Varnum N. Casler
June 8, 2012

Varnum N. Casler died on June 8, 2012 at Palatine Nursing Home in Palatine Bridge.
Born March 1921, son of late Varnum Casler and Hazel Cronkhite Casler, he was predeceased by    brothers Gerald and Warren. Survivors include his beloved wife of over 70 years, Evelyn Casler of Canajoharie, sons Michael (Adrienne) of Niskayuna and John (Shirley) of Gloversville, 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was a graduate of Owen D. Young School in Van Hornesville (1938) and the Utica School of Commerce (1939). Varnum owned and operated Casler Brothers dairy and crop farm    with brother Warren for over 30 years and was also a local sales representative for Hoffman-Funk Seed Co. Active in government and community affairs, Varnum served as Councilman for the Town of Minden and was the Chair of the Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District for 20 years. He served on the advisory board of the Ft. Plain branch of State Bank of Albany (Fleet Bank) and on the board of Northeast Dairyman’s Cooperative. He was a member of Montgomery County Farm Bureau, Extension Service, Ft. Plain Community Club and Otsquago Grange 1283. He was a charter     member of B.P.O.E. Lodge 2621 and Elk of the Year 1983-84. He was an active member of Ft. Plain and Canajoharie Senior Citizens and a long time communicant at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ft. Plain.
Varnum cared deeply about his family and his community. He was known for his tireless service and his sharp sense of humor. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Varnum’s family wishes to thank the staff of Palatine Nursing Home and Mountain Valley Hospice for the wonderful care he received     during his last days.
A memorial service will be held 10 AM  Thursday June 14 at St. John’s-St Mark’s Lutheran Church 143 Church St., Canajoharie, N.Y.   
Memorial contributions may be given in Varnum’s memory to American Heart Association,7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX  75231 or Montgomery County Office for the Aging, Inc, 135 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam, N.Y. 12010.
To light a candle or send condolences visit: www.ottmanfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley, NY.

Joan Webb Gustafson
June 7, 2012

Joan Webb Gustafson, 79, of Canajoharie, NY formerly of Lakewood, NY passed away peacefully on Thursday (June 7, 2012) in the Palatine Nursing Home, Palatine Bridge, NY.
A Jamestown area resident for most of her life, before moving to Palatine Bridge three years ago to be closer to her family, she was born September 8, 1932 in Jamestown, NY a daughter of the late Billy and Myrtle Miller Webb.
Before her retirement she was employed as a Secretary in the medical office of Dr. Rajendra Sood for over twenty years. In earlier years she had worked as a Manager for Brooks Fashions and also for Ormond Hosiery Shop.
Joan was a member of the W.C.A. Hospital Auxiliary and also was a volunteer at W.C. A. for several years.
Surviving are a son Karl W. (Kim) Gustafson, a grandson Karl W. Gustafson, Jr. of Canajoharie, NY, her sisters in law Caroline Kingsbury, Lucy Arnone, Georgia Riley and also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Karl Allen Gustafson whom she married May 7, 1955 and who died January 4, 1971.
The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday in the Lind Funeral Home, 805 West Third St. Jamestown, NY. The Rev. Charles H. Gustafson, retired Lutheran pastor will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery.
Friends will be received from 5-8 p.m. Friday and for one hour prior to the service on Saturday in the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Chautauqua County Sports Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 1192, Jamestown, NY 14702-1192 or to the Canajoharie High School Band, (music in the parks trip) c/o Tim Field, 136 Scholastic Way, Canajoharie, NY 13317.
You may light a candle in remembrance of Joan at www.lindfuneralhome.com.

Marion Young Lawson
June 10, 2012

Marion Young Lawson, of Fort Plain, passed away June 10, 2012 at Mountain Valley Hospice after a short illness.  
She was born July 3, 1935 to Beatrice and Oliver “Mike” Smith. She was a 1953 graduate of Owen D. Young School.
Marion is survived by her husband Conrad Lawson who she married October 24, 1992, her children Ronald Young and Bonnie Bryceland, Van Hornesville, Robert and Koreal Young, Nelliston, Rodney and Ryann Young, Canajoharie, Michael and Karen Young, Auburndale, FL, Shari and Nick Herting, Palatine Bridge, John Young and Elena Mead, Canajoharie, eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, nine step grandchildren, and a step great-grandchild. Also, step children Valeri Lawson, and  Adam Parsons, Mike and Tina Lawson.
She is also survived by her sisters, Laura Hyney, Madeline Mead, a brother Lyle Smith, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was predeceased by a brother Carl Smith and a special niece Sheila Guyer.
Friends and family are invited to a graveside service at the Van Hornesville Cemetery on Friday, June 15, at 11 AM. The Rev. Nancy Ryan will officiate.
A gathering will follow at Route 80 Bowl, Van Hornesville.
Memorial contributions in Marion’s memory may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Ave., Gloversville, NY  
To light a candle or send condolences visit: www.ottmanfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.

