Published: 12/11/04

Champlain — James R. Lancto, 71, died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh with his family by his side.

He was born April 21, 1933, in Lyon Mountain, N.Y., the son of Clifford N. Lancto and Laura Varin. He retired from Graymont in Saranac Lake, N.Y., in 2001 and was a member of the Teamsters Local Union No. 687 of Watertown, N.Y. He loved a good joke and was a country music entertainer.

He is survived by his mother; two sons, Bryon Lancto and his wife Lisa of Cleveland, Tenn., and Michael Lancto of Liberty, Texas; three daughters, Laural Baker and her husband Jim of Underhill, Vt., Chele DeLaCerda of Wharton, Texas, and Tammy Lancto of Plattsburgh, N.Y.; two brothers, Leon Lancto and his wife Mona of Champlain, N.Y., and Earl Lancto of Lantana, Fla.; two sisters, Elsie Schmeelke and her husband Bill of Lockport, N.Y., and Shelby Donahue of Hollywood, Fla.; and several grandchildren; great - grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his father, Clifford; and one granddaughter, Kim Lapinski.

Calling hours will be on Saturday, Dec. 11th, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the M.B. Clark Funeral Home, 196 Elm St., in Champlain. A funeral service will follow at the funeral home at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are with the M.B. Clark Funeral Home in Champlain.

Essex — Elaine S. Marin, 71, of Essex, N.Y., passed away on Dec. 7, 2004, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

Elaine was the proud mother of three daughters, Rhonda, Leesa and Juli, as well as three attentive sons-in-law, Michael, Sammy and Paul.

Her last days were filled with much love and laughter and she was surrounded by the family that she loved, as well as the wonderful staff of R-5.

She leaves behind five adoring grandchildren, Chris, Heather, Nicki, Marin and Hilary; and five great - grandchildren, Michael, Gabrielle, Morgan, Micheal and Allison; as well as three brothers, Bud, Wayne and Tommy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

There are no calling hours. A private family celebration of Elaine's life is planned.

Remembrances may be made to the oncology department of R-5 at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital.

AuSable Forks — Marion M. Betters, 81, went to the arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004.

She was born in AuSable Forks, July 21, 1923, the daughter of Frank and Rachel (Clair) Betters.

Marion loved to help people and was a deeply religious woman. She spent many years taking care of her elderly parents, raising a family and being a homemaker. She was a friend to many and was always looking to help out anyone who was in need. After the death of her mother, Marion took a job at the Holy Name Rectory as a housekeeper and cook for Father William Gordon; when he was transferred to St. Alexander’s in Morrisonville, Marion went to continue housekeeping and cooking. When Father Gordon was transferred again, he asked her to go with him, but she didn't want to leave family behind; she was close to her retirement, which she looked forward to. She stayed at St. Alexander’s and continued her duties as housekeeper and cook for Father Sturtz until her retirement.

Survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Susan Betters of AuSable Forks; a brother, Howard Betters of Plattsburgh; two grandchildren, Patti Betters of AuSable Forks and Lori Smith of Tampa, Fla.; four great-grandchildren, Isaiah and Savannah Bass of AuSable Forks and Donovan and Kayla Smith of Tampa; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; a brother, Francis (Frank); and a sister, Blanche Betters.

She will be very much missed, but never forgotten. May she rest in peace.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial Mass will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Holy Name Catholic Church in AuSable Forks and burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Memorials to her may be made to Holy Name Church.

Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Rome, N.Y. — Kenneth G. Boyd, 87, of 210 E. Linden St., died Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004.

He was born April 14, 1917, in Peru, N.Y., the son of James E. and Abby Boyd.

Ken graduated from Keeseville High School in 1935 and Simons School of Mortuary Science in 1939. On July 25, 1942, he married Jewel C. Smith in Rochester, N.Y. Ken served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

After the war, he worked for L.A. Jeffries Funeral Home in Rochester until moving to Rome in July 1948 to work for Waldo Wiggins Prince. Ken became a partner with Waldo in 1963 and in 1975 became owner of the Prince and Boyd Home for Funerals. Ken retired in 1995.

He was a member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church, Rome Rotary Club, Elks Club and the Baron Steuben Lodge F.&A.M. He had been a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, New York State Funeral Directors Association and theTri-County Funeral Directors Association.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Jewel; a daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Richard Cianfrocco of Rome; a son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Shelia Harris Boyd of Remsen; a sister and brother-in-law, Jane and David Everett of Peru; six grandchildren, Jesse Boyd and his wife Heather of Boonville, Ian Boyd of Rome and Colin Boyd and his fiancée Kristin Neely of Rome, Corin Cianfrocco of Rochester, Rebekah Cianfrocco and Abbie Cianfrocco of Rome; and a great-granddaughter, Jillian Boyd.

The family would like to thank the staff of 2 North at Rome Memorial Hospital and Ken's physicians for their wonderful care.

Relatives and friends may call at the Prince-Boyd & Hyatt Home for Funerals, Inc., 210 W. Court St., Rome, on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church on Monday at 1 p.m. Interment will be in Rome Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to ARC Oneida-Lewis Chapter, Rome Day Services, 245 Genesee St., Utica, NY 13502 or the First Presbyterian Church, Rome.

PLATTSBURGH — Roger C. Thompson, 64, of Genesee Lane, died Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center.

He was born in Lincoln, Vt., on June 28, 1940, the son of Ralph and Ida (Cram) Thompson.

Roger served in Korea with the U.S. Amy in the early 1960s.

He married Wilma W. Everleth on July 25, 1969, in Albany, N.Y. Wilma died on Oct. 20, 1995.

Mr. Thompson worked for National Cash Register for over 30 years, retiring in 1994. He then worked for the Plattsburgh Press-Republican from 1997 until now.

Roger was an avid gardener, tenacious at crossword puzzles and enjoyed his family pets.

Survivors include his love, Mary Anne Sullivan of Stowe, Vt.; one daughter and son-in-law, Mitzi and Steve Bonhomme of Plattsburgh; two brothers, Marvin and wife Trudy Thompson of Phoenix, Ariz., and Fred and wife Eleanor Thompson of Lincoln, Vt.; three sisters, Wanda Goodyear of Lincoln, Vt., Marie Rhodes of Middlebury, Vt., and Karlene and husband Marcel Gagnon of Schenectady, N.Y.; and two granddaughters, Kayla and Karen Bonhomme of Plattsburgh.

He was predeceased by one adult sister, Gwen Dearborn; and three infants, brother Delwin and twins, Norma and Norman.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

A funeral service will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Assembly of God Church in Plattsburgh.

Burial will be at a later date in the spring.

Memorial donations may be made to the Adirondack Humane Society or the Champlain Valley Heart Center at the CVPH Medical Center.

Todd K. Minor, 22, of Tupper Lake, died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004, at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.

He was born in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Nov. 3, 1982, the son of Edward and Laurie (Wheeler) Miner.

Friends may call on Sunday at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Harold Clark of the Saranac Lake Baptist Chapel officiating.

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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