Illion NY Sentinel 1917 - 1955

Illion NY Citizen years 1857 - 1919

Utica Daily Press years 1882 - 1987

Utica Daily Observer years 1848 - 1989

Herkimer NY Evening Telegram years 1945 - 1974

(**** note the misspelling of Ilion, with two L's instead of one L, because that is how the folders and files were named on fultonhistory.com)

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Ruth E. (Myers) Bouck IHS 1934, 98, formerly of 64 West Montgomery Street, Ilion, passed away on Friday December 19, 2014 at Mohawk Valley Health Care in Ilion. Ruth was born March 2, 1916 in Ilion the daughter of the late John and Mamie Hierholtzer Myers, and was a 1934 graduate of Ilion Schools. On November 20, 1937 Ruth was united in marriage with Glenn Bouck in Mohawk, NY, he passed away April 27, 1992. Ruth was employed as a clerk at Prine Cleaners in Ilion for several years and the Yarn Shoppe in Ilion and Herkimer where she taught knitting to adults and children. Knitting was Ruth's greatest pleasure, knitting several items for family and friends. Ruth was a member of the Morning Star Methodist Church in Ilion. She is survived by a daughter and son in law Suzanne and Michael "Mickey" Manore, of The Woodlands TX, her grandchildren John Allen of Middleville, Jim and Kim Allen of Mohawk, Michael and Dawn Manore of Montgomery TX, Michele R. Manore of The Woodlands TX, and SaraSue Manore of Montgomery TX, her great grandchildren Erika, Michael III, James, Justin Allen, Shelly Phillips and Timmy Allen, Amy Vogel and Greg Tom; great great grandsons Ryder Coreale and William Glenn Allen. Ruth was predeceased by a daughter Diane Allen who passed away November 17, 2004 and son in law William Allen who passed away April 26, 2006, two brothers Jack and Kenneth Myers, and a sister Helen White and her great­great grandson William Michael Allen. Friends are invited to attend funeral service for Ruth to be held on Wednesday December 31, 2014 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Robert Wollaber officiating. Calling hours will be from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at Whiter­Hendrix Funeral Home Inc. 100 Otsego Street, Ilion. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She had an amazing laugh and smile. Her spirit of love and giving will live on through those whose lives she touched. The family would like to thank Mohawk Valley Health care for their tender loving care. (Feburary 11, 2015)

Christopher Leo Lawless IHS 1934, age 89, of Trumbull, husband of the late Bessie (Eliopoulos) Lawless, died Friday, February 16, 2007 at Bridgeport Hospital after a brief illness. Mr. Lawless was born in Bridgeport. He lived most of his childhood in Ilion, N.Y. Soon after High School graduation, he returned to Bridgeport and began working for Murphy Ink. After Pearl Harbor, he joined the U.S. Army becoming a Sgt. in the 603 engineer camouflage battalion now known as the secret soldiers serving in Europe until the end of the war. In the early 1950's, he fulfilled his dream of studying art in Paris France. He spent his professional career as a commercial Artist owning his own business in Bridgeport until his retirement in 1981. He loved jazz music, golf, travel, and the beauty of nature, always taking the scenic route. He was a generous soul who accepted everyone and saw good in everything. Besides his wife, he is predeceased by a sister Mary Symons, three brothers Robert, Leonard and William Lawless and two nephews William and Daniel Symons. He is survived by seven nephews Michael Ellis of Bridgeport, Constantine Ellis of Milford, Peter Ellis of Stratford, James Ellis of San Diego and Jeffrey and James Williams of Maryland. Four Nieces Marcia Williams of Maryland, Karen Creedon of Georgia, Kathleen Pirion of OK, and Nancy Dobelstein of Maryland and several great nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society 372 Danbury Rd Wilton, CT 06897-2523 or to the Connecticut Audubon Society 1361 Main St. Glastonbury, CT 06033. Friends may call on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Cyril F. Mullins Trumbull Funeral Home, 399 White Plains Rd. Interment will be private. Published by Connecticut Post from Feb. 18 to Feb. 19, 2007. (modified April 27, 2022)

