Anna Witko (1913 – 2016)
DALLAS, TX—Anna Witko, affectionately known as “Shine,” was born in Kinderhook June 2, 1913 and passed away February 16, 2016 in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 102.
Mrs. Witko enjoyed a long career operating Ann’s Beauty Shoppe out of her home on Sunnyside Drive in Kinderhook.
She was preceded in death, by her husband, Peter P. Witko, Sr.; five sisters and four brothers.
She is survived by: her son, Peter P. Witko, Jr., and wife, Patricia of The Villages, Florida; her daughter, Janice Post and husband Stephen of Dallas, Texas; five grandchildren, Michelle Van Tassel, Tracey Arrick, Jennifer Hervey, Jeffrey Post and Thomas Post; 10 great-grandchildren, Kyle and Brandi Van Tassel, Aubrey and Dillon Arrick, Katie and Carson Hervey, Ally, Austin, Kenzie, and Jon Post; one great-great grandchild, Hunter Hughes; a very close niece, Nancy McGuire of East Chatham and several other nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Witko was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 9593 Stuyvesant Falls. She was a communicant of the Church of St. Joseph (formerly St. Mary’s) of Stuyvesant Falls.
Mrs. Witko enjoyed fishing, gardening and sports.
She was a generous and loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt.
She was loved by all who knew her. She loved being with family and friends.
“We will always miss her but we know she is at peace and is happy.”
There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, February 24, 2016, 11 a.m. at the Church of St. Joseph 1820 U.S. Route 9, Stuyvesant. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery Stuyvesant Falls. Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie.
William D. Van Alstyne, Jr. (1925 – 2016)
GREENPORT—William “Bill” Dudley Van Alstyne, Jr., passed away peacefully February 17, 2016 surrounded by his loving family.
He was an extraordinary husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend. His life was defined by uncommon grace, quiet strength, great faith and ever-present love.
Born August 11, 1925 in Albany to William D., Sr., and Gertrude (Doyle) Van Alstyne, he lived in Stuyvesant for 89 years before moving to Greenport just last spring. After graduating from Martin Van Buren High School in Kinderhook in 1942, he joined the U.S. Army in 1943, and served with the 34th “Red Bull” Infantry Division in Italy until his discharge in 1946. He was awarded the European-African Middle East Campaign Ribbon with three battle stars for the Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno and Po Valley campaigns. He also received the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star, and Good Conduct Ribbon.
After his discharge from the Army, he attended Morrisville Ag and Tech College, and, following graduation, returned home to Stuyvesant to help with his father’s business, Van Alstyne’s Garage, which he and his brother, Ken, continued to run for more than 50 years. Mr. Van Alstyne retired in 1990, and soon filled his free time as a Meals on Wheels and Hospice volunteer, visiting residents of several local nursing homes each week.
Mr. Van Alstyne was a charter and life member of Stuyvesant Fire Company #1, having served as chaplain, as well as the company’s first secretary. He was also chaplain of the Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Association, and the Columbia County Honor-a-Vet Association. He was a deacon and elder in the Stuyvesant Reformed Church, a member of the Stuyvesant Falls VFW, and was past president of the Firwood Cemetery Association in Stuyvesant.
Mr. Van Alstyne is survived by: his wife, Arlene (Smith) Van Alstyne of Greenport; his son, William D., III, (Linda) of Galway (Saratoga County); his daughter, Darla (Richard) Skiermont of Valatie; and his step-daughters, Valerie
Bertram of Valatie and Jolene (Mark) McClintick of Brunswick, ME. He adored his grandchildren, Andrew (Liz) Van Alstyne of Cedar City, Utah; Hillary (Nobuyuki) Takahashi of Saratoga; Corrie Shattenkirk of Omaha, NE; Jill (Mike) Mescia of Kinderhook; and Sean Shattenkirk of Valatie, as well as step-grandchildren, Jesse Bertram of Valatie, Leah Bertram of Ocala, Florida; and Torri McClintick of South Portland, ME. He was also the proud great-grandfather of Shayla, Lucy, and Julia Van Alstyne of Cedar City, Utah; Evelyn Grace Mescia of Kinderhook; and step great-granddaughter, Zoe Bertram of Valatie. He cared deeply for his sister-in-law, Betty and his nieces, JoAnn Jakiela and Sandra Myers of Stuyvesant, and their families. He was predeceased by his first wife, Evelyn, and his brother, Ken.
To celebrate Mr. Van Alstyne’s life, family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at the Stuyvesant Reformed Church at the intersection of Route 9J and Church Street in Stuyvesant, Sunday, February 21 at 2 p.m. followed by a reception at the Stuyvesant firehouse. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Van Alstyne’s memory may be made to the Stuyvesant Reformed Church, c/o Robert Allen, Treasurer, 250 Sharptown Road, Stuyvesant 12173, or Stuyvesant Fire Company #1.
Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie.
Graydon Kimbrough-Perry (2005 – 2016)
GERMANTOWN–Graydon Kimbrough-Perry died Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at home in Germantown.
He was born December 17, 2005 at Northern Dutchess Hospital.
He is survived by: his sister, Nora Kimbrough-Perry and his parents, David Perry and Christine Kimbrough, along with his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins as well as many friends. He attended Abilities First School in Red Hook, and recently started at Germantown Central School.
Graydon was a happy boy, with an infectious chuckle and a love of life. He enjoyed pumpkin pie, Scooby-Doo (especially Velma), and watching “How It’s Made” on the Science channel. He adored Harry Potter. His sense of humor was wicked.
Many people in the local community supported him in life, including numerous therapists, teachers and other professionals. The doctors at Albany Medical Center and Pine Street Pediatrics helped him stay with his family for as long as he did, and he had many virtual friends around the world who rooted for him every day.
His life was short, but it was good—he was very loved. His family will miss “their Tatsie,” and they won’t forget him.
A wake for Graydon was held Saturday, February 20, 2016 at Central House on Main Street in Germantown. There was food, wine and pumpkin pie. Donations to support the institutions that supported him in life can be made online at https://www.youcaring.com/menkes-foundation-germantown-firehouse-albany-medical-524146#.VsYPV1f3AAs.email.
Arrangements are with the Yadack-Fox Funeral Home, 209 Main Street, Germantown.
