Thomas D. Grainer
December 19, 2012

Mr. Thomas D. Grainer, 69, of Front St., Canajoharie, passed away suddenly on Wednesday morning December 19, 2012 at home.
He was born on May 11, 1943, in Little Falls, son of the late Ralph Sims and Ruth E. (Shaut) Grainer. On May 14, 1966, he was united in marriage with Patricia Collado at Sts. Peter and  Paul Catholic Church in Canajoharie. They shared 46 years of a very loving union. Traveling together to Colorado, Thomas attended the University of Denver, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.  
Thomas worked at Life Savers, Beech Nut, Palatine Dye Company and was a bookkeeper for Central National Bank. Transitioning to self employment, Thomas began a cabinetmaking business, then opened Country Peddler, an interior decorating store in downtown Canajoharie. Most recently he was an Inn Keeper for the Window Box Guest House in Canajoharie along with his wife Patricia.
Thomas was a Canajoharie Village Trustee serving multiple terms. He was a member of the Fort Klock Restoration and Trustee of Canajoharie Library and Art Gallery. Thomas was a superior person who will be greatly missed. He loved music, woodworking and photography. Lately he began to enjoy cooking and modeling railroading with his grandson. True to his degree, he closely followed politics.
Survivors include his loving wife Patricia; his son Mark and his wife Patty of Chittenango; his daughter Jennifer and her partner Duke of Albany, his grandson Wesley Asher Grainer and his sister Janice Grainer of Florida. He was predeceased by his grandson William Joseph Grainer.
The family received relatives and friends at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 9 Center St., St. Johnsville (518-568-2300) from 5:00-8:00 pm on Friday December 21, 2012.
Rev. Dennis Murphy celebrated his Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Hope Church, Fort Plain.
Burial will take place in the spring of 2013 at St. Johnsville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Thomas’ memory be made to the Canajoharie  Library. 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 cared for by John P. Lewandowski, Funeral Director.

Norma M. Phillips
December 19, 2012

Mrs. Norma M. Phillips, 93, of Smith Street, Canajoharie, New York died Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at Elm Manor Nursing Home in Canandaigua, New York.
Born on June 23, 1919 in Buffalo, NY, she was the daughter of Jay Mincher and Ida Bixen Mincher.  
She was a graduate of Keuka College, class of 1940 with a BA in English. She then received her Master’s Degree from SUNY Albany in Library Science.  
Mrs. Phillips spent much of her life on Smith Street in Canajoharie, residing the past 4 months at Elm Manor.
Mrs. Phillips started her career as an English teacher for Knox Junior High School in Johnstown. She retired in the early 1980s from Johnstown High School, where she worked for many years as the School’s Librarian. Following her retirement, she enjoyed traveling throughout Upstate New York and New England attending craft fairs to purchase small gifts for the many young members of her extended family.
She was a member of St. John’s & St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Canajoharie.
In 1953 Norma was married to Charles D. Phillips. He preceded her in death on August 14, 1965.
Mrs. Phillips is survived by her son, Brian and Mary Phillips of Canandaigua, NY; brother, James B. Mincher of Halfmoon, NY; grandchildren, Jenna and Paul Johnson, Samuel Phillips, William Phillips; nieces and nephews, Gary and Amy Mincher, Greg and Sandy Mincher, Dianne Mincher, David and Lenore Mincher; as well as several cousins.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 10:00am at the Chapel of Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, Inc., 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY with Rev. Zachary Labagh officiating.  
Burial will take place at Canajoharie Falls Cemetery.
Contributions in memory of Mrs. Norma M. Phillips may be made to Keuka College, Development Office, PO Box 98, Keuka Park, NY 14478.
Please sign the online guestbook for Mrs. Phillips at www.houghtalingandsmith.com.

Janet S. VanLoan
December 22, 2012

Janet S. VanLoan, 86, of Happy Hollow Road, Town of Canajoharie, NY, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning at her home with her loving family at her side.
Born December 28, 1925 in the Town of Canajoharie, New York, she was the daughter of the late Leland H. and Marguerite Waner Swarts.
She was a lifelong area resident. Janet graduated from the Fort Plain High School in 1943 and attended Albany Business College.
After graduating from ABC Janet was employed for several years by Grange League Federation which later became Agway. She then owned and operated VanLoan Dairy Farms with son Dana and her late husband Grant, retiring in 1994.
She was a member of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Fort Plain; the Canajoharie-Fort Plain Garden Club; former Dorcas President; American Legion Auxiliary; Fort Plain PTA and was a member in the local bowling leagues.
Janet enjoyed spending time with her family, raising flowers in her garden, bird watching, cooking and baking for her family and many friends.
On May 17, 1947 she married Grant W. VanLoan who passed away on July 13, 2008. She is survived by a son, Dana L. VanLoan and his wife Kathy of Fort Pain; a daughter, Lynn Boudreau and her husband Denis of San Diego, CA; five grandchildren, Ian VanLoan, Jesse VanLoan, Stephanie Crowe, Ryan Boudreau and Christopher Boudreau; nine great-grandchildren, Allehah VanLoan, Aiden VanLoan, Benjamin Boudreau, Ella Boudreau, Joshua Boudreau, Isaac Boudreau, Nigel Skottke, Cameron Skottke and Kaetlyn Crowe; one great great-granddaughter Kaylee Skottke, and several cousins.
A private memorial graveside service will be held at the Fort Plain Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 36 Lydius Street, Fort Plain, NY 13339; Mid County Ambulanced Corp, PO Box 453, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428 or to the Ayres Memorial Animal Shelter, 133 Hilltop Road, Sprakers, NY 12166.
Please sign the family guest book online at www.brbsfuneral.com.
Funeral arrangements have been placed in the care of the Lenz & Betz Funeral Home, 69 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY.

Mr. Adelbert Bateholts
December 20, 2012

ST. JOHNSVILLE- Mr. Adelbert Bateholts, 85, formerly of New St. passed away peacefully on December 20, 2012 at the Palatine Nursing Home.
He was born on March 16, 1927, in Amsterdam, son of the late Adelbert and Harriet (Cross) Bateholts. On March 16, 1974 he was united in marriage with Louise Swank. Their loving union lasted 38 years until her passing on August 12, 2012.
Adelbert served meals for the elderly and was a crossing guard for the St. Johnsville schools. He also watered flowes for Fort Plain. His passion was music. In fact, he enjoyed playing guitar for the staff and fellow residents of the Palatine Nursing Home.
Survivors include his 3 children: Judy (Ed) Aker of Fort Plain, Donald (Zora) Bateholts of Fort Plain and Betty (John) King of St. Johnsville, his 7 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
The family received relatives and friends at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 9 Center St., St. Johnsville  from 2-4pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012. A religious service was held at the conclusion of calling hours at 4pm. Burial will take place in the spring of 2013 at Gallupville Cemetery.
To offer an online message of sympathy please go to www.eneafamily.com. The family is being comforted by John P. Lewandowski, Funeral Director.