Rev. John Clark Young


January 9, 1944 - March 22, 2013

BURLINGTON FLATS - Rev. John Clark Young, a true man of God and long-time resident of Burlington Flats, passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior early Friday afternoon, March 22, 2013 in the woods near his home. He was 69.

John was born January 9, 1944 in Somerset, New Jersey, the son of John S. and Elizabeth H. (Richvalsky) Young.  

Raised in New Jersey, John graduated from the Bridgewater Raritan High School with the Class of 1963. Following graduation he joined the United States Air Force and served at New Amsterdam Air Force Base in Holland as an automotive repairman with a supporting unit of US forces providing the major air defense for the NATO countries. He was honorably discharged in 1967 and served with the reserves until 1969. Upon his return to New Jersey, John was employed by Somerset Valley Construction as a heavy equipment mechanic until 1973.  

He then moved to Burlington Flats where he met Irene C. Banner. They were married June 11, 1977 at the Cooperstown United Methodist Church .  

John was employed at Skinner & Damulis in Richfield Springs from 1976 until 1983. Since 1987, John has owned and operated John Young Repair on Angel Hill Road.

It was while John was attending the Schuyler Lake United Methodist Church  in the late 1970s that he was called to the ministry of his beloved Savior. John's passion was preaching The Word and he served as a lay pastor for the Schuyler Lake and Wells Bridge United Methodist Churches from 1984 until 1986, when he began his pastorate at the Burlington Green Baptist Church and the Universal Unitarian Church in Schuyler Lake. Ordained on August 29, 1993 at the Burlington Green Baptist Church, he retired from there in 2006. Following his retirement, John led a bible study which grew into the opening of the Light Walkers Baptist Church in Morris. He was the pastor there from 2009 until 2012. Most recently John attended the Oneonta First Baptist Church and participated in a weekly bible study there, as well as one in Schuyler Lake.

A very community minded man, he was always available to help his friends and neighbors that he loved so much. John and his daughter were instrumental in founding The Zone in Richfield Springs where teens could go to hang out in a safe atmosphere. He also presided over  many weddings, baptisms, funerals, Baccalaureate services and Memorial Day services, as well as visited those who were hospitalized or ill. He loved watching football, lending a helping hand, and was the master at fixing anything.  John will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Irene C. Young of Burlington Flats; his children, Holly E. Dodd and her husband Douglas of Burlington Flats, Sara J. Young of Gloucester, MA, Margaret L. Young of Richfield Springs and Joshua John Young of Burlington Flats; his grandchildren, Alex E. Peretin and her twin sister, Ashley C. Peretin, Petra N. Peretin, Clark Z. Young and Douglas C. Dodd; his brothers, Richard C. Young and his wife Renee of Debary, FL, Frederick A. Young and his wife Jacqueline and Stephen Bruce Young, all of Burlington Flats; sisters and brothers-in-law, Judy and Bruce Brown of Oneonta and Janet and Robert Adam of Lady Lake, FL; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his daughter, M. Petra Young on October 30, 1992 and his grandson, Raymond Peretin, Jr. on August 11, 1990.

A funeral service will be offered at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at the Church of Christ Uniting, 14 Church Street, Richfield Springs, with John's brother, Richard C. Young, officiating.  

Friends may call from 4 - 8 pm on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown, when John's family will be in attendance.

Expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts may be made to the First  Baptist Church of Burlington, 281 County Highway 16, Burlington Flats, NY 13315 or Family Worship Center Church for the distribution of Bibles to third world nations in their own language at P. O. Box 262550, Baton Rouge, LA 70826.

Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.



If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.

Grace Welsh


April 2, 1922 - March 21, 2013

Give rest, O Christ, to thy servant with thy saints,
where sorrow and pain are no more, 
neither sighing, but life everlasting.

COOPERSTOWN - Grace Welsh, 90, a lifelong resident of Cooperstown, and for the past year a resident of the Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home, died Thursday morning, March 21, 2013, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown.  

