Robert O. Schorf

1948 - 2022

MILFORD – Robert O. Schorf, known as “Bob” to many, was a long-time resident of Milford and passed away unexpectedly Sunday afternoon, February 6, 2022, at his home in Milford. He was 74. 

Raised on Long Island, he was born January 26, 1948, in Port Jefferson the son of Oscar and Elizabeth Schorf. After graduating from Newfield High School in Centereach, he attended Suffolk County Community College.

Bob was a member of the New Village Congregational Church of Lake Grove and on January 27, 1968, Bob and Donna Varney were united in marriage. They resided on Long Island until moving to Milford in 1973. 

Bob was employed at Stony Brook University and at SUNY Oneonta as a Technical Specialist in the Instructional Resources Center (IRC). In his retirement he was active in the community, serving as Town Councilman and as chairman of the Board of Assessment Review for the Town of Milford.

Bob will be remembered for always helping someone in need and putting others first.

Throughout his life, Bob was well-known and respected as a guy who could fix just about anything. This was truly a gift for which his family and friends were extremely grateful. 

Bob became a member of the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society and was a faithful and dedicated volunteer for 23 years. He was an integral part in the day-to-day operations of the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad in Milford and became the “go-to-guy” when anything mechanical or electrical needed fixing, be it something with one of the engines or cars, or in one of the buildings. He will be sorely missed by everyone associated with the railroad in Milford. 

Bob raised sunflowers and pumpkins for many years on a five-acre patch near his home, and sold them every summer and fall at The Country Dooryard in Milford. He often stated, “sunflowers bring smiles to people’s faces.” He also enjoyed cutting down Christmas trees on his property and giving them away free to people in need during the holidays. 

In his free time Bob enjoyed listening to bluegrass music, fishing, hunting, long walks, family gatherings, and photography. He also earned his pilot license and enjoyed flying. Occasionally he would take his children with him on flights. 

Bob will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 54 years, Donna Schorf and their three children, his daughters Jennifer Schorf of Cobleskill and Christie Schorf-Miller and her husband, James of Mount Vision, and his son, Robert C. Schorf and his wife, Ellen of Laurens, and two grandchildren, Jerry Schorf and Phoenix Miller. 

Bob was predeceased by his parents, Oscar and Elizabeth Schorf and his sister, Jeanette Schorf. 

Family and friends are welcome to pay their respects from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, February 26, 2022, at the Milford United Methodist Church. A funeral service will be offered at 3 p.m. at the church and will be conducted jointly by Pastor Deokryeol Bak of the Milford United Methodist Church and Pastor Stephen Fournier of the Milford Center Community Bible Church. Masks will be required. 

The service of committal and burial will be later this spring in the Hartwick Seminary Cemetery.

As an alternative to flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial donations may be made to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York (for need in Otsego County) and the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society. 

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. 

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.

David S. Wilshere

1943 - 2022

COOPERSTOWN – David Sprague Wilshere, a long-time resident of Cooperstown who served as caretaker of Doubleday Field for many years, passed away late Friday night, February 4, 2022, at his home on Curry Road in Hartwick with his wife, Meme, by his side. He was 78.

Born August 28, 1943, in Iowa City, Iowa, David was a son of Vernon S. "Whitey" Wilshere, a left-handed pitcher who played for Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics in the 1930s, and Betty Jean Munden Wilshere, a painter and Emergency Room RN at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown.

When he was four-years-old, David and his family moved from the mid-west to his father’s hometown of Skaneateles, where David attended a one-room schoolhouse. In 1953, they moved to Cooperstown and settled into their home on Chestnut Street. 

A graduate of Cooperstown High School, Class of 1961, David excelled in sports and was a letterman in baseball, football, wrestling and track. 

In September of 1961, David enlisted in the United States Navy, and proudly served his country during a tour of duty at the NATO base in Naples, Italy. During this time his wife and daughter joined him. He received his honorable discharge from active duty in the military on August 10, 1964, and was released from the reserves in August 1967. 

Following his military service, David worked for Sun Oil Company in Bettendorf, Iowa. He returned to Cooperstown and first worked for Jack Mitchell Moving and Storage. He then went to work for the Village of Cooperstown and served as caretaker for Doubleday Field until retiring in 1992. 