Jack A. Podmajersky
June 9, 2012

Jack A. Podmajersky, 66, of Fultonville passed away peacefully on June 9, 2012 at the Palatine Nursing Home. Jack was the son of the late Paul J. and Juanita Cook Podmajersky, born on March 20, 1946 in Little Falls, NY.
Jack is a lifelong resident of the area and graduated from Fonda Fultonville Central School. Over the years he collected coins and enjoyed going to the Fonda Fair and Stock Car races.
He is survived by his brother Paul J. Podmajersky of Fultonville, sister Gerogia Van Nostrand of Mayfield, niece Maria Bush, nephews Edward Podmajersky and Paul J. Podmajersky, Jr., aunts Kathleen Teller and Marilyn Smith. He is also survived by       seventeen cousins.
A visitation for Jack will be held on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 from 11 AM until 1PM at the Jackson & Betz Funeral Home, 15 Main Street, Fultonville, NY 12072.
A grave side committal service will take place at Maple Avenue Cemetery following the visitation.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ayres Animal Shelter in his memory.
Please visit the family’s online guestbook at www.brbsfuneral.com.

Thomas N. String Jr.
June 8, 2012

Mr. Thomas N. String Jr. , 82, of Main St., Fort Plain  and of late, a patient of Saint Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam, passed away June 8th 2012, after a lengthy illness.
He was born in Gloversville, NY on March 13th 1930 to Thomas String Sr. & Sarah (Neyhard) String.
Tom attended Gloversville High School & attended The North Main Street Methodist Church, also in Gloversville.
He was married to his first wife, the former Sally Richey, in Gloversville, & resided in Dennie’s Crossing, Gloversville. Tom then married the former Carol Ball. They were married in The Newport Methodist Church in 1968 and remained happily married until Carol’s death in October 2000.
Tom is survived by his daughter, Lori Yerdon and her partner, Randy Acovangelo of Saint Johnsville; a son, Bert Ball String, and his wife, Luci of Endwell, NY and special son, Michael J. O’Connell and his wife Karen, who reside outside of Fort Plain. There are four grandchildren: Julie Yerdon of Saint Johnsville, Nicholas, Samantha and Gabrielle String of Endwell, NY and Christopher and Jonathan O’Connell of Fort Plain. Tom is also survived by his brother, C. Robert String and his wife, Norma of Utica and by his sister-in-law, Barbara String and her family of Johnstown and his numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Tom enjoyed fishing, hunting, and changing of the sports with the seasons: Football (The NY Giants), Basketball (The New York Knicks), Baseball (The New York Yankees) and Hockey (The New York Rangers and The New York Islanders) He enjoyed attending a New York Yankees game with his daughter. He also was a fan of Syracuse University Basketball.
Tom also enjoyed playing cards occasionally at The Valley Inn in Palatine Bridge. He was employed at various leather mills in Gloversville, until his injury in 1989 whereas he worked as a carrier for NBT Bank delivering mail, then as a driver for Access Transportation.
Tom also played the drums for The Ralph Gardner Combo, playing gigs at The Holiday Inn.
Tom was also a member of The Cherry Valley Fish & Game Club, and The Central Mohawk Valley Lions Club.
He will greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
In keeping with Tom’s wishes there are no calling hours.
A religious service with be held at 2:30pm on Saturday June 16, 2012 at Fort Plain Cemetery with the Rev. Kenneth Dingman officiating.
The family is being comforted by the Enea Family Funeral Home, 9 Center St., St. Johnsville; John P. Lewandowski, Funeral Director.
To offer an online message of sympathy please go to www.eneafamily.com.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in Tom’s name be made to The Central Mohawk Valley Lions Club.