Ilion Memorials 1998 and 1997

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Staff & Faculty Memorials

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Condolences.....

Sandy Santmire Wells Class of 1965 died on 30 December, 1998, from breast cancer. She was the wife of Dave Wells, Class of '64. Sandy (May 12, 1999)

Dick Deming IHS '39, passed away on December 15, 1998 at his home in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was born in Ilion, NY the son of Milton and Ethel Kibbe Deming. He was a retired engineer with G.E. for over 30 years. He was an active member of the West Lynchburg Baptist Church where he served as Deacon, choir member and Sunday School Teacher. He was also an active volunteer at the Virginia Baptist Hospital and a 50 year member of the Olive Branch Masonic Lodge in Ilion, NY. Dick was a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps where he flew as a fighter pilot with the 14th Airforce, "Flying Tigers" under General Chenault's command in China during WWII. He was awarded the Air medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He is survived by his wife, the former Doris McCorn, class of 1942, and two children, Rev. David Deming and wife Sandra and Debra Deming Jennings and two grandchildren Adam and Elizabeth Deming.He is also survived by his brother Bob Deming, class of 1953 and sister Carolyn Deming Bayer, class of 1947.(Jan 13, 2001)

Ms. Mary Panarites Gasper IHS 1938 passed away Monday, December 28, 1998, after a brief illness. Mary graduated with the IHS Class of 1938 as salutatorian of her class. She received her Bachelor Degree from Keuka College, magna cum laude, and was salutatorian of her class. She received her law degree from the University of Colorado. She married Bela (Bill) Gasper in April 1969 in Herkimer.

Mary grew up working in her family's restaurant, the "Ilion Candy Kitchen", later known as the "J. Panarites Restaurant". She was associated with the late attorney Fred O'Donnell of Ilion after admittance to the NY State Bar Association. She opened her own practice in 1954, now known as Panarites & Asnoe, Ilion. She was a member and past president of the Herkimer County Bar Association. She served as Ilion's first woman village attorney, and was counsel to the Frankfort School Board and the Ilion Housing Authority.

Mary was an active and dedicated community leader. She was an organizer, director and driving force behind the establishment of the Ilion Marina. Mary encouraged many young people in their educational endeavors and supported the Ilion Central School District Foundation Board. A scholarship fund was established by Mary and her brother Gus, at the Ilion High School, and is awarded annually in their parents name. Those wishing to make contributions to the "James C. and Helen Panarites Family Memorial Scholarhip Fund" may do so, c/o Ilion Central High School, Weber Avenue, Ilion NY 13357.

She leaves her husband, Bela, sister, Anastasia Sprague of Phoenix, Ariz, sister and best friend, Katherine (Katie) Brown and husband Crist of New Hartford; and brother-in-law, Leslie Gaspar and wife Eva of Barrie Ontario. She also leaves her many nieces and nephews; her nephew, John C. Brown, Utica, was the best man in her wedding.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 31 at the Applegate & Day Funeral Home and at 10:30 at St. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, East Herkimer. (December 29, 1998)

Mr. Leland G. "Lee" Wells IHS 1937, 80, of Mohawk, passed away on December 23, 1998. He was the son of John Henry and Ethel Shedd Wells. He was a graduate of Ilion High School Class of 1937. He was a proud veteran of WW II, serving his country with the U. S. Naval Air Corps. He was a toolmaker at Sperry Rand/UNIVAC in Ilion, for approximately 30 years. He was a process engineer at MDS in Herkimer and retired in 1982. He is survived by his wife, Catherine (Dutcher) Wells, a son and daughter-in-law, James and Deborah Wells of Little Falls, and a daughter and son-in-law, Carol Wells-Federman and her husband, Harvey, of Concord, MA; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, a granddaughter, step-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services were December 28, from the Graves-Applegate Funeral Home in Mohawk. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mohawk Reformed Church or teh American Heart Association. (December 27, 1998)

Mr. Jerry Bourgois '61, 55, of Ilion, passed away on December 20, 1998. He was the son of Joseph and the late Estella May Wright Bourgois. Mr. Bourgois was employed as a gunsmith with Remington Arms. He was married on September 24, 1994 to the former Caroline Barringer in Ilion. He was a member of the Remington Arms 25 Year Club, a member and Secretary of the Ilion Fish and Game Club, and Trap Chairman at the Fish and Game Club. He traveled extensively, througout the country, for Remington Arms and was well known in his field. He is survived by his wife, Caroline, his father, a son, Jeffery of Ilion, and a daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Shawn Hall of San Antonio; a sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Elwood Wainwright of Ilion, a step-son, Matt Masur, his mother-in-law, Sylvia Barringer and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were December 24, from the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, with internment in Armory Hill cemetery. Memorial ccontributions may be made to the Ilion Fish & Game Club, Frankfort Ambulance or Ilion Ambulance funds. (December 24, 1998)

