Published: 01/08/05

Keeseville — Evelyn Bourgeois, 90, Keeseville Country Gardens, died Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Keeseville, Nov. 13, 1914, the daughter of Fred and Rachel (Galarneau) Crevier.

She was employed in food service at Keeseville High School for 16 years.

Evelyn enjoyed reading, crocheting and jigsaw puzzles.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Gloria and Warren Bezio of Peru; and a grandson and his wife, Alan and Amanda Bezio of Morrisonville.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Amos Bourgeois, June 1, 1981; and a daughter, Ramona McCoy, Jan. 28, 2001.

Calling hours will be private and at the convenience of the family. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2005, at 11:30 a.m. at St. John's Church in Keeseville with Monsignor Leeward J. Poissant, celebrating. Burial will be in the spring in the parish cemetery.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Keeseville Rescue Squad or Masses.

Arrangements are by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Keeseville.

Westport — Sandra Lee Anson, 62, died Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005, at CVPH after a lengthy illness. She was born in Ausable Forks, July 2, 1942, the daughter of Noble and Anna Belle (LaBombard) Sawyer.

She is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Makia Sloan of Westport and Tammy and Tom Cushing of Willsboro; four sons, Gordon and Tina Costin of Westport, Thomas and Ann-Margaret Costin of Keeseville, Jeffery and Lisa Costin of Keeseville and Scott Costin of Westport; her companion Ford (Stan) Anson of Westport; 18 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Vernon and Helen Sawyer of Lake Placid and Noble Sawyer Jr. of Florida; five sisters and three brothers-in-law, Myrtle and Charles Harkness of Keeseville, Margaret Demarais of Peru, Anna Mae and Earl Sweeney of Lake Placid, Alice Parrish of Keeseville and Barbara and Frank Mousseau of Florida.

She was predeceased by her parents; her first husband, Gordon Costin Sr.; her second husband, Elton Anson; two brothers, Howard (Bunny) Sawyer and Stanley (Socker) Sawyer; one sister, June Sawyer; and her great-granddaughter, April.

Sandra's hobbies included Indian folklore, crafting, gardening, painting, cooking, geology and nature.

Calling hours will be held Monday, Jan. 10th, from 7 to 9 p.m. at W.M. Marvin's Sons Funeral Home in Elizabethtown. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, Jan. 11th, at 11 a.m., also at the funeral home. Burial will follow, weather permitting, in the Wadhams Veterans Cemetery in Westport.

Memorial donations may be made to either the American Lung Association at www.alaneny.org, 3 Winners Circle, Albany NY 12205-1187 or to The National Arbor Day Association at www.arborday.com, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410.

PLATTSBURGH — Gloria Jean Miller, 53, of Honey Drive, died on Friday, Jan. 7, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center.

She was born on March 16, 1951, in Bismarck, N.D., the daughter of Alex Feist and Magdalena (Walker) Feist.

Gloria married Gene Miller on Sept. 20, 1969, in Rapid City, S.D.

She worked for several years at the Child Development Facility on the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base. Gloria then opened and operated a children's daycare in her home, called Rainbow Day Care.

She very much enjoyed spending time with her family and loved to do various types of crafts.

Survivors include her husband of 35 years, Gene; one daughter, Kris Miller of Plattsburgh; her father, Alex Feist; one brother, Alex Feist Jr. of Rapid City, S.D.; one sister, Elsie Leasher of Rapid City, S.D.; one nephew, Todd Leasher and one niece, Kim Albert.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, Jan. 10, 2005, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church in West Chazy on Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Burial will take place in the spring in the church cemetery.

CADYVILLE — Rita M. "Mim" Caron, 83, of Cadyville, died on Jan. 6, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center with her beloved family by her side.

She was born in Plattsburgh on March 26, 1921, the daughter of Felix and Alma (Roy) Trombley.

She married Andrew H. Caron on Oct. 7, 1940, at St. Peter's Church Rectory in Plattsburgh.

Rita loved her family most of all and she enjoyed bowling, reading, crocheting, soap operas and life itself.

She was a communicant of St. James Church and a member of the Altar-Rosary Society.

