Elaine French Weinheimer (1926 – 2013)
PITTSFIELD, MA—Elaine French Weinheimer, 87, of Old Chatham died Thursday April 4 at Springside Nursing Home.
Born in Hollywood, CA, March 4, 1926 to Arthur and Leota Parks French, she was raised in Southern California. It was there she married her husband, Arthur J. Weinheimer—professional forester, dedicated conservationist and native of the Bronx, and moved to Old Chatham in 1946.
Music, gardening, church and family all played large parts in Mrs. Weinheimer’s life. She was a church organist and Sunday School teacher for more than 50 years. She enjoyed learning new music and teaching piano to her many students. Mrs. Weinheimer was a Girl Scout leader for many years and was also involved with the PTA as both a member and president. She was involved with a local garden club and was particularly fond of cultivating irises.
In her 60s, Mrs. Weinheimer took over an engraving business and ran it for nine years. She was an avid bird watcher and liked to keep her feeders full, even at the risk of attracting bears.
She is survived by: five daughters, Laurel in NM, Leanne in WI, Lynelle in MA, Lonnie in MD, and Lorna in RI; two sons, Lance and Loren, both in NY, and 10 grandchildren with another on the way. She was predeceased by her husband in 1974.
A memorial service will be held at Grace United Methodist Church in Nassau, April 27 at 10am.
In lieu of flowers, donation to Heifer International or Oxfam would be welcome.
Clifford A. Jones (1946 – 2013)
ANCRAM—Clifford A. Jones, 66, of Ancram passed away Wednesday April 3, 2013 at his residence.
He was born September 12, 1946 in Canaan, CT, the son of the late George A. and Audrey M. (DeLong) Jones.
Mr. Jones was a retired dairy farmer and a former volunteer firefighter for the Taghkanic Fire Company.
On July 1, 1963 in Millerton, he married Fannie Irene (Lawrence) Jones, who survives him at home in Ancram.
Also surviving are: his children, Pauline McLain of Salisbury, CT, Fannie Gubler of Craryville, Clifford Jones Jr. of Millbrook, Audrey Hosier of Copake, Edith Crosby of Philmont, Tricia Zyryi of Stuyvesant, Andrew Jones of Kinderhook and John Jones of Ancram; his siblings, Georgia Miles of Craryville, Robin Negri of Hillsdale, Debbie Chamberlan of Florida, Art Jones of Indiana and Stanley Jones of Florida; 23 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.
To send an online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net
Arrangements are with the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, Copake.
Thomas Arnold (1956 – 2013)
N. CHATHAM—Thomas W. Arnold, 58, died April 7, 2013 at his home with his son and sister after a brief battle with lung cancer.
He is survived by his beloved children: Noam Harari-Arnold attends Texas A & M and withdrew this semester to help care for his father; Alon and Libby Harari-Arnold live in Israel, where Alon is in the Army and Libby is finishing her last year of high school. Mr. Arnold’s surviving siblings include a twin brother, Timothy (and Kathy Arnold), an older brother, Terry of DeLand, Florida, Vicki Wills (and Bob Wills) and younger brother, Toby, all of North Chatham.
Born March 8, 1956, Mr. Arnold was a life-long resident of North Chatham. He was fourth in his graduating class at Ichabod Crane High School and attended St. Rose College. After some traveling, Mr. Arnold returned to work the family dairy farm with his brothers. The farm closed in 1999.
Mr. Arnold was the current chairman of the Commissioners of the North Chatham Fire District, elected in 1986, and a trustee since 1985. He served as a trustee of the North Chatham Cemetery Association for more than 25 years (1988 to 2013) and as superintendent from 1997 to 2005. He was an active member of Columbia County Democrats, attending as an Election Day poll watcher and registration seeker. He actively supported SETI, enjoyed Harry Potter and Tolkien. He was employed by Albany Molecular, Inc. in the Rensselaer plant building 9, as a production technician.
A memorial sharing will be held at the North Chatham firehouse Sunday, April 14 at 3 p.m. Friends and family will be grilling and attendees are welcome to bring a dish to pass as well stories to share. No flowers. Donations may be made to the North Chatham Fire District in Mr. Arnold’s honor.
Nora Decker (1934 – 2013)
HUDSON—Nora Decker, 78, of Ancram passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson.
She was born April 24, 1934 in Ancram to Edward and Ruth (Tripp) Jennings.
Ms. Decker enjoyed the outdoors, bird watching and gardening especially tending to her flower and vegetable gardens.
She leaves her daughter, Marjorie Shufelt of Copake along with three sons, Edward Decker, Daniel Decker and Fred Damon, all of Ancram.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
To send an online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net.
