Connell, Dow & Deysenroth, Inc.Funeral Home: October 2025

Frances Kirby Forster

COOPERSTOWN – Frances Kirby Forster, loving wife and mother, passed away early Saturday morning, October 4, 2025, at the age of 90 at Cooperstown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing.

Fran was born on December 9, 1934, in Mickleton, New Jersey, moving with her family to Seaview, Virginia, then back to Mickleton in 1941, and finally to Westville, New York, in 1945 where the family lived and worked on a dairy farm.

In 1952, she graduated from Milford High School and then attended Albany Business College. She worked for William Sherman, Director of the Otsego County Probation Office as a secretary before marrying Henry Forster in 1955. They lived in Oneonta for three years where Henry attended Hartwick College and Fran worked as a secretary at the Homer Folks Hospital. In 1958, they moved to Sodus where Henry taught the sciences. Fran attended Oswego State College for two years, then two years at Oneonta State College earning a degree in childhood education.

In 1962, the couple moved to Fly Creek Valley on a 97-acre farm raising Christmas trees, making fishing lures and selling fishing bait. Henry taught science at Edmeston Central School and Fran taught kindergarten for 19 years at the Richfield Springs Central School.

In 1963 and 1966 two sons were born, namely Eric Henry and Mark Alexander. Mark passed away in 1989 and Eric in 2014.

Frances and Henry retired in 1985 and spent winters in Florida where they fished and swam in the Suwannee River and the Gulf of Mexico.

Henry passed away in 2013. In 2021, Fran moved to the Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home.

Fran was a great lover of music and art. In her younger years, she enjoyed painting, playing the piano and singing. Later, from 1999 to 2014, she helped her son, Eric, on the family’s organic farm raising vegetables for local farmers markets.

Her brother, Allan, and sister, Alva, are both deceased. Fran is survived by her nephew Jeffery Kirby (Debra, deceased) their daughters Kaelin Kirby and Alexandra Scammell (Bradley), their daughter Gianna Scammell, also the family of her nephew Timothy Kirby (deceased) (Denise) and his sons Wesley, Daniel, and Thomas, also sister-in-law Dorthy Forster and daughter Michele (Jason) and their children Hannah and Owen and sister-in-law Annaliese Bettiol (Art, deceased) and children Michael (deceased), David, Daniel and

Karen.

Frances’ ashes will be scattered around the family’s oak tree, joining her husband and two sons.

Arrangements were 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.

Theodore P. Feury, Jr.

COOPERSTOWN – Theodore Patrick “Tim” Feury, Jr., passed away Monday afternoon, October 27, 2025, at his home in Cooperstown. He was 82.

Born March 4, 1943, in Utica, to Theodore Patrick Feury and Kathryn Marsh, Tim’s father missed his birth as he was serving on the USS Saratoga in the Pacific Ocean as a naval officer during World War II. After the war, his father resumed his career as a Cooperstown attorney.

Raised in Cooperstown, Tim graduated from Cooperstown Central School (CCS) with the Class of 1961. His first job, in high school, was custodian at the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was in the first pair of students to be awarded the Scriven Scholarship (now called the Clark Foundation Scholarship). At CCS he served as the president of his senior class, and was a member of the 1961 undefeated CCS Redskins basketball team. Interesting to note: Tim, and the rest of the starting five, all wore glasses, and were coached by Paul Lambert, father of the current Coach Lambert. Tim’s team was inducted into the CCS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008, the year it was formed.

After graduating high school, Tim attended St. Lawrence University in Canton where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, and was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity and the Sports Editor of the school newspaper, The Hill. He later earned his Masters in Statistics from the University of Chicago.

On Sunday, March 10, 1968, Tim married Dianne Ellen Graham in a ceremony at the Cooperstown United Methodist Church.

His career began as a Commissioned Health Services Officer, Lieutenant Commander, Statistician at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, during the Vietnam War.

He then launched his long actuarial career at The Hartford Insurance Group in Hartford, Connecticut, continued at Security Mutual Life in Binghamton and retired as Assistant Vice President/Chief Actuary from Blue Cross Blue Shield in Syracuse. Over the years, Tim always held the position of pitcher on his company softball teams.

Tim loved to travel, hike, cross country ski, play tennis and golf, attend symphony concerts, and watch basketball and baseball, always remaining a Brooklyn Dodgers fan. He continued to play basketball into his later years and finished his career in the men’s league at the Clarks Sports Center. He was also proud of his accomplishment of driving the 18th green at the Leatherstocking Golf Course (during a winter’s deep freeze).

