Connell, Dow & Deysenroth, Inc.Funeral Home: February 2024

Francis L. Wycoff, Jr.

1952 - 2024

ONEONTA – Frank left his life on earth on Friday, February 23, 2024, and is on his way to explore the cosmos.

Born July 15, 1952, in Columbus, Georgia, he spent his younger years split between the San Francisco area and summers with his grandparents on Long Island.

Frank was an avid soccer fan and a follower of the Premier League – especially the Liverpool team. He shared his enthusiasm for the sport by coaching his son’s team and conducting coaching clinics for parent volunteers. In later years he enjoyed watching grandchildren play.

In California, he and Nancy joined with neighbors to found an association to build a park and plant several hundred trees to make a greener, safer neighborhood. It was through his work there that he made many lifelong friendships.

He and Nancy had a commercial printing company in California for 20 years. After they moved to New York, he put his creativity and talent for fixing things to work with his Around the House Repairs business.

He was predeceased by his father, Francis Wycoff, Sr. and sister, Michelle Pollard. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Bullock Wycoff; son, Francis III (Otego); stepson, Benjamin Payne (Bend, OR); stepdaughter, Megan Payne (Oneonta); and grandchildren Dexter, Annabel, Francis IV, and Suzanne. In addition, he leaves Steve Pollard, Steve and Helen Mader, Jan Baughman, Jennifer Wycoff, Carol (Charles) Verry, Dale (Maryrose) Bullock, Mary Beth (Dave) Waite, Pamela (Raymond) Key and seventeen nieces and nephews.

Frank would prefer that any donations in his name be made to Helios Care, 297 River Street Service Road, Suite 1, Oneonta, NY 13820 or Susquehanna SPCA, 5082-5088 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

In lieu of a traditional service, there will be a celebration of his life in July.

The Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown is serving the Wycoff 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 at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.

Ronald W. “Red” Monroe

1940 - 2024

HARTWICK – Ronald Walter “Red” Monroe, a long-time resident of Hartwick, passed away early Wednesday morning, February 21, 2024, with his family at his side at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta. He was 83.

Red, as most people knew him throughout his life, was born August 2, 1940, in Cooperstown, a son of Walter J. and Ernestine Jennie (Tabor) Monroe. As a child, he and his family lived in the Naugatuck and New Haven areas of Connecticut. In 1948, they returned to Hartwick, where in 1952 they built their home on South Street. Red attended school in Hartwick up until the 11th grade, at which time the Hartwick High School closed. He chose to finish his high school career at the Laurens Central School where he enjoyed playing on the basketball and football teams and graduated.

In 1962, Red joined the United States Army and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War, receiving his honorable discharge in 1964.

On May 13, 1970, he married Bonnie Lee Bubnell in Hartwick.

He spent most of his working life as a carpenter and mason, often working on his own, but also for several others at their request. Drives throughout the County and beyond would include pointing out places he helped to build or repair. Later in life, he worked with his son in the firewood business. “Doing firewood” was as much a hobby as it was a job.

An integral part of Hartwick, he served his community since 1992 as a member of the Hartwick Fire Department Company No. 1. He served as a fireman, Safety Officer and Fire Police Captain. He could be found at the Fire Department chicken barbecues and Hartwick Days doing his part to make the day a success – getting the coals ready to cook the chicken or directing traffic. He proudly represented the Department and community marching alongside his fellow firefighters in local parades. He was always quick to lend a helping hand to those in need.

Red was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed going to camp, fishing and hunting with family and friends, and picking berries for jam. He was a collector of “things that could be fixed” and would often be found puttering on these things in the garage. He enjoyed spending time sharing his knowledge with family and friends; anyone who would listen. He had a gift for sharing stories of days gone by - mishaps with his sister and brother, Army life, family events and his work. The banter between him and his siblings revealed his sense of humor and proof that he was a bit of a jokester at times!

His love of the Lord was evident in the manner in which he lived his life – a life of service to his family, church, and community. He attended the Living Water Faith Fellowship where he served in many capacities including being head usher for many years.

Red is survived by his wife, Bonnie L. Monroe of Oneonta; their two sons, Charles “Skeeter” Monroe and Theodore “Ted” Monroe of Hartwick; four grandchildren, Racael Monroe, Kassie Monroe, Cadyee Monroe and Lucas Monroe; two great grandsons, Jordan and Waylon Losee; sister, Shirley M. Monroe of Hartwick; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a beloved “adopted” daughter, Michelle Lynn Morey, who died May 19, 2008, and a brother, Gerald Douglas “Jerry” “Jiggs” Monroe who died May 8, 2022.

Family and friends may call and pay their respects beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon, March 2, 2024, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown. A Funeral Service will be offered at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Funeral Home with Pastor Dan Runcorn from the Living Water Faith Fellowship in Oneonta officiating. Interment will be later this spring in Hartwick Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Hartwick Fire Department Company No. 1, PO Box 86, Hartwick, NY 13348.

