Published: 4/3/05

Plattsburgh — Beatrice Ruth Knuffke, 90, of Cumberland Head, passed away on Friday, April 1, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center after a long illness. She was born in Rome on May 27, 1914, daughter of the late Sydney Harris and Anna (Hughes) Harris.

Beatrice had been a resident of Plattsburgh for many years. She owned and operated the Variety Flower Shop from 1948 to 1968. Prior to running the flower shop, she had worked at BFD Mill on Margaret Street and at Pal Blade. After retiring from the flower business, she was employed by Terrace West Apartments as a rental agent for many years, retiring in 1999 at the age of 85. Beatrice was a member of the United Methodist Church in Plattsburgh.

Beatrice is survived by three children, Phillip Knuffke and companion Carol Lawrence of Plattsburgh, Patricia Knuffke of Lake Mary, Fla., and Karen Fountain of Plattsburgh; 13 grandchildren, Cheryl, Mrs. Paul Gregoire of Lakeland, Fla., Lila Groschan of Fredericksburg, Va., Scott Knuffke of Plattsburgh, Mark Knuffke of Burlington, Vt., Keith Knuffke of Wallington, Vt., Michele Long of Bullhead City, Ariz., Melissa Fountain of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Monique Beecher of Okinawa, Japan, Ronald A. Fountain of Memphis, Tenn., David Fountain of El Paso, Texas, Rebekah Fountain of Plattsburgh, Stephen Fountain of Plattsburgh and Deborah Fountain of Charlotte, N.C.; 20 great-grandchildren; a brother, Sydney Harris of Utica; three sisters-in-law, Marion Knuffke of Beekmantown, Clara Harris of DeBary, Fla., and Hazel Knuffke of Dover Plains; and many nieces and nephews.

Beatrice was predeceased by her husband, Edward W. Knuffke. They were married on Nov. 26, 1932, in Plattsburgh; Edward died in 1987; her brothers, George Harris, Melvin Harris, Thomas Harris and Edward Harris; three children who died in infancy; and a great-grandson, Benjamin Bailey.

Calling hours will be on Tuesday, April 5th, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 8 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. from Brown Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. David Foster, pastor of the Bread of Life Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be later in Whispering Maples Mausoleum in Plattsburgh.

Lewis — Betty Jean (Lytle) Wimett, 63, of Route 9, Lewis, died Friday, April 1, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, following a valiant battle with cancer.

She was born in Rochester, N.Y., Dec. 14, 1941, the daughter of Harry R. and Ethel Beatrice (Pettinger) Lytle.

She graduated from Elizabethtown - Lewis Central School, Class of 1959.

She was a member of the high school band and orchestra and while she was still in high school, she was a member of the Plattsburgh State College and Community Symphony Orchestra.

Betty Jean spent her entire life entertaining, teaching and writing music. She began her musical career as a child and was seen regularly on WRGB Television in Schenectady. She was a member of the Lytle Family Band along with her parents and her sister. They appeared on WPTZ Channel 5 on a weekly television show, Lazy L Ranch from 1955 to 1965. The family played for dances and entertained throughout the North Country for many years. They taped radio shows aired out of Plattsburgh, Rutland and Ticonderoga daily.

Following her retirement from the band, Betty Jean gave guitar lessons, taught square dancing as well as line dancing. She formed a group with her children and her mother called "Grandpa's Girls" and they entertained for several years. She also enjoyed accompanying area musicians at benefits and jam sessions.

She was an Avon representative for 26 years and won numerous awards for her high sales. She always said she valued the wonderful people she met and her customers knew her as a generous friend.

Betty Jean was an avid gardener and in the summer her home was surrounded by beautiful flowers. She was very much in tune with her natural surroundings, finding a great amount of joy in feeding the birds and spending time with her kitties.

She was a member of the St. Philip of Jesus Christ Church in Willsboro and was director of the Youth Choir for over 10 years. She wrote beautiful hymns for the children to sing. She was an accompanist for the adult choir.

Above all else, Betty Jean loved her family. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and she spent many hours decorating for them, especially at Halloween and Christmas.

