Category Archives: Obituaries

QUEENSBURY – Kenneth Thomas Elms, Sr., 70, passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2019, at the Glens Falls Hospital.

Born on January 18, 1949 in Glens Falls, he was the son of the late Thomas E. and Blanche (LaGaurdy) Elms. At one time, Ken was married to Ethel Blackmer and Ann Williams.  In his youth he was employed as Sub-Assembly Worker at Troy-Bilt.

He was a member of the Glens Falls Association for the Blind and lived his life with a determination to stay busy and keep moving forward.  Tom was very talented man, and once constructed a model of the Twin Towers, including the doors and windows out of Legos.   He was a craftsman, building multitudes of spice racks, then gifting them to his friends.

Survivors include his two children, Kenneth T. Elms, Jr. and Melinda Sue Elms; his twin sister, Kathleen Elms of Fort Edward; his half-brother and half-sister, Darlene (Elm) Lockrow.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.

FORT EDWARD – On Monday, May 27, 2019, Lois Elaine (White) Belden, longtime resident of Fort Edward, passed peacefully at The Pines at Glens Falls at age 82 after a prolonged illness.

Lois was born on April 24, 1937 in a 27 room farmhouse in Argyle, NY to Jasper and Harriet (Knowlton) White. Shortly after her graduation from Argyle High School, she started her family as proud and devoted mother to her five children whom she always referred to as her jewels: Rick, Chris, Brian, Aimee, and Andrew. Her working life included many years in sales and customer service, which she found deeply satisfying thanks to her natural enjoyment of and affinity for people as well as her innate drive to help others. In this, as in all areas of her life, she made a memorable impression on everyone she encountered with her friendly approach, ready humor, and commitment to treating everyone fairly, with integrity and respect.

Lois had a sharp, curious mind and was an avid reader, a lifelong learner, and a published poet. She valued education and emphasized its importance to her children. She had a lifelong love of music, which she also imparted to her children. She always described herself as a country girl and often told stories about growing up on a farm, speaking fondly of working all day in the fields as a girl with her father.

Tenacious and fiercely self-reliant, Lois began earning her own money at age 13 and continued to live independently in her own home until shortly before her 82^nd birthday. She was unusually perceptive, quick witted with a keen sense of humor, and uniformly well remembered by her children’s friends as always warm and welcoming whenever they visited her home during their school years.

In her retirement, Lois enjoyed being a loving grandmother to her nine grandchildren and spending time with family, friends, and neighbors. Her home life included completing jigsaw puzzles and word searches, taking walks by the Feeder Canal, enjoying time with her beloved dogs and observing the ongoing variety of wildlife (such as birds, deer, and turkeys) that visited her yard. Lois also spent many summers as a volunteer with the children’s reading program at the Hudson Falls Library.

Lois was preceded in death by her father, Jasper, and her mother, Harriet.

Survivors include her five children, Rick Belden of Austin, TX, Christopher Belden and wife, Susan, of Austin, TX, Brian Belden and wife, Danielle, of Manchaca, TX, Aimee Belden of Buda, TX, and Andrew Belden of Malta; grandchildren Conner Belden, Ted Belden, Courtney Hohnecker, Kenneth Belden, Natalie Belden, Griffin Perry, Haley Belden, Peyton Perry, and Hannah Belden; siblings Mildred Plude of Hudson Falls, Elsie McMurry of Argyle, , Shirley Washburn and husband, George, of Berne, Wayne White and wife, Lynn, of Fort Edward, and Bruce White and wife, Zoe, of Argyle, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins who loved her dearly.

At Lois’ request, there are no calling hours scheduled.

A Memorial Service will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at the First Presbyterian Church of Hudson Falls, on the park in Hudson Falls with the Lee Pallman, Pastor, officiating.

Lois’ family would like to thank Dr. Coombes, Dr. Taylor and the staff at C.R. Wood Cancer Center in Glens Falls for the time, care, and compassion shown to Lois throughout her illness.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Lois’ name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.

GLENS FALLS, MECHANICVILLE & GAINESBORO, TN – Sylvia (DeCrescente) Parker, 72, went into the arms of the Lord on Sunday, May 12, 2019 at her home, with her loved ones.

As per Sylvia’s request, no services are planned.

Donations in Sylvia’s memory may be made to the C.R. Wood Cancer Center, 102 Park Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801 or simply go out and buy a kid an ice cream.

