Kermit W. Niver (1930 – 2017)
GREAT BARRINGTON, MA—Kermit Niver, 87 of Copake passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2017.
He was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Myra Niver.
Mr. Niver is survived by his spouse, Marlyn Neer-Niver; several step-children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He retired from the First National Store in Millerton.
Mr. Niver served in the Army and received various medals.
His family thanks the staff at Fairview Commons in Great Barrington, MA, for their compassion and care. Services are private and at the convenience of the family.
Interment will be in the Copake Cemetery.
Contributions may be made in his honor to Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.
Arrangements are with the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, 8063 Route 22, Copake. To send an online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net.
Diane A. Dam (1945 – 2017)
PINE PLAINS—Diane A. Dam, 72, passed away unexpectedly at home Friday, December 8, 2017.
She was born on December 1, 1945 in Great Barrington, MA, the daughter of Thomas and Rita (Gaspard) Jones.
Mrs. Dam was a postal clerk for the Pine Plains Post Office for 23 years.
She was an avid Yankee fan, she enjoyed watching and attending games at the stadium.
On July 8, 1967 at St. Bridget’s Roman Catholic Church in Copake Falls, she married Allen J. Dam. He survives her at home.
In addition to her loving husband, Allen, survivors include: two sons, Gerald Dam of Elizaville and Steven Dam of Pine Plains; three grandchildren, Christopher Dam, Michele Smith and Michael Dam.
There are no calling hours.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, December 14, 2017, 10 a.m. at Peck & Peck Funeral Home, 7749 South Main Street, Pine Plains.
Interment will be at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to Valley Community Church, 2260 Salt Point Turnpike, Clinton Corners 12514.
To sign the online register visit peckandpeck.net
Helena Guastella (1942 – 2017)
COPAKE—Helena “Country Girl” (Decker) Guastella of Copake died at home after a long illness Sunday morning, December 10, 2017.
She was born in Sharon, CT, in 1942, and grew up mainly in Copake.
She attended Roe Jan School, and moved to Tarrytown after graduating, where she met her husband, Robert Guastella. He predeceased her. She loved Columbia County and moved back to the area in 1980. She worked as a town court clerk in Copake for many years among many things. She enjoyed needle craft, and having lunch with her friends.
She is survived by: two daughters, Christina and husband Phillip Dellea and Cheryl and husband Steve Brodsky; grandchildren, Stephanie and Skylar Brodsky; sisters, Cathy Greubel, Terry Hennequin and Martha (Whitney) Savery; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her husband she was predeceased by her parents, Harvey and Florence Decker; a brother, Harvey Decker, and many relatives on both sides of her family.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Cemetery Fund at Our Lady of Hope, 8074 State Route 22, Copake Falls 12517.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Hope RC Church, 8074 State Route 22, Copake Falls, Thursday, December 14 at 11 a.m.
Friends may arrive at 10 a.m. to visit with the family before Mass. Burial will follow immediately in St Bridget’s Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, 8063 Route 22, Copake. To sign the online guest book visit www.peckandpeck.net.
Jannette S. Keefner (1961 – 2017)
PITTSFIELD, MA—Jannette S. Keefner, age 55, of Hillsdale passed away peacefully Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Pittsfield, MA.
She was born to the late Calvin A. Sheldon and Nancy B. Sheldon December 21, 1961.
In 1987, she married the love of her life, James “Mike” Keefner. They had two daughters together, Whitney, age 26, and Kayla, age 22. Mrs. Keefner attended Fisher College in Boston for one year and then completed her associate’s degree at Columbia-Greene Community College.
She worked for the Town of Hillsdale as Court Clerk for 30 years, a lifetime of service to the town and community. Throughout the years, she organized Hillsdale’s Community Day, took care of the Civil War Monuments at the center of town and was a member of the Beautification Committee. Mrs. Keefner also participated in yearly Town Wide Clean-Up Days and helped to organize local tractor pulls.
She was an avid golfer, gardener and animal lover. She was a member of the Church of Saint John in the Wilderness in Copake Falls.
Mrs. Keefner is survived by: her husband, Mike; two daughters, Whitney and Kayla; her uncle, Robert Sheldon and wife Ruth of Cornwall, CT; her uncle, Jon Sheldon and wife Faye of Centerville, TN; her cousin, Faith Benson and husband Steve of Philmont; her aunt, Carol Feil of Dallas, GA, and her aunt, Signe Sheldon of New Hartford, NY.
There will be a service for Mrs. Keefner at the Church of Saint John in the Wilderness, Route 344 in Copake Falls, Friday, December 15, 2017, 2 p.m. followed by burial at the Hillsdale Rural Cemetery on Old Town Road at approximately 3:30 p.m. Afterwards, a reception to celebrate Mrs. Keefner’s life will be held at the Hillsdale Firehouse immediately afterwards until 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in her name to the Hillsdale Food Pantry, Hillsdale 12529.
Arrangements are with the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, 8063 Route 22, Copake. To send an online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net.
