Maureen G. (Grabski) Croop,

“Love deeply, live simply, laugh always.”

Maureen G. (Grabski) Croop, 81, who lived life deeply and to the fullest, went to be with her Lord on February 13, 2023.

She was born on January 18, 1942, in Utica, the daughter of Chester F. Grabski, Jr. and Mary T. (Jacyczyn) Grabski.

Robert J. Croop

Robert J. (Bob) Croop, 86, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2023, at the Eastern Star Home with his loving family at his side.

Bob was born on November 7, 1936, in Factoryville, PA to the late Andrew and Margaret (Jones) Croop. His family moved to Utica at a young age and he grew up working various farms in the Steuben Valley. He graduated from Holland Patent Central School and then proudly served in the United States Air Force. He was a wonderful father, brother, and friend and was always a true gentleman.

He was employed at Special Metals for over 30 years and served as a foreman. During his time there, he was instrumental in designing a method of streamlining the entire billet handling process. He designed and received senior management approval for the Batch Mobile Handling System, which was affectionately nicknamed “The Croopmobile”, for which he received The President’s Award.

Bob is survived by his loving son, Robert (Joanne) Croop, and step-son Scott (Cindy) Chwalek, Scott’s daughter, Amanda Chwalek, the mother of his son and dear friend, Maureen Croop, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by both of his parents; siblings, Evelyn Bowers, Betty Rae Smith, Charles Croop, Jerry Croop, Richard Croop, and Duane Croop, his second loving wife, Cheryl (Thompson) Croop and his third loving wife Connie (Chwalek) Croop.

Friends and Family gathered at the McGrath, Myslinski, Kowalczyki & Nunn Funeral Directors, Utica. Acelebration of life will take place immediately following the calling hours at The Roselawn Banquet Facility, Main Street, New York Mills.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bob’s memory to Feed Our Vets (www.feedourvets.org) or to the Eastern Star Home, Oriskany. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Cindy Chwalek, whom he loved like a daughter, as well as the entire staff at the Eastern Star Home for their love and compassion towards Bob while he was in their care.

Maureen was a graduate of Holland Patent Central School and the West Point Consumer Lending School. She started her banking career on her birthday at the age of 19 with Bank of Utica, continued her career with Fleet Bank and Fleet Mortgage, and then retired from First Source Federal Credit Union. She was a mentor to many of her coworkers during her extensive banking career.

Maureen was one special lady who had an infectious laugh and a tremendous heart. She had a smile that would light up a room and was always available to lend an ear, a hug or whatever was needed. She was a loving daughter, mother, sister, aunt, and treasured friend to so many. She will be terribly missed by all that knew her.

She had a beautiful voice and was a choir member at the Parish Community of St. Leo & St. Ann, where she also served on the Parish Council. She was also involved in the New Hartford Rotary, Business & Professional Women Network, Mohawk Valley Women in Finance, Town of Trenton Planning Board, and the South Trenton Community Association.

Maureen is survived by her loving son, Robert and her very special daughter-in-law, Joanne Croop, of Barneveld; her treasured cousin, Ellie Selwach; special nieces, Jerilyn Voce and Shelly Freeland, along with many loving cousins and neighbors. She is also survived by so many close friends, too numerous to mention (but you know who you are!), including Robert and Joanne’s close friends who loved “Mama Croop” dearly. Maureen also leaves behind her beloved canine companion, Buddy. She was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Carolyn Grabski, and the father of her son and dear friend, Robert J. Croop.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated on Saturday, March 4 at 11:30 a.m. at the Parish Community of St. Leo & St. Ann, Holland Patent. Family will receive guests before the Mass from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Arrangements are entrusted to McGrath, Myslinski, Kowalczyk & Nunn Funeral Directors, 470 French Rd. Utica.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Maureen’s name may be made to the Thea Bowman House (theabowmanhouse.org/donate) or Anita’s Stevens-Swan Humane Society. Envelopes will be available at the Mass.

Aspecial thank you to her son, Robert, who brought such joy to her life and provided the love and support she needed to stay in her home. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the entire staff at Eastern Star Home for their love and compassion towards Maureen while she was briefly in their care.

Clark N. Weston

Mr. Clark N. Weston, 72, of Holland Patent, passed away on Monday, February 6, 2023, at his home.