On February 17, 1962, David married Mary Ellen “Meme” Norman in a ceremony at the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield with the Rev. Fredrick W. Connell officiating. David and Meme had two daughters, Whitney Ann and Faith. 

Throughout his entire life, David was a devout fan of the New York Yankees, and he often said that if the Yankees weren’t in the World Series, baseball was over that season. He also enjoyed watching football. 

David was an avid beer can collector and amassed an enormous collection through the years. He joined the Beer Can Collectors of America in 1970 and would travel all over to go to beer can trade shows. He also loved gardening -- his flowers were always quite beautiful -- and mowing the yard. In his later years he enjoyed watching his grandsons Reece and Isaiah Johnson in football games, wrestling matches and track events at Cooperstown Central School. 

David was preceded in death by his mother, Betty in 1976 and his father, "Whitey" in 1985; a daughter, Whitney Ann "Nina" Humenanski in 1990; a sister, Diane J. Howard in 2013; and brothers-in-law William R. “Bill” Norman in 2009 and William T. “Bill” Milburn in 2003. 

David will be greatly missed by his wife of almost 60 years, Mary “Meme” Wilshere; their daughter, Faith Wilshere Carrella and husband, George; a granddaughter, Jessica Van Dyke and husband, Jeremy; two grandsons, Reece Johnson and Isaiah Johnson; and a brother, Denis A. Wilshere and his partner, Teresa; his sister-in-laws Barb Norman, Gail Milburn and Margo Norman; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Friends are invited to pay their respects to David’s family from 2 – 3 p.m. on Friday, February 11, 2022, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown. Immediately following, a time of prayer and reflection to be led by the Rev. Betsy Jay will be offered at 3 p.m. at the funeral home. At the conclusion of the gathering at the funeral home, all present are welcome to re-gather at Cooley’s Stone House Tavern for a time refreshment and fellowship.

Later this spring, David will be laid to rest with Military Honors in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown. 

For those who wish to make a donation in memory of David please consider the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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.

Kathleen A. Stiefel

1950 - 2022

Oh sweet child, I watch as you tell people I am gone. I know it’s your delicate way of saying I have died but what you don’t realize is that your statement couldn’t be further from the truth. While it seems this way, I promise you I am not gone. Pieces of me drifted to eternity but the most meaningful pieces of who I was and who I am are right inside of you, without the possibility of ever going anywhere. 

GREENWICH – Kathleen A. Stiefel, formerly of Milford, passed away Tuesday, January 11, 2022, following a courageous and hard fought battle against cancer at the home she shared with her daughter in Greenwich. She was 71. 

Born Kathleen Anne Powers on born May 16, 1950, in Cooperstown, she was the oldest of nine children of James Frederick Powers and Nina Mary (Jenks) Powers. She was a graduate of Milford High School and attended Hartwick College and SUNY Delhi. 

For many years she was employed as a Registered Nurse, and worked at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital and Focus Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Cooperstown, Countryside Care Center in Delhi, and most recently at Saratoga Center for Rehab and Skilled Nursing Care in Ballston Spa. She spent most of her days caring for others and tending to her animals more than herself; there was no person or creature she didn’t appreciate. 

Kathy is survived by her three children, Darcy Dibble of Milford, Scott Dibble (Stephanie) of Richfield Springs and Brienna Stiefel of Greenwich; grandchildren Timothy, Abigail and Tess Clapper of Milford, Kenneth of Richfield Springs and Marley of Greenwich; and great grandchildren Timothy of West Leyden and Hazel of Greenfield Center. 

She is further survived by her four sisters, Mary Ellen (Wayne) Grandner of Port Jefferson Station, Dr. Susan Powers of Gaithersburg, Maryland, Rosemary Powers of Milford, and Teresa Konopka of Hartwick; four brothers, James (Pam) Powers of New Berlin, Dr. Michael S. (Lucy) Powers DVM of Hartwick, Timothy (Cindy) Powers of West Winfield, and Daniel (Cynthia) Powers of Milford; and many, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Kathy was predeceased by her mother, Nina Mary Powers who died January 8, 2005, her father, James Frederick Powers who died March 23, 2006, her first husband, Kenneth Myron Dibble, Jr. who died October 26, 2020, and her second husband, Norman Stiefel, who died August 31, 2006. 