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

Kimberly L. Ruiz

1970 - 2024

COOPERSTOWN – Kimberly L. Ruiz, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away Friday morning, February 16, 2024, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown following a valiant battle with cancer. She was 53.

Born Kimberly Louise Lincoln on May 25, 1970, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, she was a daughter of the late Ralph and Rosemarie (Flynn) Lincoln.

A Certified Nursing Assistant she most recently was employed as a home health aide by U.S. Care Systems, Inc. in Oneonta.

Kimberly and her husband, Steven, enjoyed attending Community Bible Chapel in Toddsville.

Kimberly is survived by her husband of 23 years, Steven M. Ruiz; their three children, Dominic Ruiz and wife, Katie, Kyle Ruiz, and Amber Ruiz; a granddaughter, Cataleya; and her mother-in-law, Wanda C. Ruiz.

Family and friends may call and pay their respects from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, February 24, 2024, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown. At 3 p.m., a funeral service will be offered at the funeral home with Pastor Jack Klosheim officiating.

Burial will be later this spring in Cobleskill Rural Cemetery.

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

Patricia A. Smith

1946 - 2024

OAKSVILLE – Patricia A. Smith, a long-time area resident, passed away early Saturday morning, February 3, 2024, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. She was 77.

Born November 15, 1946, in Garden City, New Jersey, she was one of five children of Leonard J. Edwards and Dorothy M. Hinch Edwards.

On March 17, 1962, Patty married Richard Frederick Smith, Jr. in a ceremony at the Cooperstown Methodist Church, and they went on to enjoy a total of 60 wonderful years together.

At one time she was employed as a clerk at The Meadows.

Throughout their life together, Patty and Dick enjoyed travelling, dancing, going to Turning Stone, as well as attending events with the Wanderer’s Car Club with Dick’s 1951 Ford coupe. Patty enjoyed tending to her gardens, crafts, and most especially spending time with her family, who will miss her greatly.

Patty is survived by her three children, Richard F. Smith III of Statesville, North Carolina, Pamela Wart (Percy) of Christian Hill and Raymond Smith (Deanna) of Milford; eight grandchildren, Craig, Cheryl, Brad, Chrissy, Kyle, Ray, Jr., Mason and Katelyn; and 11 great grandchildren. She is further survived by her siblings, Dorothy Brown (Donald) of Florida, Joyce Clinton of Tennessee, Carolyn Kirkes (Mike) of Texas and Jack Bottita (Jodi) of Hartwick; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Richard Frederick Smith, Jr. who died September 13, 2021, and a daughter-in-law, Kathy Smith, who died September 15, 2021.

A Celebration of Life will be held later this summer. Patty and Dick will be laid to rest in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery.

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

Rebecca Susan Metzger

1946 - 2024

On Thursday, February 1, 2024, Becky passed away peacefully at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown after a long illness. She was surrounded by her family, love and prayers.

Becky was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 15, 1946. A graduate of Kendall Central High School and the Rochester Business Institute, she worked in both the food service and health care industries. In addition, she was a volunteer at Strong Memorial Hospital, the Morgan Manning House and the Women's Auxiliary.

Becky was a kind, loving woman of deep faith with many friends. She was skilled at knitting and crocheting and was also a wonderful cook.

Becky was predeceased by her mother Carolyn Lee Doebber, her father David Frederick Metzger and her brother Timothy Scott Hewett.

Becky is survived by her sister Nancy Ahern and her husband David Congdon; her brother T. Daniel Ahern and his wife Christine; her sister Susan Metzger; her sister Kimberly Metzger Whitman; her sister Julia Metzger; and her Aunt Louise Personette.

A private graveside service will be held in Brockport, New York in late spring.

Connell, Dow and Deysenroth Funeral Home of Cooperstown is assisting the family.

Robert O. Schallert

1943 - 2024

HARTWICK – Robert O. Schallert, 80, of the Town of Hartwick, died unexpectedly late Sunday night, January 28, 2024, at his home.

He was born November 19, 1943, at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, the only child of Otto Frederick Schallert and Anna M. Zukowski Schallert. Raised in Milford, he graduated from Milford Central School.

On August 11, 1962, Bob married Joan M. Teachout in a ceremony at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown.

A lifelong farmer, he owned High Terrace Acres on the Hinman Hollow Road.

Bob was a caring person and knew how to stand up for what he believed in. He had a profound passion for the outdoors and enjoyed traveling with family, hunting, fishing, farming, gardening, trapping and playing cards. These were only a few but important hobbies which he loved. He will be missed by all.

Bob is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan M. Schallert of the Town of Hartwick; their two sons and daughters-in-law, Anthony and Maria Schallert of Milford and Michael and Shameela Schallert of Westford; three grandchildren, James Schallert, Zachary Schallert and wife, Mikayla, and Aydin Schallert; one great grandson, Joel Meade; and several nieces, nephews and cousin.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Steven O. Schallert who died August 22, 1983.

In the Spring, Bob will be laid to rest in Westville Cemetery, and a celebration of his life will be held at that time.

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