Connell, Dow & Deysenroth, Inc.Funeral Home: May 2017

Bernice E. Strong

1931 - 2017

MILFORD - Bernice E. Strong, 85, of Milford, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon, May 23, 2017, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown.

She was born October 19, 1931, on Crumhorn Mountain in the Town of Maryland, the daughter of Lewis and Lillian (Wright) Virtell.

As her father was a tenant farmer, Bernice and her family lived in various places throughout Otsego County while she was growing up. In later years, her family fondly recalls that whenever they were out driving around Laurens, Mt. Vision, Hartwick and Milford she would point to a house and say "we lived there!"

On July 19, 1952, Bernice married Arthur C. Strong in Pennsylvania, and they settled into their home in Milford.

From 1969 until 1993, Bernice worked for Milford Central School District as a school bus driver, and was well-liked by the many children she drove to and from school each day. Her true calling in life, though, was tending to and caring for her family. A great cook she will be especially remembered for her pies. An avid birdwatcher, she enjoyed watching cardinals and bluebirds (but hated the Blue Jays!) and also enjoyed dancing, doing crossword puzzles, crocheting and knitting. She also bowled for many years. Truly the matriarch of her family, she will be greatly missed.

Bernice is survived by her beloved husband of almost 65 years, Arthur C. Strong, of Milford; six children, Lewis Crawford of Rineyville, Kentucky, Evelyn Lacey and husband, William, of Vine Grove, Kentucky, Robert Strong and wife, Laurie of Milford, Vickie Konchar of Maryland, Michael Strong and wife, Sandy, of Milford, and Carla Strong of Maryland; 19 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; four sisters-in-law, Elna Virtell of New Berlin, Elizabeth Virtell of Milford, Judy Virtell of New Jersey and Helen Southworth of Cooperstown; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her three brothers, Peter, Paul and James.

The family will receive friends at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, from 4-6 p.m. Monday, May 29, 2017.

A Funeral Service will be offered at the funeral home at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 30, 2017, with Rev. Sylvia Barrett, pastor of the Milford and Portlandville United Methodist Churches, officiating. Burial will follow in Westville Cemetery.

As an alternative to flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Milford United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 127. Milford, NY 13807, or the Milford Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 359, Milford, NY 13807.

Arrangements are under the care and 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 at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.

Ruth N. Fenstemacher

1922 - 2017

COOPERSTOWN - Ruth Naomi Fenstemacher, formerly of Cooperstown, passed away Sunday morning, May 14, 2017, at The Masonic Care Community of New York in Utica, where she had resided for the past 11 years. She was 95.

Born May 5, 1922, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Ruth was a daughter of Austin DeHart and Jean (Searfoss) Rome.

She married Elmer S. Fenstemacher April 25, 1942, in Endicott. They resided in Vestal for many years until Elmer retired from IBM. She was also employed at IBM in Endicott and then the Vestal Central School District.

Because of her love of children, Ruth worked part-time in her retirement at a daycare center.

Ruth and Elmer loved to travel and spent seven years travelling cross country in an RV before finally settling in Arizona. They moved back East to reside in Cooperstown to be closer to family.

She and her husband enjoyed the outdoors as well as spending time helping to restore an old farmhouse and mill site that their son bought in the township of New Lisbon.

Ruth is survived by two sons, Erich L. Fenstemacher and his long-time partner, Jill Preston of New Lisbon, and Keith A. Fenstemacher and his wife, Cara, of New Hartford; and two granddaughters, Jessica Fenstemacher of Chicago, Illinois and Corey Fenstemacher and husband, Mark Schruntek of Brooklyn.

She was predeceased by her husband, Elmer S. Fenstemacher, who died July 24, 2013, and two sisters, Gertrude Brown and Shirley Jenny.

There will be no calling hours. A private family funeral service will be held at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown, and interment will be in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville.

The Fenstemacher family expresses their sincere appreciation to the compassionate and caring staff at Wylie Hall and the Health Pavilion's Tarrytown Household, and the entire Masonic Care Community. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts be made to the Masonic Care Community of New York, 2150 Bleecker Street, Utica, NY 13501.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown.

Aline M. Heller

1921 - 2017

COOPERSTOWN - Aline M. Heller, a native of Cooperstown and long-time faithful member of Christ Church, passed away peacefully Wednesday afternoon, May 10, 2017, at her home in Hyde Park with her family and the Rector, the Rev'd Dane E. Boston by her side. She was 95.

Born December 1, 1921, in Cooperstown, Aline was a daughter of Harry Grant Campbell and Pearl née Vroman Campbell.

After graduating from Cooperstown High School in 1940 she met Bill Heller,

who had just moved to Cooperstown and was working at Smalley's Theatre. They were married Easter Sunday, April 13, 1941, at Christ Church in Cooperstown.

Of the Episcopal faith, Aline was a life-long member of Christ Church, and before her death was their oldest member. Through the years she served the church in many ways, including teaching Sunday School, serving on the Altar Guild and with St. Margaret's Chapter, and was the first woman elected to serve on an all-male Vestry. She was also member of the Native Daughters of Cooperstown and a life member of the Clark F. Simmons American Legion Auxiliary. A volunteer for many years at The Meadows, where she and Bill ran Bingo for the residents, she was the first manager of the Otsego County Nutrition Program. She led a full and productive life, and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Aline is survived by two daughters, Sandra Thorne and husband, Marshall of Cooperstown and Marion Terpening of Warren, Ohio; three grandchildren, Jeffrey S. Thorne and wife, Stephanie, Matthew W.C. Terpening and Meredith M. Arn; eight great grandchildren, Dakota R. and Natasha L. Thorne; Andrew J., Matthew D., Jaden N., Trinity R. and Tristan Terpening, and Brenna M. Arn; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, William R.P. Heller, who died February 6, 1998; a brother, The Rev'd Harry Grant Campbell, Jr., Lt. Col US Army (Ret.) who died May 14, 2000; and a sister, Thelma C. Ryan.

The Office of the Burial Of the Dead (Rite One) with Holy Eucharist will be offered at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 13, 2017, in Christ Church, Cooperstown, with the Rev'd Dane E. Boston, Rector officiating.

The Service of Committal and Burial will follow in Hartwick Seminary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts may be made to the Christ Church All Souls Fund, 69 Fair Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.

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