Jon Richard Wilder (1944 – 2013)
Jon Richard Wilder passed away peacefully January 14, 2013 with his family at his side.
He was born June 8, 1944 in Chatham.
He attended Chatham Schools and Hudson Valley Community College. After graduation he married his high school sweetheart, Vickie Jeffers. They were married for 47 years.
In 1999, Mr. Wilder retired from the New York State Department of Transportation, where he worked in the survey department.
From that time until his journey to God he enjoyed retirement, family and wonderful friends.
Mr. Wilder was very active in the Philmont Rod and Gun Club, holding many different positions during the years he was a member. He was treasurer of the Columbia County Trappers Association and was very involved in all aspects of the organization.
His family and his children have always come first in his life and his compassion and unwavering patience with them will be cherished forever. He participated in family events with joy and pride.
He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing and trapping with a passion.
He was an excellent role model to all young men and women who will follow in his footsteps.
He was so fortunate to have lived out so many of his dreams with his wife and family. He was a wonderful and loyal husband, father, companion and friend.
Mr. Wilder will be missed by his wife, Vickie; son, Jon Richard, Jr., of Old Chatham; daughter, Kimberly Wilder Kuebrich of Oregon; granddaughters, Kaitlin and Erin Wilder and brother, Richard Wilder of Cape Cod, MA.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Ida Akin Wilder; father, Donald John Wilder; sisters, Margaret Craft and Vera DeGroodt.
A celebration of Mr. Wilder’s life was held Saturday, January 19 at the new Claverack firehouse on Route 23. The family invited everyone who knew and loved him and has meant so much to them through the years to join them in the celebration.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society or St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hudson. Arrangements were with the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Service.
Tammy Van Alstyne (1968 – 2013)
CHATHAM—Tammy Sue (Starks) Van Alstyne, 44, of Pond Hill Road, Chatham made her final journey to eternal paradise, January 16 with her devoted family by her side.
Born October 29, 1968 in Pittsfield, MA, to the late John Todd and Katherine (Wilkins) Starks currently of Proctorsville, VT.
A lifetime Chatham resident, Mrs. Van Alstyne was a 1986 graduate of Chatham Central School and received an associate’s degree in early childhood education from Columbia-Greene Community College in 1988. She married her high school sweetheart, William (Bill) Van Alstyne July 1, 1989. They celebrated their 23rd anniversary in July.
A self-employed domestic engineer for many local clients, Mrs. Van Alstyne also provided daycare for her nieces and nephews, as well as, many local families spanning several generations until her illness forced her into early retirement in 2009.
While advocating for educational inclusion for her daughter, Samantha, she was instrumental in ensuring that the Chatham Central School District became handicapped accessible so all students could receive an education in their own district if they so choose.. Her chosen career was being a devoted mother/wife to her family. In her spare time she enjoyed reading and painting with acrylics and the antics of all the children.
Mrs. Van Alstyne’s battle with breast cancer began in October 2008. She spent the last year receiving weekly treatment at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Philadelphia, PA. Hope and options were the core of treatment there and the love and caring shown by CTCA staff and patients made the uncomfortable journey more bearable. She faced the battle head on with a no nonsense approach and she maintained that attitude to the end of her life.
Besides her father, she was predeceased by her father-in-law, Bill Van Alstyne and her best friend, Gloria Kennedy.
She was the beloved mother of William (Kristen Tunis), Samantha and Randy Van Alstyne, who survive her at home; beloved sister, of Donald Starks (Mary) and Laurie Starks Johnson of Chatham; aunt of Amber Snyder (Rob), Donald (DJ) Starks (Stephanie) and Candice Dutcher, all of Chatham also Charles Bost, III, (Audra) of Kinderhook; great aunt of Brooke, Carter, Logan, Kaitlyn and Isabella.
Also surviving are: her mother-in-law, Esther Van Alstyne of Chatham; sister-in-laws, Kate Hermance, Peg Mead (Tim) of Chatham, Lora Macklin of Schenectady and Molly Coons (Jim) of Illinois; brother-in-laws; Vincent (Bud) Hermance (Phyllis) of Valatie, Mike Hermance (Alexis) of Hyde Park, Ed Hermance (Carolyn) of Cohoes, Josh Hermance (Kathy) of Rotterdam and Patrick Hermance (Angela) of West Virginia; as well as 28 nieces/nephews and 10 great nieces/nephews. She is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles and cousins.
