Richard C. Bell  
Mr. Richard "Ike" C. Bell, 71, of Corbin Hill Road, Sprakers, N.Y., died Sunday evening, Nov. 18, at home after a long illness.

He was born on Jan. 10, 1930 in Gloversville, the son of Clarence and Madge McDuffee Bell. Mr. Bell was educated in Fultonville schools. He was a lifelong area resident of Charleston, N.Y. 

Mr. Bell was employed as a truck driver for Cobleskill Stone Products and retired in 1999. He previously was the owner and operator of Ike's Place in Charleston. Prior to that, he was employed at Glen Mohawk Milk Association of Fultonville for 13 years and prior to that, he and his father operated the former Bell Dairy Farm. 

Mr. Bell was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the Army.

He was of the Christian faith. He was a member of Esperance Elks Lodge No. 2507; Johnstown Moose Lodge No. 1185; and a former member of the Charleston Volunteer Fire Department.

On Aug. 22, 1953, he married Nita P. Pedrick Bell at Johnstown Reformed Church. 

Survivors include his wife, Nita P. Bell of the town of Charleston; five sons and daughters-in-law, Richard J. and Leslie Bell of Canajoharie, N.Y., Randal C. and Maryella Bell of Carlisle, N.Y.; Clayton "Terry" and Debbie Bell of the town of Palatine, N.Y., Steven L. Bell of the town of Charleston; and Alan W. and Lisa Bell of Ames, N.Y.; one brother and sister-in-law, Dewey and Arlene Bell of the town of Charleston; one sister, Clara B. Bronk of Canajoharie; two aunts, Florence Bell of Fonda, N.Y. and Dorothy Sutton of Schenectady, N.Y.; nine grandchildren, Adrianne and Aaron Bell of the town of Palatine; Randi Bell of Carlisle; Theresa Coso and Kristen and Tyler Bell, both of Ames; Richard A. Bell of Connecticut; and Jason and Gavin Granger of Canajoharie; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, at the chapel of Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, 20 Otsego St., Canajoharie, where memorial services will follow at 8 p.m. The Rev. R.W. Williams will officiate. Burial will take place at Christian Church Cemetery, Charleston, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 73 N. Main St., Gloversville, NY 12078. 
 

Marguerite Knoff Best 
Marguerite Knoff Best, 101, a Gloversville native, died Nov. 6 at Calico Rock, Ark.

Survivors are sister, Marian Selmser; daughter, Patricia Booth of Akron, Ohio; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place, remains will be placed in the family plot at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville. 
 

Lyndon B. Harvey  
Lyndon B. Harvey, 76, of Oakland Avenue, Gloversville, died Monday, Nov. 19, at Fulton County Residential Health Care Facility.

Mr. Harvey was born on Aug. 20, 1925 in Gloversville, the son of Herbert and Harriet Dorn Harvey. He was a 1944 graduate of Gloversville High School. 

He served in the Navy from 1944 to 1946 on the USS Tyrrell. He received the American Theater Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Medal and one star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and the Victory Medal.

He was an electronics technician, employed by General Electric Co., Schenectady for 35 years. 

He was a member of the former First Baptist Church and a former co-president of the McNab School PTA, both of Gloversville; the GE Quarter Century Club, the National Woodcarvers Association and the International Actors Theater Stage Association.

He was married on May 12, 1951 to the former Joan Madden, who survives. He is also survived by his mother, Harriet Harvey Tyrrell of Gloversville; daughter, Melinda Sheyon of Glenville, N.Y.; sons, James L. Harvey of Branford, Conn. and Jon A. Harvey of Gloversville; granddaughters, Adrienne Sheyon, Stephanie Sheyon and Summer Harvey; two nieces and one nephew. He was predeceased by one sister, Sheryl Hoagaboon.

There will be no calling hours. Interment will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville. Memorial contributions may be made to North Bush United Methodist Church, 1009 North Bush Road, Caroga Lake, NY 12032, or the James A. Brennan Memorial Humane Society, 437 Nine Mile Tree Road, Gloversville, NY 12078. A private funeral service will be held Wednesday at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home Inc. at the convenience of the family. 
 

