Richard E. Siter, Sr. (1939 – 2015)
GHENT—Richard E. Siter, Sr., 75, of Ghent, was called home and joined his son, LT JG Richard E. Siter, Jr., in Heaven, Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at Whittier Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center.
Born July 4, 1939 in Albany, he was the son of the late David and Amanda (Logan) Siter.
He was a carpenter and owner of Siter Construction in Hillsdale. He was a graduate of Ockawamick Central School, Class of 1958. He volunteered as a counselor for AA and coached sports. Richard was a member of the Philmont Masonic Lodge and a past Master Mason.
Surviving are: three children, Fay (David) Ruggles of Ghent, Tammy (John) Rigos of Claverack and David Siter of Philmont; his sister, Carolann Sauer of Ghent; eight grandchildren, Peter, Michael and Alexander (Jack) Rigos, Elyse, Daniel (DJ) and Michaela DeRuzzio, and Rachael and Steven Ruggles; two great-grandchildren; and his former wife, Mary (Johnson) Siter.
Calling hours are 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, January 9 at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson. Services will follow at 6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations may be made to the Taconic Hills Dollars for Scholars. Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences.
Robert B. Keller (1931 – 2015)
DELMAR—Robert B. Keller, 83, a resident of Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Delmar and formerly of Kinderhook, died January 7, 2015 in Delmar.
Born June 23, 1931 in Easton, CT, he was the son of the late Joseph H. and Ruth (Beach) Keller.
He attended the University of Connecticut and was the owner/operator of Hollyrock Farm in Kinderhook.
He moved the farm from Easton, CT, to Kinderhook in 1985.
Mr. Keller was on the Town of Stuyvesant Zoning Board of Appeals for many years and a member of the Columbia County Farm Bureau. For a short time, he took care of “Elsie” the Borden cow in New York City.
He was a devoted husband and dedicated father and grandfather who was hard working, loving compassionate, ready to help anyone in need and always faced life with a smile and a laugh.
He is survived by: his five children, Kim K. Ehlers of Schodack Landing, Paul A. Keller (Joann) of Kinderhook, Kent A. Keller (Roberta) of Kinderhook, Kristine K. Ooms (Timothy) of Valatie and Kip A. Keller of Byron; 11 grandchildren, Caleb T. and Madeleine B. Ehlers, Micaela R. and Walker M. Cacciatore, Lilly M., Brett M., Ashlynn M., Danielle B. and Calvin J. Keller, Emily A. and Brendan T. Ooms. He was predeceased by his wife, Judith (Atkinson) Keller and his sisters, Dorothy Kowalski and Marilyn Guadreau.
A memorial service will be held 7 p.m., Saturday, January 10 at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie. Calling hours will be Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4 Pine West Plaza, Suite 405, Albany 12205.
Alois Geiszler (1913 – 2015)
VALATIE—Alois Geiszler, 101, of Valatie died peacefully Monday, January 5, 2015 at Barnwell Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Valatie.
Born October 31, 1913 in Brooklyn, he was the son of Alois Geiszler and Marie (Becker) Geiszler.
Mr. Geiszler was a graduate of Dewitt Clinton High School in New York City. After graduating, he and his family relocated to Hillsdale, Michigan and then to Ghent, where he met and subsequently married Agnes E. Moore in 1937. They were married for 56 years, until her death in 1994. He and his wife were members of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ghent for many years and Mr. Geiszler was the oldest surviving member. There, he was superintendent of Sunday School and served on the church council. He was also very active in the Chatham Grange. Mr. Geiszler was a service manager in the automobile industry for many years prior to his retirement. Mr. Geiszler loved tending to his vegetable garden each year and was an avid stamp and coin collector. After retirement, he and his wife spent many winters in Florida, always returning to the Chatham area.
He is survived by: three children, daughters, Ann Williams and husband Kerry of Ellington, Connecticut, Nancy Keller and husband Henry of Chatham and son Alois Geiszler, III, and wife Barbara of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by: four grandchildren, Susan (Matthew) Wallace of Chatham, Steven (Vicky) Geiszler of Crofton, MD, Michelle (Jeffrey) Wagner of Clayton, NC, and Patricia (Nicholas) Susch of Painted Post and 10 great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Leanore Gail.
Funeral services will be at a later date at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements are with the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham.
Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com.