She was born April 2, 1922, the daughter of David and Annie Welsh, in Coupar Angus, Perthshire, Scotland. She immigrated to this country with her parents in 1925. 

Grace graduated from Cooperstown High School with the Class of 1938. She then worked at the Knox School for Girls which was located in what is now the Otesaga Hotel.

She enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II and after training at Hunter College in New York City and Camp Lejeune, NC she served for two years as a Pharmacist Mate at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA.  She returned to Cooperstown after her discharge from the Navy on December 23, 1945.

After a short stint at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown she went to work for New York Telephone Company where she served in management positions for the next 40 years. During some of that time she traveled throughout the state as a traveling Chief Operator. She retired in April 1985.

Raised in the Episcopal faith, Grace has been a faithful member of Christ Church in Cooperstown all her life, where she served in many capacities. She was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 579 in Cooperstown, and the Native Daughters of Cooperstown.

Grace was a helpful and loving friend to many in the Cooperstown area.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Alistair, Robert and David Welsh, Jr.

Grace is survived by a brother, Douglas J. Welsh of Cooperstown; a sister, Annie Bantham and her husband,Harvey, of Wilton; and a sister-in-law, Becky Welsh of Cooperstown. Also surviving are a niece, Shelley (Mark) Fredericks of West Milford, NJ; nephews, Dan (Kim) Bantham of Merrimack, NH and Tim (Martina) Bantham of Ballston Spa; along with eight great nieces and nephews.

Donations in memory of Grace may be made to Christ Church, 69 Fair Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326, the Susquehanna SPCA, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or a charity of one's choice.

The Office of the Burial of the Dead with Holy Eucharist will be offered at 11 a.m. on Saturday, 4 May 2013 in Christ Church, Cooperstown, with Fr. Mark Aaron Michael, rector, officiating. Assisting will be the Rev'd Samuel Bassett Abbott, who will serve as Homilist. The Committal Service and inurnment will follow at the Ecumenical Columbarium in the Church-yard at Christ Church. After the services, all present are invited to a reception in the Parish House.

Arrangements are under the guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.



If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.

Frances Mae Knowles


May 27, 1952 - March 19, 2013

SCHENEVUS - Frances Mae Knowles, 60, of Schenevus, died Tuesday morning, March 19, 2013, at her home on Race Street.

There are no arrangements at this time.

The Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown is serving the family.



If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.

Pan-Lee Kathrryn Rockwell


January 22, 1932 - March 17, 2013

COOPERSTOWN - Pan-Lee Kathrryn Rockwell, 81, of Cooperstown, died Sunday morning, March 17, 2013 at her home.

There will be no services.

The Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown is serving the family.



If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.

David C. Iseman


July 3, 1928 - March 10, 2013

A Great Man died March 10, 2013. David Carl Iseman (Scotty), a native of Indiana, Pa, was a devoted husband, wonderful father, good friend to many, and excellent provider for his family.

David was born July 3, 1928, in Indiana, PA. After graduating from Indiana High School in 1946, he served in the U.S Navy. Upon returning from service, David attended Robert Morris Junior College in Pittsburgh where he earned an associate's degree in accounting.

He married Margaret Maxine Smith from Bloomfield on August 10, 1949 and would have celebrated 64 years of marriage this year. Their bond remained strong through the years.

He was employed for more than three decades by Sauer, Inc. in Pittsburgh. He joined the company as an accountant on December 2, 1963 and was promoted throughout the years to the positions of Secretary/Treasurer and Accounting Department Manager. He retired February 28, 1995.

He will be remembered for his uncanny ability to work with numbers, his compassion and generosity, especially with children, his practicality and hard work, his skill at horseshoes, his Scrabble expertise and his sense of humor, and for his love and devotion to his wife and family.  He was a strong support for his wife during the good and the hard years and helped and guided his six children with unerring wisdom and calm.  

