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If you would like the obituary for an alumnus, family member, to be included on the alumni site, please send the information via the Submit News form. Please include the URL of the originating obituary if it is available, and the Class year of the alumnus. (January 31, 2016)

Mrs. Bonnie L. (Kehoe) Coffin, IHS 1981 age 59, of Ilion, passed away unexpectedly, on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Born in New Hartford, NY, on December 18, 1965, Bonnie was the daughter of the late Andrew and Beverly (Northrup) Kehoe. She was raised and educated in Ilion and a graduate of Ilion High School and also received a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, from SUNY Oneonta. On September 16, 1989, Bonnie was married to William Coffin, Jr. and together they shared a blessed union for over 35 years. Bonnie in her early years worked for Herkimer County Social Services as a Welfare Fraud Investigator. After that, Bonnie was Executive Secretary to the Judge in the New York State Unified Court System. Put simply, Bonnie lived for her children and especially her grandchildren. If a volunteer was needed for a field trip, Bonnie was the first name on the sign-up sheet. If a coach was needed for any sport, she was there with a whistle in hand. Bonnie loved nothing more than enjoying a glass of Merlot surrounded by family and friends. She led a life of selflessness and continued to support her family and extend a helping hand to anyone in need. Bonnie is survived by her husband, Billy; her brother, Thomas Kehoe, of Oriskany Falls; her three children, Lindsay Coffin, of Ilion, Abigail Coffin and Bob Walters, Jr., of Greencastle, Indiana and Andrew Coffin and Sierra Leitten, of Buffalo, New York; her two grandchildren, Kristopher Jones and Isla Walters, with grandchild number three on the way. She also leaves her in-laws, Kathy Coffin, of Ilion, Mary and Greg Day, of Clayton, New York, Mike Coffin and Thomas Daugherty, of Miami, Florida and Karen and Chet Slowik, of Ilion; and a host of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father-in-law, Bill Coffin, of Ilion. Friends and relatives are invited to attend a Funeral Service and Celebration of Life for Bonnie, on Friday morning, January 31, 2025, at 11:00AM, at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000. We kindly invite all to attend and ask those that do, to please begin arriving at the funeral home at 10:00 AM, as there will be one calling hour prior to the service starting. After traditional Catholic Funeral Rites are performed by Deacon James Bower, at the funeral home, the family then invites all over to the Ilion Knights of Columbus for a luncheon. Final arrangements have been entrusted to the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com (January 23, 2025)

Mrs. Elizabeth Keay (Boland) Smith, IHS 1961 - Vernon - Ilion - Mrs. Elizabeth Keay Smith, passed away suddenly on January 21, 2025 at Oneida Healthcare Center. She was born in Ilion, NY on October 28, 1943, the daughter of the late Clarence J. James and Agnes B. Boland. She attended Ilion Schools and graduated with the class of 1961. She was married to David Clinton Smith on June 22, 1963. Her and David celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary this past June. A rare feat in the world today. She worked many jobs. Canada Dry, Tryco Computers and Michael's Crafts. She loved working on her family tree and doing genealogy. She loved to read, crochet, do puzzles and diamond dots. One of her favorite things was going to her high school reunions and the yearly trip with the girls to Old Forge. They had two daughters, Cindy Keay Smith of Lake Placid, NY and Penny Sue Demastus (James) of Athens, TN. She has two grandsons, Philip Clinton Schnell and Morgan David Schnell and her precious first great-grandchild, Morgan's son, Decklan David Schnell, all of Ohio. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews; Deborah and John Morrison of Wells, NY, Marian and Ken Parslow and their children of Piseco, NY, Margie Remias and her son, Alex of Speculator, Steven and Nancy Benton of Rochester and Mark and Mariann Benton of Cooperstown. Also, Kari Ann James and Heather Seamon and their children, Tyler, Charlie, Zach, Jordyn, Madison and their children. Also dear to her heart are her cousins, Lynn Minosh, Jay Minosh and Jeannie and Laura Watchers as well as many friends and family, too numerous to mention. She was predeceased by her parents; her brother, Russell Allen and his wife, Donna and her nephew, Russell Benton. In keeping with her wishes, there will be no public services. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, 100 Otsego St. in Ilion. To leave condolences for Keay's family, please visit www.whiter-hendrix.com. (January 23, 2025)

bCherie (Prescott) Williams, IHS 1962 Cherie (Prescott) Williams, age 80, of Pearl Street., New Hartford, passed away peacefully, on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at St. Joseph's Hospital, Syracuse, New York. She was born on September 30, 1944, in Ilion, the daughter of Arthur and Mae (Jones) Prescott. Cherie was a Registered Nurse, working for many years, at Upstate Cerebral Palsy, in Utica. On August 10, 1991, she was married to Matt Williams, in Ilion. He died on April 26, 1997. She is survived by a son, James Reap, of NC; a sister, Bernice Pero, of CA; and several grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, Joseph Reap, III; and her sisters, Lois Prescott, Dorothy P. Latt and Erma Jane Blatchford. Graveside Services will be held in the spring, at Norwich Corners Cemetery, at a date and time to be announced. There are no calling hours. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Cherie, or add to her online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com on the Internet. Cherie's arrangements and Services are entrusted to her Family Funeral Director, long-time friend and High School Classmate, Don Applegate, at Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home's original location, at 102 West Street, Ilion, New York 13357 (315-895-7722). (January 15, 2025)