Margaret F. (Fay) Ainslie IHS 1934, age 89, of the Cedar Community in the town of West Bend, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2005 at the Cedar Lake Health Care Center. She was born on Sept. 9, 1916 in Dolgeville, N.Y., to the late H. Stuart and Ellen (nee Futherup) Fay. In 1934 she graduated from Ilion High School in Ilion, N.Y. One year later, in 1935 she graduated from the Utica School of Commerce. Margaret's ambition was to become a nurse, and in 1939 she graduated with an MS in nursing from the Presbyterian School of Nursing and began working at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, NY. She was united in marriage to Robert B. Ainslie, on Dec. 28, 1940, at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Ilion, N.Y. Together she and her husband lived in Syracuse for six months before moving to Cleveland, Ohio in 1941 where her husband completed a Fellowship in Surgery at Cleveland Clinic. In 1942 Margaret and Bob were appointed as missionaries to China; Bob left in March of 1943; however Margaret was unable to get passage because of the war and so she returned to Ilion. In 1947 Margaret followed Bob to West China, with their daughter Susan, where they lived until May 1949 when they had to leave due to Communist infiltration. From 1949 to 1952 Margaret set up home in the Philippines and taught student nurses at the American Baptist Hospital in Iloilo. She and her family returned to the United States in 1952 and moved to Cleveland, Ohio where they lived until 1954. The family then moved to Madison, Wis., where they remained until 1983. Margaret was not only a skilled nurse but also a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. She loved sewing, knitting, embroidering and gardening; she served many hours as a member of the Methodist Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary in Madison. Margaret was also an active member at Lake Edge United Church of Christ, Madison. When she and Bob moved to Penney Farms Retirement Community, in Florida in 1983, Margaret was again active in sewing and quilting activities. She also reestablished herself as a trumpet player, which she had played in high school. Margaret returned to Wisconsin with Bob in December of 2002 where they resided at Cedar Community in West Bend. Margaret is survived by her daughter, Susan (Roy) Sellars of Sheboygan; three sons, John (Christine) Ainslie of Sun Prairie, Fred (Christine) Ainslie of Ironwood, Mich. and William (Vicki) Ainslie of Atlanta, Ga.; a daughter-in-law, Terry Ainslie of Milwaukee; a sister, Dorothy (William) Slocum of Belleview, Fla.; and two brothers, Robert Fay of Carrabelle, Fla., and William Fay of Little River, S.C. She is further survived by 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert, a son, Tom, and her great-great-granddaughter, Breanna Maree Loomis. A memorial service for Margaret will be held on Saturday, December 3 at 11 a.m. at Lake Edge United Church of Christ, 4200 Buckeye Rd., Madison. The Rev. David Michael will officiate the service. Visitation will be at the church beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either the Alzheimer's Association (6130 W. National Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53214) or to Cedar Community (5595 Cty. Rd. Z, West Bend, WI 53095). Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service (1315 W. Washington St., West Bend, WI 53095) is assisting the family. Online guest book and condolences may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com. (Jan 7, 2006)

Charles E. Sullivan IHS 1934, age 87, Ilion, passed away Monday, Jan. 12, 2004, at the Mohawk Valley Nursing Home. He was born March 6, 1916, in Ilion, the son of the late Ross and Edith Catmull Sullivan. He was a 1934 graduate of Ilion High School. On Dec. 23, 1934, he married the former Florence Manwarren in Fulton. Mr. Sullivan drove truck for most of his life with Swatling-Peattie Oil Co., Herkimer County, and retired as a heavy equipment operator with the village of Ilion in 1980. Mr. Sullivan was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Ilion, a 50-year member of the Mohawk Valley Umpires Association, secretary and treasurer of the Valley Town Bowling Association for 18 years. He was also a fast pitch softball manager for 15 years and an umpire for 25 years with several softball leagues in the valley. He was also an avid bowler for over 50 years and served as secretary of the Mohawk Valley Business Men's Bowling League from 1946 to 1992. He was recognized on numerous occasions for his innovative secretarial ideas by the American Bowling Congress. He was a former member of the Ilion Nohomis Tribe, the Ilion Winter Club, the Ilion Moose Club, the Ilion Fish and Game Club and the AARP. He is survived by his beloved wife, Florence; a son and daughter-in-law, Charles W. and Patricia Sullivan of Ilion; two grandchildren, Kevin Sullivan of Ilion and Robin DiBetro of Richfield Springs; and three great-grandchildren, Anthony, Alex and Nichole. He was predeceased by two brothers, Ralph and Albert. Funeral services for Mr. Sullivan will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 3 p.m. from the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, 100 Otsego St., Ilion, with the Rev. Robert Wollaber officiating. Interment will be in the Oak View Cemetery in the spring.Friends may call Wednesday from 2 p.m. until the time of the service. The family would like to thank the staff on the second floor of the Mohawk Valley Nursing Home, all shifts, and the OT and PT units for the care and compassion shown to Charley during his stay. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to consider memorials to the American Diabetes Association or the Mohawk Valley Nursing Home in Mr. Sullivan's memory. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. (January 23, 2004)

