Published: 10/27/04

Venice, Fla. — Audrey (MacKenzie) Otis of Venice, Fla., died after a long illness on Oct. 24, 2004.

She was born March 14, 1931, in Quincy, Mass., the daughter of James and Margaret (McHale) MacKenzie, both deceased.

At an early age, the family moved to the Wadhams-Elizabethtown, N.Y., area. She graduated from the Elizabethtown-Lewis Central School and attended Heidelberg College at Tiffin, Ohio. After returning to Elizabethtown, she worked for many years for New York Telephone.

She married Gregory Otis on Dec. 21, 1950, in Valley Stream, N.Y.

She was the proud mother of three daughters, Holly Albino of Nokomis, Fla., Melissa Dixon of Allison Park, Pa., and Kelli Otis of Oswego, N.Y., all of whom survive her. She is also survived by a brother, James MacKenzie; sister-in-law, Helen MacKenzie; brother- in-law, Walter Otis; sisters-in-law, Sandra Levitt and Thelma Otis.

A sister, Margaret De Santis; a brother, Jack MacKenzie; and brother-in-law, Gordon Otis, predeceased her.

Her greatest joy following retirement to Florida was singing programs at Harbor Isles and Venetian Harmony Sweet Adelines.

A memorial service will be held in Elizabethtown, N.Y., at the family’s convenience.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to American Diabetes Association, 12734 Kenwood Lane SW, Suite 39, Fort Myers, FL 33907.

Arrangements by James A. McKee Funeral Homes, North Port, Fla.

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 at 2 p.m. A gathering for family and friends 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.

Putnam Station — Ruth Madeline Pulling, 82, of Putnam Station, passed away Monday, Oct. 25, 2004, at the Horace Nye Nursing Home of Elizabethtown.

Born in Townsend, Mass., on March 9, 1922, she was the daughter of the late George V. and Flora (Stewart) Powell.

Mrs. Pulling was a resident of Putnam Station for many years. She also lived in Fort Ann for many years before moving to Putnam in 1960.

Over the years, she was employed as a sales clerk at Dorian’s Clothing Store in Ticonderoga and the Frontier Town Gift Shop. She was also a local school bus driver for special education children.

During World War II, Mrs. Pulling was a plane spotter from Maine to the Carolina’s.

She was a member of the Fort Ticonderoga Chapter 442, Order of the Eastern Star.

She was predeceased by her husband, Robert L. Pulling on Nov. 4, 1999. She was also predeceased by two sisters, Marjorie Hartman and Glenna Powell; and one brother, Rodney Powell.

Survivors include four sons, John Pulling of Eagle River, Ak., Bruce Pulling of Addison, Vt., James Pulling of Ticonderoga and Barry Pulling of Putnam Station; and one daughter, Ruthann Rich Duncan of Wells, Vt. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grand- children; and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home, 11 Algonkin St., Ticonderoga. A funeral service will take place Friday, 11 a.m. at the Putnam United Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Sharon Weber, Pastor, will officiate.

Crown Point — Virginia Tremblay Spaulding, died peacefully in her Crown Point, N.Y., home on Monday, Oct. 25, 2004.

She was born on Sept. 21, 1920, in Highgate, Vt., the daughter of Joseph and Olive Tremblay (deceased) and sister of Raymond Tremblay of Burlington, Vt., Genevieve Lynch of Florida, Jacqueline Weiss of Florida and Raoul Tremblay (deceased) of Springfield, Vt. She was the loving wife of Earl C. Spaulding Jr. for nearly 58 years and mother of Joseph E. Spaulding (deceased) of Shelburne, Vt., Mary Spaulding Kirkwood of Nashua, N.H., and Christopher P. Spaulding of Crown Point, N.Y.

