Obituary listings: Atwater, Gibson, McArthur, Wixsom, Smith, Heintz
Calvin Atwater, 84, pit steward, bus driver
STEPHENTOWN—Calvin B. Atwater, 84, of Presbyterian Hill Road died Thursday, January 20 at his home surrounded by his family, who loved him dearly.
He was born June 22, 1926 in Stephentown, to John and Hazel Atwater.
He grew up in Stephentown and graduated from New Lebanon High School in 1944. Mr. Atwater served in the US Army Air Force from 1944 to 1947, achieving the rank of sergeant major.
Mr. Atwater married his high school sweetheart, Virginia (Wilt) Atwater, March 6, 1948.
Mr. Atwater worked for his uncle in the lumber business. In the late 1940s, he and his brother, Will, formed Atwater Bros., a construction company.
For many years, Mr. Atwater worked for Lebanon Valley Speedway doing track maintenance and as the pit steward.
In 1990, he retired from the New Lebanon Central School district after 20 years of driving bus and working in the transportation department. In retirement, Mr. Atwater spent many years caring for the Garfield Cemetery. He enjoyed camping and hunting.
Mr. Atwater was a proud member of the National Rifle Association, Stephentown Veterans and Stephentown Historical Society. He was a lifelong member of the Stephentown Federated Church.
He was predeceased in life by his loving wife of 60 years, Virginia Wilt. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Donald P. (Carol) Atwater of Dalton, MA, Judith E. (John) Harper of Iron Station, NC, Elizabeth A. (Richard) Hanlon of Richmond, VT, Karen S. (Rick) Lappi of Charlotte, NC and Brian C. (Kimberly) Atwater of Castaic, CA; grandchildren, Riva Atwater, Erin Hanlon, Shaun Lappi, Ashley and Stacey Atwater, Daniel Wallace, Brandon Jones; great grand children, Brook Gates, Michael, Salvatore and Melana Nataro; and several nieces and nephews.
His family extends their heartfelt thanks to Dr. John Kearns, Dr. Thomas Dunzendorfer, Dr. Gordon Bird, Susan Earle and 3 East surgical staff at BMC, Nancy Bullock and the Eddy VNA and Community Hospice of Rensselaer for all of their compassionate care and support through their father’s illness.
At Mr. Atwater’s request, there will be no calling hours. A graveside service at Garfield Cemetery will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Stephentown Federated Church or Stephentown Veterans, c/o Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, P.O. Box 9, Stephentown 12168.
Irene Gibson, 85, loved nature, raised animals
HILLSDALE—Irene Emmons Gibson, 85, of Hillsdale died peacefully at home January 23 after a long illness.
Born April 2, 1925 in Westchester County, she was the daughter of Marie Louise Lanctin and James Emmons.
After graduating from Catherine Gibbs, Mrs. Gibson was employed as a secretary at Hollingsworth and Whitney in New York City. She and her ex-husband Charles Dana Gibson, II, fished commercially in Fort Pierce, Florida, until they moved north, where they owned and ran the Katonah Fish Market.
From there, they moved to Hillsdale and owned Deer Run Farms and raised sheep, guinea fowl and beef cattle. She spoke fondly of her days showing dogs and assisting her mother-in-law with the training of ponies. She developed an intense love of nature and gardening from her parents. She served on the COARC Board of Directors for several years and was treasurer for the Craryville Fire Department.
She was predeceased by her loving daughters, Marion L. Gibson and Abby D. Gibson. She is survived by her daughter, Irene L. Gibson; close family member, Marie C. Erwin; nephew, Ralcey Miller, Randall Miller, James Springett; and niece, Karen Buchop.
Services will be private.
Memorial contributions can be made to: Columbia County COARC, Box 2, Mellenville 12544 or the Columbia County Humane Society 125 Humane Society Road, Hudson 12534.
Louise McArthur, 87, waitress, aunt to many
HUDSON—Louise A. McArthur, 87, a resident of the Whittier Adult Home in Ghent, passed away Saturday, January 22, 2011 at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
Born October 11, 1923 in Chatham, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Alma (Stuffelbean) Shutts.
Mrs. McArthur was a waitress at the Elm Tree Restaurant in Craryville before retiring. She was a lifelong area resident and a member of the Copake Falls Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and the Claverack Senior Citizens.
