Richard James Trumbull
December 3, 2012

Mr. Richard James Trumbull, 82, of Sunset Drive, Fort Plain, New York passed away peacefully Monday, December 3, 2012 at his home with his     family by his side.
Born on June 4, 1930 in Little Falls, NY, he was the son of Harold Trumbull and Hazel Getman Trumbull.  He attended Sand Hill School House and Fort Plain Schools.  He was a lifetime area resident.
In 1952 Mr. Trumbull purchased the Freysbush Dairy Farm.  He was also the owner and operator of H. Trumbull & Sons Farm Equipment Sales and Services. In 2002 Mr. Trumbull semi-retired however, he continued to help with the farm.
He was a member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Utica, NY.
Mr. Trumbull was a member of the Montgomery County Farm Bureau and a former member of the South Minden Fire Department.
On November 12, 1950, Richard married Betty Davis.
Mr. Trumbull was predeceased by his son, Robert G. Trumbull on June 2, 1998.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty Trumbull of Fort Plain, NY; two daughters, Cheryl D’Arcangelis and Richard, Marie Hazzard; two sons, Edward Trumbull, James Trumbull; brother, Roger Trumbull and Carolyn all of Fort Plain, NY; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 7, 2012 10:00am at the Chapel of Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, Inc., 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY.  A reception will follow the memorial service at the South Minden Fire Department.  
The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, December 6, 2012 from 4:00-7:00pm at the funeral home.  Burial will take place privately in Rural Park Cemetery aka Ingham Mills Cemetery in Little Falls, NY.
Contributions in memory of Mr. Richard James Trumbull may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial & Honor Program F, 501 St. Jude Place, TN 38105-1905 or Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Ave, Gloversville, NY 12078.
Please sign the online guestbook for Mr. Trumbull at www.houghtalingandsmith.com.

Jane Ellithorp Werner
September 17, 2012

Jane E. Werner, 92, of Ft. Myers, FL passed away September 17th from complications related to hip     surgery.
Born October 3, 1919 in Olean, New York, Jane was the first daughter of Clara and John Stafford Ellithorp, Jr.
Jane never lost her affection for her home town of Canajoharie. She was nicknamed Beechie, a reference to her family’s leadership of Beech Nut Corp.
Jane graduated from Smith College in 1941 where she majored in Economics and lettered in three sports.
As the Greatest Generation entered WWII, Jane filled a “man’s”  role working at IBM in Washington, DC. After a year of corresponding with Clem Werner, a young Iowa Army lieutenant, they met and were married 6 weeks later on October 9, 1943 in Canajoharie. Following the war, they raised their children, Susan, Cal and Ann in Davenport, Iowa.
Every summer they drove to and sang the Canajoharie song on arrival at the Ellithorp’s and then sang the Iowa song. Jane loved the Winslow Homer paintings at the Arkell Museum.
Jane was a superb golfer who won numerous championships, from her teens into her 70’s, but who never took herself too seriously. She was a extraordinarily generous woman who made major contributions to organizations helping to protect the environment, provide education, and assist those less fortunate.
Jane and Clem retired to Sanibel, FL in 1984. For the next 25 years, she served as a volunteer ranger at Ding Darling NWR. A strong believer in education, Jane and Clem endowed college scholarships for five high schools in Iowa, at Smith College and Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
Jane was predeceased by her husband Clem of 60 years and her sister, Barbara E. Vosburgh.
She is survived by her sister Sue E. Hellebush, her three children, two grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Violet Elizabeth O’Connell
November 30, 2012