G. Louise Plunkett Safford IHS 1934, of Armory St., Ilion, passed away Thursday, Aug. 15, 2002, at Folts Homes, Herkimer. She was born Nov. 7, 1916, in Ilion, the daughter of the late William and Anna Wilson Plunkett. Mrs. Safford was a 1934 graduate of Ilion High School, and on Jan. 31, 1934, she married Randall H. Safford in Ilion. He passed away July 22, 1988. Mrs. Safford was employed as an accountant with Duofold in Mohawk, retiring in 1974. Mrs. Safford was a member of the Oak Ridge Free Methodist Church in Herkimer and the Violet Rebekah Lodge in Ilion. She is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Barbara McGraw of Mohawk and Phyllis and Donald Brien of Ilion; a sister, Lillian Anderson of Flint, Mich.; 10 grandchildren and their spouses, Richard and Leslie McGraw of Schuyler, Mark and Renee McGraw of Florida, Scott and Dawn McGraw of Ilion, Lou Ann and Kurt Garrison of Palatine Bridge, Barbara and Chris Seeger of Virginia, Randall Brien of Florida, Major Donald and Karla Brien of Japan, Jodi and David Dunckel of California, Michael and Erin Brien of Albany and Patrick Brien of Ilion; also 23 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a brother, Charles Plunkett and a sister, Elizabeth Williams. Funeral services for Mrs. Safford will be held Monday, Aug. 19, at 11 a.m. from the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, 100 Otsego St., Ilion, with the Rev. G. Robert Wells officiating. Interment will be in Mountain View Memorial Gardens, town of Little Falls. Friends may call Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials in Mrs. Safford's memory may be made to Hospice Inc. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. (August 17, 2002)

Arthur E. Barnum IHS 1934, age 84, of Brewster, MA, died January 13, 2002 at his home. He was the husband of Jane (Fitzgibbons) Barnum. Mr. Barnum was born in Ilion, N.Y., and lived there for 39 years, where he had a great love of the Adirondack Mountains. He graduated from Ilion High School in 1934 and was a member of the state champion football team, receiving a football scholarship to St. Bonaventure University. Over the years, Mr. Barnum lived in Newington, Conn., Whitesboro, N.Y., and Westfield. He loved the Cape and was a resident of Brewster for the past 24 years. Mr. Barnum worked for Sperry Rand for five years before joining Univac, where he worked for 40 years, retiring in 1989. He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Cape Church, where he ushered and worked at bingo games for 23 years and was a member of Our Lady of the Cape Men's Club.He was also a member of the Brewster Men's Club, Brewster Historical Society and Friends of Brewster Elders, where he drove for Meals on Wheels. Mr. Barnum was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Bishop Feehan General Assembly Provincetown Council, past grand knight of the 3rd Degree Pope Paul VI Council in Chatham, past faithful navigator of Bishop Feehan 4th Degree General Assembly and past member of the Honor Guards. Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Peter K. Barnum of Tempe, Ariz.; two daughters, Penny B. O'Malley of Agoura Hills, Calif., and Susan B. Egan of Eaton, N.H.; a brother, Herbert Barnum of Rome, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of the Cape Church, Stoney Brook Road, Brewster. Funeral arrangements were through Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 729 Route 134, South Dennis. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Disease Association, 3055 Main St., P.O. Box 953, Barnstable, MA 02630. (March 28, 2002)

Maurice U. Goldin IHS 1934, age 88, of South Third Ave., Ilion, passed away Friday, March 8, 2002, at home. He was born Feb. 4, 1914, in Ilion, the son of the late Harold and Mabel Fitch Goldin. He was educated in the Ilion school system and on Aug. 3, 1940, he married the former Martina Warner in Ilion. Mr. Goldin was a World War II Army veteran, serving in the European Theater with the rank of sergeant. He was in the Battle of the Bulge where he received the Bronze Star. Mr. Goldin was a retired chief of police with the village of Ilion, starting as a patrolman in 1947, and served as chief of police from Oct. 1, 1952, until his retirement Jan. 18, 1976. He was then employed as chief of security at the Mohawk Valley Nursing Home, Ilion, from 1976 until 1997. He then joined the staff at the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, Ilion, where he was employed until he retired in 2000. Mr. Goldin was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Ilion, a 66-year member of Ilion Olive Branch 0040 F&AM, a 57-year member of the Ilion Post 520 American Legion, a life member of the N.Y.S. Association of Chiefs of Police, a member of the Ilion Cemetery Board and a member of the Ilion Fish and Game Club. Mr. Goldin is survived by his wife, Martina; two sons and daughters-in-law, Maurice and Leveta Goldin of Shell Knob, Mo. and Thomas and Diane Goldin of Ilion; two daughters and a son-in-law, Janet and John Palmer of New Hartford and Jean George of Ilion; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Mr. Goldin will be held Monday, March 11, 2002, at 11 a.m. from the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, 100 Otsego St., Ilion, with the Rev. Robert Wollaber, officiating. Interment will be in the Armory Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Friends are asked to consider memorials to the Ilion Ambulance Fund, the First United Methodist Church or the Ilion Central School Foundation. (March 9, 2002)