HUDSON FALLS – Andrew “Andy” J. Willig, 52, of Morgan Drive, passed away suddenly, on Monday, May 6, 2019.

Born on April 28, 1967 in Glens Falls, he was the son of Shirley (Smith) Willig and James R. Willig, Jr.

Andy was a graduate of the class of 1985 at Hudson Falls High School.

He was the proud owner of Sprague’s Mermaid Pools in Fort Edward. His life passion was providing others the enjoyment of owning their own swimming pool. Prior to owning his own business, Andy drove Washington County Head Start bus #45. The children who rode on his bus, touched his life and brought him great joy.

Andy enjoyed watching the New York Football Giants with his family and friends.  He was not only a great son, brother and uncle, Andy was an outstanding friend and supporter of his community, who will be greatly missed by all those who knew him. He loved to tell great stories, had a quick wit and loved to laugh.

As a boy, Andy was a member of the Catherine Street Gang and was a Derby Park legend. He always wanted to play ball with the older kids and Coach Luciano sent him to “Tidewater” more times than he could count.

He loved riding in his antique Hacker Craft “Liebchen” at the family camp on Lake George in Bolton Landing.

Andy is predeceased by his uncles, Dick Smith and Bill Willig, his aunt, Ann Pociluk and his cousin, Kathy Pociluk.

Survivors include his mother, Shirley Willig of Hudson Falls; his father, James R. Willig, Jr. of Arizona; his siblings, Debra Asplund and her husband, Brad of Knoxville, TN, James R, Willig, III of Hudson Falls, Michael J. Willig and his wife, Tianna of Hudson Falls and Anne-Marie Brancati and her husband, Tony of Hudson Falls; his aunt, Nadine Smith; his nieces and nephews, Alexandra (Lucas) Allamon, Michael (Shaylyn) Brancati, Mark Ostrowski, Geno (Abby Wendell) Brancati and Anneliese Willig; his cousins, Marianne Smith, Brenda LaMere, Cindy Lammon; and several wonderful friends, that Andy cherished like family.

Friends may call on Friday evening, May 10th from 6 to 9 p.m. at McManus Hall, next to St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s on the park in Hudson Falls.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 11th at St. Mary’s/ St. Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls.

The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward.

Following the cemetery service, everyone is welcome to the Kingsbury Fire House on Burgoyne Avenue for a celebration of Andy’s life. For those that would like to bring a dish to pass, it would be greatly appreciated by his family. Anyone wishing to contribute to the celebration, please contact Mary Beth (Yole) McCullen at 518 796-8683 or Susan Kearns at 518 796-6878.

Memorial donations in Andy’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

HUDSON FALLS – George E. VanAernem, 74, was reunited with the love of his life, his wife, Carol on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

Born on August 5, 1944 in Glens Falls, he was the son of the late R. Gorman and Edna VanAernem.

George was a 1962 graduate of Hudson falls high School, where he excelled in sports.  He was the ultimate “supervisor” of every event he was involved in.. His life centered around his children and grandchildren.

George loved his kids and became a father figure to so many of his children’s friends.  He opened his arms to everyone and everyone was safe within those arms.

George always had a laugh and a story to tell.  He was loved by all that knew him and will be greatly missed.

Besides his parents and wife, Carol, he was predeceased by his brothers, Dick and Robert VanAernem, his brother in law, Harry Hafner and his sister in law, Colette Smith.

Survivors include his three children, Kathleen Abare and her fiancé, Scott Moulthrop of Hudson Falls, Kimberly Grover and her husband, Michael of Fort Edward and Timothy VanAernem and his companion, Monica Puryear of South Boston, VA; four grandchildren, Ryan Carpenter of Fort Edward, Tyler Carpenter and his fiancee, Tyler Monroe of South Glens Falls, Nicholas Abare of Hudson Falls and Landon VanAernem of South Boston, VA; one great grandson, Layne Francis Carpenter; his siblings, Mary Ellen Hafner of Hartford and Thomas VanAernem and his wife, Renee of Hudson Falls; sister in law, Barbara VanAernem of Conway, SC; numerous nieces and nephews; and too many friends to count.

Per George’s request, there will be no public calling hours.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 A.M. on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Catholic Church, on the park in Hudson Falls.

The Rite of Committal will be at a later date at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Fort Edward.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude place, Memphis, TN  38105.