Connell, Dow & Deysenroth, Inc.Funeral Home: January 2022

Elizabeth J. Arnold

1951 - 2022

ONEONTA – Elizabeth J. Arnold, 70, a life-long resident of the Oneonta area, died Friday morning, January 7, 2022, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown.

She was born December 1, 1951, at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta, one of eight children of Charles and Rose E. (Sisson) Banks. She was raised on the Banks family farm in Oneonta.

In recent years she resided at Robynwood in Oneonta, until moving to Robinson Terrace Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Stamford.

She will be remembered for always caring about others and for having a big heart.

Elizabeth is survived by her two children, Robert Charles Coe and wife, Cheri of Hampton, Virginia and JoAnn Louise (Coe) Wheeler and husband, Randy of Edgerton, Ohio; the father of her children, Robert William Coe and wife, Sharon of Hamilton, Indiana; her three sisters, Ann Borst of Cobleskill, Leona Briggs of Oneonta and Patricia VanDerwerker of Schenevus; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Banks, who died November 7, 1984, her mother, Rose E. Reed who died January 21, 2013; her second husband, Thomas Arnold who she married in the 1990s; two sisters, Lynn Rathbun who died July 20, 2010, Eva J. Coe who died September 12, 2020; and two brothers, Charles Banks, Jr. who died June 21, 1964, and James “Jimmy” Banks Browning.

Family and friends are invited to gather for a visitation from 1-3 p.m. Thursday, January 13, 2022, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown.

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.

Mildred Doris Boice

1924 - 2022

FLY CREEK – Mildred (Millie) Doris Boice died on January 4, 2022, in Fly Creek, at the age of 97.

She was born on April 18, 1924, the daughter of Albert and Minnie (Pankratz) Borau in Clyde. She graduated from Clyde Central School in 1941, and then worked as secretary in the school office and as clerk of the board until her marriage to Wendell Boice on April 19, 1952.

After moving to Watertown she was a bookkeeper for Chapin's Flowers until her retirement. Her family was her pride and joy. Each of their accomplishments and talents was a source of pleasure. Millie also felt blessed to be part of a church family, the special people at Stone Presbyterian Church, where she was a member for 56 years. During that time she was a Sunday School teacher, chairman of the decorating committee at the time the current church was built, and financial secretary for eight years.

Millie's husband of 63 years died in June of 2015. She is survived by her daughter, Alyson Burleigh, wife of Rev. Douglas Burleigh, Fly Creek, and her son, Gordon Boice, and his wife Mary Lou, of Decatur, GA.

Also surviving are a granddaughter, Katie Boice; a grandson, Dr. James Burleigh, and his wife Mandy, and great grandsons Ethan Burleigh and Everett Burleigh, and a great granddaughter Clara Burleigh; a grandson, Christopher Burleigh, and his wife Rachael, and a great granddaughter Leah Burleigh, and great grandsons Ian Burleigh and Peter Burleigh.

One sister survives her, Agnes (Mrs. Harold) Schumm, Marcellus, as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Millie was preceded in death by her other sister, Martha (Mrs. John) Oakleaf, of Lyons.

One of her greatest joys was that her family continues to embrace a life of faith that was so important to her.

Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Waddington.

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

Jeffrey P. Osterhoudt

1947 - 2021

WESTVILLE – Jeffrey Paul Osterhoudt, a long-time area resident, passed away Friday evening, December 31, 2021, at Albany Medical Center. He was 74.

Born October 10, 1947, in Albany, Jeff spent the first few weeks of his life in an orphanage, then was adopted by Napoleon W. and Shirley (MacPherson) Osterhoudt and came to live with them in Oneonta. He went on to graduate from Oneonta High School.

On August 16, 1969, Jeff was united in marriage to Sybil Jean Robinson in a ceremony at the Westville United Methodist Church. They settled on her family’s property in Westville and raised a family.

He first worked for Lutz Feed driving feed trucks, and then for thirty years was employed as a welder for the Otsego County Highway Department in Cooperstown. Throughout the years, he always held many part time jobs, including working at the Agway in Cooperstown, and most recently as a security guard at the Fenimore Art Museum. A true people person, Jeff enjoyed everywhere he worked, especially when he could interact with others. He had a welcoming way about him, and could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. Perhaps that is why his favorite part-time job was driving a trolley for the Village of Cooperstown.

Jeff is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sybil J. Osterhoudt of Westville; two daughters, Jeanetta “Jean” A. Osterhoudt and Susan E. Osterhoudt of Oneonta; two grandchildren, Emma and Audrey Klehr; and a half sister, Linda O’Connor of Virginia.

A service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, January 7, 2021, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, with the Rev. Thomas E. Pullyblank, United Methodist Minister, officiating.

He will eventually be laid to rest in Westville Cemetery.

As a way to honor Jeff’s life and in honor of his special feline companion, George, the family would appreciate memorial donations to Super Heroes in Ripped Jeans (SHIRJ), 697 Winney Hill Road, Oneonta, NY 13820 or Susquehanna SPCA, 5082-5088 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

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