She was the cherished aunt of Linda S. Powell of Albany, Sandra S. Sager of Albany, Teresa L. Bieter of Athens, Mary Allen of Nassau and Tami L. Myers of East Chatham; and devoted aunt of eight great-nieces and great-nephews. Also surviving is a step-daughter, Joan Bell of Charleston, SC.
She was predeceased by her husbands, John Stang and Charles McArthur; and her brother and sister-in-law, Frank J. and Dorothy E. Shutts.
Arrangements are with the Bates Anderson—Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson.
Graveside services will be conducted at the Copake Cemetery in the spring.
Vivian Wixsom, 62, LPN, liked to travel
PITTSFIELD, MA—Vivian Mary Wixsom, 62 of Worthington Avenue, Pittsfield, a former resident of southern Columbia County, passed away Tuesday January 18, 2011 at the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield.
She was born May 17, 1948 in Jersey City, NJ, the daughter of the late Vincent F. and Vivian (Peck) Miller, Sr.
Mrs. Wixsom was a graduate of the former Roeliff Jansen High School in Hillsdale, class of 1967.
She was a licensed practical nurse at Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington. Later, she continued her career at several skilled nursing facilities in Southern Berkshire County.
She enjoyed needlepoint and traveling.
Survivors include her son, Vincent B. Wixsom of Pittsfield; two brothers, Martin Miller of Philmont, and Vincent “Duke” Miller of Germantown; a nephew, Dean Miller of Minnnesota; and a special friend, Carol Killian of Pittsfield.
Private services will be held Saturday, January 29, 2011 at the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, Copake.
Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Pine Plains.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation, 10016 Foothills Boulevard, Suite 130, Roseville, CA 95747-7198. (www.myotonic.org)
To send an online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net
L. Marvin Smith, 100, ‘tire professor’
HUDSON—L. Marvin Smith, 100, died at his home in Hudson, Saturday, January 22, 2011.
Born May 31, 1910 in Stottville, he was the son of Lester and Ann (Knott) Smith.
Mr. Smith was predeceased by his wife of nearly 60 years, Helen (Platner) Smith, and six siblings and their spouses.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Janet (Osterhout) Smith of Vernon, CT; two grandchildren, Michael Smith, and his wife, Anna, of Inman, SC, and Carol Messier, and her husband, John, of Wallingford, CT; five great-grandchildren, Christopher and Margaret Smith and Nicole, Jennifer and Daniel Messier; and several nieces and nephews. He loved all of his family very much and enjoyed sharing his life stories with them.
Mr. Smith was in business with his brothers, Cliff and Ken, and more recently, his nephews, Bud and Tim, at Smith’s Tire Shop for many years. He was referred to by Goodyear as the “tire professor.” He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #7 F&AM and a very active member of the First Reformed Church of Hudson.
Calling hours are 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, January 29 at the Bates & Anderson—Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Cedar Park Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Reformed Church of Hudson, 52 Green Street, Hudson 12534.
William Heintz, 91, WWII vet, assessor
E. GREEBUSH—William Heintz, 91, a resident of Evergreen Commons in East Greenbush died Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at Evergreen Commons.
Born in Hudson, October 13, 1919, he was the son of the late William and Catherine (Keil) Heintz.
Mr. Heintz was a World War II veteran, who served in the US Army. He worked for the Town of East Greenbush as an assessor. He was a member of the Stuyvesant Falls VFW Post # 9593, the Melvin Roads American Legion Post and the Love Lutheran Church, both in East Greenbush.
He was a life member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Stuyvesant Falls and was the first boy baptized there.
He is survived by his four children, Anita Benjamin (Steven) of Athens, Willamina Kane (Dennis) of East Greenbush, Paul Heintz (Maureen) of Cincinnati, OH, and Gina Maria Harrison (William) of Hoosick Falls; eight grandchildren; four great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by four sisters, Catherine Regan, Mary Hotaling, Elizabeth Bartholemew and Youstina Hotaling; and two brothers, Conrad and Emanuel Heintz.
Relatives and friends may call Thursday, January 27 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Inc., Route 9, Valatie. Interment will be in New Rural Cemetery, Rensselaer at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Love Lutheran Church, East Greenbush.