Mr. William 'Bill' Teeter, IHS Math Teacher, age 73, of West Melbourne, passed away on December 10, 1998, in Florida. Mr. Teeter attended Cornell University, Muhlenberg College and Columbia University with the Navy V-12 officers program. He resumed his education, after World War II. He received his bachelor's and Master's degrees from Alfred University in 1946. He was awarded a National Science Foundation Scholarship for graduate school in 1955-56. Prior to his retirement in 1980, Mr. Teeter was a faculty member in the Mathematics Department, at Ilion High School. He was active as a student council adviser and was chairman of the mathematics department for many years.

Mr. William 'Bill' Teeter Math Teacher

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, one son and daughter-in-law, Timothy and Deborah Teeter of Ilion, one daughter and son-in-law, Anne and James Beehner of East Syracuse, four grandchildren, and many friends and relatives in Florida and New York. Funeral arrangements were held in Florida, on Friday, December 11, 1998, followed by cremation. Memorial contributions in Mr. Teeter's name may be made to the American Heart Association or Ilion Central School Foundation. (December 15, 1998)

Mr. Constantine 'Gus' Panarites Superintendent Athletic Director and History Teacher

Mr. Constantine 'Gus' Panarites IHS 1938, Faculty, Superintendent and Benefactor, passed away, at home, Monday, December 7, 1998, after a brief illness. Mr. Panarites was a lifelong Ilion resident. He was born April 5, 1919. He graduated with the IHS Class of 1938. He received his Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree and Certificate of Advanced Study from Syracuse University. During WW II, he served his country as a Marine.

'Gus' grew up in his family's restaurant, the "Ilion Candy Kitchen", later known as the "J. Panarites Restaurant". He began his career in 1944, when then-Superintendent Earl P. Watkins asked him to serve as athletic director at Ilion High School. Mr. Panarites resigned, after a year as athletic director, to manage his family's business, the J. Panarites Restaurant on Otsego Street, Ilion. While running the restaurant, he earned his Master's degree in business education from Syracuse University. In 1959, he rejoined the Ilion High School Faculty, teaching History. He ended his career with his appointment to the post of Superintendent of the Ilion Central School District, in 1975. As school superintendent, Mr. Panarites led the district through construction of the Remington School and the subsequent elementary school consolidation. He retired in 1978. Gus was an avid fan of Ilion Central School and Syracuse University sports and scholastic programs. He was a a director on the The Central Valley Central School District/Ilion School Foundation Board. A scholarship fund was established by Gus and his sister Mary, at the Ilion High School, and is awarded annually in their parents' name. Those wishing to contribute to the "James C. and Helen Panarites Family Memorial Scholarship Fund" may do so, c/o Ilion Central High School, Weber Avenue, Ilion NY 13357. He leaves two daughters and one son, Dr. Helen Panarites of Atlanta, GA, Febronia and her husband, Steven Murphy, of Whitesboro, and James C. and wife, Tammy Panarites, of Ilion. He also leaves the mother of his three children, Dorothy Annes Panarites, of Syracuse, his three sisters and two brothers-in-law, three grandchildren, several nieces and nephews; and many close and dear friends. Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 10 at the Applegate & Day Funeral Home and at 10:30 at St. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, East Herkimer. (December 8, 1998)

Mr. Samuel Bottini, 83, passed away on December 2, 1998, at Faxton Hospital. Mr. Bottini owned and operated Bottini's Barber Shop with his son, Sam Bottini, Jr.. He is survived by his wife, Angeline, two sons and daughters-in-law, two daughters and sons-in-law, 11 grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Although he was not a graduate of Ilion High School, many Ilion alumni were 'Sam' Bottini's patrons and friends. Many will sadly feel the loss of his presence in Bottini's Barber shop. Funeral arrangements were by V.J. Iocovozzi Funeral Home. (December 5, 1998)

