Calvin Ritchie, 58, served in the Army, worked at Hudson Correctional
HUDSON—Calvin B. Ritchie, 58, of Mellenville, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at Community Hospice at Columbia Memorial Hospital with his family by his side.
Born December 15, 1952 in Hudson, he was the son of the late Donald A. and Elisabeth (Siegrist) Ritchie.
He was a graduate of Ockawamick Central School in 1971 and Columbia-Greene Community College in 1982 with a certificate in installation of key telephone systems.
In 1984, he graduated from the Franklin Institute in Boston as a surveyor. Mr. Ritchie was employed with the New York State Department of Corrections at the Hudson Correctional Facility.
He served in the US Army from 1972 to 1974 and served in the reserve until 1978. He was a member of the Philmont American Legion.
Mr. Ritchie is survived by his devoted sisters, Laura (Paul) Hausman of Chatham and Carol Ann Dixon of Nevada and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Alan Ritchie and his sister, Sharon Dunlop.
Graveside services will be held in the spring. The day and time will be announced. To leave a message for the family go to www.batesanderson.com.
Jane Deppe, 99, teacher, supervised propeller factory
HUDSON—Jane Sawicz Deppe passed away peacefully December 10, 2011 at the age of 99 in Hudson.
Her children Carl Deppe, Janina Deppe and grandchildren Saskia Levy Thompson and Francesca Levy were with her.
She was born in Brooklyn in 1912. She taught elementary school in Brooklyn for more than 20 years after getting a BA from Brooklyn College in 1933. In 1966, she earned her MA from Queens College.
During World War II, she married Carl Deppe and while he served in the Navy, Mrs. Deppe helped the war effort by working on a dairy farm in Maine and working as a supervisor in the Curtiss Wright propeller factory in Caldwell, NJ.
She and her family first came to Columbia County on vacation in the mid-1950s and later bought a home in Chatham. They eventually became full time residents.
She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Rio, Aster and Stella Thompson and by her sister, Elizabeth Sawicz Timmins.
A memorial service is being planned for the beginning of the year.
Services were entrusted to the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, Chatham.
Jean Hermans, 84, language teacher, founded church
HUDSON—Jean S. Hermans, 84, of Germantown died at Columbia Memorial Hospital, Thursday, December 15, 2011.
Born May 2, 1927 in Sarina Lake, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Lydia (Morse) Connor.
Before she retired, Mrs. Hermans was a language teacher, first at the Red Hook School District, then the Rhinebeck School District and lastly at the Germantown Central School District. She also did private tutoring and was a sales representative for the Shaklee Corporation.
She was a founding member of the Clermont Bible Church on Blue Hill Road in Livingston and a member of the Columbia County Christian Women’s Club. Along with her late husband, Milton Hermans, she sang and entertained at many area nursing homes.
Survivors include: two sons, Kevin of Colorado and Kyle of Germantown; a sister, Patricia Simonson of Latham; grandchildren, Sean Stadtlander of Sarinac Lake, Sheri Ducatt of Sarinac Lake, Sara Stadtlander of Washington state, Seth Stadtlander of Colorado and Kent Stadtlander of Germantown; two great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by two husbands, Kent Stadtlander, who died in 1974 and Milton Hermans, who died in 2006.
A memorial funeral service will be held January 6, 11 a.m. at the Yadack-Fox Funeral Home in Germantown, followed by a reception at the Clermont Bible Church of Livingston.
Memorial donations in Mrs. Hermans’ name may be made to the Clermont Bible Church, 1530 County Route 31, Livingston 12541.
Sophie Foerschler, 96, taught business and history
ALBANY—Sophie Foerschler, 96, of Hudson, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at the Teresian House in Albany.
Born March 2, 1915 in Hudson, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Eva (Ziemba) Firsth.
Mrs. Foerschler was a business and history teacher at Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park. She was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Hudson.
Mrs. Foerschler is survived by her niece, Marcia Moon Fabiano of Stockport and her nephews, Brian Moon of Slingerland and Robert Moon of Greenwood, SC, who she raised after her sister passed away, and several other nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husbands, John Kane and William Foerschler; two sisters, Mary Moon and Helen Van Schaack, and three brothers, Joseph and Bernard Firth and Walter First.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Mary’s Church in Hudson. Interment was in Cedar Park Cemetery.
The family thanks the Teresian House for their extraordinary care and love for Mrs. Foerschler.
Arrangements were with the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home.
