Obituaries: 09/29/05

Dr. Richard H. Betts

QUEENSBURY -- Dr. Richard H. Betts, 82, passed away on Monday, Sept. 26, 2005, at Glens Falls Hospital.

He was born on July 3, 1923, in LaFargeville, N.Y., the son of the late Henry L. and Madgel (Gailey) Betts.

Dr. Betts was a veteran of World War II serving in the United States Army, active from September of 1945 -1950, receiving the Army of occupation medal and the World War II victory medal. He then served in the United States Air Force Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel from 1950 until retiring in July of 1983.

He grew up in Delmar, graduating from Bethlehem Central School after being president of his class. He participated in Boy Scouts and earned Eagle Scout status. He played trumpet in many local orchestras and bands. Dr. Betts attended Alfred University and received his dental degree from the University of Buffalo.

He volunteered at Kent Delord House in Plattsburgh, N.Y., he was a member of Siberian Rod and Gun Club in Dannemora, N.Y. He loved hunting and hiking and worked at summer camps for children taking them on canoe trips throughout the Fulton chain of lakes. Dr. Betts retired from Clinton Correctional facility on May 2, 1986.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley (Hurlburt) Betts of Queensbury; his son, John Betts and wife Diana of Plattsburgh; daughter, Susan Elia and her husband Pete of Rochester; four grandsons, Josh and Luke Betts of Plattsburgh and Ryan and Jordon Elia of Rochester; sister, Marilyn Fryer and her husband Rodger of Delmar; and sister, Mary Jane Minko of Hampton, N.H.

Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30, 2005, at the Regan & Denny Funeral Home 53 Quaker Road, Queensbury with Flossie Gage-Bates officiating.

Burial will follow at the Gerald BH Solomon-Saratoga National VA Cemetery, Duell Road, Schuylerville. No calling hours are scheduled.

Those who wish may send a remembrance in his name to, Salvation Army Corp, 13 Chester St., Glens Falls, NY 12801 or West Glens Falls Emergency Squad, 105 Main St., Queensbury, NY 12804.

Theresa M. Castine

CHAZY -- Theresa M. Castine, 75, of Mattot Road, Chazy died Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005 at the CVPH Medical Center.

Mrs. Castine was born in Mooers on Sept. 23, 1930, the daughter of Myrten and Matilda (Garrand) LaPorte.

She married Ronald E. Castine. Ronald died in 1998.

Theresa was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Cooperville.

Survivors include one son, Marcel "Beaver" Castine and his wife Barbara of Cassel Berry, Fla.; one daughter, Mrs. Evelyn "Pinky" LaBarge and her husband Larry of Chazy; four sisters, Mrs. Roy (Geraldine) Goyette of Chaplain, Mrs. Francis (Helen) Roberts of Champlain, Mrs. Reed (Lillian) Niles of Mooers and Mrs. Donald (Bernie) Bourdeau of Mooers Forks; five grandchildren, Todd Castine, David Castine, Kevin Castine, Lonnie Barriere and Jodi Barriere; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by three brothers, Clifford, Joseph and Bucky LaPorte; and four sisters, Geneva Peryea, Vivian Monette, Rena Castine and Myrtle LaPorte.

Private calling hours will be held for the family. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church in Cooperville. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the North Country.

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

Jeanette Haller Elmendorf

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Jeanette Haller Elmendorf, 99, died peacefully on Sept. 27, 2005 at Saratoga Hospital following a brief illness.

She was born Aug. 25, 1906, the daughter of Howard and Sarah (Vanderwalker) Haller.

After attending Carthage public schools, she graduated from Wheelock College and was a director of kindergarten in the West Orange, N.J., public school system. During that time she volunteered as a Civil Air Defense plane spotter during World War II.

After her marriage to George Locke Elmendorf, she was a volunteer at Trinity Episcopal Church in Plattsburgh, the Champlain Valley Hospital and president of the Board of Managers of the (then) Children's Home of Northern New York.

They came to Saratoga Springs, from Sarasota, Fla., where her husband had retired. He passed away on July 27, 1991. They were members of the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church.

She was a lifelong fan of the Yankees and loved watching baseball. She read extensively, and enjoyed the opera, ballet and classical music. She loved wild flowers, birds and most of all spending time with her family at her summer home in the Adirondacks.

Survivors include her sons, G. Robert Elmendorf of Malden Bridge, Peter Haller Elmendorf and his wife Karen Elmendorf of Saratoga Springs; one brother, Mark Haller and his wife Eunice Haller of Naples, Fla.; grandchildren, Mark P. Elmendorf of Queensbury and Kristin M. Elmendorf of Boston; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service to celebrate Jeanette's life will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2005, at 2 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, Fifth Ave and Henning Road, Saratoga Springs, followed by a reception in the Church's fellowship hall. Interment will be in the family plot in Plattsburgh.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church Missions Program, 175 Fifth Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Arrangements are by Tunison Funeral Home, 105 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY.

Neil C. Meehan Sr.

RIVERVIEW, FLA. -- Neil C. Meehan Sr., 67, of Riverview, Fla., formerly of Plattsburgh, N.Y., died Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005, at home from cancer.

Born in Island Pond, Vt., he moved to St. Petersburg, Fla., in 1989 from Plattsburgh, N.Y., before moving to Riverview in 2003.

He was a retired manager/general agent with the Knights of Columbus in Northern New York and Southern Florida and Puerto Rico areas from 1974 until 2000. He was an Air Force veteran. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, St. Petersburg and St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Valrico, Fla., the Knights of Columbus since 1966, Elks Club, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign War, FICF and LUTC (insurance organizations) and an avid Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Rose M.; two sons, Neil "Anthony" Meehan Jr. of St. Petersburg and Craig Davis Meehan of Brandon, Fla.; five daughters, Teresa Ann Wiggins of Riverview, Cynthia Ann Olejnik of Valrico, Elizabeth Rose Haney of Littleton, N.H., Carynjoy and Buffy Michelle Meehan, both of St. Petersburg; two sisters, Elsie Keltz of Littleton, N.H., and Marjorie Breault of Newport, Vt.; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Online guestbook at www.andersonmcqueen.com