Carleton Hine  
Carleton Hine, 85, of Gloversville, died Saturday, Nov. 17, at Nathan Littauer Hospital.

He was born on Jan. 2, 1916 in Gloversville, the son of William and Lillian Gray Hine. He attended Gloversville schools and was a lifelong area resident.

He was employed by Independent Leather Co. and retired in 1984.

Survivors include one son, Robert Barter of Chesapeake, Va.; two daughters, Patricia A. Nellis of Caroga Lake and Joan Wanderlick of Orange, Mass.; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by one brother, Kenneth Hine; three infant sisters; and one grandson, John Wanderlick. 

The family will be receiving friends from 9 to 10 a.m. today at Hollenbeck Funeral Home, 4 Second Ave., Gloversville, where a funeral service will directly follow at 10 a.m. The Rev. R.W. Williams will officiate. Interment will take place at Ferndale Cemetery, Johnstown. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society or to the charity of one's choice. 
 

Thomas F. Steenburgh 
Thomas F. Steenburgh, 57, of 230 N. Hoopes Ave., Auburn, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, Nov. 17, at Auburn Memorial Hospital.

He was born in Gloversville, the son of Frank David and Dora Fellows Steenburgh. He was a graduate of SUNY Brockport and received his MS in biology from the University of South Dakota. 

He was the former academic dean at Cayuga Community College in Auburn and presently was a professor at both CCC and Wells College.

Thomas was a member of St. Peter &John Episcopal Church and served on the board of directors for several local charities. He enjoyed playing racquetball and was an avid softball player with the Barristers.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Kippola Steenburgh; his mother, Dora Steenburgh of Johnstown, N.Y.; two sons, Thomas J. and his wife, Laura, of Boston, and Eric M. of New Haven, Conn.; a daughter, Dr. Erin Steenburgh, and her fiance, Dr. Vishal Thanik of Buffalo; five brothers, Eric and his wife, Maureen; Frank and his wife, Fran; Karl and his wife, Peggy; and William and his wife, Lynn, all of Rochester; Paul and his wife, Bonnie, of St. Johnsville, N.Y.; a sister, Dale Kovarovic, and her husband, Lawrence, of Connecticut; many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father.

Visiting hours will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. today at St. Peter and John Episcopal Church, 169 Genesee St., Auburn, where a funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21. The Rev. Douglas Taylor-Weiss will officiate. Burial will take place at Fort Hill Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions in his name to the general scholarship fund at Cayuga Community College, 197 Franklin St., Auburn, NY 13021. Arrangements are by Langham Funeral Home, Auburn. 
 

Bernard Masker  
Mr. Bernard Masker, 85, formerly of Lee Avenue, Gloversville, died Sunday at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam following a long illness.

He was born on Aug. 20, 1916 in Vilna, Poland, the son of the late Josef and Ida Harris Maskor. He was educated in Gloversville schools.

He worked in the leather industry as a chemist and worked at the former Martin-Deichsel Leather Co. He retired about 18 years ago.

He was a former member of the former Elks Club in Gloversville.

He is survived by two daughters, Sally Seeley of Delanson and Lois Moore of Hamlin, N.Y.; one son, Robert Masker of Randolph, N.J.; one brother, Paul Masker of New York City; eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one nephew. He was married to the former Gene Martin Masker on Feb. 23, 1941 and she died in 1991.

A calling hour will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Kobuskie-Konik Funeral Home, 147 Bleecker St., Gloversville, where a funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. The Rev. Jack Millard, pastor of Johnstown Reformed Church, will officiate. Burial will take place at Ferndale Cemetery in Johnstown. 
 
November 21, 2001

Estelle Bishop  
Estelle Hortense Bishop, 81, of Second Avenue, Gloversville, died Monday evening, Nov. 19, at St. Johnsville Nursing Home, after a long illness. 

She was born May 14, 1920 in Amsterdam, the daughter of Emmitt and Hortense Lasher Conover. 

