Jo Ann Scoons

OGDENSBURG, N.Y. — Jo Ann Scoons, who was smart and motivated, died peacefully on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Home in Ogdensburg, New York. She was 86.

Born Oct. 2, 1939, in Albany, she was the daughter of the late Ralph Scoons and Dorothy (née Hotaling) Scoons.

Stephen William Freihofer worked in the family business, the Freihofer Baking Company, until it was sold at which point he fulfilled his dream of buying a motor home and taking his family on many trips.

ALTAMONT — Carol E. Flewelling “dedicated her life to education, family, and faith, leaving behind a profound legacy,” her family wrote in a tribute.

Born on Sept. 20, 1940, in Queens, New York, she died on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center in Guilderland. She was 85.

GUILDERLAND — William W. Vojnar, the owner of Capital District Construction for the past 30 years, died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. He was 52.

HOLLAND, Mich. — Mary Elizabeth Koeppe Luidens, a physician beloved by her patients and admired by her peers, raised three gifted children.

She died on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Holland, Michigan. She was 72.

GUILDERLAND — Richard J. “Dick” Willey, a Marine, was raised on a farm in Latham and enjoyed living in the Helderberg Hilltowns.

He died peacefully at home in the comfort of his loving wife on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 at 1 p.m. He was 94.

Roberta S. LeBuis of Barneveld in Oneida County died on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, at Sunset Nursing and Rehab in Boonville. She was 88.

She was born on Oct. 28, 1937, in Albany, the daughter of the late William and E. Margarette Bryant Stevens. She was a graduate of Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School.

SHUSHAN, N.Y. — James S. Ambrose, a Vietnam War veteran who had a lifelong love of learning and problem-solving, found his greatest joy in serving as a support to his family. 

He died on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at Saratoga Hospital. He was 80.

Nicholas Valentine

WESTERLO — Nicholas Valentine, a vegetable farmer who served his community and loved his family, died peacefully on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, with his family at his home at 1036 Route 402 in Westerlo. He was 87.

ALTAMONT — Vaughan M. (née Fredendall) Simons, a mother who loved local history, died on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Shaker Place Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Colonie. She was 96.

Born in Altamont, she was the daughter of the late Harold and Gladys Keenholts Fredendall. She was the wife of the late Charles C. Simons.

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