BERNE — Vernon G. Schanz Jr., a farmer who loved the outdoors, died peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, surrounded by his family. He was 91.

Mr. Schanz was born in Berne on July 17, 1924, the son of the late Vernon and Mildred Josephine (née Proper) Schanz.

He graduated from the Berne-Knox-Westerlo schools in 1942.

_{Jenn Geckler, Knox Historical Association}

_{Dawn Jordan, Berne Summerfest Committee, Berne Town Counci}

_{Nick Viscio, chairman, Knox Democratic Party}

RENSSELAERVILLE — Judging by the applause, about half the crowd at last Thursday’s hearing opposed the plan for a 180-foot tower on top of Edwards Hill because it would mar the Catskill vistas while the other half favored the sheriff’s proposal because it would bring radio reception for emergency calls to parts of Rensselaerville — inc

WESTERLO — Brandy Lynn Riley, a woman who unearthed buried treasures and mined happiness from rocky ground, died on Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. She was 31.

“God gained one angel,” her family wrote in a tribute.

EAST BERNE — Michael E. Smith, who was happiest at Warners Lake, died peacefully at Memorial Hospital on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, after a long illness. He was 62.

He was born on Nov. 28, 1952 to Norman C. and the late Mary Geier Smith, in Albany. A graduate of Christian Brothers Academy, he attended The College of Saint Rose.