Kathy will be laid to rest later this spring in Hartwick Cemetery.

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.

Marshall L. Thorne

1941 - 2022

COOPERSTOWN – Marshall Lewis Thorne, 80, a life-long resident of Cooperstown, passed away peacefully Friday afternoon, January 28, 2022, at his son and daughter-in-law’s home in Otego. He is now reunited with his beloved wife of 57 years, Sandy, who passed away November 8, 2021. 

Born October 23, 1941, at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, Marshall was one of three sons of Loren E. and C. Emergene (Thayer) Thorne. 

After attending Cooperstown schools, Marshall proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1960 until 1964. Stationed in Quantico, Virginia he specialized in field artillery and received a Good Conduct Medal and Rifle Sharpshooter Badge 7.62 mm. He was proud to have marched in President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration parade, as well as in his funeral procession to the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C. In later years Marshall enjoyed attending reunions with his former artillery company in Las Vegas, Mississippi and South Carolina. 

On August 8, 1964, at Christ Church in Cooperstown, Marshall was united in marriage to Sandra L. Heller, another Cooperstown native. They lived for a time in Sandy’s grandparent’s home on Elm Street in Cooperstown, until moving to a home near Fork Shop where they have happily resided for the past 30 years. 

For most of his working life, Marshall was employed by the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital where he worked in the power plant maintaining the boilers. When asked about his job, he often liked to say, “I boil water.” 

Raised a Methodist, Marshall became an Episcopalian after marrying Sandy and was a devoted and faithful member of Christ Church in Cooperstown. Through the years he served the church in many ways, including ushering with Sandy. Marshall and Sandy will especially be remembered as faithful attendees of the 8 a.m. Sunday Services. 

Marshall was also a member of the Native Sons of Cooperstown, the Clark F. Simmons American Legion Post No. 579 in Cooperstown, and was a former member of the Lions Club of Cooperstown and a retired member of Cooperstown Fire Department Engine Company No. 1. Other activities he enjoyed were hunting and fishing, especially deer hunting with his son and friends at home. Annually, he travelled to the Calhoun’s deer camp in Island Pond, Vermont, which was one of his favorite times of year. An avid fan of the New York Yankees, he was also a voracious reader. He loved woodworking and at Christmas time he often made special items for his two granddaughters, Dakota and Natasha. He always enjoyed his 5 p.m. cocktails, especially when he could share them with family and friends. One of his favorite sayings was, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!” Sitting on his deck with his coffee or cocktail watching for wildlife was always an especially enjoyable time for him. 

Most of all, Marshall loved his family – they were the most important part of his life. He especially adored and doted on his two granddaughters, and he and Sandy enjoyed taking them on trips. Marshall enjoyed a full and productive life, and will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

Marshall is survived by a son, Jeffrey S. Thorne and wife, Stephanie, of Otego; two granddaughters, Dakota R. and Natasha L. Thorne; a brother, Ralph Thorne of Franklin Square and a sister-in-law, Judy Thorne of Oaksville and their families. He is further survived by his wife’s sister, Marion Terpening of Warren, Ohio and Cooperstown, and her family.

In addition to his wife, Sandy, Marshall was predeceased by one brother, Edwin Wesley Thorne, who passed away July 7, 2017. 

The Office of the Burial of the Dead will be offered at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 12, 2022, in Christ Church, Cooperstown, with the Rev'd Nathan P. Ritter, Rector officiating.

The Committal service and inurnment with Military Honors will follow at the Ecumenical Columbarium in the Church-yard at Christ Church. 

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 Fly Creek Emergency Squad, PO Box 218, Fly Creek, NY 13337. 

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

Linda J. Hall

1936 - 2022

JEFFERSON – Linda J. Hall, a native of Cooperstown who resided for many years in Jefferson, passed away in the late hours of Monday, January 31, 2022.

Born December 31, 1936, in Cooperstown, she was a daughter of Loren C. Lee, Sr. and Florence M. (Bresee) Lee.

Linda was passionate about a great many things, of course first and foremost her family.

She also really loved cars and always drove them way too fast. She had an uncanny knack while driving at full speed of spotting deer and squirrels at the side of the road before harm could come to them or her. 

She loved all kinds of music, especially Rock and Roll, and always played it way too loud. 