Tim was an active member in the Chenango Bridge Methodist Church, Manlius United Methodist Church and the Cooperstown United Methodist Church, serving as treasurer of the two latter. Tim served on the board of the Lakewood Cemetery Association and was a faithful member of the Cooperstown Methodist Men’s breakfast group. In addition, in retirement Tim became a Master Gardener with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Cooperstown.

Tim is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 57 years, Dianne, of Cooperstown; their son, Theodore P. “Ted” Feury III of Cooperstown and his children, Charlotte Dianna, Theodore William and Timothy Patrick Feury; their daughter, Margit Kathryn “Meg” Feury Ragland and her husband, George Arthur “Gar” Ragland, Jr. of Asheville, North Carolina and their children, Kathryn Kessler, George Ridge and Graham Arthur Ragland; and a sister, Ellen Feury Levine and her husband, Harry, of Princeton, New Jersey and Cooperstown. Tim was also much loved by his brothers and sisters-in-law and dozens of nieces and nephews.

A private graveside service will be held in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown, where Tim will be laid to rest near his parents.

Dianne, Ted and Meg would enjoy hearing or receiving written stories about Tim, delivered to 4 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, or via email.

Expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial donations may be made to Cooperstown United Methodist Church (ctownumc@gmail.com), Spina Bifida Foundation of NYS (https://sbanys.org), or Mercy Medical Angels (https://www.mercymedical.org).

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

Shirley M. Monroe

HARTWICK – Shirley M. Monroe, a long-time resident of Hartwick, entered into eternal life early Monday morning, October 27, 2025, at her home on South Street. She was 82.

Born May 17, 1943, in Naugatuck, Connecticut, Shirley was the daughter of Walter J. and Ernestine Jennie (Tabor) Monroe. As a child, she and her family lived in the Naugatuck and New Haven areas of Connecticut. In 1948, they returned to their native Hartwick, where in 1952 they built their home on South Street. She graduated from Hartwick High School.

After high school she married John T. Renwick, Sr. and settled in Hartwick where they had their three children. She was a stay at home mom until the late 60’s when they separated. Thereafter, she worked for the Oneonta Dress Factory where she honed her sewing skills and later worked at Sam Smith’s Boatyard and was convenience store managers for the Red Barrel/Country Cornermart, Stewarts and others. She ultimately retired from ARC Otsego in Hartwick where she worked as a bus aide.

In her younger years she enjoyed camping at the family camp in the Adirondacks, dancing, sewing, crocheting, and animals – dogs and horses in particular. She was a member and secretary of the Three Rivers Coon Hunting Club in Unadilla for many years. She was caregiver for her mother and older brother. She made friends everywhere she went with her kind nature; everyone was “sweetie or honey” and she had a quick wit and sense of humor. In her later years her time was spent with her toy poodles, Rugrat 1 and 2, watching Gunsmoke and game shows, going for short walks, looking forward to visits from her dear friend, Jeannie, Sunday outings with her daughters, and occasional visits with family and friends.

Shirley is survived by her two daughters, Dorraine S. Young and husband, Dale, and Debra L. Chickerell, all of Otego, and her son, Thomas J. Renwick and wife, Barbara of Westville; 9 grandchildren, Cassandra (Tim) Cuozzo of Morris, Justin Moore of Milford, Christin (Cameron) Bourn of Otego, Clayton (Samantha) Chickerell of Otego, Christopher (Becca) Renwick of Westville, Monica (Andrew) Knoll of Catskill, Adam Renwick of Sherburne, Michael Young of Otego and Dale (Jennifer) Young of Climax, NC; 15 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and her beloved toy poodle, Rugrat 2.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two brothers, Gerald Douglas “Jerry” “Jiggs” Monroe who died May 8, 2022, and Ronald Walter “Red” Monroe who died February 21, 2024, and a sister, Nancy, who died in infancy. She was also predeceased by her former husband and father of her three children, John T. Renwick, Sr., who died April 12, 2014.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the former Hartwick United Methodist Church now known as The Meeting House at 3080 County Highway 11, Hartwick. Immediately following the service there will be a gathering next door at the Hartwick Fire Department.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Hartwick Fire Department Company No. 1, PO Box 86, Hartwick, NY 13348 and the Hartwick Emergency Squad, PO Box 208, Hartwick, NY 13348.

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

Sue Ann Jenkins

PHOENIX MILLS – Sue Ann Jenkins, a lifelong resident of Phoenix Mills, entered into eternal rest at her beloved family home, Elmhurst. She was 72.

