Obituaries: 4/30/06

Ralph Earl Myers

PLATTSBURGH -- Ralph Earl Myers of Pine St., Plattsburgh, died Friday, April 14, 2006, at CVPH Medical Center. He was born in Plattsburgh on March 6, 1917, to Earl and Emma (Gibeau) Myers.

Ralph was very proud of having served honorably in the 106th Infantry during World War II throughout the Asiatic Pacific Theater. He worked many years for the various paper mills, which became Georgia Pacific, retiring in 1980. He was head usher at St. Peter's Church for many years until his health declined. Ralph was a life member of American Legion Post 20.

He is survived by his sister, Doris (Myers) Brown of Plattsburgh; two nephews and their wives, Gary and Sandy Brown of Morrisonville, Roger and Lorraine Brown of Visalia, Calif.; a niece and her husband, Marilyn and Doug Richards of Peru; and several cousins. Ralph is also survived by his two very special neighbors, John and Bonnie Burdo, who made it possible for him to maintain his dignity and independence in his home, where he could often be seen sitting on his front porch enjoying the passing people and the view of the river.

Per his wishes, there will be no calling hours. The funeral will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 2, at St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh, with burial following in St. Peter's Cemetery.

Grace Jeanette Soulia

PLATTSBURGH -- Grace Jeanette Soulia, 74, of 20 Main Way, So. Acres MHP, Plattsburgh, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving and devoted husband, her seven children and Hospice of the North Country.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Sheridan John Soulia; two daughters, Rebecca and Herb Rees of Churubusco, Robin and Joseph Palmer of LaGrange, Ky.; five sons, Daniel Soulia of Ramstein, Germany, Stephen and Anne Soulia of Peru, Christopher and Elizabeth Soulia of Albany, Brian Soulia of Marquette, Mich., and Scott and Dawn Soulia of Deptford, N.J.; as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren of whom she was very proud. She is also survived by four brothers, Wilfred Carter Jr., Bernard Carter, David Carter and Patrick Carter.

She is predeceased by her parents, Wilfred and Madeline (Turner) Carter; two sisters, Elizabeth and Paulette; and three brothers, Michael, Roger and Paul.

Grace was born Monday, Feb. 15, 1932, in Dannemora, N.Y., and graduated from Plattsburgh High School. She was a loving wife and mother whose cooking was second to none. She made the best apple pies in the North Country. She loved her rose bushes and working in her flower gardens. She was a gifted artist making beautiful ceramics, clothing and needlework. Grace was a diehard fan of the New York Football Giants, and the Boston Red Sox, as well as an avid reader and in her youth a fine water skier. She was very involved in the lives of her children and her two pets, Tasha and Muff.

There will be no public calling hours or funeral service. Donations in Grace's memory may be made to Hospice of the North Country.

Arrangements are by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru.

Kathryn M. Simpson

ELMONT, Long Island -- Kathryn M. (Tobin) Simpson, 88, formerly of Elmont, Long Island, passed away Sunday, April 2, 2006, at Franklin Hospital in Valley Stream.

She was born in Cadyville, N.Y., on March 13, 1918, the daughter of Joseph Patrick and Nellie Briget (Conway) Tobin.

She graduated from Cadyville High School in 1936. She was retired for several years from Pfizer Inc.

She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph Patrick and Nellie Briget (Conway) Tobin; her brothers, Thomas, Conway, Joseph, Harold, Francis and Patrick Tobin; her sisters, Leona (Hazen), Helen (DeJaager) and Claudine (Simonetta).

She is survived by daughters, Jocelyn (Fenn), son-in-law, Bryan W. Fenn Sr. and grandson, Bryan W. Fenn Jr.; as well as daughter, Sharron (Serafin), son-in-law, Peter A. Serafin and granddaughter, Nicole M. Serafin; a sister, Betty Carter of Plattsburgh; and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday, May 8, 2006, at 8:30 a.m. from St. James Church in Cadyville. Interment will follow at St. James Cemetery.

