Paul H. Van Valkenburg, Br 7

Paul H. Van Valkenburg, 64, of East Guilford, NY, passed away unexpectedly Thursday morning, September 24, 1998. He was born August 8, 1934 in Stilesville, NY. Paul was the son of the late Benjamin and Viola Holmes Van Valkenburg. On October 27, 1956, he married Jean Pratt in Harpursville, NY. He is survived by his wife Jean; two sons, Timothy and Daniel; daughter, Amy Vance; seven grandchildren; two brothers, Elwin and James Frances; and a sister, Mary Martin.

Except for 25 years as a volunteer in the Sidney Emergency Squad #1, including the privilege of serving as its captain, his family was the most important part of his life. He served in numerous organizations during the 42 years of being in Sidney, NY. Paul was an avid hunter, trapper and fisherman until his health failed. He loved working at Fairbanks Pharmacy, Inc. with his brother, Elwin, and, most recently, with his nephew, David. Paul was employed there from January 1957 until his retirement in May 1995. He always took time to talk with everyone and took an interest in them.

John D. Van Valkenburg, Br 7

John D. Van Valkenburg of Unadilla, NY, died Wednesday, April 7, 1999, at his home. Mr. Van Valkenburhg was born August 15, 1936, in Sidney, the son of Ernest and Leola (Alger) Van Valkenburg.

He was a lifelong resident of the area. On June 27, 1964, in Unadilla, he married Mary Washburn. They shared 34 years of marriage. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served in Germany during the Berlin Wall conflict. He worked as a dispatcher for Dellwood Foods in Delhi.

Mr. Van Valkenburg is survived by his wife, Mary of Unadilla; his son Ernest, daughter Jane, five grandchildren and two brothers, James and June, three sisters, Virginia Zurn, Alice Beers and Bertha Reynolds.

Willard Van Valkenburgh, Br 1

Charter Member

Willard Van Valken-burgh, 81, a former editor and securities advisor and retired commander in the Naval Reserve, died December 6, 1998, at his son's home in Fredericksburg. He had been a 52-year resident of Alexandria, VA.

Commander Van Valkenburgh, a native of New York City, was a graduate of New York University. He served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theatre during World War II and returned to active duty during the Korean War.

Following World War II and his move to Alexandria, he developed and published two journals. "Resume", a summary of major news stories in selected international publications, and "Editorial Review", a similar review of editorials in major opinion-making publications. He later became associated with the securities and insurance industries, and was semi-retired at his death.

In the 1960s, Commander Van Valkenburgh was instrumental in bringing voting machines to Alexandria. He was an American member of the London-based Sherlock Holmes Society and a talented amateur pianist. A NAVVF member, he contributed to the News Notes on occasion.

Survivors include Lois, his wife of 52 years; three children, Woody, Blaire and Jack; two grandchildren and a brother, Curtis.

Frederick Webster, Br 1

Frederick J.H. Webster, 61, husband of Marie E. Van Valkenburgh Webster, died Wednesday, February 17, 1999 in Oneonta, NY.

Expressions of sympathy in Mr. Webster's memory may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice, 542 Main St. Oneonta, NY, 13820.

Jean E. Van Valkenburgh, Br 7

Jean was born November 23, 1925 in Plattsburgh, NY, as was her late twin sister, Jessie. Her parents were Herbert L. Weir and Mary E. Decker. She attended public schools and the State Teachers College in Plattsburgh, majoring in Home Economics.

Her first teaching position was with the New York State Indian School in Hogansburg, NY. It was here she met Robert Van Valkenburgh who was teaching music in the nearby public school in Bombay, NY. They were married in Plattsburgh, NY, on August 4, 1951 and first lived in New Paltz, NY.

At that time, Bob knew very little about his relatives so Jean kept asking Bob's father who filled in a lot of information and also took us to visit relatives, especially in the Catskill Mountain area on the Hudson Valley.

During this period, they met Paul I. Van Valkenburg who was continuing his father's work on the family genealogy. Jean began to update Paul's records with information gathered from these visits and also from searching through cemeteries.

Bob was working for IBM and, while on business trips, contact Van Valkenburghs. In addition, they scanned phone directories in local libraries. Jean began a letter writing campaign to these people and asking for family data. The response was amazing. Bob answered every response and so built up a long mailing list covering all parts of the United States.

The late Carl Van Valkenburg, of Canajoharie, NY, suggested to Bob that he form a family association. Using the mailing list, a questionnaire was sent out asking whether an association should be formed. The response was very favorable and the NAVVF was born.

Jean continued her work with genealogy and also served as NAVVF President for a term during which she hosted the 1977 reunion in Raleigh, NC. Her ability to recall many, many relationships by memory was amazing. For many reasons, she will be sorely missed.

Mary E. Cowan, Br 7

Mary E. Cowan, 91, of Bedford, OH, died November 23, 1998 in Twinsburg. She was a leading medical technologist for 56 years in Cuyahoga County, but her reputation spread across the world.

She was internationally known for her ability to use just a speck of paint or a drop of blood to unlock mysteries surrounding the most bizarre incidents.

She was also an assistant professor of legal medicine at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, an instructor of peace officers for the Ohio Attorney General, and the author many professional articles

Dorothy VV Lewis, Br 7

Charter Member

Dorothy VV Lewis, 100 years old, a resident of Columbus, GA, died Friday, September 25, 1998 at her residence.

Mrs. Lewis was the daughter of Albert Edward and Estella Fenn Van Valkenburg. She was a graduate of John B. Stetson University and married Albert C. Lewis in 1922.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Chuck Pierson, grandson Lee Pierson, his wife Jeannie and two great-grandchildren, Justin and Crawford.

Rosemarie (O'Connnell) Van Valkenburg of Schoharie Turnpike, Athens, NY, passed away on March 15, 1999. She is survived by her husband Robert O. (Br 7) and her children Robert J., Michael, Timothy, Lisa and Kim.

(From John C. Van Valkenburg)

Flora Van Valkenburg, Br 1

Flora Van Valkenburgh, aged 90, widow of Paul I. VV, compiler of The Van Valkenburg Family in America, died in November 1998.