Index Deaths of local interest in Chenango, Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties are: • Emily Silliman McDonald Boikovs, (The Candy Lady), 69, Jefferson. • *Melvin Crosby, 85, Oneonta. • *Willard I. Douglas, 75, Edmeston. • *Edwin R. Howland Jr., 67, Sidney. *Full obituary in today’s Daily Star.

Mel was born in Syracuse on Sept. 30, 1920, the son of Willis and Ruth Crosby.

He graduated from Oneonta High School in 1939 and married Alma Conrow on March 7, 1941.

Mel served in the United States Army and also the New York National Guard as Staff Sergeant for six years.

He was employed in the food and beverage industry for most of his working years and retired from Monarch Wine and Spirits in 1986. He then continued to work 15 years as a courier with Wilber National Bank.

Mel is survived by his wife, Alma; his son, Ron Crosby (Jerry Jeff Walker) and his wife, Susan; his daughter, Cheryl Harder and her husband, Bob; grandchildren, Django Walker, Jessie Walker McLarty, Craig, Brian and Lauren Harder; beloved niece, Judi Ancewiecz and her husband, Larry; and nephew, Tim Conklin.

He was predeceased by his parents, Willis and Ruth Crosby; and his sister, Dorothy Crosby Diaz.

Mel’s love of sports was exemplified through his 39 years of officiating at area baseball, basketball and soccer games. In 2004, he was inducted into the Delaware-Otsego-Schohanna Official Boards, Section IV, for outstanding achievement in athletics.

An avid and accomplished golfer, Mel savored the precious time spent on the "links" with his dear friends. His greatest joy, however, was watching his grandchildren grow and become young adults.

A service in celebration of Mel’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 12, 2006, at the First Presbyterian Church, 296 Main St., Oneonta, with the Rev. Patricia Raube-Wilson, pastor, officiating.

Those wanting to meet with the family are invited to do so at 1:30 p.m.

A graveside service will take place in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, and at Mel’s request, contributions can be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 296 Main St., Oneonta; the Oneonta Plains Cemetery, 162 County Highway 58, Oneonta, or the Oneonta Boys & Girls Club, 70 River St., Oneonta, NY 13820.

The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St. in Oneonta, is serving the family.

He was born Sept. 3, 1930, in Hartwick, the son of Owen and Helen (Markel) Douglas.

He married Esther Cornish on Sept. 17, 1950. Esther predeceased Willard on May 10, 2001.

Willard loved farming. After he retired from dairy, his hobbies included raising Herefords, tinkering around the farm, in the barn, or in the garage. He enjoyed time, while at Harding, discussing the restoration of his 1949 Cockshutt tractor with his son-in-law.

Willard had a gregarious and warm personality. While living in Edmeston, he would socialize at what was then known as Schworms Store. More recently he would frequent Quacks in Madison for lunch.

He enjoyed his independence from Harding on nice days with a trip to Stewarts or going out and about with friends or family in his van. He enjoyed caring for animals, especially his cats.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 10, 2006, at the First Baptist Church of West Edmeston, with the Rev. Don Buck officiating. Calling hours will be from noon until 2 p.m. before the service.

Interment will be in the spring in Milford Cemetery.

Willard is survived by his sister, Charlotte Harrington of Morris; his children and their spouses, Marylyn and Don Fenton of Summerville, S.C., Pamela and William Lewis of Remsen, and Scott Douglas and his girlfriend, Marleta Munio, of New Berlin; his grandchildren, Bryan Fenton and Aimee Gethers; and great-grandchildren, Brandon, Dyon, Macey, Andrew and Justin Jr.

His brothers, Ronald and Barry Douglas, also predeceased Willard.

Contributions may be made in Willard’s name to Harding Nursing Home, 220 Tower St., Waterville, NY 13480 or the MS Society.

Condolences may also be sent to the family via the funeral home website at www.hjtfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Houk-Johnston-Terry Funeral Home, Edmeston.

He was born June 19, 1938, the son of E. Romain (Ted) and Verna Ruoff More Howland on the East Brook family farm.

He attended one-room District 12 School and graduated from Walton High School in 1956. The same year he was employed at Allied Amphenol in Sidney and worked there until 1965, except the years of 1957 to 1960, when he served with the United States Army stationed in Germany.

In 1965, he opened a Montgomery Ward Sales Catalog agency, operating it until 1981. During this time, he built for his business the building at the corner of Main and Liberty Street formerly known as the Howland Block. Following the sale of this business, he operated a successful appliance repair service from his home as long as he was able.

Survivors include three daughters and husbands, Julie and Dale Stephens, Joan and Mel Allen and Jennifer Lin Howland, all of Fairfield, Iowa; two sons and wives, Thomas and Jolyn Howland of East Meredith and David and Wendy Howland of New Berlin; four grandchildren, Mason Mathew Allen, Jaxen Romaine Allen, Emily Jolyn Howland and Frederick Loren Howland; as well as his brother, Ronald K. More; and his devoted Hospice caregiver, Amy Tuttel.

Edwin was twice married, first to Betsy Telford, mother of their children, and then to Jean Pysnik.

He was a member of the Sidney United Methodist Church, the Sidney and Unadilla Chambers of Commerce and was a 40-year member of Sidney Elks Lodge.

In remembering Ed, the names of many foster children come to mind in whose lives he made a difference: Kelly, Dawn, Jeremiah, Lori, Adrienne, Sean, Shannon, Ivy Jane, Jack and Herby.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 10, 2006, at the C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St., Sidney, with the Rev. Bert More officiating. Family will be in attendance from noon until service time. Burial will follow in Walton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Services are under direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Home, Sidney.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 10, 2006, at the Johnston Funeral Home in Morris. Funeral services will be Saturday, March 11, 2006, at the funeral home. Burial will follow.

A full obituary will be in Friday’s edition of The Daily Star.