Born May 22, 1953, in Cooperstown, Sue Ann was the daughter of Ruby (Robinson) Jenkins and Arthur Jenkins, Jr. She grew up in her mother’s family home, Elmhurst, located alongside the Susquehanna River, with her parents, pets and extended family members. She enjoyed playing in the river and walks with her best friend and neighbor, Mr. Black, along the railroad tracks as he taught her about the native plants and animals and, importantly, that no one ever really owns nature. She also enjoyed visiting with her father’s family in the Catskills: her dad’s family farm in Lexington on the Schoharie Creek and her great aunt’s guest house and cabins on the Esopus Creek near Phoenicia where she met people from many countries who vacationed there.

Sue Ann graduated from Cooperstown Central School in 1971 and went on to complete the Freshman Foundation Year at Pratt Institute’s College of Art and Design in Brooklyn. While there she also met and campaigned for Shirley Chisholm who was running for the Democratic Primary for President in 1972. She then returned home to help her parents care for relatives, and to create a quilt design business eventually known as Threadbinder. Her designs were featured in many national magazines and several quilt and fine craft books. Her work was also sold through the Smithsonian Museum Shop. As well as maintaining her business, she worked for several years at the Cooperstown Art Association, weekends at the Upstate Home (now Springbrook) at their house in Worcester, the Red Cross, and for art conservators Sheldon and Caroline Keck, helping to assemble their 40 years of records and transferring them to computer discs via Mrs. Keck’s ancient computer, “Scheherazade.”

In the mid-nineties Sue Ann completed her degree through Empire State College, earning a B.S. with a double major in Art and Human Services. She then worked for the “Old Meadows” Nursing Home, first in the Supervising Nurse’s Office and later as an activity aide in the dementia wing. She also helped Dolores Coleman at Coleman’s Answering Service in Cooperstown.

She loved good friends, old movies, music, trips with her mother and with friends and Bernie Sanders.

Sue Ann survived two bouts with cancer in 2011 and 2013 with the help of Dr. Pat Gambitta, Dr. Renee Wellenstein and Dr. Joy Anderson, and especially her “lil sis” Diana Nicols, who stood by her from the moment of diagnosis, through surgery and treatments. Also, neighbor Heidi Parkhurst helped with those many trips to Syracuse. Pastor Maryellen Moore provided much appreciated spiritual strength through the years. With the “extra life” she was given, Sue Ann devoted herself to help countless others online, on the phone and in Zoom meetings who shared with her the daily challenges of Complex PTSD, bullying and grief.

Sue Ann is survived by many friends and relatives including cousins Ruth Cross of Windham, Lois Banks of Lexington, Janice Mabin of Ashland, Rev. David Robinson of Dryden and Lou Wimbish Mierzwa of Texas; second cousins include Tim Cross, Regina Cross (Dr. Joe Calabro), Sylvia Banks, Maureen Farrell, Bonnie (Paul) Varney, and Connie Jo Robinson.

She was predeceased by her parents, her “sweetie” Franklyn Pierce Smith and many beloved pets and friends.

Although it was Sue Ann’s request that there be no services, family and friends are invited to gather at 1 p.m. Monday, November 10, 2025, at the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery, 140 Cemetery Road, Fly Creek, where she will be laid to rest with her parents.

Memorial donations in Sue Ann’s memory may be made to the Herkimer County Humane Society, PO Box 73, Mohawk, NY 13407.

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

Richard H. Snyder

1945 - 2025

SCHENEVUS – Richard H. Snyder, a life-long area resident, peacefully entered into eternal rest surrounded by his family at his home in Schenevus late Tuesday night, October 7, 2025. He was 79.

Richard Harold Snyder was born October 15, 1945, in Cooperstown, one of seven children and the only son of John A. and Grace B. (Thayer) Snyder.

On February 28, 1968, Richard entered into active duty with the United States Army, and proudly served his country while stationed in Korea. He received his Honorable Discharge from the Military on February 8, 1970, and he returned to the States.

For many years he was employed as a machinist at Remington Arms Co. in Ilion.

Throughout his life, Richard was devoted to the Chicago Cubs-he was their #1 fan! He never missed a game, unless MLB had it blacked out, which would cause Richard to exclaim, “I just don’t understand why I can’t watch the game!” Through the years his consternation in such instances became amusing to those around him.

