Ivan A. Barnes
August, 1, 2012

Ivan A. Barnes, 80, of Latimer Hill Road, Ames passed away peacefully with his loving family at his side August, 1, 2012.  
Born in East Worcester, New York, on January 06, 1932 he was the son of the late William “Hank” Barnes and Cecil Alvord Barnes.
On December, 22, 1953 Ivan married the love of his life, Barbara Willoughby Barnes.  
A Graduate of Cherry Valley High School, Ivan went on to join the United States Air Force. After his time in the service, Ivan worked for many years General Telephone Company.  
Ivan was an installer and repairman who worked on and installed many of the phones in Canajoharie and the surrounding area. He was a member of the United States Air force where he specialized in communications.  
Ivan was of the Methodist faith and a long term member of the Ames United Methodist Church. He was a long-standing member of the Ames Volunteer Fire Department and spent many years involved in various positions in local village government.   
Ivan had many passions in life and his love for the outdoors was one of them.  He loved to hunt deer and in his later years even would sit in the family’s yard and watch the deer in the fields. He managed the poultry barns for many years at the Fonda Fair, and would even park the family trailer on the grounds during the fair season. Ivan also was a hobby farmer along with his many years in the telephone installation and repair business.  
He and Barbara purchased a 50 plus acre farm in Ames where the family was raised. Ivan was a people person who attracted people with his wonderful personality. This personality showed in many different ways in his life.
Ivan is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Barnes; sons, Dean (Kim), Danny (Sally), and Steven (Linda) Barnes. He is also survived by his sister, June; 9 Grand-children, and 12 Great-grandchildren.  Ivan was predeceased by his parents, and several brothers and sisters.
Relatives and friends were invited to attend a funeral service on Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at 10:00 AM at Lenz and Betz, 69 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, N.Y., 13307.  
Internment was to follow at the Ames Cemetery.  
There was a calling hour period for friends and family on Sunday, August 5, 2012 from 2 to 5 pm at the funeral home.  
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to the charity of one’s choice.  
All arrangements have been entrusted to Lenz & Betz Funeral Home, 69 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, N.Y., 13307.  
Please visit and sign the family’s guestbook at www.brbsfuneral.com.

Stanley C. Grassel Jr.
August 5, 2012

Mr. Stanley C. Grassel Jr.,61, passed away on August 5, 2012 at Mountain Valley Hospice in Gloversville. with his loving family at his side.
He was born on April 17, 1951, in Little Falls, son of the late Stanley C. and Harriet (Chrisman) Grassel.   
He was a laborer at C. J. Burgess in Canajoharie and also worked at the Adirondack Bat Company in Dolgeville.
Family was first and foremost with Stanley. Among his hobbies were  gardening and woodworking.
His love of his life, his wife Jacqueline passed away on September 19, 2009. Together they shared 35 happy and blessed years together.
Survivors include his beloved family: his children, Bonnie Jans (Robert) of Oppenheim, Stanley Grassel III of Herkimer, Michele Gillard (John) (Herkimer), Justina Abeling (Brandall) of Sharon Springs, Theresa Liebing (Dan) of Fort Plain, Matthew Grassel (Jennifer) of Lake Pleasant, Francesca Gallt (Wayne) of Palatine Bridge, and Joycelyn Grassel of Dolgeville; his grandchildren: Christine, Brittney, Justin, Alexandria, Evan, Daphney, Derek, Austin, Alexis, Brandall Jr., Ethan, Ashlin, Hali, Kiley, Jacen, Joseph, Paul, Jayden and Kaleb; his great grandchildren: Ma’Riyah, Lilliana and Hunter; his sisters: Edna Green, Jean Hicks, Rosemary Atkinson, Patricia Gray (Daniel) and Joanne Baker. And numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his wife Jacqueline and his parents Stanley and Harriet he was predeceased by his brother James Grassel.
The family will receive relatives and friends at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 9 Center St., St. Johnsville from 1-3pm on Friday, August 10, 2012. A religious service will be held at the conclusion of the calling hours at 3pm with the Rev. R.W. Williams officiating. Procession will follow to West St. Johnsville Cemetery where he will be united with his wife.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Stanley’s name to Mountain Valley Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
To offer an online message of sympathy please go to www.eneafamily.com.  
The family is being comforted by John P. Lewandowski, Funeral Director.

Elizabeth M. “Bessie” Smith
August 4, 2012

Elizabeth M. “Bessie” Smith, of Ft. Plain, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, August 4, 2012. She was born September 30, 1912 in Ft. Plain, the daughter of the late Charles A. and Mary Hern Ambridge.
Bessie is a life time resident of the area and  graduated from Ft. Plain High School in 1931. She then went onto graduate from St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1934. She then went to work for St. Mary’s Hospital as a Registered Nurse, while there she also worked as a staff nurse and Maternity Supervisor. For some time she worked as a Staff Nurse at Amsterdam Memorial Hospital along with working for several other hospitals and many homes in the local area as a private nurse. Bessie is a member of the St. Mary’s Hospital Alumni Association, a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and a    former member of the Rosary Society and VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
Her loving family includes her daughter Deborah Hotaling of Ft. Plain, grandchildren Belinda Hotaling, Brenda Hotaling and Jeremy Hotaling all of Ft. Plain; a brother Joseph Ambridge and a sister Mary Jane Johnson both of Florida. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She is predeceased by her first husband, T. Burton Klock whom she wed on June 1, 1946, and her second husband, Joseph L. Smith whom she wed on June 26, 1971.
Family and friends were invited to visit on Tuesday, August 7, 2012 from 4 PM until 7 PM at Lenz & Betz Funeral Home, 69 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 10 AM at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Ft. Plain, Fr. Dennis Murphy will Celebrate. Interment followed in Ft. Plain Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bessie’s memory to the Mid County Volunteer Ambulance Corps or to Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church. Please visit the family’s online guestbook at www.brbsfuneral.com.