Harold E. Whittemore IHS 1934, age 85, formerly of Armory St., Ilion, and most recently of Folts Homes, Herkimer, died Friday, Jan. 26, 2001 at the Folts Homes. He was born July 29, 1915 in Utica, the son of the late Ernest M. and Minnie Monroe Whittemore. He attended Ilion schools, graduating from Ilion High School in 1934. Mr. Whittemore joined the news staff of the Utica Daily Press in 1935, covering Ilion, Frankfort and Mohawk. He volunteered for army service in May 1941, and served until May 1946, attaining the rank of first lieutenant after attending Officers Candidate School. Mr. Whittemore rejoined the Utica Press after the war and worked as a reporter, photographer, assistant Sunday Observer-Dispatch editor and family living editor until his retirement in 1980, except for seven years when he owned and published the Ilion Sentinel, a weekly newspaper. (Note - An original newspaper article by Harold Whittemore, also appearing on this web site, is about the 1963 high school fire... "There Was No Laughter As Flames Gutted School")
He also wrote a weekly column, "It's the Little Things" for the Observer-Dispatch from 1967 until his retirement. The column continued for several years after that in the weekly Valley Home News. He later worked at Faxton Children's Hospital as public relations director for thirteen years. Mr. Whittemore and Edna Friis were married July 13, 1942 in Ilion. Mrs. Whittemore died Oct. 1, 1987. Mr. Whittemore was a member of the Ilion Volunteer Fire Department Co. 1 for many years and also served as secretary of the Herkimer County Volunteer Firefighters Association. He was chairman and a member of the Ilion Park Commission for several years and also served as Herkimer County Chairman of the March of Dimes during the polio epidemic years. He was a member of the Ilion Kiwanis Club and the Ilion Masonic Lodge, and a deacon and chairman of trustees of the Ilion Baptist Church. He served as treasurer of the Mohawk Valley Healthcare Foundation for several years. He was also a founding member of the Herkimer County Community College Board of Trustees. Mr. Whittemore is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Jeffery and Phyllis Whittemore of Dolgeville; a brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Betty Lou Whittemore of Oswego; several nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Funeral services for Mr. Whittemore will be held Monday, Jan. 29, at 4 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Ilion. Interment will be in the Armory Hill Cemetery in the spring. In keeping with Mr. Whittemore's wishes, there are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to send remembrances to the Herkimer County Community College Foundation, Reservoir Road, Herkimer, or the First Baptist Church, Ilion. Arrangements are with the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, Ilion. (Jan 27, 2001)

John Seaton McGrath IHS 1934, age 85, of East Lake Road, died Tuesday, Nov. 30, 1999, in Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown. He was born July 14, 1914, in Richfield Springs, son of the late John Henry and Madeline Seaton McGrath. He graduated from Ilion High School in 1934. He graduated in 1935 from the American Academy of Embalming and Mortuary Research. On May 21, 1940, he married Elizabeth Joslyn in St. Joseph's Church, Richfield Springs. In 1940 he moved to Richfield Springs where he managed the Richfield Springs Golf Course. During World War II, he served with the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1944. In 1950, he became affiliated with his father in the family funeral business. He retired in 1980. He also owned and operated the Otsego Memorial Company on Lake Street, was a sales representative for Cherry Valley Memorials and operated the local ambulance service. He was, at one time, in charge of both the Lakeview Cemetery and the Crane Memorial Cemeteries. He was an Exempt Richfield Springs volunteer firefighter and a commissioner of the town of Exeter Volunteer Fire Department. Besides his wife of 59 years, Elizabeth "Lib" McGrath, he leaves several nieces, nephews, cousins, two grandnieces and one grandnephew. He was preceded in death by his sister Madeline Quaif. A graveside funeral service is being planned for next spring in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Schuyler Lake First Responders, Richfield Springs Volunteer Fire Department or the Richfield Springs Public Library. All funeral arrangements are with J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, Richfield Springs. (December 1, 1999)

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 her graduation, 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)

John Koetteritz, retired (formerly Combustion Engineer), from Tannersville, PA, registered. (July 7, 1999)