Harry K. Betz 1933-2011 PITTSFIELD - Harry K. Betz, 77, of 30 Main Street Cummington, passed away peacefully March 1, 2011 at Craneville Place in Dalton. He was born December 20, 1933 in Pittsfield; he was the son of David and Ramona Alexander Betz. He attended local schools graduating from Pittsfield High school; He then entered in the United States Navy, serving in the Korean War where he received a Purple Heart. After the war he then went on to work as an electrician for many years until his retirement in 2001. Mr. Betz attended Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church, and was a member of the Wisdom Lodge, and the VFW in Vermont. He was predeceased by his wife Janice M. Barrows whom he married May 25, 1985, she passed away March 16, 2006. He leaves behind his step-children, Richard Sheldon of Ashfield, Rox-Anne Kellogg of Cummington, Patrick Sheldon of Tacoma, Wash., Michael Sheldon of Pittsfield, Robin Sampson of Worthington, Jimmy Sheldon of Ashfield, Penny Krim of North Adams, 20 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE: Graveside services for Harry K. Betz will be in the family lot in the spring Cemetery of the Evergreens in New Lebanon New York with Military Honors at a time and a day to be announced.
Brenda J. Crane 1970-2011 PITTSFIELD Brenda J. Crane, 40, of 73 Lenox Ave, Pittsfield, passed away peacefully at Berkshire Medical Center after a long battle with Cancer on March 8, 2011. Brenda was born on July 23, 1970 in Pittsfield. She was the daughter of Joseph and Judith Hall Fournier; she went local schools and was a graduate of Monument Mountain in 1989. She worked at Canyon Ranch as a Record Coordinator for 11 years. Brenda enjoyed Bowling, Bingo and spending time with Family and Friends especially with her nieces and nephews. Brenda was survived by her Husband Joseph whom she married on April 1, 2000. Her parents Joseph and Judith, of Zephyrhills, Fla., her sister Laura and Husband Robert Reynolds, Timothy, Krista Reynolds, her brother in law Kevin Hickey, her nieces Jennifer, Danielle, Colleen Hickey, her mother in law Sheila Crane, brother in law Jeffrey Crane, sister in law Corina Crane and sister in law, Lorrie Goodfellow, Brother in law Andy and Nephew Drew Goodfellow. She was predeceased by her sister Lisa Hickey in 2008. FUNERAL NOTICE: Celebration of life will be a later date on her birthday July 23 there will be no calling hours and burial will be at the convenience of the family. Donations in her memory can be made to Berkshire Hematology. WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME 220 EAST STREET PITTSFIELD MA is in charge of arrangements.
Ruth V. Scarbeau 1927-2011 PITTSFIELD- Ruth V. Scarbeau, 83, formerly of Rose Manor passed away Monday at Mt. Greylock Extended Care Facility, where she had been a resident since December 2010. Born July 4, 1927, in Stockbridge, MA the daughter of Frank D. and Helen M. White Whitacre, Ruth graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1945, from North Adams State College in 1974 and attended Westfield College. Ruth did volunteer work at Rice School for many years, and then worked as the librarian at Rice School then at Taconic High School and finally as a librarian in North Adams Public Schools. She was a member of the AARP. Ruth attended St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. She leaves her sister Susanne Mongeau and her husband Fran of Pittsfield, three nieces Christine Hassan, Lynn Whitacre, and Monique Delmolino and two nephews Jospeh Chague and his wife Beth, David Black and his wife Priscilla. FUNERAL NOTICE- Graveside services for Ruth Scarbeau will be held in the Stockbridge Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to Berkshire Humane Society, or Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter care of the WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME, 220 East St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Thoughts and wishes may be sent to condolences@wellingtonfuneralhome.com.