He loved Cooperstown and the heritage of his home town. He also enjoyed spending time playing Bingo with his wife, June, as well as spending time with family, especially with his boys, whom, when they were young, he often took fishing and taught them the game of baseball. Later he would coach them in Little League. He had a knack for telling a joke like no other, and his infectious laugh would cause others to laugh with him.

Richard his survived by his wife of 32 years, June A. (Cawley) Snyder of Schenevus; his two sons, Jammathon Snyder and his partner, Kim Schlosser, of Worcester, and Marquis Snyder and his partner, Nicole Carhart of Wilton; three grandchildren, Cory and partner, Kailey, Corrine, and Melissa and partner, Bobby; four great grandchildren, Ariya, Skylar, Luke and Avery; June’s son, Christopher Cawley and his son, Nathan, of North Carolina; a stepdaughter, Suzanne Schoonover and husband, Michael, of Edmeston, and their children Quinn, Sylas and Rylee; two sisters, Carol Lensi of Hilton Head, SC, and JoAnn Purdy of Remsen; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by four sisters, Joyce Drake, Shirley Byington, Marjorie Christian and Betty Jean Lindholm.

Family and friends are invited gather at 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery, 140 Cemetery Road, Fly Creek, where Richard will be accorded Military Honors. He will be laid to rest with his parents.

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

John Dunlap

1940 - 2025

COOPERSTOWN – John Dunlap, a local contractor known for his passionate concerns for truth and social justice, peacefully entered into eternal life Wednesday afternoon, October 1, 2025, at the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford with his family attending him in his last days. He was 85.

Born August 12, 1940, in New Rochelle he was given the name “Harold Jay Dunlap, Jr.” by his parents, Harold Jay Dunlap, M.D. and Rae Marguerite née Scranton Dunlap. A self-described “willful kid” he wanted to go by a first name of his own choosing, and picked the name “John” after his grandfather’s first name (John Jay Dunlap was named after John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States.)

John was raised in Westchester County, first living in Larchmont and then Scarsdale. During his high school years, he attended The Taft School in Watertown, CT. After graduating from there, he attended and earned a bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, where he was a humanities major with a concentration in English.

In boarding school, college, and his 5 ½ years in the United States Air Force, he enjoyed and excelled in playing football.

During his years in the military, John lived abroad in Asia. On his return to the United States in 1969 he joined International Voluntary Services, a precursor to the Peace Corps. He served as a college-level teacher in Laos for two years, then returned to the States and attended graduate school in northern Arizona. He then moved to Indonesia where he served as a teacher under a Fulbright Scholarship. It was during his years in Asia that the experiences and lifestyles he encountered shaped the simple lifestyle he led throughout the rest of his life.

In 1976, John once again returned to the States. With his friend, Leonard, he visited Cooperstown and wound up liking it so much that he decided to settle down in this area. He made a home for himself out of an old garage near The Hickory Grove Inn on State Highway 80. Shortly thereafter he began renovating a camp on Red House Hill Road which became his home. At his suggestion, The Presbyterian Church sponsored a Hmong family from Laos, bringing them from a refugee camp in Thailand to the U.S. The Lee family, a mother and five children lived with him for nine months. At that time, he was teaching school in Cherry Valley, but became disillusioned with the America educational system, quit teaching, and started his restoration contracting business in 1981.

About the same time, John met Karen Muehl, and they were married and had two children, Sarah Elizabeth and Timothy Andrew. It was John and Karen’s desire that their children should experience a different culture, so in December of 1992, they all moved to Monterrey, Mexico. John taught English at the Instituto Technológico de Monterrey. The family returned to Cooperstown in June of 1994.

During his years in the Cooperstown area, John was an active, devoted and faithful member of The First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, where he sang with The Chancel Choir and served on various boards and committees. His commitment to peace and justice led him to travel to Nicaragua with Witness for Peace in 1985. Locally, he invested in rental properties in part to improve low income housing options in the area.

John is survived by his wife, Karen Dunlap; their children, Sarah Dunlap and Tim Dunlap; two grandsons, Chase Dunlap and Jude Dunlap; sister Betsy (Jack) Erhard and brother George (Ann) Dunlap; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his niece, Jennifer Robin Stinnett.

A Memorial Service to the Glory of God and in Thanksgiving for the Life of John Dunlap will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 9, 2025, at The First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, 67 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown, with the Rev. Jessica Lambert, Pastor officiating. Immediately following the service there will be a time for refreshment and fellowship in The Chapel.

To honor John’s memory, memorial donations would be appreciated to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) and The First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, to the attention of the Social Action Mission Team, 25 Church Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

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