Index Deaths of local interest in Chenango, Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties are: • *Charlotte V. Franklin, 78, Oneonta. • *Mary H. Laskoski, 92, South Worcester. • *John C. Newkirk, 68, Oneonta. • *John W. Roney, 87, Andes. • *Mary Smith, 82, Sidney. • Rudolph Suurhans, 85, formerly of Cooperstown. • *Wayne W. VanSteenburg, 69, Oneonta. • *Richard L. Welch Sr., 72, Rome. *Full obituary in today’s Daily Star.

He was born Oct. 3, 1918, at Lake Delaware, son of William and Blanche Roney.

John graduated from Andes Central School in 1937. A lifelong resident of Andes, he worked on the family farm, was a W.W.II veteran, ran the Roney Equipment Company with his brother, William,, and continued in sales for the rest of his life.

In 1972, he dedicated his life to serve God as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. If you knew him at all, you were aware of his faith. He was known and loved by young and old alike.

John is survived by his wife, Ruth Todd Roney; a brother, William of Andes; and two sisters, Martha Jackson of Staunton, Va. and Mary Hanlon of Stuarts Draft, Va. His children are John Todd Roney and wife Nancy of Rotterdam, and their children, Patrick, Brian and Brenda and great-grandchildren, Pamela Roney of Kingston, and Theodore Leland Roney and wife Karen of Andes and their children, Terah and Dana.

He was predeceased by a son, Timothy James.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, at the Arkville Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Jehovah’s Witnesses or the Catskill Area Hospice.

Arrangements are by the Hynes Funeral Homes, Margaretville.

She was born March 2, 1914, in Elizabeth, N.J., the daughter of Daniel and Regina (Januz) Zacharczuk.

Mrs. Laskoski was a South Worcester area resident for more than 20 years.

She is survived by her son, Stephen and his wife, Barbara Laskoski, of South Worcester; a daughter, Jeannie and her husband, Carl Christensen, of Stuart, Fla.; grandchildren, Luke and his wife, Jenette Laskoski, and their children, Hailey, Cameron and Cody of Willard, and Stephen Laskoski and Jeannie Bodden of East Worcester, and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Edward Laskoski.

There will be no public calling hours.

A private graveside service will be held at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Worcester at the convenience of the family.

Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Worcester Emergency Squad, PO Box 191, Worcester, NY 12197.

The E.J. Skinner Co., 155 Main St. in Worcester is serving the family.

He was born Dec. 27, 1937, in Kingston, the son of Stanley and Lena (Mertine) Newkirk.

John married Beverly Sawyer on July 18, 1970, in Kerhonkson.

John is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Beverly Newkirk of Oneonta; four daughters, Sandra Marino of Oneonta, Doris and Donald Lindberg of Worcester, Beverly and Joe Dammier of Ft. Plain and Monica Parker and Larry Stepp of Oneonta; two stepsons, James and Deb Faulkner of Ft. Plain and Timothy and Peggy Faulkner of Oneonta; several grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three sisters, Rachel Miller of Kingston, Sandra Litts of Kingston and Etta "Dolly" and George Sickler of Kingston; one brother, Stanley Newkirk of Rifton; one sister-in-law, Judy and James Baxter of Seaford, Del.; one brother-in-law, James and Jean Sawyer of Oneonta; as well as several nieces and nephews.

There will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held later in Oneonta Plains Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 1 Birchwood Dr., Oneonta, NY 13820, in loving memory of John C. Newkirk.

Funeral arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home of Oneonta.

He was born March 28, 1934, in Edmeston, a son of the late Renwic and Jennie Jones Welch. Richard was raised in Edmeston and graduated from Edmeston High School. He served his country in the United States Army from 1953 to 1956.

On June 9, 1985, he was united in marriage to the former Mary Wilson in Whitesboro. Richard was employed with the Rome State School and was self-employed, working on used furniture and appliances. He was a member of the Rome Polish Home and the Polish Community Club in Utica.

Richard is survived by his wife, Mary; three daughters, Barbara and Patricia Welch and Debra Hill; six sons, Richard Jr., Timothy, Randy, Gregory, Frederick Welch and Kevin Wilson; several grandchildren; a brother, Gordon Welch of Lexington Park, Maryland; a sister, Nancy Figger of South New Berlin; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Opal Robinson, and two brothers, Mahlon and Stanley Paul Welch.

Mr. Welch’s funeral service, with military honors, will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Griffin-Aldridge & Gulla Funeral Home in Rome.

Interment will be later this spring in Evergreen Cemetery.

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday prior to the service.

The family is being served by the Griffin-Aldridge & Gulla Funeral Home, 209 N. Washington St., Rome.

She was born Oct. 30, 1923, in Swinford, Ireland, to the late Martin and Elizabeth (Brannigan) Rowley.

Mary is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, William Smith of Florida, Michael and Janette Smith of McGraw, and Christopher and Paula Smith of Sidney; daughter, Roberta Smith of Troy; three sisters, Rita of London, England, Kathleen of Swinford, Ireland, and Jane of Ennis, County Claire, Ireland; two brothers, Raymond Rowley of Essex, England, and Martin Rowley Jr., of Killasser, Ireland; grandchildren, Shannan Smith and Steve Lewis, Michelle, Travis, Stacy, Candace, Meghan, Chad, Nathan and Zachary Smith and Joseph Favaloro; along with six great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at C. H, Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St., Sidney. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Fr. Gordon Polenz of Sacred Heart Parish officiating.

Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Bainbridge.

Memorial contributions may be to Delaware Valley Humane Society, 101 East Main St., Sidney.

Arrangements are by the C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.

He was born June 9, 1936, in Oneonta, son of William and Mina (Ferguson) VanSteenburg.

Wayne married Dorothy Arlene Clapper on Jan. 26, 1959, in Oneonta. Mrs. VanSteenburg predeceased him on July 30, 2005.

He worked at Hartwick College for 25 years in the maintenance department.

Wayne enjoyed fishing, traveling, bowling and socializing with everyone. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family. Wayne will be remembered for his sense of humor.

Wayne is survived by his daughter, Valerie and Robert Braun of Otego; his son, William VanSteenburg of Oneonta; nine grandchildren, Kerri Wilber, Heather VanSteenburg, Kristy Huestis, Joseph Chesko and Bobby Huestis; five great-grandchildren; and one nephew, Victor VanSteenburg of Oneonta.

He was predeceased by one daughter, Susie Huestis; one son, Wayne W. VanSteenburg Jr.; and one brother, Elmer "Red" VanSteenburg.

At Wayne’s request, there will be no calling hours or funeral services.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Wayne’s family, c/o Valerie Braun, 104 Forrest Way, Otego, NY 13825, in loving memory of Wayne W. VanSteenburg Sr.

Funeral arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home of Oneonta.

She was born Feb. 27, 1928, in Schenevus, the daughter of John C. and Mabel (Smith) Quiel.

Charlotte married Charles "Kip" Franklin on March 31, 1973, in Milford. He predeceased her Feb. 23, 2004.

Charlotte was a hairdresser at Bresee’s, doing hair for most of the fine ladies in Oneonta until the store’s closing. She then worked for various establishments, melding very well with the younger crowd. Charlotte was fond of cats, and a stray could always be assured a meal at her place.

At her request, she was cremated, and a graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, April 10, in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery.

Charlotte gave everyone she met the same life lesson: "Can’t say something nice? Smile!"

Arrangements are by the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St. in Oneonta.

Arrangements are pending with Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown and Milford.