She worked 25 years for Crescendoe Glove Co. as a glove worker and 25 years for Coleco Manufacturing. 

She was of the Protestant faith.

The only known survivors are her close friend, Mrs. Dorothy Blowers, and her family, of Caroga Lake.

There will be no calling hours. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Cremation will take place in Parkview Crematory, Schenectady. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements are by Barter & Donnan Funeral Home. 
 

Margaret Booth  
Mrs. Margaret E. Booth, 85, of 38 W. Main St., Mayfield, died peacefully Monday evening at home. 

She was born July 9, 1916 in Mayfield, the daughter of Elmer and Ella Sparr Bellen. She was a lifelong resident of the area.

She was employed as a glove worker for many glove shops in Mayfield and Gloversville. 

She enjoyed fishing in Canada with her family. 

She is survived by a daughter, Penny Booth Sweet of Mayfield; a brother, Don Bellen, and his wife, Anja, of Mayfield; and a sister, Ellen Bellen of Mayfield. Several nieces and nephews also survive her.

Her husband, Leon "Red" Booth, died Oct. 11, 1969. She was also predeceased by four brothers, Charles, William, Forest and Robert Bellen, and a sister, Mary Bellen.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Northville Funeral Service Inc., 401 Bridge St., where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday. Burial will take place in Edinburg Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, Gloversville. 
 

Anne Darrow  
Mrs. Anne K. Darrow, 86, of Hilltop Road, Sprakers, died Tuesday evening, Nov. 20, at Palatine Nursing Home, after a long illness.

She was born March 15, 1915 in the town of Root, the daughter of Salvatore and Elizabeth Rappa Davi. Mrs. Darrow was educated in New York City. She was a lifelong area resident.

Mrs. Darrow was a homemaker and mother and helped her husband on the family dairy farm in Sprakers.

She was a member of St. James Roman Catholic Church in Fort Plain; a life member of Catholic Daughters of America Court Catherine Esther No. 1264; and a former member of the Mapletown Grange.

On May 27, 1944, she married Harold Edward Darrow in Canajoharie. 

Survivors include her husband, Harold Edward Darrow of the town of Root; two daughters and sons-in-law, Deborah and Robert Buck of Canajoharie and Phyllis and Anthony Lapi of Sprakers; a son, Charles E. Darrow of Canajoharie; two sisters, Nancy Davi of Ocala, Fla., and Mary "Dee" Zuccarello of Ocean Township, N.J.; a brother, Anthony Davi of Canajoharie; five grandchildren, Nicolle Littrell of Belfast, Maine, Matthew Littrell of Amsterdam, Michael Lapi of Woodstock, Timothy Lapi of New Paltz and Jacob Darrow of Rochester; a great-granddaughter, Laura Littrell of Amsterdam; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by three brothers, Joseph Davi, John Davi and Salvatore Davi, and a sister, Katherine Hennessey. 

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23, in the chapel of Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home Inc., 20 Otsego St., Canajoharie. A prayer service will be held at 9:15 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at the funeral home, followed at 10 a.m. by a Mass of Christian burial at St. James Roman Catholic Church, Reid Street, Fort Plain. The Rev. Kenneth Swain will officiate. Burial will take place in Fort Plain Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the MidCounty Volunteer Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 126, Canajoharie, N.Y. 13317. 
 

Frances Gargiulo  
Mrs. Frances Marie Gargiulo, 95, of Union Street, Gloversville, died Tuesday, Nov. 20, at Nathan Littauer Hospital.

She was born on April 7, 1906 in Frankfort, the daughter of Joseph and Mary Onorata Frank.

Mrs. Gargiulo was a member of St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church and its Rosary Society, Cayadutta Chapter No. 166 of the Order of Eastern Star and the Ida McGinnis Senior Citizens Club, all in Gloversville.

