Obituaries: 5/07/06

Keith A. Gutreuter

CROWN POINT -- Born 8 Oct. 1958, in Belleville, Ill., to Edward A. Gutreuter and Mary F. (Gordon).

He and his family moved to St. Mary of the Woods, Ind., when he was quite young. He was a high school graduate of West Vigo High School in June 1977.

He joined the U.S. Army in August 1977, completed basic training and advanced individual training as a 13B10 Artilleryman at Ft. Sill, Okla.

Was first assigned to overseas duty in the 3rd Infantry Division Artillery Unit at Larson Barracks, Kitzigen, Germany, in July of 1979.

Met Mary O'Donnell, who would become his wife in July of that year (at the 981st MP Company where she was stationed); they returned to the states and were married 21 Dec. 1979, at the Town Justice Office of Judge Weston (Town Hall, Port Henry, N.Y., now the town supervisor's office).

Completed his first tour of duty (Germany) and reenlisted for a second overseas tour (April 1981) for the Southern European Task Force (Italy) where he was assigned as a Special Weapons Artilleryman. His son, Jean-Miguel A. Gutreuter, was born to both he and his wife Mary while stationed in Italy, on 2 Nov. 1983. He was honorably discharged from Active-Duty Army on 6 March 1984. He and his family lived and worked for a period of time in Yardley, Newtown, and Morrisville (Bucks County), Pennsylvania. He served as a 13B10 Artilleryman in the Army Reserve in Pennsylvania from 7 March 1984 until 6 March 1986, receiving an honorable discharge. The family returned to Essex County in June of 1989, living in Mineville, Port Henry, Grover Hills, Crown Point, and then he was temporarily residing with his brother Wade (in Ticonderoga, beginning 2 Dec. 2005). He joined and served in B Battery, 1/86th Field Artillery, Vermont Army National Guards, from 21 April 1993, including reenlisting and served honorably and with an honorable discharge (under hardship conditions) until August 2004. Over the course of his military career, he was awarded numerous medals, awards, letters of achievement and commendation. He was currently working for Saputo Cheese in Hinesburg, Vt., and on his way to work early morning on 26 April 2006, on an attempt to pass another car, he lost control of his vehicle, struck a utility pole and went down a steep embankment. He was transported by ambulance to Fletcher Allen Hospital with fatal injuries. He was placed on life support monitoring as he had pre-agreed to be an organ donor. He was administered the last rites of his father's faith and the Roman Catholic Church (a promise made by his widow to his father when they were first married). He was a long-standing member of Mount Moriah Presbyterian Church, Port Henry, and church choir member. He was an instrumental member of the Town of Moriah Food Pantry, assisting with Red Cross covering the town of Moriah and mutual assistance if needed for any disaster (i.e. "Ticonderoga Theater disaster," fires, "the great ice storm") in other townships if and when the need arose. At one point, he was a member of American Legion Post 224 (color guard and on the committee for the Ticonderoga Veteran's Monument), former Assistant Scoutmaster and merit badge counselor for Boy Scout Troop 270 of Crown Point. His parents predeceased him, with his father passing February of 2004, and his mother losing her long fight with cancer in November 2005.

He is survived by his wife of over 26 years, the former Mary (O'Donnell) (280 Hogback Road, PO Box 166), Crown Point, NY 12928; and his son, Jean-Miguel (Victorville, Calif.) Gutreuter; He is also survived by his siblings, Edward Gutreuter (and his wife Barbara of Smithton, Ill.), brother David (and his wife Mary of Collinsville, Ill.), sister Donna Barthel (and her husband John of Houston, Texas), sister Pat Blankenship (and her best friend Sara Cruz of New Port Richey, Fla.), half-brother Joe Clifton (and his wife Cissy of Ft. Worth, Texas), half-sister Brenda Wilson (of St. Louis, Mo.), and brother Wade (of Ticonderoga, N.Y.); many, many nieces and nephews from all sides of this family; and good childhood friends from Indiana and California. A public memorial will be held on Sunday, May 21, 2006, at Mount Moriah Presbyterian Church, Church Street, Port Henry, N.Y., beginning at 4 p.m. His cremated remains will be interred at a later date at the family lot at St. Mary's Church, at his beloved childhood home in St. Mary of the Woods, Ind., at a later date and at the convenience of his family members.

Memorial donations (to help defray the final expenses) can be sent to Mary Gutreuter, PO Box 166, (280 Hogback Road), Crown Point, NY 12928. Additionally, in lieu of large flower arrangements, we ask that EVERYONE consider organ donation and make it known to your family members and that information be placed in your personal and medical records, The need for organs is so vast, the list so long and is a fitting way for you to be remembered as saving lives. And with this senseless tragedy, it was the only thing that DID make sense. Please continue your prayers for this blended family. Funeral arrangements are being made through the Harland Funeral Home, 4279 Main St., Port Henry, NY 12974. (518-546-7033).

