09/08/2005

Norma M. Soper

REBER -- Norma M. Soper, 83, of the Reber Valley Road, died unexpectedly Monday, Sept. 5, 2005, at Fletcher Allen Health Care Center in Burlington, Vt.

She was born in Essex, Jan. 26, 1922, the daughter of Marshall D. Jr. and Maud S. (James) Phillips.

She graduated from Westport Central School. She married Rodney M. Soper on Oct. 11, 1941, in Essex. Together she and her husband worked and managed Reber Valley Farms for more than 50 years.

She and her husband were members of the Dairylea Milk Coop; she served in the leadership role in agriculture in Essex County, becoming a Dairylea advisory committeewoman. She promoted dairy products at the Essex County Fair in the Dairylea booth. She was a firm believer in the women's role in the agricultural field.

They were lifetime members of the Agway Coop. She served on the Women's Farm Bureau; she served on the Farmers Home Administration Board of Directors. She was a member of the Willsboro Planning Board. They were members of the Mountain Doers Square Dance Club and they enjoyed contra dancing. She volunteered at the Horace Nye Home weekly. She enjoyed preparing large meals for her husband and family, canning vegetables and fruit from their abundant garden, enjoyed her flowers, horses, cats and daily crossword puzzles.

Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Rodney M. Soper of Reber; two daughters and sons-in-law, Carol and Philip Dickerson of Reber and Linda and Larry Brown of Reber; one son, Steven Soper and companion Sally Keesee of Lewis; a daughter-in-law, Doris Soper of Willsboro; two sisters, Virginia Cross of Reber and Elizabeth Koplish of Hackensack, N.J.; two brothers and sisters-in-law, LeRoy and Mary Phillips of South Carolina and Clarence and Rita Phillips of Elizabethtown; sister-in-law, Marion Beede of Westport; eight grandchildren, Darren, Duane, Gregg and wife Angie, Leane and Dan, Shane and fiancée Bridget, Elizabeth and companion Jim, Stevie and companion Tracy and Ryan; six great-grandchildren, Rachael, Rebecka, Jade, Autumn, Rachael and Sieanna; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; a sister, Beatrice Horton; two brothers, Norman Phillips and infant brother Marshall.

Calling hours will be held Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Westport. A time for reflections and prayers will be held at 4 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Reber Cemetery.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Reber Fire Department.

Lorne C. Payne

NISKAYUNA -- Lorne C. Payne, 85 of Niskayuna Drive, died Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2005, at the Ellis Center for long term care, after a long illness.

Mr. Payne was born and educated in Windsor Locks, Conn., and was a graduate of University of North Carolina.

Mr. Payne was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Air Force for 25 years retiring as Chief Warrant Officer and later serving in the Army Reserve for many years. He had been a computer programmer for Ayerst Lab in Rouses Point, retiring several years ago. Mr. Payne was active with many organizations throughout his life.

He is survived by five children, Michael Cameron Payne of San Anselmo, Calif., Andrew Manning Payne of Bellows Falls, Vt., Patrick Cameron Payne of Plattsburgh, Frances Periera of Burlington, Vt., and Laura M. Payne of Schenectady; four grandchildren, Jason Cameron Payne, Leah Skye Cameron and Kristi S. and Shelby N. Somelofske. He was predeceased by a son, Ian Cameron Payne.

Funeral service is private at the convenience of the family. Interment will be at Gerald B.H. Solomon, Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard Association P.O. Box 140, Schuylerville, NY 12871.

Gloria R. Webber

PLATTSBURGH -- Gloria R. Webber, 72, of Kim Court, died Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Plattsburgh on Sept. 4, 1933, the daughter of Frank and Agatha Lashway.

Gloria was a member of Our Lady of Victory Church and a member of the Altar Rosary Society at St. Peter's Church of Plattsburgh. She was a Senior Center Meals Program volunteer for nine years. Gloria graduated from D'Ouville Academy in 1951.

She married Paul Favreau in St. Peter's Church in 1953. Paul died in 1991. In 1999 she married Pete Webber in St. Peter's Church.

Survivors include her husband, Edward "Pete" Webber of Plattsburgh; two daughters, Julie and husband James Berry of St. Cloud, Minn., and Shannon Smith of Princeton, Minn.; one brother, Frank Lashway Jr. of Alton, Mo.; and four grandchildren, James, Katlin, Rachael and Kellie.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Victory Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery.

Ruth Stebner

PLATTSBURGH -- Ruth Stebner, 95, formerly of Oak Street, died Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2005, at Meadowbrook Health Care Facility.

She was born in Hudson, N.Y. on July 28, 1910, the 12th child of Gustave and Bertha (Jahns) Stebner.

Ms. Stebner graduated from Hudson High School in 1931 and received a B.A. degree from Albany State Teachers College in 1935. From 1942 to 1947 she taught in the Galway, N.Y. School System. From 1947 to 1972 she taught subjects in grades 7-12 in Long Lake Central School, retiring in 1972. She later moved to Plattsburgh to live with her sister, Clara Otis.

Ms. Stebner was a member of the Calvary Methodist Church in Long Lake, and later a member of the United Methodist Church in Plattsburgh. She was also a member of the Abenaque Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in Long Lake.

Survivors include five nephews, John N. Otis of Austin, Texas, Ronald Stebner of San Diego, Calif., Arnold Stebner of Orange, Calif., Carlyle Stebner of Spanaway, Wash. and Conrad Stebner of Potsdam, N.Y.; two nieces, Janice Corbett of Potsdam, N.Y., and Winnifred Wood of Bradenton, Fla.; several great and great-great nieces and nephews; and one great-great-great nephew. She was predeceased by 10 brothers and two sisters.

There will be no public calling hours or funeral service.

Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

Donations, in her memory, may be made to the United Methodist Church Memorial Fund or the Cancer Society.

The R.W. Walker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Deaths

HERBERT J. MULHOLLAND, 80, of County Route 12, North Bangor, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2005, at the Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone, where he had been a patient since Tuesday.

Born in St. Regis Falls, N.Y. on Oct. 1, 1924, he was the son of the late Frank and Gladys Palmer Mulholland.

There are no calling hours. Services will be at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are through the Braso-Desnoyers Funeral Service of Malone.

MADLIN E. BREYETTE, 48, of Montcalm Avenue, died Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Plattsburgh on Aug. 14, 1957, the daughter of Oswald and Helen (Rousaw) LaFountain.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday at noon in St. Peter's Church. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery in West Chazy.