Published: 01/09/05

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.

Keeseville — 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.

Ivis was a caregiver for many people. She cared for the young as well as the elderly. For many years, she worked for others, caring for their children while the parents were away. She also cared for the elderly in their homes as well as taking them into her own home. She cared for the homeless by offering them room and board and she was always happy to take someone in when they had no place to turn. Many people will remember the positive way she affected their lives. For many consecutive years, Ivis operated a seasonal restaurant through the New York State Racing Association in Saratoga Springs.

She enjoyed cooking. She was always planning a party for someone or inventing a reason for having a large reception. She also excelled at knitting and loved making items for her children and sweaters for her grandchildren.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Toy and Roy "Rick" Morse of Keeseville; one sister, Dorothy Rock of Morrisonville; and one daughter-in-law, Beverly Chamberlain of Morrisonville. She treasured her five grandsons, Matthew R. Morse and his wife Allicon of Barre, Vt., Landon Covel Morse of Keeseville, Vernon J. Chamberlain Jr. of Morrisonville, Jamie S. Chamberlain and his wife Kim of Peru and Jason P. Chamberlain and his wife Kimberly of Florida. Great-grandchildren include Kaiden Mikenna Morse and Genessa, Michael, Nicholas, Casey, Corey and Cegan Chamberlain. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. A special niece, Anna Miller, has been particularly caring and kind to her during her long illness.

She was predeceased by her parents; her son, Deacon Vernon J. Chamberlain; and brother and sisters, including Jean, Florence, Clarence, Everett and Francis "Mickey."

Calling hours will be held Monday from 10 a.m. 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.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Keeseville Rescue Squad or the American Heart Association.

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

Copyright 2005, Plattsburgh Publishing Co., Plattsburgh, NY,  Division of Ottaway Newspapers, Inc., Campbell Hall, NY. The information you receive from Press-Republican Online is protected by the copyright laws of the United States. The copyright laws prohibit any copying, redistributing, retransmitting, or repurposing of any copyright-protected material.