Category Archives: Obituaries

OBITUARIES: Karpiak, Keute, Zullo, Gaschel, Shanley

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Kathy J. Karpiak (1951 – 2021)

PRICELINE, AL—Kathy Jean Karpiak, 69, of Priceline, AL, died peacefully following a long illness at home Wednesday, April 14, 2021.

Born in Hudson, July 18, 1951, she was the daughter of Virginia (Weed) Christiana and the late Wilbur Christiana. Ms. Karpiak was a graduate of Hudson High School and pursued a career in private duty nursing. She will be missed by her mother, Virginia Christiana; one sister, Linda Sutherland; nephew, Frederick and his wife Jessica Sutherland. Read more…

OBITUARIES: Piester, DeRuggiero, Shook, Laurange, Henderson, Albright, Pulver

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Kenneth Piester

Kenneth P. Piester (1930 – 2021)

SANFORD, FL—Kenneth Peter Piester, age 90, of Sanford, Florida, passed away peacefully April 6, 2021.

He was born in Hudson, April 11, 1930. His childhood years were spent in Ancram. He attended the Roe Jan Central School and graduated from Cornell University College of Agriculture, where he played trumpet in the “Big Red Band.” After college he lived and worked at the Hermitage Farm as a dairy farmer and later became a Columbia County Extension agent/educator for 25 years before retiring.

He was preceded in death by: his father, Peter; his mother, Gladys; his brother, Wendell; and sisters, Marilyn and Jean. He is survived by: his wife of 68 years, Marion; his three daughters, Susan (Michael) Belemjian, Tricia Piester and Carol (David) Wellendorf; his nine grandchildren, Paul, Brian, Rebekah, Jessica, Elizabeth, Christine, Christopher, Nathan and Hannah; his 18 great-grandchildren; and his two “adopted” children, son Tony and daughter, Katheleen. Read more…

OBITUARIES: Barnum, Wilhelm, Oles, Dianda, Falkner, Counsell, Catalano, Fix, Risch, Boseman, Allers

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Sally Barnum

Sally A. Barnum (1932 – 2021)

AUSTERLITZ—Sally A. Barnum, 88 years old, of Austerlitz died peacefully March 31 with her last months in the care of Hospice and friends at her side.

She was born in Detroit, Michigan, August 21, 1932.

She was the daughter of the late Anne and Douglas Miller. She moved to New York at the age of 5 with her family. She was a graduate of New Rochelle School of Nursing in 1953. She became a registered nurse and worked at the Osborn House until she retired to Austerlitz in 1991. Read more…

OBITUARIES: Geel, Williams, Lussier, Curry, Kritzman, Risch, Esselstyn, Ehrlich, Stagias, Ellison

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Bryan Geel, Jr.

Bryan D. Geel, Jr.

GHENT—The family of Bryan David Geel, Jr., of Ghent is grieving his loss. He passed away at the young age of 36.

He is survived by: his daughter, Madison; his parents, Bryan Geel, Sr., (Susan) of Austerlitz and Rhonda Owen of Valatie; his grandmother, Patricia Colburn; his sisters, Maria and Caitlin; his brother, Justin; three nieces; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Read more…

OBITUARIES: Johnson, Hannam, McWhirt

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Johnny Johnson

Johnny M. Johnson (1947 – 2021)

LAKE CITY, FL—Johnny M. Johnson died March 22, 2021.

He was born August 17, 1947 in Tennille, GA, to Otis Peterson and Tressie M. Johnson. He was a former resident of Columbia County.

He attended DD Crawford Elementary School in Tennille, GA, and attended TJ Elder High School for two years. He completed high courses and graduated while in the U.S. Navy. He was a proud member of both the U.S. Navy and the Air Force Reserves for a number of years. Afterward, he received a BA degree from Florida Memorial College in Miami, FL, where he became a dedicated member of the Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity, Inc. He was employed with the Dade County Police Department for several years.

Mr. Johnson’s beloved wife, Nettie M. Jackson preceded him in death, June 22, 2006. Read more…