Published: 3/26/05

Plattsburgh — Daniel L. Adams, 53, of Broadway Road, after a courageous battle with colon cancer, died peacefully Wednesday, March 23, 2005, at his home with his wife and two daughters at his side.

The love that Dan felt for his family and friends defined his life. He is survived by his wife, the former Susan Parker of Hudson Falls, N.Y., whom he married on June 12, 1971, at St. Paul's Church; two daughters and a son-in-law, Danielle (Adams) and Alex Mehlman of Westwood, Mass., and Becca Adams, currently of Ithaca, N.Y.; his granddaughters, who were his primary inspiration to seek out innovative treatments to fight his cancer, Alexa Adams Mehlman and Quinn Rebecca Mehlman; his father, Edward Adams of Plattsburgh; one sister and her husband, Beverly (Adams) and Peter Harrigan of Plattsburgh; two brothers and their wives, Tom and Kathy Adams of Plattsburgh, BJ and Kelly Adams of Beaufort, S.C.; a brother-in-law, Robert J. Parker of Hudson Falls, N.Y.; several nieces and nephews, Kristin, Jessica and Sean Harrigan, Stacy and Mark Adams, Edward Adams, Michael, Bradley and Jenny Parker; a great-nephew, Daniel Adams; three godsons and one goddaughter; and numerous dear friends in Plattsburgh and around the country.

Dan was predeceased by his mother, Ruth M. Adams, in December 2004; and his father and mother-in-law, Robert and Helen Parker of Hudson Falls.

Second to Dan's dedication to his family and friends was his dedication to serving his community. He was born in Plattsburgh on June 22, 1951, to Edward and Ruth Adams and assumed many leadership roles in the community. A local business owner of Adams Glass from 1973 to the present, he was a past board member of the Plattsburgh City School District, YMCA, SUNY Plattsburgh College Foundation, Clinton County Airport committee, United Way allocations board and the PHS Hall of Fame Committee. Dan was the former honorary squadron commander and co-chairman of the Plattsburgh Air Base Liaison Committee and also served as president and secretary/treasurer of IAABO Board 43 of the local basketball officials. He was a PHS Hall of Fame Inductee in 2002, recipient of the Small Business of the Year award given by the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Wild Goose Club and a former licensed pilot. In recent years, he enjoyed riding his newly purchased Ford Mustang, snowmobiles, four-wheeler and Harley Davidson motorcycle, as well as spending time in the Adirondacks and reconnecting with friends.

Calling hours will be on Sunday, March 27, 2005, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 28, 2005, at 11 a.m. at St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh. Burial will be later in the year in St. Peter's Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Daniel L. Adams Scholarship Fund, c/o of Danielle Adams, 410 Dover Rd., Westwood, MA 02090.

Plattsburgh — Cheryl Ann Pilon, 60, of Mildred Blvd., Plattsburgh, passed away Thursday, March 24, 2005, at the Fletcher Allen Health Care Facility in Burlington, Vt., after a long battle with cancer. She was born in Chazy on March 31, 1944, the daughter of Ward H. "Doc" and Neva F. (Appleton) Dwight.

Cheryl grew up in Chazy and attended Chazy Central Rural School. While living in Chazy, she was a member of Sacred Heart Church and a member of the Altar Rosary Society. She was married to Douglas Pilon for 27 years and they had 10 children together. Cheryl enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents, Doc and Neva Dwight; a son, Joseph; and a brother, David Dwight.

She is survived by her children, Mary Keiter and her husband Robert and their children, Kathryn and Meghan of Richmond, Va.; Doug Pilon Jr. and his children, Cassie, Casey, C. Rosalyn and Colby of Rouses Point; Richard Pilon and his wife Tina and their children, Richard, Christine, Joseph and Joshua of Chazy; Donald Pilon of Middletown, N.Y.; Dennis Pilon and his wife Jamie and their children, Emily, Nathan and a child on the way; Darren Pilon and his child Grace of Chazy; Debbie Pilon and her companion Anthony Seiferheld of Plattsburgh; Darrell Pilon of Chazy; Denise Pilon of Plattsburgh; a sister, Sue Raymond and her husband Paul of Constable, N.Y.; Ward Dwight and his wife Pat of Chazy; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at 1 p.m. from Our Lady of Victory Church.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations to Cancer Research or the Chazy Volunteer Fire Department.

West Chazy — Gladys R. Deso, 77, of Miner Farm Road, Sciota, died Thursday, March 24, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Sciota on Oct. 29, 1927, the daughter of Frank and Louise (Lozier) LaFlore.

Gladys married Raymond Deso at St. Louis of France Church in Sciota in 1946. Raymond died in 2002.

Mrs. Deso was a member of St. Louis of France Church. She enjoyed cooking and sewing and loved the time she spent with her family.

Survivors include one son, Charles Deso of Sciota; four daughters, Mrs. Robert (Jane) Mangine of Sciota, Mrs. Robert (Brenda) Duprey of Sciota, Mrs. Todd (Julie) Trombly of West Chazy and Mrs. Michael (Patti) Nutt of Sciota; two sisters, Margaret Speranza of Sciota and Mrs. Douglas (Helen) Brown of Peru; ten grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by five sisters, Grace Demarais, Irene Demarais, Mabel LaPlante, Evelyn Deso and Sadie Guay.