Family will receive friends and relatives, Saturday, January 26 at noon at Saint James Church, Chatham. A memorial services will follow at 1 p.m., with a repast immediately following at the Chatham firehouse.
Donations in Mrs. Van Alstyne’s name may be made to: CTCA Assistance in Healthcare Fund, 1331 East Wyoming Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124, or Our Community Cares, P.O. Box 463, Ghent 12075.
The family would like to thank the community for all of the support during Mrs. Van Alstyne’s battle. The family appreciated everyone who sent a card, made a donation, sent a meal, stopped to visit or said a prayer.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the French Gifford Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, Chatham. For online condolences visit www.frenchblasl.com.
Bernard J. Roy (1937 – 2013)
ALBANY—Bernard J. Roy, 75, of Chatham went to be with his Lord, Monday, January 14, 2013 at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital.
He was born April 16, 1937 in Burlington, VT, the son of the late Eugene and Bertha (Provencher) Roy.
He graduated from Albany High School and was employed with several companies in the Albany and Hudson areas. He moved to Chatham in 1963 and was employed by McGuire and Company in Hudson as a draftsman for many years, retiring in 1997.
Mr. Roy owned and operated an upholstery business for many years as well. He was a communicant of St. James Roman Catholic Church, Chatham, Knights of Columbus having served as grand knight.
Mr. Roy is survived by: his wife of 52 years, Eleanor (Howder) Roy of Chatham; four devoted children, Jeanie and husband Don Barnes of Tampa, FL, Lynn and husband Walter Doughty of West Babylon, Michael Roy of Virginia Beach, VA, Lisa and husband David Ward of Powells Point, NC; sisters, Arlene, Carol, Maryann, Claire and Sheila and husband Nick; three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
A memorial Mass was held Thursday, January 17 at the St. James RC Church, Chatham. Inurnment was in the St. James Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2 Pine West Plaza, Suite 204, Albany 12205. For online condolences visit wenkfuneralhome.com.
Angela Carmela Schweizer (1939 – 2013)
GHENT—Angela Carmela Schweizer, 73, of Ghent died suddenly Thursday, January 17, 2013 at her residence.
Mrs. Schweizer born June 20, 1939 in Manhattan, the daughter of the late Peter and Catherine (Bologna) LaGattuta.
She grew up in New Paltz and for 33 years resided in Ghent. Mr. Schweizer was a member of the Ghent Congregation of Jehovah’s Witness.
She is survived by: her husband of 46 years, Hans H. Schweizer of Ghent; her children, Kathy-Anne Schweizer, Heidi A. Schweizer and John P. and wife Theresa Schweizer all of Ghent; sister, Terri Bentley of Kingston; and grandchildren, Joseph P. and Vincent J. Schweizer.
Mrs. Schweizer was predeceased by her grandson, Brady John Roger Ellis; sister, Carmela Petramale; and brother, Peter LaGattuta. Calling hours will be held Saturday, January 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a memorial service following at 1 p.m. from the Wenk Funeral Home, Chatham. For online condolences visit wenkfuneralhome.com.
Linda Jane Rector (1949 – 2013)
TIVOLI—Linda Jane Rector, 63, of Tivoli died at her home, Sunday January 13, 2013.
Born August 8, 1949 in Passaic, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Arnold Plass and Gertrude Fitting.
Prior to her retirement, she was employed for many years as a receptionist with the Rhinebeck Pediatric.
She was devoted to her family, enjoyed reading and gardening.
Survivors include: her husband, John Rector: son, Steven Rector of Poughkeepsie: sister, Jean Stoddard of Germantown; three grandchildren, Ashley, Joshua, Bailey and great grandson, Benjamin. She was predeceased by her daughter, Debbie.
A celebration of Mrs. Rector’s life was held Thursday, January 17 at the Yadack-Fox Funeral Home in Germantown.
Memorial donations are requested in Mrs. Rector’s memory to the Tivoli Free Library, P.O. Box 400, Tivoli 12583.