Anna M. Bishop

PLATTSBURGH -- Anna M. Bishop, 68, of Plattsburgh, passed away on Friday, May 5, 2006, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, surrounded by her family. She was born on Mackinac Island, Mich., on April 26, 1938, the daughter of Frank and Marie (Perault) Visnaw. Anna was an avid Yankee fan; she enjoyed playing bingo and going to the casino. Anna's greatest joy was spending quality time with her family, especially her children and her grandchildren. Anna was a member of Our Lady of Victory Church.

She was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Marie Visnaw; three children, Stephen James Bishop, James E. Bishop Jr., and Bonnie Sue Bishop; her brothers, Thomas R. Visnaw, John F. Visnaw, Stephen J. Visnaw, James M. Visnaw; her sisters, Mary C. Visnaw, Delia A. Visnaw, Patricia A. Visnaw; her brothers-in-law, George Bishop, Robert Bishop; her sisters-in-law, Bertha Fountain and Patricia Trott.

Anna is survived by her husband of 51 years, James E. Bishop Sr. of Plattsburgh. They were married March 21, 1955, at St. Ignace, Mich. She is also survived by her children, Joann E. Bishop and her companion Peter Smart of Altona, Brian K. Bishop and his companion Mary Latour of Peru, Julie A. Houghton of Plattsburgh, Renee L. Monette of Plattsburgh; her siblings, Josephine E. Bunker and her husband Isaac of Mackinac Island, Mich., Lawrence M. Visnaw of Detroit, Mich., Mary L. Lannoo of St. Ignace, Mich., Francis W. Visnaw and his wife Ruth of St. Ignace, Mich., Grace M. Allman and her husband Donald of Cleveland, Ohio, Rose M. Visnaw and her companion Mike Woodford of St. Ignace, Mich.; her brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Judy Bishop of Plattsburgh, Linda and Richard Darrah of Plattsburgh, Martha Rusciani of Plattsburgh, Bernice Cressey of Plattsburgh, Faith Haigth of Schenectady, Rita and Jim Ramsey of Kansas, Frances and Ernest Gushlaw of Florida, Larry and Judy Velie of Peru, Horace Fountain of Peru, Joan Bishop of Plattsburgh, Betty Bishop of Plattsburgh; ten grandchildren, Stephanie A. Vega, Brandy A. Bishop, Chad M. Burdo, Todd R. Bishop, Nathan A. Smart, Stephen J. Houghton, Ryan K. Bishop, James E. Bishop III, Daryl D. Houghton Jr., Maria E. Houghton; one great-grandson, Caleb M. Burdo; several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at 11 a.m. from Our Lady of Victory Church.

Interment will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery.

Donations in her memory may be made to her family.

Leonard W. Scorse

GREECE, N.Y. -- Leonard W. Scorse, died May 2, 2006, at age 93. He was a lifetime resident of Greece, N.Y.

He was predeceased by wives Grace Thompson Scorse and Dorothy Clark Scorse.

He is survived by four daughters, Suzanne (Anthony) Galasso, Linda Ludgate, Sandra (Michael) Deignan and Joanne (Larry) Cooper; a son, Richard Scorse; grandchildren, Tamara Poretsky, Danielle Smith, Gregory Ludgate, Janine LaForest, Jill Harris, Jason Deignan and Erin Scorse; 11 great - grandchildren; brother-in-law, John Messina; and many nieces and nephews.

He was a past master of Clio Lodge 779, a longtime farmer and an Eastman Kodak retiree.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Contributions in his name may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association.

Arrangements are with the New Comer Family Funeral Home, Rochester, N.Y.

Stephan "Steve" D. McFalls

PLATTSBURGH -- Mr. Stephan "Steve" D. McFalls, 57, of Hillcrest Avenue, Plattsburgh, passed away Friday, May 5, 2006, at his home, with his family by his side while under the care of Hospice. He was born in Detroit, Mich., on April 3, 1949, the son of Charles and Joan (Dell) McFalls.

Stephan retired from New York State Department of Corrections at Clinton Correctional Facility after 25 years of service. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1968 to 1971. He enjoyed woodworking, building, riding motorcycles and spending time with his family. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Joan McFalls.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Carol (O'Connell) McFalls; a daughter, Marissa McFalls and her fiancé Robert Patrick of Albany; his children, Stephan Keech and his wife Annette of Albany, Stephanie McFalls of Hudson Falls; two grandchildren, Stephan and Katlyn Keech; his stepchildren, Scott McCormick and his wife Julieann of Plattsburgh, Susan Walker of Plattsburgh, Michael McCormick of Pennsylvania; one brother, Charles "Chuck" McFalls and his wife Ronna of Clayton, N.C.; several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at 1:30 p.m. at St. Peter's Church.

Entombment will follow at Whispering Maples Mausoleum on the Tom Miller Road.

Friends wishing may make donations to Hospice of the North Country.

Deaths

MICHAEL M. CARTER, 25, of the Wagner Road, Bangor, died Friday, May 5, 2006, at his home.

Born in Malone on June 4, 1980, he was the son of Mark Carter and Elaine (Goodchild) Dowd.

Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are through the Chateaugay Funeral Home.

URSULA H. KAUFMAN, 101, of Dannemora, died Saturday, May 6, 2006, at the CVPH Medical Center.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.