OBITS: Post-Star 12 Jul 2005; Glen Falls, Warren co., New York text-formatted by W. David Samuelsen for The USGenWeb Archives Project *********************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/ny/nyfiles.htm *********************************************************************** Source: Post-Star http://www.post-star.com Bowen, Paul Waite BENSON, Vt. -- Paul Waite Bowen, 68, a lifetime resident of Benson, died Sunday, July 10, 2005, at Rutland Regional Medical Center. Paul was born Aug. 2, 1936, in Benson,Vt., the son of Earl and Alene (Waite) Bowen. Paul was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and worked all of his life as a professional truck driver. He first drove for Holmes Transportation, and later for Goddard Transportation in Castleton for several years, retiring from there in 1999. He married Lynn Marie Gates in Benson,Vt., on Oct. 22, 1983. Together they owned and operate Stoney Point Stables, where they raised Standardbred harness racing horses. Paul was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved to ride his four wheeler. He was a member of the Crippen Fellows Post 50 American Legion of Castleton, the Fair Haven Eagles Club Aeire No. 3907 and also a member of the Champlain All-terrain Sportsman Club. He is survived by his wife, Lynn Bowen of Benson, Vt.; his daughter, Shirley Bowen and her companion, Ron Parent, of Orwell, Vt., his two sons, Edward Bowen and his wife, Linda Scoville, of Glens Falls, and Roger Bowen of Fair Haven, Vt. He is also survived by his two sisters, Peggy Hunt and her husband, Web, of Benson,Vt., and Vanessa Perkins of Benson, Vt., his two brothers, Wesley Bowen of Benson, Vt., and Garry Bowen and his wife, Irene, of West Haven, Vt. He is also survived by his two grandchildren, Michelle Bowen of Orwell, Vt., and Christopher Washburn of Proctor, Vt. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Shirley Fowler, who died in 1990, and by an infant sister, Nancy Susan Bowen, and also by a brother, Melvin Bowen, who died in 1993. There will be no visiting hours. A celebration of Paul's life will be held on Wednesday, July 13, at 1 p.m. at his home on North Lake Road in Benson, Vt. His family requests, that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Benson First Response, at P.O. Box 199, Benson, VT 05731. Arrangements were entrusted to the Durfee Funeral Home of Fair Haven, Vt. Published in the Post-Star on 7/12/2005. Bryant, Brenda (Hurlburt) BARRE, Vt. -- Brenda (Hurlburt) Bryant, 30, of North Seminary Street, Barre, Vt., and formerly of Whitehall, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 9, 2005. Arrangements are pending at Jillson Funeral Home, Inc., 46 Williams St., Whitehall. Published in the Post-Star on 7/12/2005. Clark, Joseph H. JOHNSBURG -- Joseph H. Clark, age 75, of Garnet Lake Road, died Sunday evening, July 10, 2005, at his home. Born on April 11, 1930, in North Creek, he was the son of Myrtle (Burdick) Clark and the late Clyde J. Clark. On May 14, 1983, he married Grace E. Steele in North Creek. Joe was employed for many years as a truck driver for National Lead in Tahawus, and also for Stephenson's Lumber, retiring in 1995. He was a member of the C.I.O. Union at National Lead and a member of the Pottersville Baptist Church Awana. Joe enjoyed reading, completing word puzzles, hunting, fishing, trapping, singing and calling square dances. He was predeceased by one daughter, Dennise Higgins. Survivors besides his wife of 22 years include three daughters: Dolores Roberts of California, Martha Clark of Little Rock, Ark., and Nancy Moore of Bakers Mills; four sons: Kevin Clark of Warrensburg, Herbert Clark of Panama City, Fla., Marvin Clark and Clyde Clark of Warrensburg; three stepdaughters: Hayley Killon and her husband, Shawn, of Olmstedville, Christine E. Washburn and her husband, Rick, of Lake Luzerne, and Janet S. Fuller and her husband, Matthew, of West Palm Beach, Fla.; two stepsons, Carl L. Moffitt and his wife, Cindy, of Brant Lake, and Herbert D. Moffitt Jr. and his wife, Sandra, of Johnsburg; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Miller Funeral Home, 35 West Main St., Indian Lake, with the Rev. Grant Smith, pastor of Central Baptist Church, Woodbridge, N.J., officiating. Burial will be at Garnet Lake Road Cemetery, Johnsburg. Pallbearers will be Robert Brown, James Brown, Leon Whitehead, James Caples, Eugene Moses, Roger Howe, and Travis Moses. Friends may call Wednesday from 12 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Contributions in Joe's memory may be directed to the Light House Baptist Church, Olmstedville Road, Pottersville, NY 12860 or to High Peaks Hospice, 286 Glen St., Glens Falls, NY 12801. Published in the Post-Star on 7/12/2005. Garrison Sr., William R. QUEENSBURY -- William R. Garrison Sr., 79, of Herald Drive, passed away Sunday evening, July 10, 2005, at Glens Falls Hospital from heart complications. Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, at Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury. Funeral services will follow at 4 p.m. A full obituary will appear in Wednesday's edition of The Post-Star. Published in the Post-Star on 7/12/2005. Horton, Margaret "Peggy" LOUGHMAN, Fla. -- Margaret "Peggy" Horton, 74, of Kissimmee, Fla., passed away Thursday, July 7, 2005, in Loughman, Fla., after a short illness. Born Jan. 27, 1931, in Glens Falls, she was the daughter of the late Charlie and Madeline (Churchill) Johnson. She married Guy Horton on Oct. 23, 1948, in Glens Falls. Peggy enjoyed knitting, crocheting and bingo. Survivors besides her husband include a brother, Carlton Johnson and his wife, Judy, of Chestertown; her children: Bonnie McCombs and her husband, Wayne, of Kissimmee, Fla., Guy and Debbie Horton of Kissimmee, Fla., Terri Skoog of St. Cloud, Fla., Lyn Horton of Glens Falls, and Jeff and Amy Horton of Glens Falls; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. There are no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 17, at Grissom Funeral Home, 803 Emmett St., Kissimmee, Fla. Published in the Post-Star on 7/12/2005. Knight, Peter M. SOUTH GLENS FALLS -- Peter M. Knight, of Chestnut Street, passed away Saturday, July 10, 2004, after a courageous battle with cancer. A memorial service will be conducted Friday, July 15, 2005, at 11 a.m. at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Duell Road, Schuylerville. Arrangements are under the direction of M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 136 Main St., South Glens Falls. Published in the Post-Star on 7/12/2005. Langford, Frances MIAMI -- Frances Langford, whose steamy rendition of "I'm in the Mood for Love" captivated soldiers when she was part of Bob Hope's USO tours during World War II, died Monday at the age of 92. Langford had been ill with congestive heart failure and died at her home in Jensen Beach, said her lawyer, Evans Crary Jr. Langford, a recording artist, radio star and actress from the 1930s to 1950s, joined Hope's troupe to boost wartime morale at military bases and hospitals in Great Britain, Italy, North Africa and the South Pacific. She also entertained new generations of soldiers in Korea and Vietnam. Even with her hair swept up in a bandanna, the 5-foot-1 singer was a glamorous vision of home and became known as the "Sweetheart of the Fighting Fronts." Her trademark was "I'm in the Mood for Love," written for her for the 1935 movie "Every Night at Eight." Langford appeared in 30 Hollywood movies, including "Broadway Melody," "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "The Hit Parade." She played herself in her final film, 1954's "The Glenn Miller Story." She was also known for her role as the insufferable wife, Blanche, opposite Don Ameche on the popular 1940s radio comedy "The Bickersons." She recalled in interviews decades later that entertaining the troops "was the greatest thing in my life." "We were there just to do our job, to help make them laugh and be happy if they could," Langford told The Associated Press in January 2002. "She was a charming person, very warm-hearted," said Crary, who had known her for more than 70 years. "She was very interested in other people and appreciative of their interest in her." Born in Citrus County in April 1913 and raised in Lakeland, Langford was discovered by bandleader Rudy Vallee when he was in Florida for a performance, and he invited her to be a guest on his radio program. After a brief stint in the Broadway musical "Here Goes the Bride" in 1931, she moved to Hollywood, where she appeared on Louella Parsons' radio show "Hollywood Hotel" and began to appear in movies. She was singing on Hope's "Pepsodent Show" when he held his first military program at March Field in Riverside, Calif., in 1941. The response was so positive he continued broadcasting from training bases and asked Langford to join him. Soon there were enough soldiers overseas to bring his variety show to them. Langford wrote a daily newspaper column, "Purple Heart Diary," about her war experiences and later starred in a movie of the same name. Her first marriage was to actor Jon Hall, who appeared in films such as "The Hurricane" and "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves." After World War II, she was singing in nightclubs when she met outboard motor heir Ralph Evinrude. They married in 1955 and moved to her 400-acre estate in Jensen Beach, 100 miles north of Miami. The couple built a Polynesian-themed restaurant and marina on the Indian River called the Outrigger Resort. She entertained locals and celebrities, including Hope, until Evinrude died in 1986 and she sold the property. Langford kept up her pastimes of boating and sport fishing and her collection of mounted tuna, marlin and other fish adorns the wall of the Florida Oceanographic Society's visitor center in nearby Stuart that is named after her. In 1994, she married Harold Stuart, assistant secretary of the Air Force under Harry Truman. They spent summers on Canada's Georgian Island, traveling from Florida aboard her 110-foot yacht. She is survived by her husband. She had no children. Published in the Post-Star on 7/12/2005. McGeoch, George Randles CAMBRIDGE -- George Randles McGeoch, 91, of West Main Street, died at home in bed on Sunday morning, July 10, 2005. He was the widower of Bernice Moore McGeoch, who died in 1981. Born Friday, May 29, 1914, at the family