She is survived by her sons, Donald Gargiulo, and his wife, Gale, of Cypress, Calif., George Gargiulo, and his wife, MaryAnn, of Gloversville and Richard Gargiulo, and his wife, Patricia, of Saratoga Springs; a daughter-in-law, Marion Gargiulo of Colorado; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband, Albert J. Gargiulo, in 1960; and a son, Albert J. Gargiulo Jr.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home Inc., 51 Fremont St., Gloversville. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church. The Rev. Donald Czelusniak will be the celebrant. Interment will take place in the spring in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Johnstown. Memorial contributions may be made to Room to Grow Pre-K, 161 S. Main St., Gloversville, N.Y. 12078. 
 
November 26, 2001

Allen Thomas Enfield 
Mr. Allen Thomas Enfield, 77, of Rock Hill, S.C., died Sunday, Nov. 25, at Eden Gardens Extended Care Facility, Rock Hill, S.C. He resided in Gloversville for about 20 years and has lived in the Charlotte, N.C. area since the 1960s.

He was born on Nov. 18, 1924 in Amsterdam, the son of Henry and Hattie Enfield. He graduated from high school in Amsterdam and from college in Schenectady. He later served in combat infantry in the Army during WWII, and received the Purple Heart. 

Mr. Enfield was a textile chemist, employed by Lee Dyeing Co., Johnstown.

He was a member of Fremont Street United Methodist Church and the Gloversville Lions Club. He was also a member of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists.

He is survived by sons, Jeffrey Enfield of Greensboro, N.C. and Mark Enfield of Charlotte, N.C.; brother, Richard Enfield of Gloversville; granddaughter, Kimberly Williams of Huntersville, N.C.; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Ella Kalil Enfield, who died in 1990; and son, Kyle Enfield, who died in 1963.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville, (east side of Kingsboro Avenue section). The Rev. Wayne E. Jones Jr. will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to Fremont Street United Methodist Church, 17 Fremont St., Gloversville, or the Salvation Army, 10 Spring St., Gloversville, NY 12078. Arrangements are by Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, Inc., Gloversville. 
 

Raymond D. Quackenbush 
Raymond D. Quackenbush, 93, of 2 Frontage Road, Gloversville, N.Y., died Saturday, Nov. 24, at Nathan Littauer Hospital, Gloversville.

He was born on Nov. 26, 1907 in Johnstown, the son of Abram and Emma Bogardus Quackenbush. 

He served in the Army and later was employed as a machinist, carpenter, and mechanic in the Fulton County area. He was also a self-employed locksmith for many years. 

He is survived by daughter, Janice Wetterau of Morristown, Tenn.; sons, Brian Quackenbush and Stanley Quackenbush, both of Morristown, Tenn.; stepdaughter, Judith Halstead Leonard of Johnstown, N.Y.; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Cymbleen Nestle Quackenbush, who died in 1958; his second wife, Elsie Lukach Quackenbush, who died this past January; and sister, Edna Powers. 

There will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Maple Avenue Cemetery, Fultonville. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 260 Osborne Road, Loudonville, NY 12211. Arrangements are by Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home Inc., Gloversville. 
 

Peter E. Ryder  
Peter E. Ryder, 61, of Tannery Road, town of Bleecker, died Saturday morning at Nathan Littauer Hospital.

He was born on Oct. 27, 1940 in Gloversville, the son of Elwyn and Eleanor Gardiner Ryder. He was a lifelong area resident and attended local schools.

Mr. Ryder was the owner and operator of Ryder Saw Mill in Fort Johnson and then in Bleecker. He also was employed as a machinist for the General Electric Co. in Schenectady for over 20 years.

He was of the Roman Catholic faith.

Mr. Ryder also was an avid hunter and fisherman.

He married the former Rosemary Taylor on Feb. 15, 1986. 

In addition to his wife, survivors include one daughter, Tracey Ryder of Ojai, Calif.; two stepdaughters, Lynn Bottomley and Lisa Fowler, both of Schenectady; one brother, Thomas A. Ryder of Northville, N.Y.; two sisters, Barbara J. Robertshaw of Amsterdam and Linda C. Hidde of Perth; four grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his son, Christopher Ryder.

