Christian, David Paul 1941-2004 South New Berlin NY Obituary

David P. Christian
SOUTH NEW BERLIN — David Paul Christian, 62, lifelong resident of South New Berlin, passed away Wednesday evening, Dec. 31, 2003, at his home.
Dave was born May 14, 1941, in Norwich, the son of Donald and Ellamae (Palmer) Christian.
Following his education in the South New Berlin schools, he began work as a machine operator for the Norwich Shoe Co. In 1991, he gained employment with Mead Westvaco in Sidney as a general production labor assistant, and was still working for the company at the time of his death.
Very active and dedicated to the South New Berlin Fire Department, of which he was a member for over 40 years, Dave had held several offices within the department and had held the office of fire chief on two separate occasions — from 1984-1987 and again from 1990 through the end of 1991.
He was an avid bowler who had bowled for many years in the Town and Country League as well as in several other leagues.
On April 11, 1964, in South New Berlin, Dave married Anna Mae Burk.
Above all else, he will be remembered as a true family man who especially enjoyed his grandkids.
Dave is survived by his wife, Ann of South New Berlin; his father, Donald Christian of South New Berlin; his children, Teresa Pope and her husband, Jeffery, of Mount Upton, Troy Christian and his wife, Kelly, of South New Berlin, and Kevin Christian and his wife, Robin, also of South New Berlin; his grandchildren, Tyler and Kelsey Pope, and Harlie Anne, Hunter, Breanna and Kayla Christian; his sisters, Mary Lee Meyers and her husband, Kenneth, of South New Berlin, and Cynthia Ann Christian of Vienna, Va. Dave is also survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Carl and Kathy Burk of New Berlin; as well as aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; and a host of good friends.
Dave was predeceased by his mother, Ellamae Christian; his brother and sister-in-law, Donald W. and Mary Lou Christian; and his grandchildren, Katrena Pope, David Randall Christian and Jordan J. Christian.
Funeral services for Dave will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004, from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home of Norwich. The Rev. Romeyn Kipp, pastor of the Holmesville Baptist Church, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Maplewood Cemetery of Mount Upton.
Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. and again on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Members of the South New Berlin Fire Department will conduct memorial services at the funeral home at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Please consider memorial contributions to the South New Berlin Fire Department, South New Berlin, NY 13843 or to the American Cancer Society, 31 Adams Ave., Endicott, NY 13760.

Published in The Daily Star on Jan. 5, 2004. 

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Leech, Arthur G. 1927-2002 South New Berlin NY Obituary

Arthur G. Leech
SOUTH NEW BERLIN — Arthur G. Leech, 75, of South New Berlin passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 25, 2002, after an extended illness.
Born March 7, 1927, in the Town of Butternut, he was the son of Arthur and Georginez (Camp) Leech.
Arthur attended school in Mount Upton and Johnson City. Before completing his schooling, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on March 22, 1944. He received his five weeks' recruit training at Sampon, N.Y. He was a gunner's mate on the USS Nantahala and the USS Rehoboth, serving his country during World War II. He received the American Theatre Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal Six star, Philippine Liberation Ribbon-Single star and a Victory Medal. The entire crew he shipped with refused the Purple Heart. Arthur was honorably discharged from the Navy, separating from Lido Beach, Long Island, N.Y., on May 26, 1946. Arthur was a lifetime member of VFW Post 2782. Upon completing his stay in the military, Arthur held many jobs before he found his true passion. He worked for Gorton Construction and numerous other construction companies, where he developed and fine-tuned his carpentry skills. He went into the business of furniture making and refinishing. Arthur could take any old piece of wood and turn it into a work of art.
Arthur enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren. A favorite pastime was going for rides in the country, where he would always have an eye open for a new fishing hole. He found a lot of pleasure in helping his sons operate their businesses, "The Barn," an antique and collectibles shop, and "Art's Auto Refinishing and Wise Guy's Towing."
Arthur is survived by his companion and friend, Shirley Haynes, of South New Berlin; his daughters, Barbara Gerken and her husband, Paul ,of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Diane Parker and her husband, Christopher, of Norwich; and his sons, James Sanborn (Leech) of Morristown, N.J., Arthur Leech of Norwich and Curtis Leech and his wife, Darlene, of Guilford. He is also survived by his sister, Juanita Nichols of South New Berlin; three brothers, James Leech of Garrattsville, Edward Leech of Mount Upton and William Leech of South New Berlin; 11 grandchildren, Rachel Molino, Jolene Sanborn, Edward Boyer, Jon Gerken, Geoffrey and Jennifer Parker, Derrick Balcom, and Melissa, Kyle, Katy and Kayla Leech; and three great-grandchildren, Kayla Molino and Tyler and Christopher Gerken. Arthur also leaves behind Linda Mills, whom he raised from the time she was a small child, as well as his beloved birds Wally and Jake; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, Robert, Donald and Alan Leech, and his sisters, Alma Bresee and Marian Berube.
Graveside funeral services for Arthur will be held at the Butternut Valley Cemetery in Mount Upton, at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 1, with the Rev. Romeyn Kipp, pastor of the Holmesville Baptist Church, will officiate. Burial with full military rites will follow.
The family has requested no calling hours.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815.
Arrangements are by the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home of Norwich.

