Obituaries Archives — The Altamont Enterprise, August 11, 2011
Kenneth B. LeBel
GUILDERLAND — Kenneth B. LeBel, known as Papa Kenny, a world record holder, died unexpectedly on Monday, July 25, 2011, at his home.
Born in Meriden, Conn., he was the son of Nellie (Warbel) LaBel and Leo LeBel.
He was raised in Lake Placid, where he excelled at speed skating and barrel jumping. In addition to being a world record holder, he is in the Guinness Book of World Records.
“Papa had a love of sports. He loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, especially hockey, softball, and baseball. He also loved his garden,” wrote his family in a tribute.
He is survived by his children, Lisa Carroll, and her husband, Billy, Lori LeBel-Vink, and Ken LeBel Jr., and his wife, Joanne; his former wife, Diane, with whom he had a very special relationship; his sister, Aldrina Regan, of Peabody, Mass.; Leo LeBel Jr., of Conn.; and his grandchildren, Sammie, Billy, Sadie, Devin, Monica, Lauren, Madyson, and Kendra.
Calling hours were held at the Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont on July 28.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice.
Karl W. Scharl
VOORHEESVILLE — Karl W. Scharl, a warm and generous man, died on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011, at St. Peter’s Hospital. He was 75.
Born in Catskill on March 14, 1936, he was the son of the late Joseph and Berta (Dietrich) Scharl. He graduated from Catskill High School, where he was president of his senior class, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in 1957.
Mr. Scharl served in the Army as an intelligence interrogator in Germany during the early years of the Cold War.
He worked for the University at Albany for 35 years before retiring, when he spent much of his time volunteering. He worked with the Ronald McDonald House, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Town of New Scotland Senior Outreach, and the Community Caregivers.
He also was, for a number of years, co-owner of Voorheesville Wine and Liquor.
As a young man, Mr. Scharl was a professional musician, playing piano at resorts in the Catskills for tourists in the 1950s. Even after he gave up playing music himself, he “always carried his passion for music with him and loved to listen to his Stan Kenton albums at exceedingly high volumes,” his family wrote in a tribute.
A sports-car enthusiast, Mr. Scharl participated in many hill climbs, gymkhanas, and ice races in the northeast through the 1960s, most successfully with his beloved Austin Healey 3000.
In the 1980s, Mr. Scharl took up sailing and spent much of his time on Lake George with his family.
He “had a great love and compassion for all animals and owned dogs and many cats,” his family wrote. “He was also a very strong supporter of Syracuse University athletics throughout his entire adult life.”
“Most of all, Karl enjoyed a good glass of wine and great dinners with his family and friends,” wrote his family.
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Mr. Scharl is survived by his wife, Kitty Scharl, and his son, Christian Scharl and his wife, Mako, and son, Peter Scharl.
A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. today, Thursday, at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., in Delmar.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House, 139 South Lake Ave.
Mary Ellen (McHugh) Wehren
NEW SALEM — A strong woman who raised and supported six children, Mary Ellen Wehren died on Aug. 9, 2011. She was 90.
“She was very proud,” said her son Paul Wehren.
“She was very generous and strong,” said her daughter Vida Wehren. “She was an individual who knew her mind.”
Born on May 14, 1921 in Albany, she was the daughter of Lucy (Farley) McHugh and John Joseph McHugh. Her father worked as a brakeman for the New York Central Railroad and her mother was a homemaker. Her family moved from Morton Avenue in Albany to New Salem when Mary was 10 years old. “They lived in a garage while their house was being built,” said Ms. Wehren.
Mrs. Wehren lived in New Salem the rest of her life. She graduated from Bethlehem High School and Mildred Elley Business School in Albany. Before retiring, she was employed by the New York State Department of Civil Service. Mrs. Wehren was one of the first people to move from the clerical to the professional field through the Public Administration Traineeship Transition (PATT) exam.
“She helped to shape that entire program,” said her daughter. “She worked for the Department of Civil Service most of her career. She was good at it. She was very, very busy.”
“Mary’s life provided many challenges, which she handled with admirable strength,” her family wrote in a tribute.
“She had six children within seven years of each other,” said her daughter. “She raised six children all on her own. She was all alone.” Mrs. Wehren raised her children while working a full-time job in an era when it wasn’t common for women to pursue a career.
“She was very industrious,” said her daughter. “The house was painted every year. There were six of us in a very small house. It could be chaotic.”
“She was devoted to her family and loved the multiple dogs and cats that made their home with her through the years,” her family wrote.
“She was a voracious reader,” said her daughter, favoring magazines, newspapers, and mystery novels.
“She was physically active,” said Ms. Wehren. “She walked a few miles every day.”
Mrs. Wehren enjoyed being with her grandchildren. While a number of them lived out of state, five lived in the area, her daughter said, concluding, “She doted on her grandchildren.”
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The family would like to thank the staff of Good Samaritan Health Care Center and Community Hospice of Albany County for their kindness and care, as well as the many relatives and friends who provided support and assistance in these last days and weeks. The family also extend thanks to the wonderful women who cared for her in her home.
Mary Ellen (McHugh) Wehren is survived by her six children: Deborah Frank and her husband, Jody; Aileen Wehren and her husband, Patrick Pierce; Paul Wehren and his wife, Jennifer Murphy; Janice Nissen and her husband, Norman; Patrice Wehren and her husband, Stephen Brown; and Vida Wehren and her partner, Paul Draper.
She also is survived by her grandchildren: Aaron Frank; Rebekah Frank; Lucy Frank; Rachel Pierce and her boyfriend, Martin Ohman; Caitlin Rubitschun and her husband, Jeff; Paul Wehren; Alexander Wehren; Jessica Grizzard and her husband, John; Samuel Nissen; and Abigail Nissen.
She is survived, too, by one great-granddaughter, Cadence Grizzard; by her sister, Dorothy (McHugh) McDonald, of New Salem; and her brother, John McHugh, of Albion N.Y.; and by several nieces and nephews: Maureen Alonzo, Hugh McDonald, John McDonald, William McHugh, and John McHugh.
Her brother, Patrick McHugh, and her niece, Dorothy McDonald, died before her.
Friends may call on Tuesday, Aug. 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 17, at St. Agnes Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Albany County, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205 or to the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands, NY 12204.
— Melissa Hale-Spencer
Kenneth B. LeBel
GUILDERLAND — Kenneth B. LeBel, known as Papa Kenny, a world record holder, died unexpectedly on Monday, July 25, 2011, at his home.
Born in Meriden, Conn., he was the son of Nellie (Warbel) LaBel and Leo LeBel.
He was raised in Lake Placid, where he excelled at speed skating and barrel jumping. In addition to being a world record holder, he is in the Guinness Book of World Records.
“Papa had a love of sports. He loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, especially hockey, softball, and baseball. He also loved his garden,” wrote his family in a tribute.
He is survived by his children, Lisa Carroll, and her husband, Billy, Lori LeBel-Vink, and Ken LeBel Jr., and his wife, Joanne; his former wife, Diane, with whom he had a very special relationship; his sister, Aldrina Regan, of Peabody, Mass.; Leo LeBel Jr., of Conn.; and his grandchildren, Sammie, Billy, Sadie, Devin, Monica, Lauren, Madyson, and Kendra.
Calling hours were held at the Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont on July 28.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice.