Published: 7/4/05

KEESEVILLE — France B. Earle, 84, of 69 Clinton St., Keeseville and formerly of North Bangor, died early Sunday morning, July 3, 2005, at Alice Hyde Nursing Home in Malone. She had been a resident there since May 4.

Born in Peru on March 24, 1921, she was the daughter of the late John and Catherine Stone Booth. She graduated from Keeseville Central High School.

On Oct. 27, 1941, she was united in marriage to Sherman "Pete" Barber. He predeceased her on Dec. 19, 1970. On July 9, 1971, she was united in marriage to John E. Earle. He survives.

Many years ago, France worked as a waitress. She later was a homemaker and mother. She enjoyed golf, bowling and flower gardening. She was a past member of the Keeseville Ladies of the Elks Lodge and the Keeseville Women’s Bowling League.

Survivors include her husband, John, of North Bangor; two daughters and a son-in-law, Susan and Robert LaFountain of Keeseville, and Bonnie Guerin of Cedar Hedge Nursing Home in Rouses Point; one sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Francis Covel of Loudon, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Tammy and her husband, Merrill Reynolds, of North Bangor, Tim LaFountain and his wife, Bonnie, of Keeseville, Shawn LaFountain and his wife, Molly, of Keeseville, and Kevin Guerin of Albany; five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Along with her parents and her first husband, she was predeceased by three brothers, James, William and Stanford Booth; one sister, Thelma Baillargeon; and one grandson, Todd LaFountain in 1965.

There are no calling hours. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. John’s Cemetery in Keeseville with Msgr. Joseph Aubin officiating. Donations may be made in her memory to the Alice Hyde Medical Center Development Fund,

Arrangements are through the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Service Inc. of Malone.

KEESEVILLE — Muriel P. Baber, 90, of Meadowbrook Healthcare, Plattsburgh, and formerly of Keeseville, passed away Sunday, July 3, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Piscataway, N.J., on Jan. 15, 1915, the daughter of the Rev. Herbert Lewis and Adeline Almira (Shaw) Polan.

Muriel lived in Kansas, Nebraska and Brookfield, N.Y. She attended Salem College in Salem, W.V., and graduated with a BA degree from Alfred University in Alfred, N.Y. She completed her graduate studies at Syracuse University and taught English and Latin for many years at Keeseville Central School.

She married Philip E. Baber on Feb. 21, 1942. He died November 18, 1991.

Mrs. Baber was active for many years in the Girl Scouts, forming and serving as leader for the local troop. She was charter member of Psi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honor society of women educators. She was a longtime member of Peru Community Church.

Survivors include a step-daughter, Carol B. Marshall of Gales Ferry, Conn.; a granddaughter, Stephanie L. Marshall of Noank, Conn.; one sister and brother-in-law, Lura P. and William B. Turck of Taylor, Mich.; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Baber was also predeceased by her parents; a stepson, Philip E. Baber Jr., on Feb. 5, 1956; a sister, Frances P. Clarke; and one brother, Dighton Lewis Polan.

Calling hours will be held Wednesday, July 6, 2005, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Keeseville. A graveside service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Keeseville with the Rev. Dr. Robert Svenson, pastor of the Peru Community Church, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Baber’s memory may be made to Girl Scouts of the North Country.

PERU — Margaret Irene Varno, 76, of the Lapham Mills Road, Peru, died Saturday, July 2, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh following a lengthy illness.

She was born in Plattsburgh, August 5, 1928, the daughter of James H. and Irene (Bates) Varno.

Her longtime companion, James Annis, predeceased her.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, James H. and Marie Varno of Plattsburgh; five sisters, Charlotte Dashnaw of Morrisonville, Nancy Grenier of Dannemora, Jean Hyden of Tennessee, Betty Carlo of Plattsburgh, and Eva Macey of Plattsburgh; two grandchildren, Jimmy Varno and his wife, Nichole, of Peru, and Jody Varno of Plattsburgh; five great-grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; six great-step-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday July 8, 2005, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru with Rev. William Reamer, CVPH chaplain, officiating.

Donations may be made in her memory to the Peru Rescue Squad.

JAY — Eugene F. Engert, 76, died Thursday, June 30, 2005, at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y.

He was born in Brooklyn on Nov. 7, 1928, the son of Theodore A. and Veronica M. Ankner Engert.

He worked as a ironworker and belonged to the local 580 in New York City. He was a member of the American Legion Post 504 of AuSable Forks and a member of the Tahawus Lodge 0790 of AuSable Forks. He also was a committeeman for the Town of Jay Republican Committee — and an avid hunter.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine Holzbaur Engert; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen and Tom Conroy and Karen and Bernie Sprague, all of Wantagh, N.Y.; and two grandchildren, Colleen and Katelyn Conroy of Wantagh.

Memorials donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

Calling hours will be Tuesday July 5, 2005, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Zaumetzer- Sprague Funeral Home in AuSable Forks. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, at the Funeral Home.

Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in AuSable Forks.

GERTRUDE PRATT, 94, of Old Military Road, Lake Placid, died Saturday, July 2, 2005, at Uihlein Mercy Center in Lake Placid.

She was born in Saranac Lake on April 17, 1911, the daughter of David and Daisy (Mooso) Tucker.

Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 tonight at the Clark Funeral Home in Lake Placid. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Clark Funeral Home. Burial will follow at North Elba Cemetery.

RALPH POMBRIO, 95, of Altona died Sunday, July 3, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

He was born on Sept. 16, 1909, in Chazy, the son of Edward and Margaret (Dowd) Pombrio.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Brown Funeral Home in Altona. A full obituary will appear in Tuesday’s Press-Republican.

CAROLINE A. SABIN, 70, of Stetson Road, Tupper Lake, died Friday, July 1, 2005, at her home.

She was born Sept. 5, 1934, in Tupper Lake, the daughter of John A. and Laura (Trudeau) LaDue.

Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Richer Funeral Home in Tupper Lake. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Alphonsus Church. Burial will follow at St. Alphonsus Cemetery.