David is survived by his wife, Margaret, (Peggy); four daughters, Colleen Salcius (husband, Peter)  of Pawling, NY, Carla Oberlander of Yonkers, NY, Mary Harris of New York City; and Maureen Iseman-Broeking (husband, James)  of Cherry Valley, NY, and  two sons, David Iseman (wife, Lynn) of Springfield, MO, and Robert Iseman (wife, Lisa Lewis)of Pittsburgh, PA; nine grandchildren, Chance and Link Oberlander; Darlan Monterisi; Luke, Mia, Carla, Scott and Adam Iseman; Willem Salcius;  two step-grandchildren, Derek and Michael Franklin; two great-grandchildren, Maddox and Yukon Monterisi; and his sister, Peggy Mogle, and her children, of Indiana, PA.

A private family visitation and memorial service was held in Cooperstown, NY.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Children’s International.

Arrangements by Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, NY  13326.



If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.

Dawn E. "Debbie" Bridger


June 6, 1947 - March 11, 2013

COOPERSTOWN - Dawn E. "Debbie" Bridger, a life-long resident of  the Village of Cooperstown, died Monday afternoon, March 11, 2013, at the age of 65 at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown.  

She was born Dawn Elizabeth Bailey on June 6, 1947, at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown. Her nickname, "Debbie", came as a result of her initials. A daughter of the late Leon J. "Sonny" Bailey and Janet Davidson Bailey, Debbie was raised in the Catholic faith in Cooperstown. She graduated from Cooperstown High School with the Class of 1965. After graduation, she attended  and completed studies at Albany Business College. She later took courses in accounting at Herkimer County Community College.  

After graduation, she was dedicated to raising her children. In 1976, she began working part-time for Cooperstown Central School in the cafeteria at the middle/high school. She then took on full-time employment as an account clerk in 1978 at the school's business office until she retired in 2005. 

Throughout her life, Debbie remained devoted to her many friends and family, most especially her grandchildren, Scott and Sarah, whom she greatly loved and adored. She spent as much time as she could with them and always made it a point to attend as many of their activities as she was able to.  

Known affectionately as the cat lady, Debbie possessed a love of animals, especially cats, and -- with the assistance of  her good friend and Linden Avenue neighbor, Ted Lamb -- spent a great deal of time capturing feral cats and making sure they were spayed or neutered. This was a mission that Debbie took quite seriously -- it is estimated that she took care of almost 3 dozen cats in her life-time. Debbie also enjoyed genealogy, and did a lot of research into the Bailey and Davidson families.  

Debbie was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by her children, son Stephen W. Bridger of Cooperstown, and daughter Kimberly Feik and her husband, Jeffrey, of Toddsville; her beloved grandchildren, Scott and Sarah Feik; one sister, Barbara Bailey of Albany; one brother, Rich Bailey and his wife, Nancy Ballard, of Cooperstown; one niece, Lindsey Bailey, of Cooperstown; three aunts, Patricia Sheldon and Gladys Davidson of Cooperstown and Joyce Cowles of Poughkeepsie; one uncle, Richard Davidson and his wife, Mary Lou, of Jacksonville, FL; several cousins; and her special friend and caregiver, Susan C. Larsen, of Cooperstown. Debbie is further survived by her cats, Charlie and Fluffy.   

Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Leon J. "Sonny" Bailey, who died December 13, 2003, and Janet D. Bailey, who died May 6, 2012.   

Debbie's family will receive friends at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown beginning at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 15, 2013. 

A funeral service will be offered at 1 p.m. on Friday afternoon at the funeral home, with the Rev. Betsy Jay, Chaplain at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, officiating.

The Service of Committal and Burial will be offered later this spring in the Bailey Family Plot in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown.

With respect for Debbie's love of and devotion to cats, please consider a donation in her memory to H.A.L.O. Paw Prints, an organization dedicated to cat rescue, 615 Albany Street, Little Falls, NY  11365 http://www.halorescue.net/, or The Stevens-Swan Humane Society, 5664 Horatio Street, Utica, NY  13502.

Arrangements are under the guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.



If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.

