Rita M. Markolf (1921 – 2012)
ALBANY—Rita M. Markolf, 91, of Route 9, Valatie died Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at Albany Memorial Hospital.
Born May 16, 1921 in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Rita (Alexander) Philbin.
She is survived by: three children, David Markolf and his wife Jill of Cape Coral, FL, Carol Trombetta of Scituate, MA, and Rita Markolf of Valatie; four grandchildren, Janice Markolf, Claire Petrulak, Caitlin Trombetta and Alexis Markolf; three great grandchildren, Dylan, Samantha and Liam.
She was predeceased by her husband, William Markolf and her son William Markolf.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. There will be no calling hours. Contributions may be made to Animalkind, 721 Warren Street, Hudson 12534. Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Valatie.
Connie L. Nugent (Chwalek) Croop (1937 – 2012)
PALM COAST, FL—Connie Lou Croop, 75, of New Hartford and Surfside Village at Beverly Beach, FL, passed away December 5, 2012 at the Stuart Meyer Hospice House in Palm Coast, FL.
She was born April 17, 1937 in Boonville. She was the loving daughter of Ralph W. and Annabelle Phillips Nugent.
She received her education in Boonville, graduating with the class of 1954. She attended Mohawk Valley Community College and Utica College of Syracuse University, where she received her certificate of management from the American Management Association.
She married Joseph E. Chwalek of New York Mills at the Boonville United Methodist Church in 1956. Mr. Chwalek passed away November 30, 1978.
She was employed as a marketing consultant for 23 years at the Utica National Insurance Group in New Hartford. While there, she received the marketing manager’s Extra Mile Award for her unselfish dedication and untiring work in furthering the marketing efforts of the group.
On January 5, 1985, she met Robert J. Croop. He was a friend that reached for her hand and touched her heart. On September 7, 1985, they were wed in the garden at Twin Ponds Golf and Country Club. On this day, she married her friend, the one she laughed with, lived for, dreamed with and loved.
She was very active in the New Hartford Central School District PTA, was a den mother for the Cub Scouts and a founding member of the New Hartford Youth Hockey Association. She expressed her creativity through many crafts which she donated to various charitable organizations and nursing homes to be used in fundraisers.
She and her husband, Robert had a motor home, and enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Canada. She was an avid gardener and especially enjoyed all of her 75 rose bushes that she grew.
She is survived by: her husband, Robert of New Hartford; son and daughter-in-law, Scott D. and Cindy Chwalek of Copake; an exceptional and outstanding granddaughter, Amanda Elisabeth Chwalek of Chicago, IL; her stepson and his wife, Robert L. and Joanne Croop of Barneveld; her sister-in-law, Josephine Scollino of New York Mills and her special and devoted canine companion, Tramper. She was predeceased by her parents, and special brother-in-laws, Stanley Chwalek, Jr., and Alfred Chwalek. She loved life, family and friends, and was blessed by all those who were part of her life.
A Celebration of Life will be held January 4, 2013 in Beverly Beach, Florida. A local service will be held later in the spring at the Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams and Edmunds Funeral Home, 13 Oxford Road, New Hartford 13413.
In lieu of floral offerings, kindly consider memorial contributions in Mrs. Croop’s name to the Stevens-Swan Humane Society, 5664 Horatio Drive, Utica 13502. To send an online expression of sympathy visit www.dfwefh.com.
Arrangements are with the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, 8063 State Route 22, Copake.
Oliver A. Palmer (1920 – 2012)
HUDSON—Oliver A. Palmer, 92, a resident of the FASNY Firemen’s Home for almost 30 years, passed away there, Tuesday, December 18, 2012.
Born January 9, 1920 in the Town of Catskill, he was the son of the late Hiram S. and Mary Geneva (Garling) Palmer.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by siblings, Frances Fieser, Alice Burdick and William Palmer.
Mr. Palmer worked with his parents on the family farm until their passing. He became a resident at the home, April 19, 1983.
Previously, he was active in his community as a member of the Kiskatom Volunteer Fire Department and a baptized member of the Kiskatom Reformed Church.
Mr. Palmer was a dedicated worker at the COARC Workshop Program in Mellenville, being allowed to continue past retirement. There, he made many lasting friendships. When he finally retired, he attended all the activities he could fit in a day, as well as going on lots of bus trips away. He loved listening to music and reading his hometown newspaper every day with his favorite hat atop his head. His favorite saying was, “I like you!”
He is survived by many caring cousins, two of whom were on record with the home as contact people: Betty Ellett and Nancy St. John; also surviving are several nieces and nephews, Bill Burdick, Alice Knapp, Claudia Lee, Dane Burdick, Deena Rocco, Jackie Downey, Sarah Thomas and MaryAnne Niemczycai; plus scores of friends, including those at the Firemen’s Home. Services were held December 21 in the Firemen’s Home Chapel, 125 Harry Howard Avenue, Hudson. Burial was in the family plot in the Town of Catskill Cemetery.
Donations may be made in Mr. Palmer’s memory to the Firemen’s Home, the Kiskatom Volunteer Fire Department, 4838 Route 32, Catskill 12414, or the Kiskatom Reformed Church, 4865 Route 32, Catskill 12414.
Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences for the family.
Mildred A. Kline Dexheimer (1914 – 2012)
GHENT—Mildred A. Kline Dexheimer, 98, of Ghent, passed away Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at the Whittier Nursing Center.
She was born July 30, 1914.
There will be no calling hours. Interment will be in the spring. Arrangements are with the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Service, Hudson.
Bonnie Jean Hover (1939 – 2012)
GHENT—Bonnie Jean Hover, 73, of Claverack and Pompano Beach, Florida, passed away Thursday, December 20, 2012 at Whittier Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center.
Born in Hudson, August 2, 1939, she was the daughter of the late John and Lucy (Kirkbright) Kreig.
Mrs. Hover was a registered nurse at Livingston Hills Nursing Home and had also worked at Barnwell, Pine Haven and Whittier. She worked at Kozel’s Restaurant for 24 years. She enjoyed spending her winters in Pompano Beach, Florida, and a good casino trip.
She is survived by: her husband, Charles “Skip” Hover of Claverack and Pompano Beach; her children, Charles E. Hover, IV, (Cindy) of Greenport, Richard John Reno (Natalie) of Burnt Hills, Darci Ann Ordway (Ron) of East Chatham, Cindy Jean Kozel (Dan), Wendy Anne Shufelt and Tammy Barnard (Craig), all of Ghent, and 12 grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her sister, Laura Kreig.
Calling hours are 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 26 at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, December 27 at the funeral home. Entombment will be at a later date.
Donations may be made to Community Hospice of Columbia Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414. Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences for the family.