Clark was born in Watertown, NY, on September 16, 1950, the son of Jack and Doris (Barker) Weston. He was raised in Watertown and was a graduate of Watertown High School. For many years, until his retirement, Clark was employed as a bridge inspector with Conrail. Prior to the railroad, he had many jobs while growing up. On August 24, 1991, Clark was united in marriage with Heidi Yacobelli, a loving and devoted union of 31 years.

Mr. Weston is survived by his beloved Heidi; his mother, Doris; three loving daughters, Julie, Tami and Stefani; two sons-in-law, who he said were the sons he never had, Marty and John; two cherished grandchildren, Arianna and John Michael; one sister, Sally and three brothers, Al, Chris and Jackie. Also surviving are additional family members,

Megan and Melissa, as well as many nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. He was predeceased by his father, Jack, sister, Doreen and brother, David.

Clark’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the numerous first responders from the Sheriff’s Department, Holland Patent Hose Company and Ambulance Company who were there in Clark’s time of need. Awarm and special thank you to Clark’s and Heidi’s many many family members and friends, too numerous to mention, who have been so kind and helpful during this most difficult time. Your love and support will never be forgotten.

Amemorial service, to celebrate Clark’s wonderful life will be held in the spring.

Arrangements are entrusted to Heintz Funeral Service, Inc., Utica.

Donald Hoffbeck McGhee.

Don McGhee, or “The Magnificent,” as his children often referred to him, was larger than life in every possible way –his booming voice, his enormous strength, his many malapropisms and mispronunciations, his keen and inquisitive eyes—and once you met him, it’s unlikely you’d ever forget him. Nor would he forget you, or your favorite food, or the kind of car you drove. Don’s intense interest in his friends and loved ones was matched only by his ability to tell captivating stories about them. Dining tables and diners (especially Cindy’s on Route 12) were his favorite stages, and he was also an actual stage presence for years at the Steuben history plays.

Don was famous, among other things, for keeping the woodstove in the kitchen cranked to stupefying levels of heat. The McGhee children spent much of their childhoods in service to that woodstove –chopping and stacking wood, hauling it from the barn—but none of them could outwork their father. The man not only knew how to work, he knew how to play. Few loved having fun more than Donald, and he sought it out in many ways: dances and plays at the Grange back in the day, endless golf outings, road trips with the family every summer, trips and cruises around the world, and let us not forget the hundreds of Yankees games that he, a cradle to the grave fan, would organize and attend with his buddies. In later years, he relished his annual trip, led by his Yankee fan daughter, to the luxury box at Yankee Stadium, whether by ferry, by subway, or by car, ending the night singing “New York New York” right along with his besties. Did he, as a child, once meet Babe Ruth? He did, and he’d be happy to tell you about it, along with a thousand other stories. At the time of his death he and his daughters were planning a fall road trip to Idaho, the only remaining state he had not yet visited.

Born and raised on a dairy farm in Millerton, New York, Don attended Pine Plains Central School and Cornell University. He also served in the Army Reserves for twelve years, beginning in 1965. He was a lifelong country man who worked with farmers all his life at Dairylea, the farmers’ cooperative his two grandfathers helped organize. His cherished wife, Gabrielle, grew up in New York City but dreamed from childhood on of living in the country, and once she met Donald, boy did her dream come true. They loved gazing out at the Steuben Valley from the porch in all seasons, watching the birds at their various bird feeders, competing at lawn mowing with their dueling riding mowers, and of course keeping (extremely) warm by the ever-burning woodstove. Don was a master gardener with a massive vegetable garden and acres of sweet corn that his children sold by the side of Route 12 when they were old enough to drive. He had a discerning eye for individual, eclectic gifts and loved perusing endless catalogs to find the perfect items for his family.

As a longtime Lion, a volunteer at Hope House, the Remsen FOTA(via the Lions), and Holland Patent Presbyterian Church, former Justice of the Peace and Town Republican Chairman, an RSVPdriver for fifteen years for disabled and elderly people, and Steuben Citizen of the Year, Don was predeceased by his parents, Christine HoffbeckMcGhee and Arthur Hoag McGhee. He is survived by his beloved wife, Gabrielle, his sister Marcia Deeb, niece Leslie Deeb Venable, and his four children, Alison, Laurel (William Blackett), Holly and Douglas (Julie Caniglia), and his cherished grandchildren, Luke O’Brien, Devon O’Brien, Min O’Brien, William Chiva Blackett, Donald Chivorn Blackett, Jason Steiner, McGhee Steiner, Marshall Steiner, Evan McGhee and Arthur McGhee.

