Published: 10/26/04

Ticonderoga, N.Y. — John Robert Miller, 73, of Mossey Point Road, passed away Monday, Oct. 25, 2004, at his residence.

Born in Englewood, N.J., July 2, 1931, he was the son of the late James and Elsa (Reinecke) Miller.

Mr. Miller was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, having served during the Korean War.

He was raised in Leonia, N.J., before moving to Teaneck, N.J. He was a resident of Teaneck for many years and attended Fairleigh Dickerson University of Teaneck.

He married Joan D. Swenson on June 26, 1954.

He owned and operated J. Miller Plumbing and Heating of Teaneck, N.J., for many years and was a member of the New Jersey League of Master Plumbers. He served as Boy Scout Leader of Troop 205 of Teaneck, N.J., for many years where he received the Order of the Arrow.

He has been a summer resident of Ticonderoga since 1979 before becoming a permanent resident in 1995 after his retirement.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ticonderoga and served as treasurer of the church.

He was predeceased by one grandson, John Peter Burger.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Joan D. Miller; two daughters, Joanne M. Burger of Long Valley, N.J., and Julia M. Miller of Bloomfield, N.J.; one son, James C. Miller of Ringwood, N.J.; one brother, James C. Miller of Rhode Island; and one sister, Helen M. Johnson of Norwalk, Conn. He is also survived by five granddaughters, Cheryl Burger, Carolyn Burger, Emily Burger, Chelsea Miller and Hayley Miller; and two nieces; and one nephew.

Relatives and friends may call Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home, 11 Algonkin St., Ticonderoga. A funeral service will take place 11 a.m. Thursday at the First United Methodist Church of Ticonderoga. The Rev. Prudence Bertolino, pastor, will officiate.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Music Ministry at the First United Methodist Church, Wicker Street, Ticonderoga, NY 12993.

Elizabethtown, N.Y. — Retired SFC Arnold G. Christian, 79, former longtime resident of Elizabethtown, N.Y., passed away Oct. 24, 2004, at Moses Ludington Nursing Home in Ticonderoga, N.Y.

He was born July 31, 1925, in Essex, N.Y., the son of Edmund and Stella Christian.

He married Rosemarie Klotz March 17, 1949, in Pfaffenhofen, Germany.

Arnold spent 30 years prior to his retirement in 1971 serving his country in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army. He was a decorated veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict, having received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and numerous other medals for services rendered to his country in time of war and peace. He was a member of American Legion Post 551 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1509.

Arnold enjoyed gardening, hunting and spending time with his family.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Curt and Michelle Owings-Christian of Parsippany, N.J.; five daughters and two sons-in-law, Caroline Baker of Middleton, Mass., Christine and Fred Bashaw of Clintonville, N.Y., Catherine Slater of Indianapolis, Ind., Carmen Cassavaugh of Lewis, N.Y., and Cynthia and Glenn Stevens of Westport, N.Y.; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grand children.

Arnold was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Rosemarie Christian; a son, John Robert; one brother, Donald; one sister, Dorothy; and two sons-in-law, Larry Baker and Earl Cassavaugh.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.

As per his wishes there will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held in the Lewis Cemetery, Lewis, N.Y., Saturday, Oct. 30, at 2 p.m. A gathering for family and will be held after the service at the home of Cynthia Stevens, Morrison Road, Westport, N.Y.

Arrangements are with W.M. Marvins Sons Funeral Home in Elizabethtown.

Keeseville — Irene E. Brunk, 69, of the Highlands Road, Keeseville, died Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, at her home under the loving care of her family.

She was born in AuSable Forks, June 20, 1935, the daughter of Clifford and Beatrice (Shaw) Murray.

She was a homemaker and was also employed at AuSable Chasm for several seasons. Irene was a member of the Woman of St. Paul's Church in Keeseville.

