M. Lorene Dingman, 85, oldest of 10
PHILMONT—M. Lorene “Scottie” Dingman, 85, of Chatham died Saturday, May 14, 2011 at Pine Haven Nursing Home.
She was born October 2, 1925 in Crestview, FL to Lester and Alma Scott. She was the oldest of 10 children and was the wife of the late Clayton Dingman, who passed in 1994.
She is survived by: her children, Clayton (Clare) Dingman, Jr., of Red Hook, Joseph (Cathy) Dingman of Phoenix, AZ, Tina (Greg) Pinney of Valatie, and Lisa Russell of Hillsdale; her grandchildren, Eric Dingman of New York City, Adam, Kim and Morgan Dingman of Phoenix, AZ, Jennifer Pinney of New York City, and Jeanna Russell of Stock Port; her great grandchildren, Taryn, Kolbe and Avery; her sisters, Virginia Day and Jean Maulden of Florida; her brothers, Ben Scott of Florida, Ronnie Scott of Florida and Bill Scott of Texas.
The family thanks the Community Hospice of Columbia/Greene for their wonderful care, in particular Dr. Kauffman, Melissa, Robin, Meretta, Marjorie and Grae; and Marion Ozga for helping to take care of Scottie for eight months and Jim Kennedy, her aide during that time as well.
A memorial service was conducted Thursday, May 19, 10 a.m. at the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, Chatham. She was buried next to her husband at the Woodlawn Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Hospice of Columbia/Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414. To send an online condolence visit, www.frenchblasl.com
Elinor Mettler, 85, community journalist and leader
COPAKE FALLS—Elinor Mettler died Wednesday May 11, 2011 at her home in Copake Falls.
Born April 10, 1926 in Brooklyn, she was the daughter of Arthur, Sr. and Mary (Foley) Fox. She had lived in Copake Falls for 64 years.
Mrs. Mettler was the editor and publisher of the Roe Jan Independent, which she founded in 1973. She sold the paper in 1986 but continued writing for the paper for many years and was again writing her column “Down Maple Lane” for The Columbia Paper. Last year a collection of many of her columns from the last 25 years was published in book titled “Down Maple Lane.” She is also the author of “The Fagan Sisters: A History of Life in a New York Country Village”.
Mrs. Mettler used the Roe Jan Independent as a platform to promote the creation of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association and the initial purchase of the rail bed that is now the trail. She had continued to serve on the board of the HVRTA.
Throughout her adult life she worked hard to accomplish what would benefit quality of life the Roe Jan area. She co-founded the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society, serving twice as president; organized the Roe Jan Ramble road race; started the International Friendship Exchange; originated the Family Ski Day when head of the Roeliff Jansen PTA; was a member of the board of trustees of the Fairview Hospital and helped raise funds for the new Roeliff Jansen Community Library. She was currently a member of the Hudson Fortnightly Club. Mrs. Mettler was a member of Our Lady of Hope Church and attended St. Bridget’s Church since the 1930’s.
In 2000, the New York Parks and Conservation Association granted her the Greenway and Community Trail Spark Plug Award, recognizing her commitment and achievement in developing and promoting greenways and community trails. In 2009, Mrs. Mettler was named Copake Community Day Grand Marshall in honor of her long-standing community leadership.
Mrs. Mettler was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Dr. John J. Mettler, Jr. a local veterinarian. Her survivors include her son, Patrick and his wife Patti Jones of Fitchburg, MA, and her five daughters, JoAnn and her husband Anthony Bosnick of Gaithersburg, MD, Jeanne Mettler and her wife Patricia Placona of Copake, Meg Wormley and her partner Michael Chesloff of Hillsdale, Sally and her husband Stephen Joyce of Braintree, MA and Suzanne Mettler and her husband Wayne Grove of Syracuse; in addition, her grandchildren Bridget Mettler, Joseph, Rosemarie, Matthew and Daniel Bosnick, Meghan, Christopher, Gregory and Annie Kate Joyce and Sophie and Julia Mettler-Grove, her sister Carolyn Barton of Ancramdale and her brother Arthur Fox, Jr. of Potomac, MD and several nieces and nephews, including her dear friend Richard Barton.
A funeral mass was conducted at Our Lady of Hope in Copake Falls. Burial followed in St. Bridget’s Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Roeliff Jansen Community Library, P.O. Box 669, Hillsdale 12529 or the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association, P.O. Box 356, Millerton.12546.
Gerald Oles, 80, banker, numismatist
ZEPHRHILLS, FL—Gerald A. Oles of Philmont passed away peacefully at his winter home in Zephyrhills, FL, April 23, 2011 with his wife of nearly 60 years by his side.
Mr. Oles was born in Spencertown, October 19, 1930 to Russell M. and Gladys (Coons) Oles, the third child in a family of five boys and one girl.
A graduate of Philmont High School, he went on to attend Albany College. He served in the US Army and was Korean War veteran.
He was employed by State Bank of Albany, later Norstar Bank, Fleet Bank and Bank of America for 40 years. He was transferred from Hudson to Ticonderoga in 1968, from Ticonderoga to Johnstown in 1972, from Johnstown to Saratoga Springs in 1983 and from Saratoga Springs to Albany in 1989.
His was vice president and consumer loan administrator for the Capitol District region when he retired in 1993. Professionally, he began on the bottom and worked to a position of some prominence. He enjoyed his work immensely.
He loved his family, took pride in them and enjoyed spending time with them. He was predeceased by his brothers Ralph Oles, Philip (Teeny) Oles, and Russell (Sonny) Oles.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Moore Oles; his sons, Allen D. Oles of Prague, OK, and Brian J. Oles of Sommerville, MA; his daughter, Deborah (Oles) Edwards of Zephyrhills, FL; his brother, Arthur of LaVerne, CA; sister, Betty (Oles) Bleau of Hudson; seven grandchildren; one step-grandson; seven great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Everywhere he lived he was active in many community organizations, including the Lions Club attaining the title of deputy governor of the State of New York Lions Clubs; Jaycees, member of the Hendrick Hudson Male Chorus; chairman of the Fulton County Arthritis Foundation; on the assessment board of the Town of Claverack; treasurer of the board of Coarc and he supported many charities. He was a member of the Philmont Reformed Church, was an elder on consistory and sang in the choir. He also sang in the Philmont Community Chorus. He was an associate member of the First Presbyterian Church in Zephyrhills, FL and sang in the choir. In Johnstown, he erected a plaque on the side of the bank commemorating the contributions of Elizabeth Cady Stanton whose family home had been on the site. The first woman lieutenant governor of New York, Mary Anne Krupsak, was a guest at the ceremony.
He was an avid numismatist and golfer and kept an immense and immaculate lawn. To people too numerous to mention, he was a friend, a mentor, and one who could be relied upon for his knowledge, his wisdom, his calm demeanor and his warm heart.
A memorial service was held May 15 at the Philmont Reformed Church.
Memorial donations may be made to the Philmont Reformed Church, Box 6, Philmont 12565 or to HPH Hospice Foundation, ATTN: Donations, 12107 Majestic Blvd, Hudson, FL 34667.
