Leo Erkki Kauppinen (1923 – 2015)
LIVINGSTON—Leo Erkki “Erik” Kauppinen, formerly of East Chatham, passed away at Livingston Hills, January 12, 2015.
Born October 10, 1923 in Jääski, Karjala, Finland, he was the son of Juho Viktor Kauppinen, deceased 1953, and Alma Maria Kauppinen (nee, Kemppainen), deceased 1959, both of Jääski, Finland.
He was the youngest of 10 siblings and was predeceased by his three brothers, four sisters and two siblings who passed as infants.
He is survived by: his beloved wife of 68 years, Aune Helena “Ann” Kauppinen (nee, Kurri); his son, Jukka and daughter-in-law Tuula Kauppinen of Helsinki, Finland; daughter, Tarja, son-in-law David, grandchildren, Jane and Daniel Taylor of Chatham; nieces and nephews in Finland and Australia.
Mr. Kauppinen was a World War II veteran of Finland, where he served to protect the Karjala homestead and preserve the independence of Finland in Continuation War 1941 to 1944 against Russia as well as expelling German forces from Lapland until the war ended. Karjala was lost to Russia but Finland kept its independence to present day.
Mr. Kauppinen studied metal working after the war and went on to become a machinist and an engineer.
In 1957, Mr. Kauppinen, his wife and children left Finland and migrated to Melbourne, Australia. In 1966 the family moved to Los Angeles, CA, and in 1985 after retiring, Mr. and Mrs. Kauppinen came to live in Columbia County.
He is much loved and will be forever missed.
There will be a memorial service at the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, Chatham, Friday, January 30, 2015 from 5 to 7 p.m. To convey a condolence visit frenchblasl.com.
Elaine Lea Henry (1940 – 2015)
WINSTON SALEM, NC—Elaine Lea Banks Henry, 74, of Burlington, NC, a former Clermont resident, “became our precious angel” Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Wake Forest University-Baptist Medical Center.
Born April 19, 1940, in Cambridge, she was the daughter of the late John and Alice (Burch) McCarty.
Mrs. Henry earned an Associate of Arts degree in food and nutrition services from SUNY Cobleskill. She worked for many years as director of food and nutrition services and held the credential of certified dietary manager (CDM). Most recently she worked at Ashton Place in McLeansville, NC. She previously worked at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson, as school lunch manager of Germantown Central School District in Germantown, and as clinical nutrition director at Green Manor Nursing Facility in Ghent.
Mrs. Henry was a member of the Clermont Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary for many years. Her interests included college basketball, gardening, traveling and collecting Longaberger baskets and Hummel figurines.
Mrs. Henry was the devoted, loving and caring wife of Thomas E. Henry, III, who survives at their home in Burlington.
She adored her two daughters, Cynthia Banks of Middletown, CT, and Diane (L. Edward) Moore of Clermont. She was extremely proud of her three grandsons, John, Michael and Brian Moore, all of Clermont, who she referred to as “My Boys.” She is also survived by: her siblings, Joyce Whalen of Hoosick Falls, John McCarty of Rochester, Kay Powers of Eagle Bridge and William McCarty of Cambridge; her three step-daughters, Stephanie, Rebecca and Sarah Henry of Rensselaer; along with countless members of a large extended family, colleagues and friends. She will be missed dearly by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Friends may call at the Burnett & White Funeral Homes, Thursday, January 29, 2015 from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 30, 2015 at St. Christopher’s Church, Red Hook. Father Patrick Buckley will officiate. Burial will be at Clermont Cemetery, Clermont.
Memorial donations may be made to The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, www.aarda.org.
Arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes, 7461 South Broadway, Red Hook.
Augusta Wheeler (1937 – 2015)
NEW HAVEN, CT—Augusta Lee Wheeler, 77, of Ancramdale, a lifelong area resident, died Sunday, January 25, 2015 at Yale New Haven Hospital.
Mrs. Wheeler worked in the housekeeping department at Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT, for 34 years before retiring in 2000.
Born July 6, 1937 in Ancram, she was the daughter of the late Niels and Alice (Frenzel) Hoyt.
She attended Taconic Hills High School.
On March 11, 1956 in Millerton, she married Gerald Wheeler. Together they shared more than 59 years of marriage. Mr. Wheeler survives at home.
Mrs. Wheeler loved to paint ceramics in her spare time and was an avid gardener with a vast array of different house plants and flowers that she cared for. She will be missed by everyone who knew and loved her, especially her loving husband and devoted sons.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by: her sons, Richard Wheeler of South Africa and John Wheeler and his wife Dana Wheeler of Millerton; her grandchildren, Kaye, Sean, Timothy, Nicole and Adam Wheeler; four great-grandchildren; seven brothers, four sisters and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Wheeler was predeceased by a son, Gerald Wheeler and a grandson Andrew Wheeler.
Calling hours will take place Friday, January 30, 2015 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, January 31, 2015, 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Irondale Cemetery, Millerton in the spring.
Memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association of Greater New York, 42 Broadway, Suite #1724, New York City 10004 or the Community Rescue Squad, 283 Mountain View Road, Copake 12516. For directions or to send an online condolence visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com.
