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HOMETOWN ONEONTA B-6

Friday, January 27, 2017

IN MEMORIAM

Mary Jane McGowan, 90; Retired Teacher Active In Oneonta

ONEONTA – Mary Jane McGowan, 90, a former teacher and active community member, passed away Jan. 23, 2017. She was born in May 1926 in Oneonta, the daughter of Percy and Edna Hazard Smallin. She attended Bugbee School from kindergarten through 8th grade, graduating in 1944 from Oneonta High School, where she delivered the graduation speech. During high school, Mary Jane was very active in

clubs and extracurricular activities and was a drum majorette. She met Dean W. McGowan Jr., the love of her life, freshman year. Dean and Mary Jane courted throughout high school, college and his World War II military service, marrying in 1951 after an 11-year courtship and engagement. At SUNY Albany, Mary Jane took a double major in social studies and biology and double minor in English and music. She graduated in 1948 with a B.A. with hon-

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Grandma loved her farm, her family, and playing her old guitar. Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home will take the time to find out what made your loved one special. Whether it’s finding just the right flowers, or finding a musician to play her favorite tunes on her old guitar, we’ll do what’s necessary to make her service as unique as she was.

Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home 14 Grand Street, Oneonta • 607-432-6821 www.grummonsfuneralhome.com

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ors. She furthered her studies at SUNY Oneonta, receiving an M.S., magna cum laude, in 1956, with Mary Jane McGowan additional hours in psychology and childhood training. She was also a member of Alpha of Phi Delta sororities. She taught for 15 years at Unadilla, Colonie and Bugbee School as well as substituted in city schools. Mary Jane spent two years in Key West, Fla., (1951-53), where her husband was assigned with General Electric, and had two sons, Jeffrey and Scott, born in 1960 and 1962 respectively. Mary Jane and her family returned to Oneonta in August 1968 with her husband’s career move. She was the first baby baptized in the current church building that is now the First United Methodist Church of Oneonta and was an active participant from early childhood through adult life. She was a 47year member of the DAR, a member of the Oneonta Federated Garden Club and the American Legion Post 259 Ladies’ Auxiliary, and a life member of the Oneonta Businesswomen’s club. Also, the county Numismatics Association (she shared interest in coin collecting with husband), the Greater Oneonta Historical Society and the Center for Continuing Adult Learning. She is survived by son Scott A. McGowan of Chicago; grandchildren Lindsey and Sean McGowan; three nephews Tom ( Pat) , Bob (Kathy) and Gary (Robin) VanSchaick and many grand- and great-grand nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, her son Jeffrey McGowan, sister Ruth Smallin VanSchaick and Ruth’s Husband Carlton of Schenectady, three aunts, one uncle and her grandparents. Calling hours will be 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Jan. 26 at the First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., Oneonta. Interment will be in the family plot in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home.

Heller & Skinner

Funeral Home

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Proud to be family-owned John & Kathleen (Heller) Pietrobono

Russell Decker, 59; Self-Taught Musician ONEONTA – Oneonta native Russell W. Decker 59, passed away peacefully on Friday, Jan. 13, 2017, at home in Unadilla. He was born on June 25, 1957, Fox Hospital, the first child of Leon H. and Patricia A. (Ainsworth) Decker. Russell was the recipient of the DAR citizenship award in 6th grade at Valley View Central School. He looked forward to summers at Crumhorn Mountain Boy Scout Camp where he achieved the Order of the Arrow. On July 11, 1987, he married Patricia A. Sandt. Russell began his career in the auto industry in the parts department, working

for several dealerships in the area. He made many friends on established delivery routes as Russell well as Decker behind the counter. Most recently he was employed as grounds keeper for Sidney Golf & Country Club as well as sexton for Mount Calvary Cemetery, Emmons. Russell was an accomplished, self-taught guitarist and harmonica player. He was always eager to share

his enthusiasm for guitar playing. He will always be remembered for his intellect, understanding, compassion, humor and pitch playing prowess. He is survived by his wife Patricia; his sons, Ryley W. and Lukas H. Decker; sister, Debra Chipman Reimer and her daughter, Amanda; brother, David C. Decker; aunts and uncles, Gary and Jackie Scavo, Gloria Brienza, and Victor Calventi; and numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents and grandparents. A graveside service will take place at a later date in the summer.