She enjoyed shopping, traveling and the Christmas holiday, but especially loved spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her children and spouses, Debra and Robert Rock of Willsboro, Max and Pam Brunk of Willsboro, Phil and Tammy Brunk of Keeseville, Sandy and Peter Trombley of Keeseville, Tina Leistner of Willsboro and Sean Brunk of Holliday, Texas; two brothers, William Murray of Keeseville and Walter Murray of AuSable Forks; a sister, Mary Goucher of Plattsburgh; a sister-in-law, Catherine Murray of Keeseville; 12 grandchildren; two great-grand- children; very close family friends, Mike and Pam Lesperance of Maryland; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Royal P. Brunk; a brother, John Murray; and a granddaughter, Samantha Rock.

There will be no public calling hours. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2004, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Keeseville. Burial will follow in the Port Douglas Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Keeseville or High Peaks Hospice of Essex County.

Arrangements are by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Keeseville.

PLATTSBURGH — Audrey A. Wilford, 88, of Battery Street, Plattsburgh, died Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Morrisonville on Feb. 25, 1916, the daughter of William and Denise (Sorrell) Trombly.

Mrs. Wilford married Joseph Wilford in 1935. He died in 1984.

During World War II she worked for the Navy Indoctrination Corps and the Army Corps of Engineers at the base in Plattsburgh. Following the war she worked at the Convalescent Hospital on the base and then as a clerk at the Champlain College Bookstore on the base until the Air Force took over the book store in 1984. Audrey was a member of Our Lady of Victory Church since 1950. She loved and enjoyed her family. She also enjoyed going to Burger King, every day, for lunch.

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. James (Joan) Williams of Rome, N.Y.; one son-in-law, Nicholas Mihalochick of Perris, Calif.; a special friend, Anna Mae Goldfarb and her family of Plattsburgh; 11 cherished grandchildren; 27 great- grandchildren; two great- great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband; and two daughters, Constance Lowell and Beverly Mihalochick.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Vigil Service will be held at 3 p.m. in the funeral home. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Chazy.

Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Victory Church Memorial Fund.

JAY, N.Y. — Courtney Lee Smith, 31, died Oct. 22, 2004, at the Fletcher Allen Health Care Facility in Burlington, Vt.

She was born Jan. 6, 1973, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, N.Y., to Vincent Smith and Patricia (Fitz-Gerald) Smith.

Courtney graduated as a home-school student from Adirondack Christian School and attended Clinton Community College.

Her employment included many aspects of the food service business, the jewelry department at Walmart and New York State Parks and Recreation, 1,000 Island.

An active member and leader in 4-H, her interests were horses, crafts and projects, animals, children and public speaking. She also enjoyed the outdoors, sports, reading and learning, music and her love of God, family and friends.

Courtney had a smile for anyone whose path crossed hers, wherever life found her. Hers was a gentle, loving nature, touching lives with compassion and unconditional love. Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon, Where there is doubt, faith, Where there is despair, hope, Where there is darkness, light,and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to he consoled, as to console; To be understood, as to understand; To be loved, as to love; For it is in giving that we receive - It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

She is survived by her parents, Vincent Smith and Patricia Fitz-Gerald; her sister, Lindsay Fitz-Gerald; and numerous aunt; uncles; and cousins.

There will be a memorial service Saturday, Nov. 6 at 11 a.m. at the Independent Baptist Church in Keeseville.

Donations can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Association; The Vermont Kidney Association, PO Box 244, Burlington, VT 05402; The Melissa Penfield Organ and Donor Fund, 75 Beekman Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901; or The Freedman Renal Center, Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Thomas Alvin Sexton, 72, of Fuller Avenue in Tupper Lake died at his home on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004, accompanied by his family.

He was born May 1, 1932, in Tupper Lake, the son of Matthew and Nulma (Farmer) Sexton.

A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2004, at Holy Name Church at 1 p.m. Burial with full military honors will follow at Holy Name Cemetery. Friends are invited to join his family for a reception in his honor following at the Veterans of Foreign Wars on Park Street.

Milton LaPine died Monday, Oct. 25, 2004, at his home in Essex, N.Y.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced in tomorrow's Press-Republican. Huestis Funeral Home, Willsboro, N.Y., is in charge of arrangements.

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Press-Republican, 170 Margaret St., P.O. Box 459, Plattsburgh, NY 12901

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