Greetings Ulster County List: Here is an obituary from the Kripple Bush (Kripplebush) Methodist Church records compiled in the late 1800s, early 1900s. James M. SCHOONMAKER, Kripple Bush Methodist Church Records, Book 2, Page 118, pasted copy of Obituary: “Kripple Bush: James M. SCHOONMAKER died at the residence of James H. Smith, Tuesday evening, May 5th, 1896, aged 77 years, 10 months and 6 days. He was born in the town of Rochester June 28th, 1818 and was the son of John SCHOONMAKER and Catherine OSTERHOUDT, and named in honor of Rev. James Murphy, who was the pastor of the Rochester Reformed church from 1814 to 1825. James M. SCHOONMAKER by occupation was a mason, and according to the church records was one of the masons employed in building the Methodist church in 1857. On October 4th, 1839, he was united in marriage to Cyntha LADENBERGH, who died January 28th, 1892. They had six children, two sons and four daughters: John J., resides in New Jersey, Moses W, at New Paltz, and according to the records of the Methodist church, Nelly Elizabeth died November 25th, 1859, Phebe Ann, wife of Andrew VAN DEMARK, died August 11th, 1871 and Sarah Jane, wife of Alexander KEATOR, died April 14th, 1874, the only living daughter being Maria C., wife of James H. SMITH, residing in Kripple Bush. The funeral was held in the Methodist Church on Friday afternoon at two o’clock, Rev. Adolphus Schliermacher officiating. Miss Alida M. OSTERHOUDT, who presided at the organ, sang most beautifully “God’s Children are Gathering Home: and “Some Sweet Day”. The remains rested in an elegant casket covered with beautiful flowers. John J. OSTERHOUDT, Solomon SMITH, Hiram D. WOOD, Jacob E. HORNBECK, Hiram A. DAVIS and William BEATTY were the pall bearers. Mr. Schoonmaker was buried in the Fair View cemetery at Pine Bush.” (Please note that the Fairview Cemetery is on Pine Bush Road, a few miles north of Kripplebush--not to be confused with the Pine Bush that is in Orange County, NY.) With warm regards, Marilyn Hough Stern KrippleBush, NY mhoughstern@aol.com ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour