Katharine E. Davis (1922 – 2018)
HUDSON—Katharine E. Davis, 95, a resident of Camp Hill Ghent, formerly of Stuyvesant, died Friday, July 27, 2018 at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
Born August 30, 1922 in Stuyvesant, she was the daughter of the late George and Elizabeth (Rothermel) Leiser.
Mrs. Davis was a housewife and a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stuyvesant.
She is survived by: 10 children, Maureen Balint (Gene) of Stuyvesant, Merrill Davis (Jeanne) of Valatie, Diana Pierce (Alan) of Reno, NV, Pamela Rybka (John) of Kinderhook, Georgia Leonard (Thomas) of Valatie, Brian Davis of Stuyvesant, Daniel Davis (Judy) of Valatie, Glenn Davis (Jane) of Chatham, Darla DeCicco (Bruce) of Rensselaer, Gena Davis of Stuyvesant; 22 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Maurice “Moe” Davis; her son, Douglas Davis and siblings, Jane Rossi, Donald and Robert G. Leiser.
Funeral services and burial in Kinderhook Cemetery will be private for the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Camp Hill Ghent, Inc., 2542 Route 66, Chatham 12037. Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie. The family thanks Dr. Elizabeth Howard and the staff at Camp Hill Ghent for their compassionate care.
Royce Dutcher, Jr. (1964 – 2018)
CHATHAM—Royce “Brod” Dutcher, Jr., left the house in the wee hours of the morning July 25, 2018 after a courageous battle with lung cancer with his beloved friend, Amber Snyder holding his hand.
Born December 27, 1964 in Hudson to the late Royce and Delsia (Simmons) Dutcher, Sr., he was a lifetime Columbia County resident.
For the past 15 years he lived in Chatham with his aunt, Esther VanAlstyne who predeceased him July 7, 2018.
A talented artist, Mr. Dutcher used saw blades and pieces of slate as his favorite painting medium. He drew amazing cartoons and expressed his creativity in his flower gardens and ponds. Wildflowers were his favorite and he was known to gather them and create awesome arrangements for his loved ones.
A jack of all trades, he was quick to share his vast abilities with anyone who needed a hand or a hammer. He loved to mud drywall making his seams invisible.
He was an accomplished harmonica player and when he could still blow carried one everywhere and would entertain all in earshot.
Mr. Dutcher was a comedian extraordinaire with his own unforgettable style. It was his mission to bring smiles and rib cracking laughter to those he loved. Ever cracking jokes with a running commentary on life and his tribe.
He was an animal lover and a staunch supporter of humane treatment of all animals. He was quick to reprimand humans when he felt their animals were not being cared for.
Mr. Dutcher is survived by: a sister, Joyce Lamont (Gerry Wyant) of Hudson; two nieces, Talean (Hilton) Nawez of Hudson and Delsia Hilton of Philmont; one grand-niece, Lucia Merante of Philmont; lifetime friends, Donald and Mary (VanAltyne) Starks, Laurie Starks Johnson, all of Chatham; Mark Turner of East Chatham and Tammy (Turner) Bailey of Middleburgh as well as their families; a host of aunts uncles and cousins and a lifetime of friends. Special thanks goes to Mr. Dutcher’s cousin, Kate Hermance of Chatham for her love and support in his final years.
A Celebration of Life will take place August 18, 2018 at 456 Frisbee Street, East Chatham beginning at 3 p.m. with a memorial service at 4:30 p.m. Those attending should bring a chair, a dish to share and their own beverage. Water and soda will be available.
Burial in the Kinderhook Cemetery will take place at a date to be announced.
Donations in Mr. Dutcher’s memory may be made to: Little Brook Farm, P.O. Box 127, Old Chatham 12136
Arrangements are with the Wenk Funeral Home, 21 Payn Avenue, Chatham.