Obituaries (December 15)

Seymour Sprague - 1936

Seymour Sprague, 70 years of age, was found burned to death in his home in Afton [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 8.  The body was found on the floor of his bedroom after firemen had extinguished a fire which had apparently started from a defective chimney.  Firemen were unable to reach Mr. Sprague's quarters with ladders because of the icy condition of the lawn and roof.  It was not until the fire, which started about 8 o'clock in the morning was under control an hour later, that the body was found.  It was lying near a door leading from his second-floor bedroom into the hall, and it is believed that the fire was started in his room.  Mr. Sprague, who was deaf, did odd jobs around the village until recent years.  He never married and is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Wheeler Hunt of Schenectady, Mrs. Ethel Myer of Binghamton, and a sister in New York and a brother in Shavertown.  [1936]

 

William Phelps - 1936

 

William Phelps died Saturday morning in his home in Afton [Chenango Co., NY] on his 79th birthday.  He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Mary Haynes, four nephews, Frank W. and Harry P. Haynes of Susquehanna, Pa., Rev. O. Phelps of Syracuse and H. Frank Phelps of Albany.  He was the son of the late Myron Phelps and Emily Webster Phelps.  He was a member of Afton Lodge F.&A.M. 360, Royal Arch Chapter, O.E.S., was president of the Afton Fair Association and past director of the First National Bank of Afton.  The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at his home in Afton.  The Rev. Clifford E. Webb will officiate.  Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Windsor [Broome Co., NY], Afton Lodge 360 F.&A.M. will have charge of the service at the grave,.  Arrangements by Tabor Funeral Home, Afton.  [Dec. 26, 1936]

 

Arvine D. Loomis - 1936

 

Arvine D. Loomis passed away on December 22nd, at the Odd Fellows' Home, Ithaca, where he had been staying since May, 1934.  He had been in poor health for some time.  Mr. Loomis was born in the town of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], May 22, 1862, the son of Aaron and Mary J. Loomis.  Practically his entire life had been spent in this vicinity where he had followed the occupation of a farmer and also was employed at local factories.  He was a member and past noble grand of Bainbridge Lodge, no. 920, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in former years had been very active in lodge affairs.  Surviving is his wife to whom he was united in marriage in December, 1893.  Other survivors include several nephews and nieces.  The funeral was held Sunday, December 27th, at the chapel of Colwell Brothers' West Main street, with the Rev. M. DeForest Lowen, pastor of the Baptist Church, officiating.  Interment was made in Greenlawn Cemetery [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], where officers and members of Bainbridge Lodge of Odd Fellows conducted the committal ceremonies.  [1936]

 

Sarah A. Shapley - 1936

 

Mrs. Sarah A. Shapley passed away Friday, Dec. 18 [1936], at the home of her son, Ross Shapley, Union Valley [Chenango Co., NY], death resulting from a heart attack following an illness of several weeks, which had confined her to the bed.  Mrs. Shapley was born in the town of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY] on Dec. 28, 1860, the daughter of Charles and Elvira Landers Lyon.  At the age of sixteen she was united in marriage with Keeler Edward Shapley, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], and moved there, where  she resided until three years ago when she moved to Union Valley with her son, Ross.  Surviving is a daughter, Mrs. May Hinman, and two sons, Ross and Ernest Shapley; also a sister, Mrs. Carrie Parker, of this village.  The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at Colwell Brothers' funeral chapel, West Main street, with the Rev. Bump, of Guilford Center, officiating, followed by interment at West Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].

 

Minnie (Petley) Bliss - 1936

 

Mrs. Minnie Bliss, 67 years of age, and a life-long resident of this village, passed away at her home in Bixby street [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], Friday, December 18th [1936], after being ill for about seven days.  The cause of death was pneumonia.  The funeral was held Monday afternoon, December 21st, from the Colwell Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. George N. Underwood, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church of this village, officiating.  Interment was in Greenlawn Cemetery [Bainbridge, NY].  Mrs. Bliss was born Nov. 30, 1869, in this village, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Hamilton Petley.  She was united in marriage to George Bliss, who passed away about 20 years ago.  Surviving are:  two daughters, Miss Pearl Bliss and Mrs. Roland James; two sons, Howard Bliss and Bert Bliss; four sisters, Mrs. George Frank, of Yaleville, Mrs. Nancy Blincoe, of Guilford, Mrs. William Northrup and Mrs. Alfred Albrecht; and three brothers, Bert Petley, John Petley, of Rockdale, and Henry Petley.

 

Albert Hadsel Sheldon - 1936

 

Albert Hadsel Sheldon, 58 years of age, passed away at his home near North Afton [Chenango Co., NY] Sunday, November 29th [1936].  Mrs. Sheldon was awakened about 3 o'clock in the morning by his peculiar breathing.  She tried to rouse him, but failed. Dr. Danforth was summoned and later Coroner Meacham of Greene was notified.  He pronounced his death was due to a heart attack.  Mr. Sheldon was born June 20, 1878 in Rupert, Vt.  Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon had resided near North Afton since February, 1934, having moved there from the Eldred farm on the east side, where Mr. Sheldon had been employed for about 5 years.  The funeral was held in the Colwell chapel Dec. 1st with burial in the Afton Cemetery.  Rev. G.H. Orivs officiated.  Surviving besides his wife are three children, Marie, Loren and Albert.