Published in The Daily Star on June 29, 2002.

Wells, Benjamin L. 1928-2000 South New Berlin NY Obituary

Benjamin L. Wells

SOUTH NEW BERLIN — Benjamin L. Wells, 71, of South New Berlin, died Monday, Feb. 7, 2000, in New Berlin, unexpectedly.
He was born in New Berlin on July 12, 1928, and the son of William T. Wells and Jennie (Chase) Wells.
He was married to Maysie C. Wells on Sept. 10, 1950, in the First Baptist Church in South New Berlin.
He was a lifelong area resident and a well-known and respected dairy farmer.
Benjamin is survived by his wife, Maysie Wells of South New Berlin; two daughters, Mary Jane Brunschmid of Morris and Sheila Beckert of South New Berlin; two sons, David Wells of South New Berlin and James Wells of Walton; a brother, William Wells of Missoula, Mont.; eight grandchildren, Julie and John Burns, Bryon, Erica and Sherry Beckert and Janet, Rebecca and Elizabeth Wells; and two great-grandchildren, Ashley and Morgan Burns.
A sister, Janet Wells Bettiol, who died in 1953, predeceased him.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2000, at 1 p.m. in the First Baptist Church in South New Berlin, with the Rev. Daniel Age officiating.
There will be calling hours and interment will be in the spring in the Hillington Cemetery in Morris.
In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to donate to the First Baptist Church of South New Berlin in his memory.
Funeral arrangements are by the Johnston Funeral Home of Morris.

Published in The Daily Star on Feb. 8, 2000.

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There are links to numerous family members from Benjamin's memorial.

Wells, Benjamin L. 1928-2000 South New Berlin NY Obituary

Benjamin L. Wells

SOUTH NEW BERLIN — Benjamin L. Wells, 71, of South New Berlin, died Monday, Feb. 7, 2000, in New Berlin, unexpectedly.
He was born in New Berlin on July 12, 1928, and the son of William T. Wells and Jennie (Chase) Wells.
He was married to Maysie C. Wells on Sept. 10, 1950, in the First Baptist Church in South New Berlin.
He was a lifelong area resident and a well-known and respected dairy farmer.
Benjamin is survived by his wife, Maysie Wells of South New Berlin; two daughters, Mary Jane Brunschmid of Morris and Sheila Beckert of South New Berlin; two sons, David Wells of South New Berlin and James Wells of Walton; a brother, William Wells of Missoula, Mont.; eight grandchildren, Julie and John Burns, Bryon, Erica and Sherry Beckert and Janet, Rebecca and Elizabeth Wells; and two great-grandchildren, Ashley and Morgan Burns.
A sister, Janet Wells Bettiol, who died in 1953, predeceased him.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2000, at 1 p.m. in the First Baptist Church in South New Berlin, with the Rev. Daniel Age officiating.
There will be calling hours and interment will be in the spring in the Hillington Cemetery in Morris.
In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to donate to the First Baptist Church of South New Berlin in his memory.
Funeral arrangements are by the Johnston Funeral Home of Morris.

Published in The Daily Star on Feb. 8, 2000.

Find A Grave Memorial for Benjamin L. Wells
This will link you to memorials for his wife and parents at Hillington Cemetery, Morris, Otsego County, NY.
These were all created by Kathryn Hill, a devoted Find A Grave volunteer from Illinois who has distant
relatives in this area.