Mrs. Spaulding enjoyed tremendously her legacy of 10 grandchildren, Jeremy, Jeffrey and Jennifer, children of Joseph and Catherine (Hogan) Spaulding; Peter, Adam, Megin and Kelly, children of Mary and Robert Kirkwood; and Shelby, Jacob and Clayten, children of Christopher and Catherine (Carlson) Spaulding.

Family and faith were her core, but teaching was her passion. After graduating from the University of Vermont with a degree in education, Mrs. Spaulding took a position as sole teacher in a one room school house in Highgate, Vt. During World War II she left teaching briefly to work as an inspector at Vermont Gear in Springfield, Vt. After marrying and moving to New York, Mrs Spaulding taught first in the Street Road School in Ticonderoga, N.Y., before going to Moriah School. In total she taught 38 years, mostly challenging third graders. She will be fondly remembered for her strength of faith, love of family, professional dedication and generosity.

Calling hours will be held Thursday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Harland Funeral Home in Port Henry, A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Crown Point. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Crown Point. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully suggests donations to St. Anne’s Shrine, PO Box 280, Isle La Motto, VT 05463 in Virginia Spaulding’s name.

Ellijay Ga. — Walton Tomlinson Buck Sr. passed away peacefully Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, at his Ellijay, Ga. residence, surrounded by his family.

Walton was born on April 5, 1937, in Tuxedo, N.Y., and lived in Stony Point until his retirement in 1992. He was an electrician and worked for Orange and Rockland Utilities for 37 years. He was a 32nd degree mason and of the methodist faith.

He was preceded in death by his father, Daniel T. Buck; mother, Gertrude W. Back; brother, Ronald M. Buck; and son, Daniel M. Buck.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jane Lowther Buck of Ellijay; son and daughter-in-law; Walton T. Jr. and Kimberly of Willsboro, N.Y.; daughter and son-in-law; Romy and Sam Strickland of Griffin; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. from the Chapel of Bernhardt Funeral Home with Rev. Brian Dale, officiating. Music is by Irene Wofford. Pallbearers are Justin Buck, Johnny Marckwood, Rexel Gillespie, James Weaver, Austin Strickland and Bill Weaver. Interment will be in Atlanta, Ga., on Friday at 2 p.m. at the West View Cemetery, under the direction of Bernhardt Funeral Home.

Essex, N.Y. — Milton "Sonny" F. LaPine, 72, of Main Street, Essex, died at his home Monday, Oct. 25, 2004, after a long illness.

He was born in Essex, Dec. 9, 1931, the son of Harry and Marguerite (Lawrence) LaPine. Mr. LaPine was a Korean War veteran having served in the U.S. Army, he was retired from NYCO Mining Co., a member of the Essex Fire Co., the American Legion, the National Veterans of Foreign War and Keeseville BPOE 2072.

He is survived by three sons and their families; Jerry Lapine of Willsboro, Mark and Ginger LaPine of Willsboro and Kevin and Jill LaPine of Willsboro; four grandchildren LeighAn and Aaron Valachovic, Tyler LaPine and Bryce and Jeremy LaPine; one great-grand daughter Lydia Valachovic, all of Willsboro; a sister, Marion Lee; and a brother and sister-in-law, Harry (Puss) and Claire LaPine.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at the Essex Community Methodist Church at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at the Black Brook Cemetery, Westport, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials in his memory be made to the Essex Rescue Squad or Fire Company. Huestis Funeral Home in Willsboro is in charge of arrangements.

Alma V. Laundrie, 93, of Rouses Point, died Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

Calling hours will be Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Clark Funeral Home in Rouses Point. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick’s Church in Rouses Point.

IRMA M. McCLEOD, 100, of Averyville Road, Lake Placid, died Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004 at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.

She was born in Lake Placid June 1, 1904, the daughter of Charles and Bessie (Malbone) McCleod.

Friends are invited to call Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Clark Funeral Home in Lake Placid. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the Pilgrim Holiness Church in Lake Placid. The Rev. Douglas Cox, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in North Elba Cemetery in Lake Placid.

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