past 13 years. He was a graduate of Beacon High School. He was employed for the past two years at Wal-Mart in Fishkill. He was an avid fisherman and video game player.

He is survived by his parents, at home; one sister, Alisha Cumm, at home; paternal grandparents Roger and Devon Foley of Hughsonville, N.Y.; maternal grandparents Terrance and Sharron Cumm of Keeseville, Patricia Solberg of Las Vegas, Nev., and Arthur Solberg of Dover, N.Y.; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, Sept. 25th, at the Straub Funeral Home, Inc., Wappingers Falls, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Following the calling hours, a funeral service will be held at 8:30 p.m. with the Rev. Sandra Mantz officiating. Additional calling hours will be held on Monday, Sept. 27th, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Huestis Funeral Home, 6 Maple St., Willsboro, N.Y., followed by a graveside service at Memorial Cemetery, Willsboro, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a children’s charity of your choice.

Gerald G. Gleich, 70, of 1000 County Rte. 25, Malone, died Thursday, Sept. 23, 2004, at the Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone. He had been a patient there since Sept. 22.

He was born in Bangor, N.Y., on Sept. 11, 1934, the son of the late George and Beatrice (Rowell) Gleich.

Calling hours will be Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Home in Malone. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. at Notre Dame Church. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery.

Irene H. Bertok, 94, formerly of Port Henry, died Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2004, at the Horace Nye Nursing Home in Elizabethtown.

She was born June 28, 1910, in Witherbee, N.Y., the daughter of Geza and Anna (Petig) Bertok.

There will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held Friday, Sept. 24th, at 10 a.m. at Union Cemetery in Port Henry.

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