Mr. Bernard 'Bud' Losier IHS 1941, 75, passed away on December 2, 1998, at home. He was born in Ilion, the so of the late Omer and Loretta Morris Losier. He was a graduate of Ilion High School Class of 1941 and served during WWII with the U.S. Army. Bernard married the former Eileen Lynch and they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 1997. Mr. Losier was employed as a payroll leader with Remington Arms, Ilion for 39 years, retiring in 1980. He was a member of the Church of the Annunciation, Ilion and the Remington Arms 25 year Club. He is survived by his wife Eileen, three daughters and two sons-in-law, two sons and daughters-in-law, 13 grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral arrangements were by Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home. Friends are asked to consider memorials to Herkimer County Hospice, Public Health Nursing Service or Sister Mary Jo's Faith Formation. (December 5, 1998)

Sad news from Ann Alvis Shibut, email ashibut@richmond.edu. (July 16, 1998)

David L. Loftis IHS 1945, 69, passed away Thursday, June 25, 1998 at St. Luke's Memorial Hospital. Mr. Loftis graduated from Ilion High School in 1945 and attended RIT. He was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, serving in the U.S. Air Force from 1949-1969. At one time, Mr. Loftis was employed by Remington Arms Co., Ilion and IBM in Fishkill. Mr. Davis was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth Daley, who died February 28, 1988. He is survived by his sister, Noreen Brown, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements were by the Applegate & Day Funeral Home. (July 19, 1998)

Allen Starring IHS 1970, 46, former Ilion Village Administrator, passed away Saturday, April 4, 1998 at Buffalo General Hospital. Allen had been transported by the Ilion Fire Department and the Adirondack Air Rescue agency, helicopter rescue squad, to Buffalo General Hospital for a double-lung transplant on Tuesday, February 3, 1997. Allen received the lung transplant due to pulmonary fibrosis and Nocarida disease. Allen resided in Ilion and graduated with the IHS Class of 1970. Funeral arrangements were by the Applegate & Day Funeral Home. (April 12, 1998)

Muriel C. Schwartz Deller IHS Class of 1926, 89, passed away March 4, 1998 in St. Luke's Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Deller graduated with the IHS Class of 1926. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Evening Star Valley Chapter #82 for 48 years. Funeral arrangements were through Iocovozzi Funeral Home, Frankfort. Contributions in Muriel's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society. (March 18, 1998)

Jason W. Everson IHS 1992, 24, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, February 8, 1998, as a result of a motor vehicle accident. Jason was a 1992 graduate of Ilion High School and was employed at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center. He is survived by his mother, Karen Everson of Ilion, his father, Stanley Everson of Mohawk, his sister Wendy, his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Estella Steacy of Rome and many other close relatives. Funeral arrangements were through the Graves-Applegate & Day Funeral Home, Mohawk/Ilion. (February 9, 1998)

Julia Carpenter Davis IHS 1934, 82, of Nashua, NH, passed away Thursday, February 5, 1998, in New Hampshire. Julia was a 1934 graduate of Ilion High School. Upon hergraduation, Julia was employed by Dr. H. Russell and held various positions at the Remington Arms and Remington Rand companies. On June 24, 1939, she married Frederick T. Davis, at the Church of the Annunciation in Ilion. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs.Davis relocated from Ilion and moved to Nashua, NH in 1992. Donations may be made in Julia's memory to the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. (February 9, 1998)

Mrs. Annette M. Rota Gadziala IHS '65, 50, passed away Friday, February 6, 1998, after a long and courageous three year battle with cancer. Annette was a 1965 graduate of Ilion High School and graduated from SUNY Farmingdale with a degree as a dental hygienest. She married Rudy Gadziala, on October 17, 1970. Mrs. Gadziala was employed by Century 21 Real Estate for 15 years. She is survived by her husband, a son Rudy, a daughter Michele, her parents, John and Jenny Rota of Ilion, a sister, Jennifer Rota of Ilion, her in-laws Jane and Rudy Gadziala and many other close relatives. Friends are asked to consider memorials to Herkimer County Hospice or the Make A Wish Foundation. Funeral arrangements were through the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, Ilion. (February 8, 1998)

Mrs. Rachael Helen Conover Remis ISH 1930, 85, passed away Saturday, January 24, 1998, in The Masonic Home, Utica. Mrs. Remis was a 1930 graduate of Ilion High School and was employed as a bookkeeper with John A.Remis Plumbing & Heating. She married John A. Remis, on April 18, 1931; he passed away in 1986. Mrs. Remis is survived by four sons and three daughters-in-law. She was a grandmother to 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Friends are asked to consider memorials to the Ilion K of C Benevolent Fund. Funeral arrangements were through the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, Ilion. (January 28, 1998)