Calling hours will be held on Monday 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 on Tuesday at 2 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church in West Chazy. Burial will be in the spring in St. Louise of France Cemetery in Sciota.

Memorial donations may be made to the Freedman Renal Center or the Chazy Volunteer Fire Department.

Peru — Loretta M. Bull, 91, of McIntosh Drive, Peru, died Wednesday, March 23, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in AuSable Forks, July 1, 1913, the daughter of Carl Sr. and Lena (Lynch) Bull.

She received a bachelors and masters degree from Plattsburgh State University.

Miss Bull was a retired schoolteacher, having taught for many years at Peru Central School.

She was a member of the NYS Retired Teachers Association.

Loretta enjoyed spending time at her camp on Lake Champlain, playing bridge and reading. Loretta successfully completed the 50-mile swim at the YMCA in Plattsburgh.

Survivors include two nephews, Carl Bull III of Georgia, and Michael Bull and his wife Ann Marie of New Hampshire; two nieces and their spouses, Claudia and George Larsen of North Carolina and Christine and James Priddy of Texas; several great-nieces and nephews; and a very dear friend, Linda Patnode of Peru.

She was predeceased by her parents; her brother and sister-in-law, Carl Jr. and Ruth Bull; and a nephew, Steven Bull.

Calling hours will be private and at the convenience of the family. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Tuesday, March 29, 2005 at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine's Church in Peru with Rev. William Reamer celebrating. Burial will be held at a later date in Mount Carmel Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

Donations in her memory may be made to the American Heart Association or the charity of one's choice.

Arrangements are by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru.

Keeseville — Aletha M. Wemette, 80, of Prospect Road, Keeseville, N.Y., passed away Friday, March 25, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center with her family by her side. She was born in Black Brook, N.Y., on April 16, 1924, the daughter of Joseph and Esther (Edwards) Fountain.

Aletha had worked as a machine operator at Arpak Plastics in Plattsburgh, N.Y. She enjoyed gardening, reading and spending time with her family. Aletha was a member of the Catholic Community of Keeseville Churches.

She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Esther (Edwards) Fountain; her brother, Oswald Fountain; her sisters, Elida Miller, Mildred Fountain and her twin sister, Leigh Fountain.

She is survived by her children, Danny Wemette of Keeseville, Jerry Wemette and his wife Marianne of Keeseville and their children, Christine and Michelle, Tammy Smith and her husband Alan of Morrisonville and their children, Matthew and Cassandra, Terry Wemette and his wife Kelly of Binghamton, N.Y., and their children, Randy and Heidi; and several nieces and nephews.

At Aletha's request, there will be no calling hours.

A memorial Mass will be held Thursday, March 31, 2005, at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church in Keeseville.

Interment will be at a later date in the family plot in the Port Douglas Cemetery.

Friends wishing may make donations to the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements are by the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.

Rouses Point — Theresa Eileen (Dragoon) Merchant, 87, of Rouses Point passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born Feb. 9, 1918, in Plattsburgh, the daughter of Harry Dragoon Sr. and Jeanette Clark Dragoon. She was married to the late Carl (Bucko) Merchant who passed away Jan. 5, 1970.

Her passion was music and playing the piano. As a young child at 6 years old she was selected to perform at many gala events, including a solo at Clionion Minstrels show. She possessed a rare soprano voice with a range of high "C", singing beautiful ballads. She was a lifetime member of the Catholic Daughters and a charter member of the Altar Rosary Society. She was a graduate of Plattsburgh D’Youville Academy and Plattsburgh Business Institute.

She is survived by three sons, Burton Merchant of Flagstaff, Ariz., Terry Merchant and his wife Kathie of Colchester, Vt., and Steven Merchant and his wife Sue of Rouses Point; one daughter, Mary Bechard and her husband Dan of Champlain. She also leaves behind her sister, Doris Szoke of Long Island, N.Y.; and her brothers, Harry Dragoon of Montreal, Quebec, Robert Dragoon and his wife Jean of Schuyler Falls and Carl Dragoon and his wife Theo of Plattsburgh. She also leaves her loving grandchildren, Melissa and Chris Lloyd and Matthew Merchant of Arizona, Kory Merchant and Melinda Merchant of Florida, Chad Merchant and Jamie Merchant of Colchester, Vt., Scott Merchant and Michael Merchant of Rouses Point, Lyndsey Bechard and Adam Bechard of Champlain; as well as great-grandchildren, Jacob Merchant and Alexandria Lloyd of Arizona; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her sister, Leila Guimond and brother, Charles Dragoon.

Calling hours will be Monday, March 28, 2005, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Clark Funeral Home in Rouses Point. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2005, at St. Patrick’s Church in Rouses Point.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rouses Point Fire Department and Rescue Squad.

Hall — A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 9th, at the Harkness Methodist Church at 1 p.m. for Susan Kay Hall.

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