Published: 3/27/05

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; sisters-in-law, Lucille Merchant of Rouses Point, Ginny Merchant of Ohio, Lilly Merchant of Indiana and Joan (Merchant) Sharp and her husband Joe of California. 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.

Schuyler Falls — Mr. Michael A. Silver, 57, of the Peasleeville Road, Schuyler Falls, passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2005. He was born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., on July 7, 1947, the son of Ronald and Esther (LaPorte) Silver.

Michael was a Vietnam veteran, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. He enjoyed boating, sun bathing and spending time with his family and going on field trips with his grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his father, Ronald Silver; and a brother, Billy.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mona (LaDue) Silver; a daughter, Lisa M. Banker and her husband James of Peasleeville and their children, Brooke Lynn Banker and Zachary Banker; his mother, Esther Silver of Plattsburgh; one brother, John Silver and his wife Georgia of Morrisonville, N.Y.; a sister, Patricia Dermody and her husband Reginald of Morrisonville; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, March 29, 2005, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 30, 2005, at 10 a.m. from the United Methodist Church.

Interment with military honors will be held at a later date at Riverside Cemetery.

Friends wishing may make donations to his family.

Plattsburgh — Mr. Allen "Al" Billups, 77, of Palmer Street, Plattsburgh, passed away Saturday, March 26, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center. He was born in Burlington, Vt., on Dec. 1, 1927, the son of Ruben and Margaret (Allen) Billups.

A veteran of World War II, Al served in the U.S. Army in Japan. He was self employed as a barber for 54 years, his first shop being at the Witherell Hotel in downtown Plattsburgh. In 1968, he opened The Barber Shop on Broad Street, where his many customers became his friends. Al was an avid baseball fan and had coached youth baseball. Probably one of his greatest joys was being there to coach his two sons. Al was a devout member of St. John's Church.

He was predeceased by his parents; a son, Craig Billups; his brother Charles; and most recently, his beloved wife Shirley.

He is survived by a daughter, Randy Ladue of Plattsburgh; a son, Ken Billups and his wife Kristie of Plattsburgh; his precious grandsons, Nathan, Treye and Drew; three brothers, Richard Billups and his wife Toni of Colchester, Vt., Robert Billups of Stowe, Mass., and Roderic Billups and his wife Ayako of Fircrest, Wash.; three sisters, Ruth Rhoney of North Tonawanda, N.Y., Margaret Macomber of Maynard, Mass., and Lucy Ann Marston and her husband Keith of Burlington, Vt.; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, March 29, 2005, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.

A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. from St. John's Church.

Interment will be at a later date in Mt. Carmel Cemetery.

Friends wishing may make donations to Make A Wish or St. John's Church.

Plattsburgh — Mrs. Kathryn E. Heath, formerly of St. Johnsville, N.Y., and Rouses Point, N.Y., and most recently the S.F. Vilas Home in Plattsburgh, N.Y., died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005.

She was predeceased by her husband, Charles F. Heath; two sisters; and one brother.

She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Marty of Champlain; and two grandchildren, Daniel of Champlain and Jamie of Saranac, N.Y.

There will be a memorial service followed by a light luncheon at 3 Steeples Methodist Church on Saturday, April 2, 2005, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Johns Reformed Church, W. Main St., St. Johnsville, N.Y. - Attn. Mr. Gene Wagner.

Hilton, N.Y. — Curtis D. Bell, 46, died suddenly on March 24, 2005, in Hilton, N.Y.

He is survived by his wife, Karen; his son, Christopher; parents, Clifton and Deanna Bell; brothers, Greg (Jeanene) Bell, Michael (Laurie) Bell and Jonathan (Amy) Bell; sister, Ann Marie (Leonard) Vaughn; grandmother, Ruth Brown; brothers and sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews; cousins; aunts, uncles; and friends.

Friends are invited to call on Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Inc., 735 East Ave., Hilton.

A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday at 10:15 a.m. at St. Charles the Borromeo Church, Dewey Avenue. Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Christopher Bell Scholarship Fund, PO Box 745, Hilton, NY 14468.

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Press-Republican, 170 Margaret St., P.O. Box 459, Plattsburgh, NY 12901

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