Jeffrey Richard Ackerman (1951 – 2013)

GHENT—Jeffrey Richard Ackerman, 62, of Ghent passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side. He fought a courageous battle with cancer to the end.

Born July 7, 1951, he was the son of the late John E. Ackerman, Sr., and Olga (Depew-Ackerman) Link.

A graduate of Rhinebeck Central School in 1970, he became a carpenter by trade. He worked many years as a safety manager for the city of New York and for OSHA in New York City.

Mr. Ackerman is survived by: his wife, Debra at home; three children, Nicole Ackerman of Del Ray, FL, Sarah Ackerman of Mellenville and Jesse Ackerman of Ghent.  Mr. Ackerman also leaves to cherish his memory: a brother, John (Carolyn) of Rhinebeck; three cousins, Corinne (Al) Weber of Red Hook, Michelle Depew of Rhinebeck and Michael Depew of Florida; his loving grandchildren, Hart Lynn Ackerman, Nicholas Ackerman, and Skyler Ackerman; five nieces and nephews and many cousins.

Mr. Ackerman received loving, around-the-clock nursing care from his wife, Debra and sisters-in-law, Susan MacCormack and Carolyn Ackerman. His cousins, Corinne Weber and Michelle Depew provided both physical and mental support to Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman throughout. Pastor Bill Mayhew provided caring, spiritual support.

Mr. Ackerman’s gentle spirit, great smile and sense of humor will truly be missed by all.

Arrangements have been entrusted to M. Grimaldi Funeral Home, Chatham. Following cremation, a memorial service was held Friday, July 26 at the Faith Bible Chapel, 223 Silvermountain Road, Millerton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Faith Bible Chapel. Mr. Ackerman helped during the construction of the chapel.

Arthur Ramonowski (1938 – 2013)

SPRINGFIELD, MA—Arthur A. Ramonowski, 75, of Hudson, died July 24, 2013 in Springfield, MA, due to multiple post operative infections.

He was born February 19, 1938 in Suvalkai, Lithuania, where his family had a farmhouse on 36 acres of land. With the advancement of Russian forces during World War II, Mr. Ramonowski’s family moved back into Germany, August 10, 1944. Homeless and his father a prisoner of war, the family was taken in by various homeowners in the region of Thuringia. The last place Mr. Ramonowski lived in Germany was in the Town of Herschdorf.

While residing in Herschdorf, he participated in various athletic activities. He played soccer for a regional team, ran middle distance track, competed in cross country skiing and still holds the local mountain’s record for the longest ski jump. Fifty-five-years later, Mr. Ramonowski returned to Herschdorf in 2011 and met numerous friends, whom he kept in touch with over the years.

He loved soccer so much he never personally received his diploma during his graduation in 1954. He asked a friend of his if he could use her radio to listen to the World Cup final between heavily-favored Hungary and Germany. His friend accepted his diploma for him that day, while he listened to the game.

Mr. Ramonowski’s favorite class was organic chemistry. At 16-years-old, he qualified for engineering school, near Rostock Germany. He changed his curriculum and received a degree as a machinist.

Mr. Ramonowski arrived in New York, May 27, 1958. He worked as a machinist in Brooklyn and lived on the west side of Manhattan. He made trips north to Hudson to visit his sister, Erna. During his trips to Hudson, he met his future wife, Flora Louise Howatt.

Mr. Ramonowski wanted to volunteer for the U.S. Navy as an officer in steam turbine engineering. After passing his written exams, he failed his physical because of an ulcer he received while living in Germany. He moved north to Hudson and worked as a machinist at Lorbrook.

Mr. Ramonowski enjoyed taking daily walks to the park and read up on current technologies.

He loved all New York athletic teams, especially the Giants and Yankees.

Mr. Ramonowski is survived by: two sons, Roland and Robert Ramonowski; two grandchildren, Gregory and Brandy Ramonowski; his former wife, Flora; a special niece, Katrin Ramonowski of Bad Langensalza, Germany, and many other nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Hermann and Adelina Ramonowski; three brothers, Alexander, Erwin and Edmund and a sister, Erna Scherer.

Services were conducted at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, Saturday, July 27. Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences for the family.

Josephine G. Keister (1924 – 2013)

GHENT—Josephine G. Keister, 89, of Hudson, formerly of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at the Whittier Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center.

Born June 28, 1924 in Dalton, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late William and Zilla (Murr) Glaze.

She was a sales representative for Avon Products for more than 30 years.

She was an active member of Concord Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee and also enjoyed going to the YMCA for water aerobics.

Mrs. Keister is survived by: her children, Karen (Rick) Johnston of Hudson and Bill (Suzette) Keister of Chickamauga, Georgia; two granddaughters, Amie Johnston of Catskill and Christine (John) Johnston-Earl of Valatie; four great grandchildren, Kayla and Kevin Ruffin and Gabriel and Gavin Earl.

A memorial service will be held at the Concord Baptist Church in the Concord Hall, 7025 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN, August 1, 2013 at 2 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home; website: tbch4kids.org.

Burial will be private in the Whitfield Memorial Garden in Dalton, Georgia.

Elaine F. Weaver (1939 – 2013)

ALBANY—Elaine F. Weaver, 73, of Hudson, passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at St. Peter’s Hospital with her loving family by her side

Born November 23, 1939 in Hudson, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Mary Marshall.

Mrs. Weaver was the loving wife of Kevin Weaver; a loving mother to AnnMarie (Bill) Brennan, William (Lori) Rustick, Stanley (Olivia) Rustick, Patricia Brennan and Susan (Kevin, Sr.) Jornov. She was also a loving grandmother to Will, Brenna, Lillianna, Savanna, Caitlin, Amanda, Timothy, Jr., Brittany, Ashley, Audra and Kevin, Jr. Also surviving are eight great-grandchildren; her sister, Elizabeth Stalker; her brother, Timothy Marshall; her mother-in-law, Arlene Weaver; sister-in-law, Debbie Schedler; brother-in-law, Gregory Weaver and many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Weaver worked at Williams Lumber for 11 years and prior to that was a waitress at Pizza Hut for 19 years.

Services were held at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, Hudson, July 27. Burial was in Cedar Park Cemetery.

Pall bearers included Will, Bill and Stan Rustick, Billy Brennan, Kevin Jornov, Jr., and Kenny Rodriguez.