Donations in her memory may be made to Helen Keller Services for the Blind Memorial Society, 57 Willoughby St., Brooklyn, NY 11201.

Nancy Ann Hunter

ROUSES POINT -- Nancy Ann Hunter, 70, of Rouses Point, passed away unexpectedly into the arms of our Lord on Friday, April 21, 2006, at the Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Fla.

She was born Aug. 14, 1935, in Rouses Point, the daughter of the late Charles John and Kathryn Mae (Cronkrite) Marnes. She was an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Rouses Point, president of the Maple Hill Cemetery, a member of the Rouses Point Beautification Committee, a member of the Rouses Point Historical Society, a member of the Rouses Point Auxiliary and a member of the Chazy Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and held the position of the Star Point of Martha for over 15 years. She was a retiree of Wyeth with over 30 years of service.

She married Ira Allen Hunter on June 24, 1956, at the First Presbyterian Church in Rouses Point. He predeceased her July 16, 2005. She enjoyed travel, her many close friends, helping others and visiting the casino in Biloxi, Miss. She enjoyed her family and was able to spend a full week of joy in Florida with them prior to her death.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Rick and Kathy Hunter of Rouses Point, Charles and Sarah Hunter of Champlain; one daughter and son-in-law, Marne Lynne Robinson and Seth of Navarre, Fla.; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Sally and Carl Smith of Rouses Point, Mary Lou and Gabriel Bedard of Merrimack, N.H.; six grandchildren, C.J. Hunter, Carrie Hunter, McKenna Hunter, Dalton Robinson, Sydney Hunter and Cole Robinson. Several nieces and nephews and cousins also survive Nancy.

The family will receive friends and family from noon to 2 p.m., followed by a memorial service which will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, May 1, 2006, at the First Presbyterian Church in Rouses Point.

Donations in Nancy's memory, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Adirondack Humane Society.

Arrangements are with the Clark Funeral Home in Rouses Point.

Earl E. Jones

SELKIRK -- Earl E. Jones, 71, of Selkirk, died suddenly Friday, April 28, 2006, at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany. He was born in Reber, N.Y., Nov. 20, 1934, the son of the late Norton and Mary (Daby) Jones.

Earl was a graduate of Willsboro Central High School and received his B.S. from SUNY Plattsburgh and his M.S. from SUNY New Paltz. His teaching career spanned 35 years, beginning as teacher and principal of Leeds Consolidated School, teacher at Coxsackie-Athens Central and 30 years on the faculty at RCS Central. He worked many summers at Wickes Lumber Co. and enjoyed completing many home improvement projects through his own contracting business, Earl E. Jones and Son. He was active in the Bethlehem Republican Committee and for many years served as committeeman for Ward 26. He was an enthusiastic participant in the Delmar Presbyterian Church where he was presently serving as a deacon and was most recently involved in the "sprucification" of the church in anticipation of the church's 50th Anniversary Jubilee later this year. He touched many lives through education and community service. He will be remembered for always offering a helping hand.

He is survived by his wife, Eunice Stafford Jones. They had recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in June. He is also survived by his children, Nancy Jones and her husband Paul Fagan and Kevin and his wife, Dawn; his sisters, Arlene Mason and Ramona (Thurman) Anderson; and his brother, Otis (Joan) Jones; five grandchildren; several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar. A funeral service will be held at noon on Tuesday at the Delmar Presbyterian Church, 585 Delaware Ave., Delmar, with a reception at the church immediately following the funeral. Burial will be at noon on Wednesday in Memorial Cemetery, Willsboro, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Delmar Presbyterian Church, 585 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054.

Deaths

EDWARD B. ROGERS, 86, formerly of Stafford Drive, Beekmantown, died Friday, April 28, 2006, at Meadowbrook Nursing Home in Plattsburgh.

He was born in Watertown, N.Y., on Jan. 1, 1920, the son of George L. and Ruth (Gibbs) Rogers.

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

A full obituary will appear in Monday's Press-Republican.

DONALD C. PECK, 82, died Friday, April 28, 2006, at Uihein Mercy Center in Lake Placid.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.

Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.