Geraldine "Cheeko" Elizabeth (Sterling) Pettengill, IHS Alumnus age 68, of Ilion, New York, passed away peacefully on January 9th, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Her passing occurred in the privacy and comfort of her home, surrounded by her loving family. Cheeko was born on March 1, 1956, in Ilion, a daughter of the late Gerald and Elizabeth (Binney) Sterling. She was raised locally and educated in Ilion schools. On August 18, 2012, Cheeko was married to the love of her life, David "Big Daddy" Pettengill. As a couple, the two were inseparable and shared over thirty-five years of love, laughter and happiness. Cheeko is survived by her loving husband, Big Daddy, of Ilion; her daughter, Jody Polidoro, and her husband, James, of Bloomfield, NJ; and her FAVORITE son, John Marquissee, and his wife, Megan, of Newport, VT. Cheeko is also survived by her loving grandchildren, Nicholas and Alexander Polidoro and Lacey and Ellie Marquissee, who were the center of her world; along with numerous siblings, nieces, nephews and extended family members. Cheeko wouldn't have gotten through her illness and battle without the endless support and love of her niece, Cathy LaFountain, her husband, Paul, her daughter, Tina, and her son, Todd. In keeping with Cheeko's wishes there will be no formal funeral services at this time. A Celebration of Life will be held at the convenience of her family. Final arrangements have been entrusted to the Enea, Ciaccia & Applegate funeral directors. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com.. (January 15, 2025)

Sandra Jean (Morton) Walls, IHS 1975 Sandra Jean Walls, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at the age of 67 on January 8th, 2025, after a long courageous battle with MS. She is preceded in death by her late husband Randy Walls, and her parents Raymond and Cecelia Morton. She is survived by her son Eric Walls and Shanda Cesar, her grandchildren Isabella Cesar-Walls, Mia Cesar-Walls, Penelope Cesar-Walls, Sebastien Cesar-Walls, Estella Cesar-Walls, and Augustus Cesar-Walls and Adam and Kelly Walls, her grandchildren Noah Michael Walls, Elliot Philip Walls, and Maddox Joseph Walls. Sandra was born in Ilion, NY and joined the Navy shortly after graduating high school. She met Randy while in the Navy and they embarked on a 42 year marriage. Over her life she held several jobs but none were as special to her as being a dance instructor. She loved singing and performing. She touched so many lives and everyone loved her. There was never a moment Sandra didn't have a smile on her face. If there was one thing that Sabdra could do, it was find the positive in any situation. Please join family and friends at a memorial service at 11:30AM on Thursday January 30, 2025, at Jeter & Son Chapel, 4830 W. Illinois Ave, Dallas, Texas. Military honors and internment will follow at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery. (January 13, 2025)

Alice E. (Dayton) Hall, IHS 1952, Alice E. Hall peacefully departed this life, on December 24, 2024, reuniting with her beloved husband, Donald, whom she deeply missed. Born on January 20, 1934, in Ilion, NY, Alice was the daughter of the late Warren and Hazel (Backman) Dayton. Alice spent her early years in Ilion, attending Ilion Central School from kindergarten through twelfth grade. On June 26, 1954, she married the love of her life, Donald E. Hall, and they shared 69 wonderful years together until his passing on September 2, 2023. Alice owned and operated the Gathering Basket, in Mohawk, NY. She and Donald enjoyed traveling together to craft fairs across Herkimer County, sharing their passion for creativity and community. Alice is survived by her sister, Georgette Laporte, of Herkimer, NY; and her loving children: Donald W. Hall (Sheri), of Ilion, NY, Darcy Nichols, of Dunnellon, FL, Lora Hall, of Clackamas, OR and D. Eric Hall (Carol), of Palm Coast, FL. She also leaves behind her former daughter-in-law, Jan Heap (David), of Herkimer, NY. Her cherished grandchildren include Eric W. Hall (Christina), of Frankfort, NY, Shelly Hall (Christian Boniforti), of Wellington, FL, Adam Hall (Bobbi), of Cotopaxi, CO, Mathew Hall, Ricky Singer, Samantha Harvey, Kasey Hall, of Clackamas, OR, Jackson Hall (fiancée Charisma), of Herkimer, NY and Lily Hall, of Palm Coast, FL. Alice's legacy also extends to her great-grandchildren: Maxwell, Gracie and Ally Hall, of Frankfort, NY, Nathan Boniforti, of Wellington, FL and Jacob and River Hall, of Cotopaxi, CO. She is further remembered by numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins. In accordance with Alice's wishes, there will be no public visitation or services. A private graveside service will be held for the immediate family at their convenience. Friends and family are invited to share memories or contribute to Alice's online memorial at www.applegateandday.com on the Internet. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Alice's honor may be made to a charitable organization of your choice. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Valley Health Services for the compassionate care Alice received over the past seven years. Her funeral arrangements and wishes were prearranged by Alice Hall, with her Funeral Director and friend, Don Applegate, at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home's original location, at 102 West St., Ilion, NY (315-895-7722).(January 2, 2025)