Jill P. Vona (1947 – 2020)
LATHAM—Jill Peck Vona of Latham, formerly of Copake, passed away Sunday, January 26 surrounded by her family.
She was born January 17, 1947, the wife of the late Paul J. Vona, daughter of the late Charles Buel and Jean (Tremper) Peck.
She is survived by: her sister, Joni Peck Ford of Lakeville, CT; her nephew, Taylor Peck Ford of Falls Village, CT; many loving cousins and dear friends.
A graduate of Roeliff Jansen High School and Endicott College, Mrs. Vona went on to become the owner of Vona Ventures promoting creativity in the arts: writing, photography and painting.
She authored “Cook & Chatter: A Trip Down Memory Lane” and “Addicted to Cold Water” for which she won the 2012 Bronze Reader’s Digest award. She was the cartoonist for “My Duma” (The Columbia Insider, Ghent). She was also a volunteer photographer for St. Catherine’s Home for Children in Albany.
Her passion for photography captured years of devoted love for rescued kittens, the smiles and the tears of the young and old, abandoned trains, structures with stories of the past, and the beauty of her garden that flowed with endless color.
A graveside service will be held in the spring at the Saratoga National Cemetery, Saratoga and a Celebration of her Life will be held in Copake at a later date.
Memorial donations may be to St. Catherine’s Center For Children, ATTN: Foundation, 40 North Avenue, Albany 12203 or Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands 12204
Arrangements are with Peck and Peck Funeral Home, Copake, To send an online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net.
Darlene M. Schrader (1961 – 2020)
HUDSON—Darlene “Reenie” M. Schrader, 58, a lifelong resident of Hudson, died peacefully at home Wednesday, February 5, 2020.
Born in Hudson March 15, 1961, she was the daughter of the late Dolores Shook.
Mrs. Schrader was a mail carrier in Hudson for many years. She will be greatly missed by: her husband, Preston E. Schrader at home; daughters, Brianna (Randy) Conte and Casey Dapp; brother, James J., Sr., (Suzanne) Shook; sister, Dawn (Alan) Sorokey; grandchildren, Ryan, Evan, Connor and Tyler. She was also predeceased by a dear family friend, Rosetta Gardnier.
Calling hours will be held Wednesday, February 12, 2020, 4 to 6 p.m. at the Sacco Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport. Funeral services will be at 5:30 p.m. with Deacon Thomas Schrader officiating. Memorial contributions are requested to be sent to Preston Schrader, P.O. Box 209 Claverack 12513.
John W. Seiber (1939 – 2020)
SARASOTA, FL—John “Jack” W. Seiber passed away February 4, 2020 in Sarasota, Florida, at the age of 80. He was formerly of Plainsboro, NJ, and Ancramdale.
He retired in 2004 as president/CEO of Delanco Federal Savings Bank following 47 years in banking. He continued as chairman of the board until 2010. A veteran, he served two years in the U.S. Army in Germany.
He is survived by: his partner of 30 years, Robert Barton; a brother-in-law, Denzil Rupert of Waverly; a nephew, Duke Rupert (Michelle) of Pittsburgh, PA; and a niece, Dina Rupert (Mike) of Spencer; five brothers-in-law, Fred Barton of San Antonio, FL, Gerald Barton of West Copake, Richard Barton of Copake Falls, Walter Barton of Ancramdale, Robert Podris of Ancramdale and a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Podris of Ancramdale.
He served on the Board of Governors, New Jersey Community Bankers, currently New Jersey Bankers Association, Board of Governors, Thrift Institutions Community Investment Corp. of NJ. He was president of Garden State Chapter Institute of Financial Education and president Mercer County Savings League. He was elected and served two-terms on the Plainsboro Township Committee and several years on the Plainsboro Township Planning Board. He served as account executive of Delaware Valley United Way as well as president of the Plainsboro Lions Club and Plainsboro Volunteer Fire Company. Upon moving to Ancramdale in 2011, he served on the Ancram Financial Advisory Council and the Ancram Board of Assessment Review.
There will be no calling hours. He body is being cremated and taken to Ancramdale, where a service will be held at a future date at the Ancramdale Presbyterian Church with burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Pine Plains. Memorial donations may be sent to the Ancramdale Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 99, Ancramdale 12503.