Ralph R. Johnson 1921 - 2011 DALTON Ralph R. Johnson Jr., 89, of Depot Street, passed away Saturday, March 19, at Berkshire Medical Center, following a brief illness. Born April 24, 1921, in Chicago, IL, son of Ralph R. and Judith Pearson Johnson Sr., he was a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, earning a degree in business administration. Ralph served in the Air Force during World War II and played the trumpet in the military band. Ralph was employed by the Pittsfield National Bank for 35 years, starting out as a loan officer and reaching the position of trust officer when he retired in 1986; while with the bank, Ralph was also serving as the treasurer of the Central Berkshire Regional School District. Upon his retirement in 1990 from the school district, he was presented with the "Two Million Dollar Man" award, for his efforts in helping the district's investment accounts earning over a million dollars in interest during his time as treasurer. Then upon his retirement, he served as a member of the school board for two years. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Dalton, serving as the treasurer for 31 years. Ralph was a weekly member of the Sunday Lunch program for many years. Ralph was a man of service. He served as the treasurer for the Berkshire Association of the United Church of Christ and for South Mountain Concerts. He was active in the Dalton Rotary Club from which he received the Paul Harris Fellowship award. Ralph was a member of the Board of the Salvation Army for many years. He also served as a trustee of Cedar Crest College, his daughter Judith's Alma Mater. Ralph was a member of the Saturday Evening Club, member of the Pittsfield bowling league, and played in a bridge group at the First Congregational Church in Dalton. Ralph enjoyed golfing and was a member of Wahconah Country Club and playing with the Dilly Boys. In 1965, he founded the Bantam Baseball League so all had a chance to play baseball in a league. More enthusiastically, he was an avid Boston Red Sox fan. He was predeceased by his wife, the former Elizabeth Jordan, whom he married August 24, 1946. She passed away February 21, 2009. Ralph is survived by his daughters, Meredith L. Solberg and her husband Les of Lady Lake, FL, Judith E. Ferrara and her husband Robert of Wallingford, PA, son Richard A. Johnson and his longtime companion Mary Turner of Dalton; grandsons, Brian Ferrara and his wife, Jennifer, and Michael Ferrara; niece Patricia J. Burns and husband Tim of Lake Bluff, IL, nephew Dr. David Johnson of Milwaukee, WI, sister in law Margaret Jane Jordan of Cheshire, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews. Two brothers, Donald and Kenneth, predeceased him. FUNERAL NOTICE- Funeral services for Ralph R. Johnson Jr. will be held Thursday at 1pm at the First Congregational Church in Dalton with the Rev. Briget Nicholson, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Ashuelot Cemetery in Dalton. Calling hours will be Wednesday from 4-7pm at the BARTLETT WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME. Donations in Ralph's memory may be made to the First Congregational Church of Dalton or to the Dalton Rotary Club's Dutch Treat Scholarship Fund, in care of the funeral home 525 Main St., Dalton, MA 01226. Thoughts and wishes to the family may be emailed to condolences@wellingtonfuneralhome.com.
Christine T. Brown 1919-2011 PITTSFIELD- Christine T. Brown, 91, of 5 Brierwood St, Pittsfield passed away at Berkshire Medical Center on March 24, 2011. Christine was born in Dillion, South Carolina, on April 30, 1919. She was the daughter of James and Daisy Mae Sealy Tucker; she graduated from Lakeview High School. Mrs. Brown was employed for 34 years by the Berkshire VNA as a home health aide and Office assistant until her retirement at age 85. She was a 50- year member of the First Baptist Church where she served as a Deaconess and was Choir mother for years at the Church. Christine loved Knitting, Crocheting, and baking and was known for her PTA bars, Green Jell-O, and Blueberry Dessert. She also enjoyed managing jewelry sales at the annual Church tag sales, and loved listening to Diane Bish, organist. She also served on many Church committees. Christine was predeceased by her husband Perry C. Brown whom she married on November 14, 1944. He passed away November 1, 1968. Survivors include her children William P. Brown and wife Barbara of Apopka, Fla., Marilyn C. Reeves and husband Paul of Pittsfield, Ruth M. Pierce and husband Frank of Cheshire, Wayne C. Brown and wife Vickie of Odessa, Fla., Grandchildren William, Melissa, Kimberly, Amy, Karen, Jeffrey, Briana, Jonathan, Wayne Jr., Teresa (Teri), Christy and Kellie, and 18 Great Grandchildren and two Great Great Grandchildren. She is survived by her sister Hazel Holland of Oceanside, Calif., and was predeceased by three brothers and four sisters. FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Christine T. Brown will be held Monday March 28, 2011 at 11a.m. at First Baptist Church at 88 South Street, Pittsfield, MA, with the Rev. Dr. Robert M. Rennie officiating. Burial will follow in the Green lawn Cemetery in Housatonic MA. Calling hours will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Donations in her memory can be made to the First Baptist Church Elevator Fund through the WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME 220 EAST STREET PITTSFIELD MA who is in charge of arrangements.