She loved traveling, a passion she passed on to her daughters. To meet this love, she found a way, somehow, against all odds, to save enough money so there could be a summer vacation to Storytown in Lake George or New England or Montreal. She was always ready to go somewhere, anywhere, anytime. She even managed to get her husband to Europe for a summer adventure. New York City to visit her daughters or leading her co-workers around town was a favorite. Carnegie Deli a must see attraction. Only she could finish those massive sandwiches.

She loved eating out with family and friends and did so at every opportunity. Her fear of heights did provide a challenge when she wound up for dinner at Windows on the World but food took precedence. And as everyone knows, she could out eat pretty much anyone and still maintain her figure.

She had long friendships from working at Audio Sears in Stamford. But many will remember her from her time at Brooks Bar-B-Q. She enjoyed her friends, co-workers and customers over her many years there; especially the “group” that in her later years would come and help her set up and trim her Christmas tree. She was passionate about Christmas and filled her house with decorations and annually produced presents for pretty much everyone.

And as most people who knew her know, she loved cats. And she always had way too many of them. But each one gave her joy and each a love of her life. She had a truly generous heart an always expressed compassion for the underdog, animals and nature.

She was so very lucky to have caring friends and truly, truly wonderful neighbors who were always there for her. The family is grateful to you all. A blessing.
Linda is survived by her daughter, Debra J. Hall of Greenfield Center, son-in-law Gary Zarr of New York City, grandchildren Emily Zarr Neuwirth and husband Evan of New York City and Danny Zarr of San Francisco, California, niece Peggy Hymers and husband Wayne of Oneonta as well as other nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Earl Hall (1995); daughter Gail Hall Zarr (2004); her daughter Debra’s partner, Catherine McAlevey (2013); brother, Loren C. Lee, Jr. (1986); and sister, Ruth M. Carson (2009).

A graveside service will be offered at 12 Noon Saturday, July 16, 2022, in the Hartwick Cemetery in Hartwick, with the Rev’d Nathan P. Ritter, Rector of Christ Church, Cooperstown officiating. Immediately following the service at the cemetery, at which everyone is welcome, a celebration of Linda and her life will be held at 1 p.m. at The Carriage House Event Center, 790 Southside Drive, Oneonta. A light lunch and refreshments will be served. The family hopes you will bring your memories and stories of Linda to share with all. 

The family asks that if you would like to do something in Linda’s memory, consider adopting a cat, or donate to a shelter of your choice. 

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.

Doris Elaine Reiss

1933 - 2022

COOPERSTOWN – Doris Elaine Reiss of Cooperstown passed away peacefully at home January 1, 2022, with her beloved husband Howard at her bedside. 

She was born in 1933, in Wilkes-Barre, PA, to Mildred (Ritts) and Louis Fredericks. They moved to the Mohawk Valley where she attended Mohawk and Ilion schools. 

Doris was employed at the New York State Historical Association as the personal secretary for Dr. Louis C. Jones. 

Howard and Doris met on Christmas 1972 and were married 2 ½ months later on March 10, 1973. They were married for 48+ years. Doris was a sweet, precious person with a kind heart. She was generous in her love to her family and friends, as well as having a great sense of humor. 

Doris opened and ran The Ledges Antique Shop at their home and then on Main Street, Cooperstown, as well as The Ledges Bed and Breakfast at their home. People loved both and came year after year. Their home was always full of friends and family. 

A member of the Lake & Valley Garden Club, Doris served for many years on the committee responsible for decorating The Fenimore House for the Christmas season, and also helped with the beautification committee for the Village of Cooperstown. 

Doris is survived by her beloved husband, Howard; her sister, Lee Adkins and partner, Roland Stafford; her daughter, Pam Johnson (Leslie) and partner, Rich Lombardi; her granddaughter, Sara Johnson and great granddaughter, Kiara; and grandson, Matt Leslie and wife, Kyle and great grandchildren Seamus and Molly, and many extended family members.

The Office of the Burial of the Dead will be offered at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 2, 2022, at Christ Church, Cooperstown, with the Rev’d Nathan P. Ritter, Rector, officiating. The committal service and internment will follow at the Ecumenical Columbarium in the Church-yard at Christ Church.  

Arrangements are with 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.