Francene R. Stupplebeen (1948 – 2020)
MELLENVILLE—Francene Regina Stupplebeen, 71, of Mellenville died peacefully Thursday February 6, 2020 surrounded by her loving family.
Born September 2, 1948 in Hudson, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Pearl (Quinion) Conklin.
Mrs. Stupplebeen was a direct care aide with Coarc in Valatie for many years. She greatly enjoyed arts and crafts especially quilting.
She will be greatly missed by: her sons, Cory (Jennifer) Stupplebeen, Tavis (Adrienne) Stupplebeen; her brother, William “Butch” Fuss; grandchildren, Jeanne, Kimberly and Tavis Jr. “TJ.” She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Robert Stupplebeen in 2000.
Calling hours will be held Monday, February 10, 2020 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Sacco Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, February 11, 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Mellenville Union Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice, 147 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414.
Robert L. Mickle (1931 – 2020)
HUDSON—Robert Leonard Mickle, 88, of Hudson died peacefully February 6, 2020 at Columbia Memorial Hospital. He was born November 14, 1931 in Germantown.
Mr. Mickle was a carpenter who did wood/steel work for Gifford Wood, Hudson.
He will be greatly missed by his wife, Jeanette A. Mickle. No calling hours or funeral service is scheduled. Arrangements are with the Sacco Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport.
Dr. Robert P. Leather (1928 – 2020)
CHATHAM—Dr. Robert “Bob” P. Leather, 92, passed away Tuesday, February 4, 2020 in Chatham.
Born in Brooklyn, he was the son of the late Percy K. and Conchita (Morcillo) Leather.
He attended RPI for his BS in mechanical engineering in 1948 and Albany Medical College for his MD in 1954. He worked for Grumman Aircraft for two years before attending medical school. After college he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served from 1955 to 1957 in Germany.
Dr. Leather went on to work much of his life at Albany Medical Center (AMC) as a general and vascular surgeon until his retirement in 1999. He was one of a group of surgeons who helped to develop the trauma unit at AMC. He attained the positions of head of vascular surgery and head of surgery and continued to teach at Albany Medical College. He was an internationally famous vascular surgeon who helped create procedures and operations that have had a lasting effect upon several aspects of arterial reconstruction. Coming from an engineering background and later deciding to go into medical school, his methodical, analytic and data-driven thought processes lent themselves to the problems of vascular surgery which were being worked out for the first time in the late 1950s and 1960s. His residency and subsequent 40-year career at Albany Medical Center Hospital was notable for the development of the “In-Situ” method of limb revascularization which required a knowledge of equipment, design, the biophysics of arteries and veins, and the development of microsurgical techniques. Other notable advances in surgery of the aorta and carotid arteries came from his mind and hands in conjunction with Drs. Alastair Karmody and Dhiraj Shah. The strength of this group led to the development of a world-renowned center of vascular surgery which to this day maintains a goal of expanding the envelope of the possible in vascular surgery while providing exemplary care of patients. Several current leaders in this field were trained by Dr Leather and this group; this tradition has continued and expanded even after his retirement.
A gifted surgeon with a unique set of skills, Dr. Leather will be missed for now but lauded forever by vascular surgeons throughout the world.
He enjoyed skiing, sailing, traveling, F1 racing, was a sports car and airplane enthusiast.
Survivors include: his wife, Carolyn; his children, Jonathan M. Leather, Catherine Klein, Gregory P. Leather and Geoffrey T. Leather; grandchildren, Kathleen Leather Engle, Stephen and Aaron Leather, Heather and Amanda Klein and David and Allison Leather; and great-grandchildren, Simon, Graham, Adalaide Engle and Neva Klein Temple.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Margaret Gibbo Leather; three brothers, Peter, James and John.
Special thanks to Columbia Greene Hospice staff for their exceptional care. Thanks to special caregivers Shannon and Kathie.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at the French, Gifford, Preiter and Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham, Sunday, February 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. Burial will be in Saratoga National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Community Hospice of Columbia Greene. For directions or to convey a condolence visit frenchblasl.com.