Gary R. Bedworth HS '58, age 58, of Utica, passed away Sunday, January 4, 1998. Gary was born June 1, 1939 and was the son of Raymond and Virginia Spedding Bedworth. After graduating from Ilion High School, he served with the U. S. Navy during the Vietnam war. He was employed as a tool, dye and model maker with Remington Arms and retired in 1993. He is survived by his parents of Ilion, a sister and brother-in-law, Gail and John Miller of Ilion, several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements were by the Whiter Hendrix Funeral Home. (January 7, 1998)

Mr. Grant (Skip) Smalldone IHS '64, age 53, passed away in his home, Monday, January 5, 1998. Skip is survived by his wife, Emily, who he married on June 30, 1973. He is also survived by his three sons and two daughters, his father, his brother, Robert and a granddaughter. Skip was employed as a corrections officer stationed at the Midstate Correctional Facility. He was president of AFSCME Council 82 local 2169, and Executive V.P. of Council 8h2. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 8, 1998, at the Ilion United Methodist Church. Corrections officers from around the state are expected at his funeral. Funeral arrangements were are by the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, Ilion. Friends are asked to consider memorials to the Prospect Volunteer Ambulence. (January 6, 1998)

Gerald John "Jerry" Reape IHS 1957, age 57, a retired University of Idaho professor, died of a heart attack Thursday, November 27, 1997. After graduating from Ilion High School in 1957, Jerry attended Syracuse University. He later began a career in the U.S. Navy and retired as a lieutenant commander in 1981. He earned a degree in Architecture and Electrical Engineering from the University of Idaho. Jerry leaves behind his wife, Harriet Nortman Reape of Troy, Idaho. He is survived by two sons, James of Turlock, CA and Gerald of Boise, Idaho, a daughter, Lodi Price of Moscow, Idaho, a sister, Betty Manore of Goleta, CA, and a brother, Bernard Reape of Newport, NY.(December 31, 1997)

Mrs. Mary Morris Ilion Faculty, 76, a retired Ilion teacher was tragically killed in an automobile accident, in Canaan, 20 miles southeast of Albany, on October 14, 1997. Thomas Morris, her husband, an attorney was injured in the accident. Mr. Morris was admitted to Albany Medical Center where he was listed in fair condition. The car's driver, Mr. John Gilmartin, 71, (Mary's brother) was also injured and was a patient in a Pittsfield, MA. hospital. Mr. Gerald Gilmartin, 69, (Mary's brother) and his wife, Helen, 62, of Bernville, PA. were also killed in the accident. Village residents and alumni are greatly shocked and saddened by her death. Mrs. Morris, a graduate of Ilion High School, was an elementary teacher in the Clinton School District from 1941 to 1945. She began her career with the Ilion district, in September 1945, as a third-grade teacher. She later taught at Barringer Road Elementary School. We extend our deepest sympathy to her family and friends. Our prayers are with them, as well. Mrs. Mary Morris will be greatly missed by many. (October 16, 1997)

Miss Grace Jenny Bouten, Class of 1971, died after a long illness, at the home of her brother, September 30, 1997. Gracie was a friendly girl and always said 'hi' to everyone. She will be missed by those that knew and loved her. Our sympathy goes out to her family and friends. (October 17, 1997)

Jennifer Lynn Johnson IHS 1997, 18, of Ilion, passed away Tuesday, November 4, 1997, in Buffalo, as a result of injuries from an auto accident this Fall. Jennifer was born September 26, 1979, in Ilion, the daughter of Gene and Betty Fletcher Johnson. After her graduation from Ilion High School, in June of 1997, Jennifer attended Herkimer County Community College. Deepest sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Jennifer. Friends are requested to consider memorials to the American Lung Association.

Mr. Paul David Anderson IHS 1978, passed away, November 10, 1997, in Atlanta, Georgia. Paul is survived by his parents, Dennis and Nancy Orgen Anderson, of Ilion, and a brother Daniel Anderson who lives in Lynchburg, West Virginia. A memorial service for Paul was held on Saturday, December 27, 1997, at 4:00 p.m., at the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, Ilion. The family received friends from 3:00 to 4:00 on Saturday, at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Aid Atlanta, Inc. 1438 West Peachtree St. NW, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30309-2955. (December 28, 1997)

IHS 1946 Charles Lang

Golf Committee Chairman, Thomas Dorr, Robert Turley '67, and Nick Pannes report... "On behalf of the family of the late Charles J. Lang, and the Ilion School District, we thank everyone who made the Charles J. Lang Memorial Golf Tournament a success. A total of $1,100 was raised for the Lang Memorial Scholarship Fund at Ilion High School.

Randy Steele....

If you would like to make a contribution, in memory of a deceased alumnus, please consider The Central Valley Central School District/Ilion School Foundation.