Michael T. Kallan


December 2, 1925 - March 8, 2013

HARTWICK - Michael Thomas Kallan, Jr., a life-long dairy farmer and resident of Hartwick, passed away Friday afternoon, March 8, 2013, at Otsego Manor. He was 87 years old.

Born at home on December 2, 1925, in the Town of Otsego, he was a son of Yugoslavian immigrants Michael E. and Anna (Kerznarich) Kallan.  

Raised on the family homestead, where he spent his entire life, he attended school in Hartwick.

Farming was his life, and he enjoyed, owning and operating Wild Creek Dairy Farms in partnership with his brother, Tom. They raised Registered Holsteins, and had memberships in the Holstein Association, the New York State Holstein Association, and the OHM Club.

Mike is survived by two sisters, Ann Weir of Oaksville, and Jean Thering and her husband, Ferdinand G. Thering, of Mt. Vision; one sister-in-law, Eleanor Kallan, of Hartwick; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas W. Kallan, Sr., who died December 29, 2007, and his sister, Mary Kallan Domion Barmes, who died August 6, 2004.  

With respect for Mike's wishes, there will be no calling hours or services.  

A gathering of family and friends will be announced at later date.

The Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown is serving the family.



If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.

Ronald E. Apman


December 21, 1933 - March 3, 2013


Know that the Lord is God.
It is he that made us, and we are his; 
we are his people…

-- Psalm 100:3


COOPERSTOWN - Ronald E. Apman, a long-time, visible yet unassuming resident of the Village of Cooperstown, quietly passed away at his home Sunday, March 3, 2013. He was 79.

Born December 21, 1933, in Middletown, he was the son of Harry and Dorothy (Kramer) Apman.

In his youth, Ron attended Cooperstown schools where he learned to play the trumpet. After graduating from Cooperstown High School with the Class of 1951, he attended the University of Vermont where he received a Bachelor's Degree in the Social Sciences.

Returning to Cooperstown, Ron eventually settled into a quiet and humble lifestyle. Even though they might not have known him personally, many people in the Village recognized Ron in his daily comings and goings. Whether riding his bicycle - or in recent years his motorized scooter - or pushing his wheelbarrow on various errands including trips to the Laundromat, he was a fixture in the Village. He kept mostly to himself, but truly loved Cooperstown in his own unique way. He enjoyed eating out, especially at The Otesaga, and at church suppers. An avid supporter of the Cooperstown Concert Series, he also enjoyed attending concerts and plays at the school and in Lakefront Park. He also liked to spend time on his boat on Otsego Lake.  

Raised in a Christian household, Ron's grandfather, the Reverend Charles Kramer, was the last pastor of the Church of the Messiah, Universalist, which he served from 1916-1924, and from 1933-1941. Located at the northeast corner of Pioneer and Church Streets, Ron's father owned the building from 1956 until 1958. Later in his life, Ron was baptized and became a member of the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown on December 24, 1995. He enjoyed singing as a tenor in the choir and was the church's representative to the Cooperstown Council of Churches. 

Ron is survived by his two sisters, Lois A. Fisher of Pompton Plains, New Jersey, and Gale Belilah and her husband, Karl, of Eliot, Maine, and St. Augustine, Florida; three nieces, Jamie, Jill and Janne; and several cousins, including Doug Walrath and his wife, Peg, of Cooperstown.  

He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Kramer Apman, who died in November 1989, and his father, Harry Apman, who died in August 1969.  

A memorial service will be offered at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14, 2013, at the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown with the Rev. Douglas Deer, pastor, officiating. In accordance with Ron's wishes, there will be a time for refreshment and fellowship immediately following the service.  

Later this spring, Ron will be laid to rest near his mother in the Charles Evans Cemetery in Reading, PA.

Those who wish to remember Ron with a memorial gift, may do so by making a donation to the Deacon's Assistance Fund of the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown, 21 Elm Street, Cooperstown, NY  13326. 

Arrangements are under the guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.



If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.