Jean Spicer Dern
February 3, 1921-May 4, 2012
 
A Service of Remembrance for Jean Spicer Dern will take place on Saturday, August 11, 2012 at 2 o’clock at the Canajoharie Reformed Church, Front Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment took place in Canajoharie Falls Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to the Ayres Memorial Animal Shelter, 133 Hilltop Road, Sprakers, NY 12166 or The Canajoharie-Palatine-Root Community Chest, P.O. Box 36, Canajoharie, NY 13317.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lenz & Betz Funeral Home, 69 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317.

Ancel Collins Sr.
August 4, 2012

Ancel Collins, Sr., age 72, of Sprakers, died August 4, 2012 at home. Born July 3, 1940, he served in the US Army being honorably discharged in 1964. After serving his country, he worked all his adult life at General Electric in various roles but most enjoyed welding and fabrication.
Ancel is pre-deceased by his wife and mother of his children, Ann “Nancy” Mulligan Collins, parents, Raymond and Pearl Collins and siblings, Leon Collins, Raymond Collins, Frances Shaffer, Elton Collins, Sheldon Collins, Kathleen Andrews and Phillip Collins.
Survivors include, wife, Sharon Collins and his three children; Jeffery (Vicki) Collins, Ancel (Tanya) Collins, Jr. and Marie (Andrew) Schwartz, brother, William (Jean) Collins and sister, Wanda Stickler, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, three grand dogs, nieces and nephews.
Ancel was a strong, hard-working, kind man that truly cherished his close friends. He loved gardening, hunting and golfing.
At Ancel’s request, no services will be held and has donated his body for teaching purposes to Albany Medical College.

Mary Harhay
August 4, 2012

Mrs. Mary Harhay, 87, a longtime resident of Canajoharie, New York  passed away on Saturday evening, August 4, 2012 at St. Johnsville Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
Born on June 11, 1925 in Poland, she was the daughter of William and Eva Laba. She was educated in Poland and came to the United States with her husband and son in 1949. Mary became a US citizen in 1955.
Mrs. Harhay was employed at Beech-Nut/Life Savers for 35 years, retiring in July 1987. After her retirement, Mary enjoyed many bus trips with friends to all parts of the country, tending her garden and preparing wonderful holiday meals for her extended family. Her smiles, as well as her homemade pierogis will be missed.
She was a communicant of the former St. Peter’s & Paul’s Catholic Church in Canajoharie.
Mrs. Harhay was a member of the 25 Year Club at Beech-Nut.
On October 30, 1946, in Germany, Mary was married to Charles Harhay. He preceded her in death on May 8, 1984. She was also predeceased by her only son, Michael Harhay on May 6, 2002.
Mrs. Harhay is survived by nephews, Michael Harhay and Andrew Harhay (Lynn) and niece Mary Ann Trafton (Jotham), great-nieces Kirsten Baleno and Kimberly Olszewski and great nephews Brian Harhay, Chris Harhay and Scott Trafton.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 9, at 12:00 noon in the Chapel of Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, Inc., 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY.  
The family will receive relatives and friends from 11:00-12:00 prior to the service at the funeral home.  
Burial will take place in St. Peter’s & Paul’s Cemetery in Canajoharie, NY with Father Dennis Murphy officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mrs. Mary Harhay may be made to the Mid-County Volunteer Ambulance Service, 46 West Grand Street, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428.
Please sign the online guestbook for Mrs. Harhay at www.houghtalingandsmith.com.

Thomas J. Dunn
August 8, 2012

Mr. Thomas J. Dunn, 72, of Hickory Hill Road, Fort Plain, New York died Thursday, August 8, 2012 at his home, surrounded by his family, following a courageous 18 year battle with cancer.
Born on March 16, 1940 in Muskogee, OK, he was the son of Jack R. Dunn and Mary J. Moore Dunn.  
Mr. Dunn was a graduate of Highland High School, class of 1958.  He continued his education with the University of New Mexico where he received his Undergrad Bachelors of Arts Degree in Business in 1962 and his Jurist Doctorate in 1965. Prior to moving to Fort Plain, Mr. Dunn, resided in Albuquerque, New Mexico for 61 years.
His greatest loves were His Lord, Jesus; his family; his friends from Highland High and the University of New Mexico; his law firm and partners; those he coached in Little League and Legion Baseball; those he served with and taught in Bible Study Fellowship; and many others he cherished from years of living, playing, golfing and being in his home town of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
On August 7, 1964 he was married to Sandra L. Maisel. Together they celebrated 48 years of marriage.
Mr. Dunn leaves behind his sweet wife, Sandy Dunn of Fort Plain, NY; two sons, Greg and his wife, Kirsten Dunn and their children, Tommy, Jackson, Montana, Emese, Jodi, Isaiah, Keziah, Courage and Patience; Reed and his wife, Jodie Dunn and their children, Emma, William, Jamie, Derek and Dustin.
Services in New York are private and will be held at the convenience of the family.  
A memorial service will be held in Albuquerque as arranged by the family sometime in the fall.  
Arrangements are entrusted to Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, Inc., 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317.
Please sign the online guestbook for Mr. Dunn at www.houghtalingandsmith.com.