Violet Elizabeth O’Connell of Palatine Bridge passed away peacefully Friday, November 30. 2012, with her loving husband by her side.
Violet was born on January 7, 1928 in Little Falls, New York. She was the daughter of the late Stephen and Matilda (Lisicin-Jezerac) Stegich. Violet was    united in marriage on October 28, 1950 to Donald F. O’Connell. The couple celebrated 62 years of wedded bliss together.
Violet a graduate of Mohawk High School was a successful, self-made business woman and entrepreneur. For many years she was a well-respected New York State road and bridge contractor. During her career at the New York State Department of Transportation she completed and improved many area road projects in Fulton, Montgomery and Herkimer counties. Her achievements in this field were vast and included fifty-two stabilization pods (the first in New York State) on State Route 8 in New Hartford.
She was the owner and operator of Palatine Industries a multi-faceted enterprise which included a gravel mining business, and a heavy equipment sales and rental center.
Other business ventures Mrs. O’Connell owned and operated were the “In Town Car Wash” and the” In Town Storage Unit Facility”. She was also a property owner and developer; who owned and negotiated the land acquisition for the home of the well-known Fucillo Autoplex.
Violet was a lifelong animal lover and tireless animal advocate. She was a frequent contributor to various animal organizations and shelters. Her generosity, compassion and kindness will be remembered fondly.
She is survived by her beloved husband Donald, a beloved sister Jennie M. Domina of Schuyler and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by loved family members, Sister Mary Spraker, and Brothers John Stegich, Jacob Stegich, and Stephen Stegich.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 10:30 am from the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls and at 11:00 am from the Holy Family Parish Church, Cor. Main & John St.’s, Little Falls where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Thomas Lawless. Interment will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Herkimer.
Relatives and friends were invited to pay their respects at the      funeral home on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 from 4-7 pm and to attend the funeral services Wednesday morning.
Online remembrances at www.chapmanmoser.com.
It is the wish of the family that contributions in memory of Mrs. O’Connell be considered to the Ayres Memorial Shelter, 133 Hilltop Rd., Sprakers, New York 12166 or to Holy Family Parish 763 E. Main Street Little Falls, NY 13365. Envelopes for contributions will be available at Chapman-Moser for this purpose.

Joyce E. Dillenback
December 1, 2012

Mrs. Joyce E. Dillenback, 66, of Brower Road, Canajoharie, New York, died Saturday, December 1st, 2012 at Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY following a brief illness.
Born on January 15, 1946 in Albany, NY, she was the daughter of Milton L. Krutz and Freda Heilig Krutz, both predeceased her. She was a Graduate of Canajoharie High School Class of 1963. Joyce also Graduated from Albany Medical College, School of Nursing, Class of 1966, earning her RN certification.
Joyce has been retired for the past 8 years, but prior to that she had been the School Nurse for Canajoharie from 1975- 1988, and had also been employed at many area hospitals, and several dentists offices.
Joyce was a lifetime area resident. A member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, in Stone Arabia, Member of the Palatine Literary Society and Exempt Member of the Canajoharie Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She also was actively involved in her children’s extra circular activities, enjoyed knitting, crossword puzzles, baking and was known as great cook. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her family, especially her Grandchildren.
On November 8th, 1968 she married Wallace P. Dillenback, at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Stone Arabia, NY.
Joyce is survived by Her Husband of 44 years Wallace P. Dillenback of Palatine Bridge, NY, her Daughter Amy L. Dillenback and her husband Stephen Ramsey of Delmar, NY, Two Sons Eric J. and Beth Dillenback of Meco, NY, and Martin A. Dillenback, and Sara DeVarnne of Gloversville, NY, One Brother and Sister in law Milton and Barb Krutz of Canajoharie, NY , and Grandchildren, Andrew Ramsey, and Elisabeth Ramsey, Dane Wallace Dillenback, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Funeral Service was held at Houghtaling and Smith Funeral Home, Inc., 20 Otsego Street, Canajoahrie, NY 13317, on Wednesday December 5th, 2012 at 10:00am, with Rev. Zachary Labagh officiating. The family received relatives and friends on Tuesday from 5-8pm at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.
Contributions in memory of Mrs. Joyce E. Dillenback may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church, PO Box 238, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428, or to Canajoharie Volunteer Fire Dept., PO Box 28, Canajoharie, NY 13317.
Please sign the online guestbook for Mrs. Joyce E. Dillenback at www.houghtalingandsmith.com.

Clara L. Finster
November 30, 2012

Mrs. Clara L. Finster, 95, formerly of Maple Avenue, Canajoharie died peacefully on Friday, November 30th, 2012 at the St. Johnsville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Born in Fonda, NY on August 11, 1917 she was the daughter of the late Floyd and Gertrude Thoma Borst.
A lifelong area resident, Clara worked for Beechnut in Canajoharie before becoming a homemaker. She was of the Lutheran faith and a member of St. John’s-St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
On June 6, 1942 she was united in marriage to Rexford B. Finster. That union lasted 68 wonderful years until his passing on January 28, 2011. She was also predeceased by her children, Judy Rae and Melville Finster.
Survivors include her two sisters, Shirley Sponable and Audrey Voght; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Graveside Service of Remembrance will take place privately with the Rev. Zach Labagh officiating. Interment will follow, where she will be laid to rest and finally reunited with Rex at the Fort Plain Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Clara’s memory to her beloved church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Lenz & Betz Funeral Home, 69 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317.
Please visit the online guestbook at www.brbsfuneral.com.