Survivors include her husband, John F. Wimett of Lewis, whom she married July 31, 1962, in Keeseville; three daughters and sons-in-law, Tina and Frank Bigelow of Lewis, Theresa and Paul White of Lewis and Tammy and Michael Brooks of Queensbury; one son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Kim Wimett of Lewis; ten grandchildren, Kevin, Kenneth, Christopher and Kyle Bigelow, Christan Carlson, Rebekah and Corinne White, Jacob Brooks and Conner and Sierra Wimett; one sister and brother-in-law, Anne Marie and William Denton of Elizabethtown; a sister-in-law and spouse, Beverly and William McCoy of Bennington, Vt.; a brother-in-law and spouse, Wendell and Mary Wimett of Middlebury, Vt.; a sister-in-law, Ann Pomainville of East Middlebury, Vt.; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents.

Calling hours will be held Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at 11 a.m. at the St. Philip of Jesus Christ Church in Willsboro with Rev. James A. Delbel, pastor, celebrating. Burial will be held at a later time in May in the Deerhead Cemetery in Lewis.

Donations in her memory may be made to the St. Philip of Jesus Christ Church in Willsboro.

Moriah Center — Thomas R. Marcil Sr., 69, of Plank Road, Moriah Center, passed away Friday, April 1, 2005, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Cohoes, N.Y., on July 30, 1935. He was the son of Edward and Vivian (Chamberlain) Marcil.

He graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 1954. Tom entered the U.S. Army on Dec. 17, 1954, where he served as a tank driver until his honorable discharge on Nov. 30, 1956.

He resided and worked in Saratoga Springs for several years before moving to Moriah. Tom was employed with Niagara Mohawk for 37 years, retiring in 1995 as a chief line mechanic.

He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. Tom was an avid hunter, fisherman and enjoyed the outdoors.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jane; two sons, Kevin Marcil of Greenville, S.C., and Thomas and Buffy Marcil of Moriah; three daughters, Lisa and Anthony Marcil-Huffman of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Wendy and Thomas Manfred of Moriah and Jennifer and Robert Porter of Ticonderoga; two brothers, Joseph and Sally Marcil of Barefoot Bay, Fla., and Robert Marcil and his friend Suzanne of Saratoga Springs; four grandchildren, Monica Manfred, Bailey Marcil, Vivian and Aidan Porter; several nieces, nephews, cousins; and many loving friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Vivian Marcil; and two sons, Michael and David Marcil.

Calling hours will be held on Monday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Harland Funeral Home, 4279 Main St., Port Henry. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick's Church on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Spring burial will be in the South Moriah Cemetery, Moriah.

Memorial donations may be made to the FitzPatrick Cancer Center, 75 Beekman St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901.

Harvey Smith, 73, of 4 Oakwood Dr., Rouses Point, died Friday, April 1, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born Oct. 22, 1931, to Willard and Grace (Mitchell) Smith.

Funeral services will be held April 9th at the Three Steeples Church in Rouses Point, N.Y.

There will be a full obituary at a later date.

Zaumetzer- Sprague Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Roger Joseph Darling, 64, of the Peasleeville Road, Schuyler Falls, died Friday, April 1, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Stamford, Conn., Aug. 15, 1940, the son of Winslow F. and Ann E. (Knox) Darling.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, April 7th, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru. A memorial service will follow at 5 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. William Reamer officiating.

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

Dorothy Cook, 81, of Alford Blvd., Plattsburgh, died Saturday, April 2, 2005, at her home.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

Emma M. Rowell, 76, died Friday, April 1, 2005, in Ridgewood, N.J.

She was born in Plattsburgh, the daughter of John and Natalie (Demers) St. Dennis.

Calling hours will be held at the Feeney Funeral Home, 232 Franklin Ave., Ridgewood, N.J., on Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral service will gather at the funeral home on Tuesday at 9:45 a.m. and proceed to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Ridgewood, for a 10:45 a.m. funeral Mass. Interment will follow at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah, N.J.

Constance P. Carpentier, 88, of the Ratta Road, died Saturday, April 2, 2005, at her home.

She was born in Chazy on March 17, 1917, the daughter of Hubert and Lillian (Ratta) Patnode.

Arrangements are incomplete with the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

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

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