She is survived by four daughters, Barb Chilton and her husband Leigh of Cadyville, Judy Pierce of AuSable Forks, Linda Aubin and her husband John of Chazy and Leda Collins and her husband Lincoln of Peru; three sons, Allen Caron and his wife Leona of Lake Clear, David Caron and his wife Mary of Saranac and Thomas Wood and his wife Joyce of Peru; 13 grandchildren, Rick Caron and his fiancée Trudy Boyea, Randy Caron and his wife Stacy, Tammey Drollette and her husband Wayne, Kim Chilton and significant other David Brown, Steven Baxter, Tracy Siegrist and her husband Jon, Kristy Parker, Michael Aubin and his wife Kelly, Michelle Washington, Jeffery Caron, Tina Caron, Jennifer LaMar and her fiancé John Galarneau and Jessica LaMar and her fiancé Jerry Gregg; eight great-grandchildren, Andrew and Amber Caron, Katelyn and Kelley Drollette, Tyler and Erykah Siegrist, Kiah Washington, John Joseph Galarneau V; and eight stepgreat-grandchildren, Mitchell Williams and Kaine Favro, Tyler and Kelsey Chatelle, Whitney and William Siders, Nicholas and Caitlin Hanrahan; and one great-granddaughter, Samantha, due in April. She is also survived by three sisters, Roseanne Soucey, Elmira Fredette and Gloria Morrow, all of Plattsburgh; and three brothers, Andrew Trombley of Muskeegan, Mich., Alfred Trombley of West Chazy and Thomas Trombley of Plattsburgh.

Her husband, Andrew Caron, predeceased in 1983. Four sisters, Delima Wood, Theresa Curtis, Aurora LaFountain and Helena Mitchell; and her four brothers, Silas, Felix, Joseph and Gilbert Trombley, all predeceased her.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at St. James in Cadyville, with burial in the parish cemetery in the spring.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Cadyville Fire Department Rescue Squad.

AuSable Forks — Eugene (Gene) A. Sheffield, 91, of 478 Grove Rd., AuSable Forks, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005, after a lengthy illness. Until recently, Gene was cared for at home by his loving wife of 69 years, Valda. During the past year, he required additional support services provided by Meadowbrook Healthcare Center in Plattsburgh, N.Y.

He was born in AuSable Forks on July 13, 1913, the son of William and Delia (Nelson) Sheffield.

Gene was a Eucharistic minister of communion at Holy Name Church. He proudly served as Grand Knight and District Deputy of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Red Robe Society.

He enjoyed storytelling and often related experiences from his days as a cook in Kuski, Idaho, a milkman, a logger, a store clerk and a meat cutter. In 1979, he retired as a meat cutter for the Grand Union Company. His years of retirement were spent volunteering for Holy Name Church and Holy Name School events, as well as transporting numerous community seniors to their doctor's appointments. He was a charter member of the AuSable Forks Senior Citizen Fan Club and served as secretary for several years. As a dowser, he was always thrilled to use his talent to locate water for numerous people throughout the North Country. He especially enjoyed his summer employment as the blacksmith at Santa's Workshop, where he made reindeer rings for many children.

In his healthier years, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, golfing, woodworking, chair caning and gardening. He was known for his green thumb, growing corn, enormous sunflowers and flowering cabbages. He enjoyed time spent with his family and friends, as he often responded with "Never Too Many." He especially enjoyed time spent with his devoted wife and love of his life, Valda (Booth) Sheffield.

In addition to his wife, Gene is survived by one son and daughter-in law, Victor and Susan Sheffield of Peru; a daughter-in-law, Theresa Sheffield of Plattsburgh; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Eugenia (Ginger) LaDuke of Ellenton, Fla., Verna and Wesley Sheldrake of AuSable Forks, Laurel and Paul Beattie Jr. of AuSable Forks and Faye and Michael Fitzgerald of Peru; 14 grandchildren; and 18 great - grandchildren.

One son, Stephen of Keeseville; one son-in-law, Eli R. LaDuke; three brothers, Arthur, Lawrence and Chester; and two sisters, Pearl Rabatoy and Ruth Smith, predeceased him.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, Jan. 9th, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home in AuSable Forks. A Mass of Christian burial to celebrate Gene's life will be held on Monday, Jan. 10th, at 11 a.m. at Holy Name Church in AuSable Forks. Burial will be in the spring at Holy Name Cemetery.

Friends wishing to remember Gene may make memorial contributions to Holy Name School or the American Diabetes Association.

Tucson, Ariz. — John Frederick Lechowit, 56, of Tucson, Ariz., passed away Dec. 15, 2004. He was born in Baltimore, Md., on Sept. 22, 1948.