Geraldine Frances “Gerry” Klossner

Geraldine Frances “Gerry” Klossner, 87 of Sebring passed away December 30, 2022 in Sebring, Florida. She was born in Trenton, New York moving to this area in 2002. She was a secretary in the banking business for many years. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Sebring where she was a member of the choir; she was a member of the Sweet Adelines in New York. She was preceded in death by her four sisters, 2 brothers, a son Douglas and her husband of 61 years Paul just four weeks ago. She is survived by her daughter, Val Klossner of Sebring; granddaughter Allison Ambrose and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church in Sebring. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM-11:00 AM. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or Samaritan's Purse.

Florence T. Dunnavant

Florence T. Dunnavant, 81, of Tulip Drive, died on February 20, 2023 at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing, Ilion.

Mrs. Dunnavant was born on April 22, 1941 in Herkimer, a daughter of the late Raymond and Mabel (Farrell) Ryan. She graduated from West Canada Valley Central School in 1960. On Oct. 4, 1992, Florence was united in marriage with James G. Dunnavant. She was last employed as a nurse’s aide at the Folts Home, Herkimer. Mrs. Dunnavant was of the Catholic faith.

Survivors besides her husband of 30 years, James, include a son, Michael (Vanessa) Freer of Baldwinsville; three step-children, Jesse Kemna of Ilion, Diane Dunnavant of Rome, and Jim Dunnavant of Mohawk; grandchildren, Kara and Ryan Freer, and several other step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Florence was predeceased by a brother, Jack Ryan and two sisters, Ann Waller and Helen Garlock. Aprivate graveside service will take place in the spring at St. John’s Cemetery, Newport. Arrangements are under the direction of the Autenrith Funeral Home, Newport

Quilt Raffle

The Didymus Thomas Library is having a quilt raffle to benefit the library. Tickets are $2 each or 3 tickets for $5. Tickets are available at the library. Drawing takes place May 31, 2023. The beautiful quilt, "Elements of Spring," was donated by a favorite patron/ local quilter.

Paul W. Klossner

Paul W. Klossner, 88, of Sebring, Florida, passed away Dec. 2, 2022 at Good Shepherd Hospice with his family by his side. He was born in Holland Patent, New York, moving to this area in 2002.

In high school, he won numerous awards in the FFA, played in the band and played football. He was a veteran serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Leyte. He was a social worker for Herkimer Outreach and a member of First Presbyterian Church of Sebring.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers and three sisters, and his son, Douglas, in 2017. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Geraldine, and his daughter, Val, both of Sebring; granddaughter, Allison Ambrose, and several nieces and nephews.

Afuneral service was held at First Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m.. Aprivate burial with Military Honors followed. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Samaritan’s Purse or to First Presbyterian Church of Sebring.

Kira Brader Youngberg

Kira Brader Youngberg, age 31, of Forestport, NYpassed peacefully on Saturday, February 18, 2022, while surrounded by her beloved family and friends. Although limited in her abilities, she had a zest for life and encouraged smiles everywhere she went.

She is survived by her mother, Nancy Youngberg, her brother, Robert Youngberg and his family, her aunt Karen Score and her family, her dedicated and lifelong caregiver Joann Barry, her friends Brenda Winters and Ruth Buzzy, and many other close friends. She was predeceased by her father, Robert Youngberg just two months prior.

Despite Kira’s disability, she led a life full of adventure with her best friend Joann in tow – ziplining at the Root Farm, countless trips to Disney and always dressed to the nines in one of her many princess dresses; her favorite character was Cinderella.

Kira also leaves behind her lifelong friends; the rest of “Joann’s Kids,” Philly, Becca, and James. She had a special bond with her nephew and nieces, Paxton, Reagan, and Sawyer who affectionately called her “Dooda.” Her life is a true testament to the sustaining power of love – she beat the odds and overcame challenge after challenge that was thrown her way with her loved ones fighting along her side.

Visitation hours were. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc.. Boonville. ACelebration of Kira’s and of her father, Robert’s lives will be held this Summer at the Wigwam Tavern, Rt. 28, Forestport, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please bring along your favorite balloon to be released in honor of her memory, allowing Kira’s spirit to soar. Donations can be made in Kira’s name to the Root Farm at 2860 King Road, Sauquoit, NY13456.