All Obituaries

Michael W. Scheller, 64, of Copake, passed away September 25, 2023 at his residence. He was born on May 29, 1959 in Rhinebeck to Walter Scheller and Eleanor (Winans) Vail. He grew up around the family farm and then went to work for Karl Ehmer Farm. After which he went on to work for the Village of Millerton Water Dept.  Most recently  he was the Superintendent of the Waste Water treatment and Highway Department for the Village of Philmont until his retirement. He...

Christopher William Quinby, 74, of Copake passed away peacefully at Albany Medical Center on September 6, 2023. Born August 1, 1949, Chris was the son of Sidney and Virginia (Page) Quinby.  He was a lifelong resident of Copake. He attended the Roeliff Jansen Central School where, in high school, he was an outstanding hurdler on the track team and played the trumpet. He graduated in 1967. He attended Syracuse University, and was awarded an Associate in Arts degree from Dutchess...

Stanley Rushkoski, 93, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2023 at Pine Haven Nursing Home. He was born on March 12, 1930 in Hudson to John and Frances Rushkoski. A graduate of Hudson High School’s class of 1948. The same year he enlisted in the United States Army and served honorably until 1952. On November 22, 1959,  Stanley married Maria Dominica Poletto in Hudson.  He began his career in banking at Hudson River Trust and through the mergers and transitions worked his...

James Joseph Wolfe, 81, passed away peacefully at home on September 11, 2023. He was born on January 29, 1942 to Margaret Downey. He was blessed to have been loved and raised by both George Dambmann and James Hodnett. He grew up in Brooklyn and graduated from high school at the age of 16 and then studied English at St. John’s University. For twenty years he served honorably as an NYPD police officer. He spoke a lot about his time of being a police officer during his final days, and we...

Donna M. Barringer, 71, of Stuyvesant and formerly of Copake. Passed away peacefully on September 16, 2023 at Columbia Memorial Hospital surrounded by her loving family after battling leukemia. She was born in Rutland, Vermont on March 5, 1952 to the late Donald “Buzz” Cummings and Betty (Sisco) Cummings. In 1970, she graduated from Webutuck Central School and shortly thereafter she married Frederick Barringer.  Donna was the office manager for Copake Veterinary office for...

James G. Blevins, 87, of Copake, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on September 13, 2023. He was born on July 27, 1936 to the late Rev. Wendell Clark  Blevins and Mildred (Cammack) Blevins. After graduating from Roeliff Jansen High School, Jim enlisted in the United States Army where he honorably served until 1959. On December 21, 1958, at the Hillsdale Methodist church he married Judith Goudie. They moved to Virginia where Jim worked on a chicken farm...

Tracy B. Stickles, 62, of Copake, passed away peacefully at home on September 10, 2023. She was born on March 10, 1961 in Hudson, to the late Michael Beecher II & Barbara (Adriance) Beecher. Tracy worked for ITW in Lakeville prior to her retirement. She was also a server at local bars & restaurants around the area. Where she was known to make people laugh and smile. Tracy will be remembered as a loving mother, and sister. Tracy is survived by her son, Peter Stickles Jr., her twin...

Gertrude Kellner, 94 of Pine Plains, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family and beloved dogs. She was born on March 14, 1929 in Queens, NY to Bernhard and Erna (Scheuch) Brock. Gertrude was a Registered Nurse for many years and lived her life according to her faith and compassion for all.  Gertrude leaves behind her 4 children, Patricia Kettelle, Richard (Karen) O’Malley, Rita Zielinski, and Keith Kellner. Five grandchildren, Clifford Kettelle, Walter (Jannett)...

Allan B. Douglass, 74 of Gallatin, passed away peacefully at home on August 26, 2023. He was born in Rhinebeck, on May 3, 1949 to the late Catherine & Allan J. Douglass. For a number of years Allan was the owner and operator or Boar’s Head in Elizaville. He was also a bus driver for Pine Plains Central School for many years and was a truck driver for Duffy Layton Contracting. Allan was a 58 year member of the Milan Fire Department and was a founding member of the Milan Rescue...

Avery “Prope” Dietter Postman, Veteran “Mayor of Ancramdale” Avery “Prope” Dietter (95) of Ancramdale passed away peacefully on August 17, 2023, in his home surrounded by his beloved family. Born on October 26, 1927, in Ancram Lead Mines, Prope liked to tell people that he was older than Ancramdale because the hamlets name didn’t change until the early 1930’s. He was the 10th child of 16 born to his parents Ernest and Annabelle (Lown)...