Index Deaths of local interest in Chenango, Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties are: • *James F. Haran, 82, Bovina Center. • *James E. McGuinness, Broadalbin. • Yvonne V. Musson, 84, Sidney. • John C. Newkirk, 68, Oneonta. • *Helmut Schaefer, 67, Laurens. *Full obituary in today’s Daily Star.

Mr. Schaefer taught German at Oneonta High School for more than 30 years before he retired in 1993. He was an active, dedicated teacher who brought the German language and culture to life by leading student trips to Europe and sponsoring German Club.

In addition to being a kind and generous optimist, anticipating sunny days ahead when others may have chosen to dwell on the rain at hand. Mr. Schaefer had an all-encompassing curiosity, a love of fresh air and travel. This may have begun with an early childhood forbidden passage across an East German border in the dark of night.

Later in life, these led him to build houses, to build a raft and motor it 900 miles down the Mississippi River, to ride his bicycle across several continents, and to seek beauty pageants and accordion festivals far and wide.

For his dedicated service as a trail-blazing role model and trip guide for Hostelling International, Mr. Schaefer was honored with its Clem and Louise Motten Award in 1995.

Mr. Schaefer is survived by his mother, Ruth Schaefer; his daughter, Inge Schaefer; his son, Kurt Schaefer; and his grandsons, Luther Gennert and Pioneer Droffner. Although they will miss his physical presence, they will have the ongoing presence of Mr. Schaefer’s gentle, optimistic, giving spirit in their lives.

A service to honor the life of Mr. Schaefer will be held at his home at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 15.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Helmut Schaefer Memorial Scholarship, care of Thomas Austin, Oneonta City School District, 189 Main St., Oneonta, NY 13820.

Arrangements are by the Johnston Funeral Home in Morris.

He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. He was devoted to his family. Jim thoroughly enjoyed traditional and spontaneous family gatherings. He took great joy in sharing a wide array of interests with his family — reading; philosophy; sociology; social justice; photography; writing; gardening; birds; books; travel and most recently, cats!

Jim was born in Brooklyn on July 4, 1923, the son of Patrick and Beatrice (Nealon) Haran.

He married Mary Boyle in Brooklyn in 1951. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on March 31, 2006.

Jim received his doctorate in sociology from Fordham University. He began his career in federal probation and parole in 1955, with his first appointment as a United States Probation Officer. In 1967, he was appointed Chief U.S. Probation Officer of the Eastern District of New York.

During his tenure, he started many innovative programs, including: The Counseling Service of EDNY — a drug-rehabilitation unit still in existence today; and the Home Confinement Program — where defendants were confined to their home rather than jail prior to trial or for minor offenses.

In cooperation with Fordham University, Jim developed a master’s degree program for probation officers on the state and federal levels. He was appointed training coordinator for all federal probation officers throughout the country.

In 1972, Jim was presented with the prestigious Doyle Award as the most outstanding probation officer in the United States. His leadership was distinguished and highly valued by the federal criminal justice system. He retired in 1987.

Upon his retirement, he assumed a full-time professorship at C.W. Post College on Long Island, where he taught criminology. Throughout his career, he served as an adjunct professor at Fordham; John Jay School of Criminal Justice and St. John’s University. He took pride in his role as mentor and educator — taking every opportunity to encourage his students to pursue careers in social and criminal justice. He retired from C.W. Post in 1993.

Jim was a member of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church. He took special interest in supporting education initiatives on Native American Reservations.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Mary; their five children, Regina, James, Paul, Thomas and Peter; and his cherished granddaughter, Sarah. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Haran of Brooklyn; and by many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother, Edward Haran; and his sister, Winifred Kelly.

Calling hours will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at the MacArthur Funeral Home, Delhi.

A prayer service to celebrate the life of James F. Haran will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 13, 2006, at St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Church, Andes, with Father James McDevitt officiating.

Burial will take place in Bovina Cemetery, Bovina.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820 or the Bovina EMS Emergency Squad, care of R. Burgin, 123 Bob Hall Road, Bovina Center, NY 13740.

Arrangements are with the MacArthur Funeral Home of Delhi.

His late wife, Lillian, predeceased him in November 2005.

On Nov. 29, 1963, Mr. McGuinness married Adah Campbell; during their marriage they shared three daughters, Bridget McGuinness of Oneonta, Regina (Reggie) McGuinness and her companion, Shawn Callahan of Oneonta, and Meghan McGuinness of Binghamton. Mr. McGuinness is also survived by his aunt, Ruth McMoon of Oneonta; three grandchildren, Casey McGuinness, Amber Talbot and Thomas James Talbot, all of Oneonta; as well as a number of cousins.

Mr. McGuinness was a graduate of Oneonta High School, Albany School of Business, and Siena College.

He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8690 and a life member and former commander of the American Legion Post 337, both in the community of Broadalbin.

The "Chief," as he was known, served 26 years with the United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard.

He was a former member of St. Mary’s Church in Oneonta.

Mr. McGuinness was employed many years at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, where he served as director of personnel and employee services, and Amsterdam Memorial Hospital in Amsterdam, where he served as the director of human resources. Most recently, he was employed at Exel in Johnstown.

Calling hours will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 14, 2006, at Robert M. Halgas Funeral Home, 38 West Main St., in Broadalbin, NY 12025. A joint ritual will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. by the American Legion and VFW.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 9 a.m. Monday, April 17, 2006, at St. Joseph’s Church, 7 North St., Broadalbin, with the Rev. Thomas Morrette officiating.

Burial will be held in the Gerald B.H. Solomon-Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, at 11:30 a.m.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the VFW Scholarship in care of the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Johnston Funeral Home in Morris.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, April 14, 2006, in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery, Oneonta, with the Reverend Eileen Cornwell, pastor of the Elm Park United Methodist Church, Oneonta, officiating.

Funeral arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home of Oneonta.