Margaret Gaughan, 90; In VFW Auxiliary MORRIS – Margaret B. Gaughan, 90, a long-time resident of Morris passed away peacefully on Jan. 15, 2017, at Chase Memorial Nursing Home in New Berlin. She was a member of the Sgt. Elbert N. Patten Auxiliary VFW Post 1206 in Oneonta. Margaret was born the daughter of Bert G. Butler and Dora (Schulz) Butler on Sept. 3, 1926, in Davenport. Margaret married Donald Gaughan on June 12, 1948, in Gilbertsville. She lived in Morris where she was a homemaker. Margaret is survived by

her loving family; two daughters Susan (Ronald) Rowe, Mary (Robert) Myers and Margaret son-inGaughan law James Browning; grandchildren Geri Lee (Kevin) Rodda, Gwendolyn Browning (Butch Faulkner), Donald Rowe (Michelle Nolan), Jesse and Michael Myers; great grandchildren Alexandria, Tim Jr., and Matthew Grow, Justin and Joe Rodda; her sister Betty

Goodspeed; sisters in law Dorothea Knickerbocker, Lorena Steward, Evelyn Butler, Annie Butler and several nieces and nephews. Margaret was predeceased by her husband Donald; her daughter Donna Browning; her five brothers Louis, Ralph, Earl, Donald, and Richard Butler and her sister in law Lorena Bowers. The funeral was held Monday, Jan. 23. Burial will take place at Oneonta Plains Cemetery in the spring, at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are entrusted to the Johnston Funeral Home, Morris

James Olmstead, 73; SUNY Oneonta Retiree ONEONTA – Word has been received that James Frederick Olmstead, 73, who retired from SUNY Oneonta’s maintenance department, passed away on Sept. 27, 2016, at the Oneonta Bassett Clinic. He was born on Nov. 23, 1943, in Parshall Hospital on Myrtle Avenue, the son of Dale K. Olmstead and Mary (Gallagher) Olmstead Smith. He graduated from Oneonta High School, Class of 1963. He retired from SUNY Oneonta, where he had been a janitor for 27 years. Previ-

ously, he worked for Pleezing (Oneonta Grocery Co.) for 16 years, and for the last few years worked at Bugbee Daycare Center. He is survived by his wife, Barbara E. (Baldwin) Olmstead; his daughter, Tracy L. Olmstead, and her son, Gage P. Olmstead, and his daughter, Shelly A. Olmstead, all of Oneonta. Also, his brother brother, Michael L. Olmstead, and his wife Patricia (Cicero), and sister-in-law Karen (Lyons) Olmstead, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Also, his aunts Rosalie (Gallagher) Pollman, Patricia (Gallagher) Gorton, and Catherine (Muirhead) Gallagher. He was predeceased by his son James Robert in 2012, and his brothers Gerard T. in 2012, Robert D. in 2008, Patrick H. in 2010. He was cremated at the Morris Crematory Memorial contributions may be made to the Susquehanna Animal Shelter. Funeral arrangements were with Bookhout Funeral Home.

Leslie B. Gray, 92, Springfield Center; President Of Syracuse Appraisal Firm

SPRINGFIELD CENTER – Leslie B. Gray, 92, a nationally recognized real-estate appraiser, passed away at home with his family at his side on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 22, 2017. Les was born in April 1924 in East Springfield to Harold S. and Gladys B. Gray. He graduated from Springfield Central School in 1941 and attended Morrisville Ag & Tech, earning an associate degree in 1943. After attending Cornell University, he returned to Graycrest, the family farm in East Springfield. He married the love of his life, Janet Louise Gros, on April 29, 1944. They lived and worked on the farm until 1956, when Les began his career as a real estate appraiser. In 1964, he moved

Leslie Gray

his family to Syracuse and was a founding member and president of Pomeroy Appraisal Associates until 1988. He earned the MAI designation and was honored as a counselor of real estate (CRE) by the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers. He loved his work and was a nationally recognized appraisal expert. After retiring, he and Janet returned to their beloved Springfield. With

that as their home base, they traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, spending much of their time visiting friends and family and National Parks and monuments. Les had strong ties to his community. He was an Eagle Scout and a scout leader, a charter member of the Springfield Fire Department, and an active member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. His guiding principle was “keep us ever mindful of the needs of others.” He participated in Kiwanis, served as a Meals on Wheels volunteer, and served on the Town of Springfield Planning Board and school board. He loved hiking and camping, particularly in the Adirondacks.