John defended our country as a marine in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1966 through 1969, proudly completing two tours of duty in Vietnam, where he received numerous medals and commendations, including a Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service and Campaign Metals, Presidential Unit Citation and Rifle Marksman Badge.

John graduated from Saranac Central and following his U.S. Marine Corps service, attended Los Angeles City College. He was an Arizona state licensed contractor, known for his attention to detail.

For the past four years, he continued to demonstrate his strength and courage as he fought a valiant battle to retain his health. Through no fault of his own, he was taken from us, far too soon. He was a great story teller, with life adventures full of knowledge and words of wisdom for friends and family, always ending a story with, "this, that and what-ever," or "yada-yada-yada," just in case you wanted him to continue.

He was extremely loved by all and both he and his unique approach to life will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Katherine Lechowit; and very recently by his beloved son, Jeremiah.

John is survived by his first wife, Abbie Lechowit and their children, Tamarrah (Lechowit) Morgan of Tulsa, Okla., and Isaiah Lechowit of Boulder, Colo.; his second wife, Nancy and their son, Joey Doray of Glendale, Ariz., and their daughter, Terry Morse of Tucson, Ariz.; brother Bill Lechowit of Dayton, Texas; sisters Lori Cortright and Linda Connelly, both of Glendale, Ariz., Sandi Mueller of Cypress, Texas and Andrea L. Cater of San Diego, Cailf.; eight grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his best friend, Stewart Dewey of Morrisonville.

Services were held at Hanson's Mortuary and Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Phoenix, Ariz. The military Color Guard was present and performed in John's distinguished honor.

Ormstown, Quebec — Jan Hendrik Rensink died peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005, surrounded by his family at the Barrie Memorial Hospital in Ormstown.

Beloved husband of the late Margaret Johnstone. Loving father of Grietje (Ron Waddell) of Havelock, Quebec, and of the late Susan (Adrian and Elsie Richmond). Dear Opa of Marijke Waddell (Trevor Norrington), Mark Waddell and Elena Richmond.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Geukjian and third floor staff of the Barrie Memorial Hospital and to the CLSC for their compassionate care and support.

In deference to his wishes, there has been immediate cremation. A family memorial service will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Women’s Auxiliary of the Barrie Memorial Hopsital, 28 Gale St., Ormstown, Quebec JOS 1KO, would be appreciated.

Donald A. Brown, 84, of Edgewood, Md., died Friday, Dec. 31, 2004, in Edgewood, Md.

He was born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., the son of the late George and Grace (Ducatte) Brown.

Funeral services were held Monday, Jan. 3, 2005, at the Schimuneck Funeral Home of Bel Air. Burial was in Holly Hill Cemetery.

Mary W. Peterson, 78, of Main Street, Owls Head, N.Y., died Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2005, at Fletcher-Allen Medical Center, following many years of failing health.

She was born June 16, 1926, in Westville, N.Y., the daughter of Arthur and Gertrude (Howard) White.

Calling hours will be on Sunday, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the St. Mary-Murphy Funeral Home Chapel. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. in Notre Dame Church with Rev. Shane Lynch officiating. Spring burial will take place in Notre Dame Cemetery.

Thomas William "Bill" Cavanagh, 85, of 52 Blackfriars St., London, Ontario, Canada, died Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005, at the Western Counties Veterans Wing of the Parkwood Hospital in London, Ontario. He had been a resident there for the past 10 years.

He was born in London, Ontario, on June 20, 1919, the son of the late Thomas W. and Anna (Horton) Cavanagh.

Calling hours will be held Monday from 10 until 11 a.m. at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Parkwood Hospital, 801 Commissioners Road East, London, Ontario. A Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. in the chapel. A memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Jan. 22, 2005, at noon at Notre Dame Church in Malone. Interment will be in St. Peter's Cemetery in London, Ontario.

Ivis A. Chamberlain, 86, of the Clinton County Nursing Home and formerly of Keeseville, died Friday, Jan. 7, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in AuSable Forks, Jan. 22, 1918, the daughter of Mose and Anna (Bashaw) Chamberlain.

Calling hours will be held Monday from 10 to noon at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Keeseville. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. at St. John's Church in Keeseville with Monsignor Leeward J. Poissant, pastor, celebrating. Burial will be in the spring in the Holy Name Cemetery in AuSable Forks.

A complete obituary will be in a later edition of the Press-Republican.

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