homestead in the town of Jackson, he was the son of Morrison and Mabel Randles McGeoch. He graduated from the Cambridge Union School, Class of 1932, and Westminster College, Westminster, Pa., Class of 1939, with a degree in teaching. He returned to Cambridge and worked for the Rice Seed Co. until he was called into service for his country. From 1942 to 1945, George served with the Army in the 10th Air Serving Squadron. He was stationed at Luzon, New Guinea, and the South Philippines, where he worked as an airplane propeller specialist. Upon discharge, he held the rank of staff sergeant. George returned to Cambridge and worked as an electrician. He worked on the wiring on the Hoosic Valley School in Schaghticoke and Cambridge Central School. He changed the wiring at Mary McClellan Hospital over from DC to AC current. He had a natural sense for repairing things electrical. He put this talent to use for Charles A. Ackley's Furniture and Appliance Store. George used to say that at some time or another, he had fixed something in every home in Cambridge. He also installed floor covering and helped Charlie with the ambulance service and funeral home. When Charles Ackley sold the funeral home in 1996, George stayed on to help "the kids" and was an important part of the Ackley & Ross team until his health started failing a year ago. The Embury United Methodist Church was an important part of George's life. For many years he was the treasurer, maintenance overseer, and chief coffeemaker. He was always on hand to help set up for DAR meetings and to help with lenten and advent lunches. He enjoyed attending the family reunions of the Randles family and the McGeoch. He was the current treasurer of the McGeoch Family reunion. George was always busy working on something: his lawn, his home, the homes of his children, or working in his garden. He found pleasure in his work up until his death. A brother, Ralph McGeoch and a sister, Dorothy McGeoch, died before him. Survivors include two sons and their wives, Bruce and Cyndy McGeoch of Burlington, Vt., and Peter and Betsy McGeoch of Schaghticoke; three granddaughters whom he adored and was so very proud of: Carol, Amy and Lauren; two first cousins, George E. McGeoch and his wife, Charlotte, and Margarite Foster; a niece and a nephew; and many McGeoch and Randles cousins. Friends and relatives are invited to call from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 14, at Ackley & Ross Funeral Home, 73 West Main St., Cambridge. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 15, at the Embury United Methodist Church, 41 East Main St., Cambridge, with burial at Woodlands Cemetery. A reception will follow at the church. George requested memorial donations be made to Embury United Methodist Church, Cambridge, NY 12816. As a lifelong resident of Cambridge, George had a wealth of knowledge about our fair village. His stories will be treasured and he will be greatly missed. Published in the Post-Star from 7/11/2005 - 7/12/2005. Taft, Elizabeth L. WHITEHALL -- Elizabeth L. Taft, 85, of Queen Street, passed away on Sunday, July 10, 2005, following a long illness. Arrangements are pending at Jillson Funeral Home, Inc., 46 Williams St., Whitehall. Published in the Post-Star on 7/12/2005. Wells, Debrah D. STILLWATER -- Debrah D. Wells of McDermott Road died Sunday evening, July 10, 2005, at St. Peter's Hospital, Albany, in the loving and safe company of her family. Born in Mechanicville, she was the daughter of the late John and Rose Dyer. She was a graduate of Mechanicville High School. For a number of years, Debbie was deputy Democratic elections inspector for Saratoga County. Previously, she worked at T.A. Galante Paper Co. in Mechanicville, where she was once the president of the local Papermakers Union. She was an active member of the town of Stillwater Democratic Club, and a member of St. Peter's Church in Stillwater. Debrah enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening. The happiest times in Debbie's life, were when her husband, children and grandchildren were by her side, enjoying all their love and affection. Her husband of 53 years, Richard "Dick" Wells, died April 6, 2004. After her husband and life partner died, Debbie shared the past year with her daughter, Cherie, and family, and tried not to miss out on any family activity. Survivors include her daughters, Cherie (Ray Lagace) Brownell of Stillwater, and Bonnie (Fred Cooper) Wells of South Glens Falls; her son, Rich Wells of Sacandaga; grandchildren: Cindy (Victor) Wood of Stillwater, Kristen (Jeff) Brendon Hyman of Maryland, Matthew (Amy) Bendon of Florida, and Clayton C. J. (Shannon) Brownell of Stillwater; and great-grandchildren, Kyle Brownell and Vanessa Wood. She is also survived by her sister-in-law and special friend, Marge Patrick of Mechanicville, along with nieces and nephews. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 6 p.m. Wednesday at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Hudson Avenue. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to either the Elder Care program at Stillwater Community Center or St. Peter's Church, Stillwater, NY 12170. Published in the Post-Star on 7/12/2005.