10/23/2005

Obituaries:

Elizabeth A. "Betty" (Croto) Gunning

TICONDEROGA -- Elizabeth A. "Betty" (Croto) Gunning, 76, formerly of Pinnacle Street and most recently of the Moses-Ludington Adult Home of Ticonderoga, passed away Friday, Oct. 21, 2005, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital of Utica.

Born in Westport, N.Y., Jan. 9, 1929, she was the daughter of the late M. Lincoln and Jennie L. (Hughes) Croto.

Mrs. Gunning was a resident of Ticonderoga for most of her life. Prior to moving to Ticonderoga, she lived in Albany. She was a communicant of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Ticonderoga.

She was self-employed as a hairdresser in Ticonderoga for many years, first on Montcalm Street and then from her home.

Mrs. Gunning was active in many local community organizations, including the Ticonderoga Bicentennial Committee, the Ticonderoga Junior Miss Scholarship Program. She also helped organize many local parades and community functions.

She was predeceased by her husband, John J. Gunning on Sept. 24, 1996; and by her son, Lincoln J. Gunning on Nov. 15, 1990.

Survivors include two sons, Joseph A. Gunning and his wife Cindy of Ticonderoga and Walter J. Gunning and his wife Ann of Latham; and one daughter, Jennie Lou Gunning and her husband Eric Robinson of Hague. She is also survived by seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home, 11 Algonkin St., Ticonderoga.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday, 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Ticonderoga. The Rev. William G. Muench, pastor, will officiate.

The Rite of Committal will follow at the family plot of the Valley View Cemetery of Ticonderoga.

Betty Jean Mitchell

PLATTSBURGH -- Mrs. Betty Jean Mitchell, 69, of Olivetti Place, passed away Friday, Oct. 21, 2005, at the CVPH Medical Center with her loving family by her side. She was born in Willsboro, N.Y., on March 20, 1936, the daughter of Leon and Freida (Blanchard) St. John.

Betty Jean enjoyed knitting, crafts, baking and spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. For many years, Betty Jean baby-sat, provided day care and foster care to many area children. She later did volunteer work with Hospice, Birthright, RSVP and the Senior Citizens Council. Betty Jean was a member of St. Peter's Church.

She was predeceased by her parents, Leon and Freida St. John.

She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Raymond F. Mitchell of Plattsburgh; her children, Stephen B. Mitchell and his wife Kimberly of Peru and their twin daughters, Samantha and Shauna, Theresa L. Moss and her husband Ron of Plattsburgh and their children, Rebecca and Carly; Peter R. Mitchell and his wife Jacqueline of Cadyville and their son, Dalton; her brother, Robert St. John and his wife Carol of Peru; her sister, Anne Marie Mero and her husband John of North Clarendon, Vt.; several nieces and nephews; and her pet Yorkie, Peanut.

At Betty's request, there will be no calling hours.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. from St. Peter's Church.

Interment will follow in the family plot at Calvary Cemetery in Willsboro.

Friends wishing may make donations to Hospice of the North Country or the FitzPatrick Cancer Center.

Arrangements are by the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.

Lois Stanton

MORRISONVILLE -- Lois Stanton, 82, of Route 22B, died Friday, Oct. 21, 2005, at CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Fort Covington, N.Y., on July 15, 1923, the daughter of Clifford and Grace (Tolman) Smith.

Lois was a communications specialist for New York State Troopers at Troop B in Malone and later in Ray Brook, N.Y., retiring in 1984.

She was a member of Civil Service Employee Association.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Harold "Hal" and Mary Ellen Stanton of Plattsburgh; two daughters and sons-in-law, Elizabeth "Bettsie" and Francis Filion of Morrisonville, Faye and Michael DeLilli of Mayfield, N.Y.; six grandchildren, Ian Stanton, Alicia Stanton, Shane Filion, T.J. Filion, Anthony DeLilli and Michael DeLilli; and three great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by three brothers, Edward Smith, Kenneth Smith and Clifford Smith; three sisters, Emily Ford, Betty Slattery and Harriet Smith.

A private graveside service will be held at Morningside Cemetery in Malone.

Donations may be made to the Elmore SPCA, Telegraph Road, Peru, NY 12972 or the Morrisonville Volunteer Rescue Squad, Banker Road, Morrisonville, NY 12962.

Arrangements are by the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

Deaths

GRACE HOPE SAPPAH, 85, died Oct. 21, 2005, at the Horace Nye Home in Elizabethtown.

She was born March 6, 1920, in New York City, the daughter of Fernando and Marie (Kerr) Franco.

Private calling hours will be held by the family. Burial will take place at the convenience of the family in Westwood Cemetery in Westwood, N.J.

Arrangements are with W.M. Marvin's Sons Funeral Home.