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

Cynthia N. St. John

1956 - 2024

COOPERSTOWN – Cynthia N. St. John, 68, passed away unexpectedly Saturday morning, October 26, 2024, at her home in Cooperstown.

Born August 16, 1956, at Faxton Hospital in Utica, Cindy was one of six children of Ralph A. and Anna Marie (Brennan) Neff.

Growing up on her parent’s dairy farm in West Winfield, Cindy established a strong work ethic, where she tended to daily chores and cultivated a love for animals.

She graduated from Mount Markham High School in 1974, before receiving her associate degree in data processing from Herkimer County Community College in 1976.

Cindy married James St. John on June 12, 1981, in Fly Creek.

For 36 years Cindy was employed by Bassett Healthcare Network in Cooperstown. Starting as a keyboard typist, she worked her way up to become a computer programmer and concluded her career as a programmer analyst. She attended training courses throughout the country and enjoyed exploring various cities. She retired in 2012.

Cindy participated in the Clark Gym Women's Bowling League in the early 1980s. She was a member of, and served as the recording secretary for Cooperstown's Criterion Club. During her life, she and her family adopted several tuxedo and black cats. She was also an avid collector of black cat memorabilia. Painting became her passion, after finding inspiration from watching Bob Ross' television show. Many of her paintings are hung in her home and she often gifted paintings to family and friends. Additionally, she enjoyed baking, researching her family ancestry, and was a devoted fan of the soap opera, “Days of Our Lives.”

Nothing was more important to Cindy than spending time with her grandchildren whom she adored.

Cindy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, James, of Cooperstown; their two children, son Derrek St. John (Allyson) of Painted Post; daughter Angela St. John Nader (Mark) of Oneonta; and three grandchildren, Hazel and Jacobi St. John and Levi Nader. She is further survived by her siblings, sisters Susan Sullivan (Terry) of Winter Haven, Florida, Belva Lentz (Paul) of Leonardsville and Eileen Schafer of Sauquoit, and brother Kenneth Neff (Laura) of West Winfield and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ralph, who died in 1985, her mother Anna who died in 2009, and brother, Douglas who died in 1966.

A graveside service will be offered at 1 p.m. Friday, November 8, 2024, at Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown, with the Rev. Jessica D. Lambert, Lead Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown officiating.

Immediately following the service all are welcome to attend a reception at The Otesaga Resort Hotel, 60 Lake Street in Cooperstown for remembrance and refreshment.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial donations may be made to the Susquehanna SPCA, 5082-5088 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Arrangements are being handled by Connell, Dow & Deysenroth 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.

Constance L. Whiteman

1929 - 2024

WESTFORD – Constance L. “Connie” Whiteman, 95, of Westford, entered into eternal rest Tuesday morning, October 15, 2024, at her home on Middlefield Road, with her beloved husband, Oakley, and son, James, by her side.

Connie was born May 16, 1929, in Brockton, Massachusetts, one of four children of William and Louise (Copeland) Glover. Raised in Elmwood, Massachusetts, she graduated from East Bridgewater High School in 1946, and then attended Fisher Business School in Boston, graduating in 1949. That same year she was hired as a surgical and medical secretary at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, where she worked for the next 36 years, retiring in 1985. She also later worked part-time in the Clark Scholarship Office.

Soon after moving to Cooperstown Connie met Oakley L. Whiteman of Westford, and on June 17, 1950, they were married in Elmwood, Massachusetts. In 1955, they purchased a home on State Highway 166 in the Town of Middlefield, where they raised their family. In 2015, they moved into a new home in Westford.

Throughout her life, Connie was always actively involved with her church. Since moving to New York State, she was a member and served as the organist when needed for the Westville United Methodist Church, until it closed in 2021. She and Oakley have since become active members of the Westford Church. Connie was also a member of Westville Grange No. 540, was secretary for many years of the Westville Cemetery Board of Directors, and the Keepsake Quilters Club.

She will be greatly missed by her husband of 74 years, Oakley, of Westford; their three children, Richard Whiteman and wife, Susan of Irmo, South Carolina, James Whiteman of Westford, and Bruce Whiteman and wife, Gaylen of Freeland on Whidbey Island in the State of Washington; and a granddaughter, Amy Whiteman of Charleston, South Carolina. She is further survived by two sisters, Lois Clark of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, Nina Grindle and husband, Roger of East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and a sister-in-law, Lorraine Glover of North Eastham, Massachusetts, and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Donald Glover.

A Funeral Service will be offered at 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at the Westford Church, with Pastor Rose M. Bellen, officiating. The Service of Committal and Burial will follow in Westville Cemetery.

Memorials donations may be made to the Westford Methodist Church, PO Box 197, Westford, NY 13488 or the Westford Community Association, PO Box 42, Westford, NY 13488.

