OBITS: Post-Star 30 Jun 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 Briggs, George Madison MAPLE VALLEY, Wash. -- George Madison Briggs, 78, formerly of Easton and Clifton Park, died Monday, June 27, 2005, at Auburn Medical Center, Auburn, Wash. Born May 4, 1927, in Easton, he was the son of Franklin H. and Emma Briggs Briggs. George was a graduate of Greenwich High School, Purdue University and the Graduate School of Public Affairs of Albany SUNY. He was a licensed professional engineer. He served with the U. S. Army First Infantry Division in Germany from 1945 to 1946. George served 31 years with the New York State Department of Transportation, retiring in 1982 as assistant commissioner of operations. He then formed Briggs Engineering P. C., where he worked as an instructor for the Federal Highway Administration. He also served as executive director of the New York State Liquid Asphalt Distributors Association for 10 years. He was active in the Boy Scouts, a member of the National and New York State Society of Professional Engineers, a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants, a member of the Saratoga Battle Chapter and a charter member of the Wallomsac Battle Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. He belonged to Cambridge-Salem Lodge Free & Accepted Masons, Federal Lodge RAM, Scottish Rite 32 Masons, and Oriental Temple Shriners. He was also a member of the American Legion Post No. 515 and VFW Post No. 7291. He served as trustee of the Easton Friends Meeting, the Easton Rural Cemetery and the Easton Planning Board. He was a member of the Religious Society of Friends. George was an avid gardener, involved extensively in genealogy, loved crossword puzzles and history. He was predeceased by his brothers, Franklin H. and John B. Briggs; and his sister, Barbara Briggs. Survivors include his beloved wife of 50 years, Jean Cully Briggs of Maple Valley, Wash.; his loving son and daughter-in-law, George and Barbara Briggs Jr. of Edmonds, Wash.; his loving daughter and son in-law, Barbara Jean and Jim Fursman of Burien, Wash.; two grandchildren, Nicole Briggs and Alec Madison Fursman; a sister, Thea K. DeHoney of Queensbury; and nine nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, July 5, at 11 a.m at Easton Rural Cemetery on Meeting House Road. Mr. Briggs requested memorial gifts be made to the Easton Friends Meeting, P. O. Box 87, Greenwich. Arrangements are under the direction of Ackley & Ross Funeral Home, Cambridge. Published in the Post-Star on 6/30/2005. Knickerbocker, Arline C. SOUTH GLENS FALLS -- Arline C. Knickerbocker, 81, passed away on Tuesday, June 28, 2005, at her home. Born on July 11, 1923, in Buffalo, she was the daughter of Joseph and Sophia (Bauer) Collen. Arline was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Church in South Glens Falls. She retired following 20 years of service as the general manager for JARTS, Inc. in South Glens Falls. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Henry C. Knickerbocker; her sisters, Dorothea Linder and Audrey Rosenbaum, and her son-in-law, C. Bruce Nettleton. Survivors include her daughters, Lynn Nettleton of Housatonic, Mass., and Carol Lewis and her husband, Philip, of South Glens Falls; her son, Collen Knickerbocker and his wife, Janice, of Canton; seven grandchildren: Christopher Nettleton, Laura Dupont and her husband, Albert, Ellyn Dupont and her husband, Michael, all of Housatonic, Mass., Heather DiFiore and her husband, Peter, of Cortland, Adam Lewis of Hudson Falls, Collen Knickerbocker II of Potsdam, and Leah Knickerbocker of Bozeman, Mont.; and four great-grandchildren: Ashley Nettleton, Shaun Dupont, Anna DiFiore and Samantha DiFiore. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. today, June 30, at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 80 Saratoga Ave., South Glens Falls, with the Rev. Robert Nugent officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in South Glens Falls. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements are under the direction of Regan & Denny Funeral Home, 94 Saratoga Ave., South Glens Falls. Published in the Post-Star on 6/30/2005. LaForest, George Lorenzo INDIAN LAKE -- George Lorenzo LaForest braved suffering and death to gain eternal life on Tuesday, June 28, 2005. He was 81 years old. He was born June 14, 1924, in Tupper Lake in the Adirondack Mountains in 1924, and attended French-speaking grade school there until 1935, when the family relocated to Schenectady due to the prospects of steady work. George's parents, George Hector LaForest and Florence Alice Trudell, were the children of French Canadian immigrants. He attended Lincoln grade school, Central Park Junior High and graduated from Mont Pleasant High School in Schenectady. In January 1943, George enlisted in the United States Army and was involved in sending and receiving radio messages. He sent messages in both code and voice. He repaired radios as well. He was honorably discharged in December 1945. Thanks to the GI Bill, George earned a BBA from Siena College in 1950. Family life followed with marriage to Jean Haas. They raised four children: Michele LaForest Halloran of DeWitt, Mich.; Ann LaForest Phillips of Blue Mountain Lake, George James LaForest of Stillwater, and Joan Golden of Clifton Park. His wife, Jean, died in 1992. George was beloved "PaPa" to Marisa, Christopher and Lorenzo Halloran, Mark and Thomas LaForest and Alexandra and Conor Golden. He was friend and father-in-law to Bob Halloran, Hal Phillips, Cindy LaForest and Dan Golden. Two brothers are surviving: James LaForest of Indian Lake and Neil LaForest of Sarasota, Fa. A special aunt, Jeannette Mallory, resides in Syracuse. George was employed by the General Electric Co. for 35 years. His secret loves were carpentry and spending time with his family at their camp on the Cedar River in Indian Lake. He and Jean retired to Indian Lake in 1989. After Jean's death, George became computer literate and developed an interest in buying and selling old radios. He became locally known as "The Radio Man." He advocated for preservation of the environment and longed for world peace. George was a proud member of American Legion Parker Benton Post 1392. A Celebration of Life is planned for Friday, July 1, at noon at St. Mary's Church in Indian Lake. Refreshments will follow in the church hall. All are invited to attend. Graveside services will be conducted at Cedar River Cemetery at a date and time to be announced. Memorial contributions may be made to Indian Lake Central School/The Jean LaForest Memorial Fund, 28 West Main Street, Indian Lake, NY 12842, to the Glens Falls Medical Mission Foundation at P.O. Box 627, Glens Falls, NY 12801 or to the Parker Benton American Legion Post 1392, Indian Lake, NY 12842. Don't say "Good-bye" just say "So long." Arrangements are under the direction of Miller Funeral Home, 35 West Main St., Indian Lake. Published in the Post-Star on 6/30/2005. Scheff, Henry B. "Hank" HADLEY -- Henry B. "Hank" Scheff, age 72, formerly of South Shore Road, died Wednesday morning, June 29, 2005, at the home of his nephew, Josh Scheff. Born on March 18, 1933, he was the son of Charles H. and Mary (Shippee) Scheff. He was employed at Ballston Knitting Mill for many years, as well as by Joseph White Trucking in Hadley. He later worked as caretaker for many camps around Sacandaga Lake. Hank married Lenora "June" Riley on July 25, 1998, in Lake Luzerne. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, (especially salmon fishing) and traveling. Hank was not concerned with material things. He was a loving, gentle, man who always put the needs of others above his own, and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was predeceased by two brothers, Charles "Willie" Scheff and Cecil Scheff Sr.; and two sisters, Violetta Corlew and Ruth Chase. Survivors include his wife, Lenora (Riley) Scheff; three sons: Craig Palmateer and his wife, Carol, of Hadley, Henry Scheff of Lake Luzerne, and Jay Scheff of Lake Luzerne; one sister, Dolores Scheff; two grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, at Brewer Funeral Home, Inc., 24 Church St., Lake Luzerne, with the Rev. Dawn Robbins, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Warrensburg, officiating. Burial will be at Lynwood Cemetery, Hadley. Friends may call Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Contributions in Henry's memory may be directed to the American Cancer Society, 959 Route 9, Mount Royal Plaza, Queensbury, NY 12804. Published in the Post-Star on 6/30/2005.