Eileen T. Branson (1928 – 2017)
GHENT—Eileen T. Branson of Chatham passed December 11, 2017 at the Whittier Nursing Home.
She is survived by: her children, Paul Harold Fox, Jr. (Renee), DonnaMae VanAllen (Warren Hoffman) and Daniel Fox (Lisa); her six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Services are private.
Contributions in her name may be made to the Chatham Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. Arrangements are with French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham. Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com.
Ronald E. Moore (1944 – 2017)
HUDSON—Ronald “Beaver” E. Moore, 73, passed away December 5, 2017.
He was born January 3, 1944 in Hudson, to Paul and Helen (Lawson) Moore. He graduated from Hudson High School, and spent his entire life in Columbia County.
Mr. Moore had a passion for antiques, which lead him to own and operate his own antique store in various locations over the years, always taking his following of friends and customers with him.
Mr. Moore is survived by: his wife, Christine; his two daughters, Tiffany and her husband Brian Colwell, and Melissa and Christian Carr.
He was a loving grandfather to his nine grandchildren, Michelline Moore, McKenzie Pope, Gavin Colwell, Noah and Calista Moore, Tori, Lynn, Madeline and Blaine Carr and one great-grandson, Matthew Pope. Also surviving are his two brothers, Paul and Robert Moore, and sister, Kay Moore. In addition to several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements are with the Bates and Anderson – Redmond and Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson.
Paul M. Donahue (1963 – 2017)
HUDSON—Paul M. Donahue went home to the angels December 8, 2017.
Born in Hudson, he was the son of Robert J., Sr., and Marilyn (Magee) Donahue.
He was a graduate of Hudson High School, and had worked in the corrections field. He had a passion for fitness and painting.
Along with his parents, he is survived by: brothers, Robert, Jr., (Debbie) and Daniel; sisters, Laura Donahue and Carolanne (Robert) McComb; nieces Mia, Deona and Taylor, Kristen Sultzbaugh and Alexis McComb; nephews, Daniel and Edward Donahue, Justin Mottoshiski and Jordan McComb; many aunts, uncles and cousins. He will be greatly missed by his family, “until we meet again.”
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, December 15, 11 a.m. from St. Mary’s Holy Trinity Parish in Hudson. Contributions in Mr. Donahue’s memory may be made to Bethany Ministries, P.O. Box 432, Middleburgh 12122.
Arrangements are with the Bates and Anderson -Redmond and Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson.
Rose M. Palermo (1925 – 2017)
ALBANY—Rose Mary Palermo, 92, passed away December 10, 2017 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany.
Born September 20, 1925 in Tivoil, she was the daughter of Nicholas and Lillian (Hendel) Reese.
Mrs. Palermo resided in Hudson. She was a retired employee of the Rual Manufacturing KAZ Company. She enjoyed her lovely yellow roses, pie making, reading, word search puzzles, keeping up with current affairs and spending time with her family. Mrs. Palermo was a loving wife and homemaker.
She is survived by: her five children, Elizabeth Modleski (John), Joanne Garvey, Joseph Palermo, Ethel McKenna (Patrick), Anthony J. Palermo, Jr., (dear companion Ronda); 15 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Anthony John Palermo, Sr.; one infant child, Anthony and 16 siblings.
Funeral services were Tuesday, December 12 from the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson. Memorial contributions in Mrs. Palermo’s name may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Donald T. Booth (1924 – 2017)
SHARON, CT—Donald T. Booth, 93, a lifelong Millerton resident, died Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Sharon Hospital surrounded by his loving family and dear friends.
Mr. Booth was the owner and operator of the Booth Farm on McGhee Hill Road in Millerton, a successful dairy farm that has had ties with the Town of North East for several generations. He semi-retired in 1990 from dairy farming, but continued to care for his vast property with great pride and much love in his later years. A true farmer, Mr. Booth was known for taking exceptional care of his livestock and his land.
Born February 13, 1924 in Millerton at the family farmhouse where he resided for 93 years, he was the son of the late Benjamin and Agnes (Slee) Booth.
He attended and graduated from Millerton High School in 1941. He married the love of his life, Mary Shaffer in the Smithfield Church on August 16, 1952. They shared more than 65 years together enjoying life and working on the farm. Mrs. Booth survives at home. Mr. Booth served as a trustee of the Irondale Cemetery Association and was a longtime member of the Millerton Grange. He also enjoyed racing stock cars at Lebanon Valley Speedway in his younger years. He will be dearly missed by his family and many friends.
In addition to his beloved wife, Mr. Booth is survived by: his sister-in-law, Elinor Duprey of Copake; several loving nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
Calling hours will take place Wednesday, December 13, 2017 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Faith Bible Chapel of Shekomeko, 222 Silver Mountain Road, Millerton. Funeral services will take place at 11:30 a.m. at Faith Bible Chapel. Pastor William Mayhew will officiate. Burial will follow at Irondale Cemetery, Millerton.
Arrangements are with the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton. To send an online condolence visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com