Virginia Edgley (1929 – 2012)
HUDSON—Virginia L. Edgley, 82, of Columbiaville died Friday, June 29, 2012 at Community Hospice in Columbia Memorial Hospital.
Born in Hudson, December 4, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Sanford and Eva (Jansen) Hilton.
Mrs. Edgley was an active member of St. Joseph’s Church in Stuyvesant Falls. She will be greatly missed by her loving husband Roger J. Edgley at home; one daughter, Regina and (Mark) Tellitocci of Vicenza, Italy; one son, Roger “Digger” Edgley of Columbiaville; two brothers, Gerald “Judd” Hilton of Stockport and James “Deed” Hilton of Clarksville, TN; two sisters, Betty Fahs of Hudson and Joan Palmer of Ravena; many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by: brothers, Paul, Donald and Robert Hilton; and sisters, Esther Lynch and Eleanor Lester.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, July 2 at St. Joseph’s Church, Stuyvesant Falls with Fr. Joseph Falletta officiating. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Stuyvesant Falls.
Arrangements were with the Sacco-McDonald-Valenti Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport.
Otto Mueller (1935 – 2012)
HUDSON—Otto Charles Mueller, 77, of East Shore Drive, Valatie died Friday, June 29, 2012 at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
He was born June 18, 1935 in Brooklyn, the son of the late Otto and Elizabeth (Heider) Mueller.
Mr. Mueller was a devoted family man, who also worked for New York City Transit and was a New York City Fireman for 20 years. He participated in organizations in Brooklyn and in Kinderhook Lake. He was a member of the Kinderhook Lake Corporation and was past president of the Kinderhook Lake Improvement Association. He was also a member of the St. John the Baptist Church in Valatie and worked hard to make his community a better place.
He will be missed greatly by his family, friends and neighbors in Kinderhook Lake and Zephyr Hills, Florida.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Betty Ann; cherished sons, Tom (Kelly), Bob (Dee) and John (Ann); his grandchildren, Katelyn, David, Megan, John, II, Sean; great granddaughter, Raley and his sister, Ruth Johnson.
A prayer service was held Tuesday, July 3 at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Inc., Valatie. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Niverville Fire Department, P.O. Box 442, Niverville 12130 or the Kinderhook Lake Improvement Association, P.O. Box 26, Niverville 12130.
Christopher Baker
STEPHENTOWN—Christopher Baker, 24, of West Road, Stephentown, died suddenly June 28 in a tragic car accident.
Family and friends are all greatly relieved that there was no suffering.
He was the beloved son of Nancy Petersen and Brian Baker. He leaves his grieving and adored—and adoring—sister, Emily. Some of his many survivors are his wonderful grandmother, Edith Petersen; his aunts and uncles, Lynn and Nick Kauffman, Ray Petersen, Ron and Viki Petersen and Sandy Baker Metzger and Bud; and numerous wonderful cousins.
He is also survived by his elderly dog, Toby, and his dear pal, Ellie.
He was predeceased by his grandfather, Howard Petersen.
Mr. Baker attended the Berlin Central Schools, the LaSalle Institute, the Loomis Chaffee School and graduated from the Albany Academy. He received his associate’s degree in science and physics from Hudson Valley Community College with highest honors, and he just completed his junior year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on the honor roll in applied physics.
In secondary school, Mr. Baker was an avid and successful soccer player and wrestler. He was also an outstanding snowboarder, among his many interests.
Selfless to a fault, and fiercely loyal to his friends and family, Mr. Baker had just returned from an incredible trip with two close friends, Dan VanEmburgh, and Richie Couch, to the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee. They had the time of their lives….
Mr. Baker had a gift and could talk to people from all walks of life—he made them feel comfort and wanted.
He loved working on the family peony farm for years and also made many 4 a.m. flower deliveries with his sister to the wholesalers in New York City and Boston. The saddened buyers told his family, among other things: “Chris always had a kind word and a joke.” He also enjoyed working Saturdays at Meissners’ Auction House in New Lebanon, where he was loved by all and treated like family.
“Chris’s time with us was sadly too short, just at the dawn of his next phase…. He lived a rich, full and adventurous live. While he was no saint, he gave of himself completely to everyone who knew him. He had a really good, solid ride and he departed with few regrets….
“Chris loved our land and fields and this valley community. His family is incredibly grateful for the outpouring of kindness, support and caring from friends and relatives near and a far. All who have shared their thoughts with us have said, ‘He always had a smile on his face.’ Chris was a gift to his family and his friends.”
Funeral services were held July 3 in the Stephentown Federated Church, 1513 Garfield Road, Stephentown. Burial followed in the Garfield Cemetery. Arrangements were with the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 State Route 43, Stephentown.
D. Patricia Near (1930 – 2012)
HUDSON—D. Patricia Near, 82, of Philmont, died Sunday, July 1, 2012 at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
Born in Hudson, January 11, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Margaret (Hurley) Smith.
Mrs. Near was a former village clerk and treasurer for the Village of Philmont, she was previously a secretary at the Match Factory, as well as a librarian for the Philmont Public Library. She was a member and lector at the former Sacred Heart Church in Philmont and a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxillary.
She will be greatly missed by her husband, Herbert Near at home; two sons, Michael Near of Philmont, Thomas Near and (Marie Wolfersteig) also of Philmont; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by one daughter, Colleen Near and one brother, Clarence Smith, Jr.
Calling hours will be Thursday, July 5, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Sacco-McDonald-Valenti Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport. Services will begin at noon at the funeral home with Fr. Winston Bath officiating. Burial will follow in Mellenville Union Cemetery.