Calling hours will be from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Betz, Rossi and Bellinger Family Funeral Home Inc., 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam, where funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. The Rev. James Gulley will officiate. Interment will take place at Bleecker Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice c/o the Betz, Rossi and Bellinger Family Funeral Home Inc. 
 
November 27, 2001

Edna Craig Herbst  
Edna Craig Herbst, 93, of Mimbres Nursing Home in Deming, N.M., passed away after a brief illness.

She was born Edna I. Craig on Nov. 6, 1908 in Wells, N.Y., the daughter of Henry M. and Mary Boroff Craig.

A former resident of Northville, she operated The Little Red Schoolhouse Antique Shop in Hope Falls, N.Y. with her sister, Marguerite Crowley. Mrs. Herbst retired to Deming, N.M. in 1978. After moving to Deming, she operated Edna's Unique Antiques. She pursued her passion for art by painting landscapes of the southwest and our local area. 

She was a member of the Deming Arts Council and the Unity Church of Deming.

Edna was married to William E. Herbst of Pittsburgh, Pa. on June 17, 1938. They resided in the Syracuse area until his death in 1957.

She is survived by her brother, Archie D. Craig (Pete) and his wife, Helen of Orange City, Fla.; and several nieces. Edna was predeceased by her parents, Henry M. and Mary Boroff Craig; her brothers, Harry Craig, George Craig, Scott Craig, Franklin Craig; and sisters, Marguerite Crowley and Vera Brownell.

Arrangements are by Northville Funeral Service. Interment will take place in Wells Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Northville Historical Society, PO Box 203, Northville, NY 12134. A graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family. 
 
November 30, 2001

Erwin Geelan  
Erwin "Odie" Geelan of South Shore Road, Edinburg, died Nov. 29, at Montgomery Meadows in Amsterdam. Mr. Geelan was a lifelong Edinburg resident. 

He was a World War II veteran who served in Europe. He earned the Purple Heart, was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and recently received a citation from the federal government for his service during the war. 

He worked as a heavy machine operator. He owned and operated Odie Geelan Trucking for 25 years, then worked at Dermack Construction in Gloversville and Scotia Sand and Stone, retiring in 1993.

He was a lifelong member of the Northampton United Methodist Church, a 50-year member of American Legion Post 337 in Broadalbin and a founding member of the Fish House Fish and Game Club. He was an avid hunter and bowler and loved to refinish antique furniture.

Odie is survived by his wife, Beatrice Birdsall Geelan; four daughters, Brenda Simon of Ballston Spa, Janet LeBron of Amsterdam, Janice Geelan of Amsterdam and Laura Lanfear of Fort Plain; a son, Gregg Geelan of Northville; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Elvira Srodoski of Scotia. He was the son of the late Erwin and Alice (Dingman) Geelan. 

Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Northampton United Methodist Church at Fish House, where funeral services will follow at 1:30 p.m. Interment will follow in Edinburg Cemetery. Contributions may be made in memory of Odie to the Fish House Fish and Game Club, Broadalbin, N.Y. 12025, or to Northampton United Methodist Church, c/o Elizabeth Pickering, 26 S. Second Ave., Broadalbin, N.Y. 12025. Arrangements are by Light's Funeral Home, Schenectady. 
 

Leroy Ward  
Leroy R. Ward, 59, of Dwyer Lane, Gloversville, died Wednesday evening at Samuel Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Albany, after a long illness. 

He was born Sept. 21, 1942 in Gloversville, the son of John and Myrtle Weaver Ward. He attended Gloversville schools and served in the Navy from 1960-63.

He worked as a self-employed contractor. He was also employed for several years by Cubby's Family Contracting Inc. in Gloversville.

He is survived by a daughter, Tammy Germany of Germantown, Tenn.; his mother, Myrtle Forgette of Gloversville; a grandson, Justin Pawlowski of Tennessee; a stepbrother, John Ward of Mayfield; a niece; and two nephews.

A calling hour will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at Barter & Donnan Funeral Home, 1 Melcher St., Johnstown, where a funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. The Rev. Jack Millard, pastor of Johnstown Reformed Church, will officiate. Burial will take place in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.