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

Antonetta Russo

1930 - 2024

COOPERSTOWN – Antonetta (Tonie) Jemma Margaret Russo, 94, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2024, at the Golden Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Kingston.

She was born on May 29, 1930, in Cooperstown, the youngest of nine children to her loving parents, Guiseppe and Alfonsina Russo.

At the young age of 16, Tonie left home and moved to Long Island, where she remained for most of her life. She fell in love with the beaches of the South Shore, spending countless days riding her bike or walking around the village of Bay Shore, always taking the time to chat with her many friends and neighbors and enjoying the beauty of her surroundings. In her senior years, Toni resided briefly in Oneonta before moving to a retirement community in Saratoga Springs.

A dedicated caretaker for children and adults, Tonie’s work as a home health aide took her on numerous travels with her employer, creating cherished memories along the way. She especially treasured her voyage on the Queen Elizabeth 2 and her views of the Cliffs of Dover, a journey she loved to recount with joy and enthusiasm.

Tonie’s sense of humor, love for family, and impeccable sense of style made her truly unforgettable. She was a sharp dresser who carried herself with a distinctive flair, always ready with a witty remark that brought smiles to those around her.

Tonie is survived by her daughter, Jean Inserra; her granddaughters, Julie Caroline Bowling and Jeannie Christine Share; four great grandchildren; and her beloved nieces and nephews, Courtney Burns, Tom Burns, Joe Burns, Georgette Glennon, Wendell Thayer, Sally Harrington, Cindy Arnold, Joanne Barnes, Matthew Barnes, Steven Hollister, William Russo, Kim Ramos, and Gina Burnum.

A graveside service to celebrate Tonie’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on October 25, 2024, at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Index, followed by a luncheon in the Parish Hall of St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church, Cooperstown.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Tonie’s name to Golden Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Activity Department, Unit C2, 99 Golden Hill Drive, Kingston NY 12401.

May her soul rest in eternal peace.

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

Michael A. Welsh

1959 - 2024

COOPERSTOWN – Michael Anthony Welsh, 65, of Cooperstown, passed into eternal life following a motor vehicle accident on October 1, 2024. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, former United Methodist Pastor and retired teacher.

Michael was born July 22, 1959, and grew up in Owego. After graduating from the Owego Free Academy in 1977, he attended Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he received a B.A. in religion and philosophy in 1984.

In May 1990, he received his Master of Divinity degree, summa cum laude from the Theological School, Drew University, in Madison, New Jersey. He was the recipient of many academic awards and distinctions.

Michael was accepted into the doctoral program of the Claremont Graduate School in Claremont, California, but instead he decided to pursue ordained ministry within the United Methodist Church.

His first assignment for the church was as student pastor of the Fern United Methodist Church in Randolph, New Jersey. As the director of the church’s youth group, took the youth to Kentucky to work on the Appalachia Service Project.

In September 1990 he received his first assignment as minister of The Fly Creek United Methodist Church and the Schuyler Lake United Methodist Church. As a minister his goal was to see people become more aware of their own spirituality, and how it relates to God, their family and friends, and their community. In the summer of 1991 he was ordained as a minister of the United Methodist Church.

In 1992, Michael attended Syracuse University where he earned his M.A. in Elementary Education and Teaching. In September 1993 he started teaching at the Sidney Central School District where he remained for the duration of his 30-year teaching career. He retired June 30, 2023.

Beyond work, Michael loved spending time with friends and family. He had many passions including golfing, listening to music, cultivating his rare music collection, maintaining his lawn, detailing his car, and enjoying spending time outside.

On May 24, 1994, Michael married Margaret Ann Lee in Tioga Center. They enjoyed 30 years together. In addition to his wife, Michael is survived by his mother, Theodora “Teddie” Welsh of Owego; step daughter, Sarah (Willis) and grandson, Jared Mansfield of Seattle; twin brother, Christopher Welsh (Maria Wackett) of Binghamton and his son, Trevor Welsh; his sister Suzanne (Charles) Munroe of Owego and their three children, Theresa, Mark and James Lepkowski (Jenny Li); two sisters-in-law, Marian (James) MacFarlane of Batavia and their daughter, Ada (Nicholas) Wolfanger and their children, Louis and Elizabeth; and Barbara Crampton of Johnson City and her sons, Lester (Sarah) Crampton and their children, Gerald and Clifford, and John Crampton. He is further survived by his beloved Boston Terrier, Ruby. He will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched.

He was predeceased by his father, James Welsh and step son, Jared Good.

A special thank you to the New York State Troopers, Morris EMS, and Otsego County EMS.

Family and friends may call and pay their respects from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown.

A Funeral Service will be offered at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 10, 2024, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Michele K. Clark, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Greene, officiating.

The Service of Committal and Burial will be private in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to the 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.